Lake Compounce
Celebrate the warmer weather in Bristol, Connecticut, with a family RV trip to Lake Compounce. Enjoy the oldest operating amusement park in the US.
Event information
If it has been some time since you’ve taken an RV road trip from your home to somewhere exciting, then why not now? Pick up the best RV rental and drive it to Bristol, Connecticut where a whole lot of family fun awaits at Lake Compounce.
Lake Compounce is the oldest theme park still in operation in the US and is well-loved for its wooden roller coasters, beach, and water park that bring millions of visitors every year. From the dozens of rides that span over 330 acres to its displays, attractions, and shopping opportunities, there are plenty of reasons why this amusement park should feature at the top of your must-visit list.
Lake Compounce has no shortage of fun things to do for all members of the family. Ride the Phobia Phear Coaster at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour, or race your way through the woods on the Boulder Dash, which was voted the world’s best wooden roller coaster. The Flying Elephants classic ride is sure to be a hit with the younger members of the group, as well.
What out-of-town travelers love about Lake Compounce is that it caters for fun during the day and accommodation during the night. Visitors can drive their RV rental in Connecticut to the amusement park where a campground is ready and waiting to offer overnight accommodation on the same grounds. Travelers can then jump aboard the tram for quick and easy access to the theme park during the day.
Start planning an RV trip to Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, and get ready for hours of fun with family and friends.
Tickets
All manner of ticket options is available for travelers looking to visit Lake Compounce. The adventure seeker who wants to visit more than once may see the value in a season pass, while any family looking for a fun day out can buy single-day passes or group ticket packages.
Discounts can often apply for different times of the year, so consider buying tickets to Lake Compunce online to see what’s available. Ticket pricing varies from $20 to $120 for day passes.
Explore Lake Compounce RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Bristol is located 120 miles from Boston and 100 miles from New York City. Therefore, it’s exceptionally well-appointed for those who rent an RV near Connecticut and want to see what the broader state has to offer.
Driving to Hartford County can be a memorable experience. From the abundance of state forests for exploring, such as Mattatuck State Forest, to the easy-driving roads that provide direct access to Bristol, what more could you need?
To ensure you’ve got enough time for pitstops along the way, visitors may like to check out traffic aids like Waze or CT Travel Smart to keep up to date with any delays or congestion they may face.
Excited travelers will then find Lake Compounce mere minutes from I-84 and two miles north of US-229 at 185 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, Connecticut.
Parking areas
A parking pass is required to park an RV or tow vehicle in the onsite lot. These can be purchased at the same time as admission tickets for between $10 and $40 for a day or the season or in person upon arrival. Parking passes are valid for the full day, up until the park closes in the evening, making them different than Lake Compounce RV camping options.
Public Transportation
While a city bus is in operation to connect various parts of the urban center in Bristol and around Hartford, there may not be too many options for getting RV travelers to Lake Compounce easily.
Fortunately, those who are staying at the onsite campground can jump aboard the tram, which runs throughout most of the season, usually excluding October. Otherwise, the best ways to get to Lake Compounce include taxi, rideshare, and with an RV or tow vehicle.
Where to stay
Onsite
Imagine being able to camp overnight at a theme park. Imagine no more, for that’s the reality when you visit Lake Compounce. On the theme park grounds is Beer Creek Campground, which welcomes RV travelers who reserve their site in advance. Take advantage of water, electricity, and cable hookups, WiFi, onsite activities, a dump station, two-vehicle parking, and bathrooms.
Visitors can even buy firewood from the camp store for a primitive RV camping-style experience and jump aboard the tram during most months of the year for quick access to Lake Compounce.
Nearby
During the busier seasons of the year, camping spaces at Beer Creek Campground can fill up fast, which means RV-goers may like to look outside of Lake Compounce for RV accommodation at places like Branch Brook Campground. Also, within 20 miles of Lake Compounce is the Nepaug State Forest, which travelers may like to pay a visit to for camping, biking, and hiking.
Within an hour’s drive is the luxurious Niantic / I-95 Exit 72 CT KOA, which takes explorers past Cockaponset State Forest for hiking and biking opportunities. Set your sights within a 50-mile radius of Lake Compounce to enjoy some of the best places for RV camping.
Getting around
Lake Compounce sees over 14 million people through its gates annually, which means that even during quiet times, it’s a hive of activity. To keep guests as safe as possible, Lake Compounce officials don’t allow the use of scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, or similar personal wheeled transportation. Strollers for the younger members of the group are permitted and are also available for hire.
What to pack
Clothing
Packing for a trip to Lake Compounce is bound to increase your excitement levels, but don’t forget to think sensibly about the best attire for rides and travels around Connecticut. Shoes and shirts are required at all times but remember to bring swimwear for Crocodile Cove Water Park. Cut-off jeans, denim shorts, buckles and belts, loose-fitting attire and jewelry are all best to be left in your motorhome for safety reasons.
For anyone looking to go bird watching or hiking at Nassahegon State Forest near Burlington, or another beautiful natural attraction nearby, it’s worth packing a few outdoor-appropriate garments to ensure comfort and safety.
Gear
Carrying around your possessions during a trip to Lake Compounce can prove to be quite inconvenient. Therefore, the more you leave in your travel trailer or motorhome, the more comfortable you may be. Lake Compounce also has lockers available for hire for bags and other loose items like phones, hats, and cameras.
ATMs are available for cash withdrawal, but all onsite vendors accept credit card and debit card payments, too. Coolers, food, and beverages are to be left in your motorhome, but one non-alcoholic beverage is allowed.
Health & Safety
Health and safety is something that travelers should factor into every part of their trip, not just a day trip to Lake Compounce. Wear sunscreen, even on overcast days, and stock up on first-aid supplies for your motorhome's travel kit. Bug spray may also be worthwhile for outdoor enthusiasts who fancy exploring at Topsmead State Forest near Torrington, or somewhere nearby.
It’s also crucial to remain hydrated, so bring a reusable plastic bottle that you can fill at many refill stations throughout Lake Compounce.
Where to eat
Cooking
While there will be no opportunity to fire up your barbeque at the amusement park, but there is once you make the short trip back to Beer Creek Campground. Light a campfire, use your onboard appliances or fire up the grill. You can even buy firewood at the campsite to make it a more traditional primitive RV camping experience.
The camp store sells necessary supplies, but travelers can also pick up other delicious ingredients from the nearest grocery store within a two-mile drive of Lake Compounce.
Restaurants
Family-friendly eateries are dotted all around Bristol, within an easy driving distance of Lake Compounce and other attractions in the area. Travelers can treat themselves to takeout, grilled food, café treats, burgers, wings, and more. During peak travel times, allow extra time for service. Lake Compounce also has restaurants and eateries onsite for convenience.
Vendors
Park guests may be blown away by the wide variety of offerings to suit every appetite and diet. Pizza, pasta, potatoes, burgers, cotton candy, ice cream, hot dogs, pretzels, the list continues. Visitors can also purchase dining passes for combo meals during their visit, or use cash or cards as payment.
Safety
Security
Lake Compounce officials do everything in their power to keep visitors safe, which includes metal detectors at the entrance gate and bag searches. Attendees can speed up the screening process by leaving unnecessary items in their secure motorhome.
For anyone with any questions or concerns, security staff members will be positioned at various locations around the park. Otherwise, the Southington Police Station is within a five-mile drive of Lake Compounce.
Weather
From May to September, temperatures run in the high 70 degree-Fahrenheit range to the low 80s. Rainfall is expected year-round, which means travelers may like to tune into a weather service before they hit the road. Some rides at Lake Compounce don’t operate in light rain, heavy rain, and lightning storms.
Weather conditions may also dictate whether or not you want to partake in outdoor activities, like fishing and hiking at Salmon River State Forest near Middletown.
Medical
If someone in your traveling party is feeling unwell, or they have sustained an injury while at Lake Compounce, then help is close at hand. There is a first aid area with trained medical staff to assist onsite. Approach the nearest staff member to lead the way.
Outside of Lake Compounce, there is a hospital within three miles of Lake Compounce for medical care, and a pharmacy within the same distance. Travelers should take care while exploring natural attractions like Nehantic State Forest near New London by carrying a first-aid kit onboard.
