Mystic KOA

Whether you decide to stay close to your campground in Connecticut or venture into Rhode Island, there is no shortage of parks and beaches you can visit when you vacation in New London County. Pachaug State Forest is directly north of town, covering a large swath of eastern Connecticut with densely forested areas and lots of hiking trails.

If you are hoping to see the Long Island Sound, Harkness Memorial State Park is a great place to start. There are spectacular old houses you can see or tour, along with mesmerizing views of the ocean. The old Harkness family estate includes a 42-room mansion with its own botanical gardens by the sea. The beaches of the park are wonderful for sun tanning, swimming, picnicking, and any other beach activity you can think of.

If you want to do some exploring by the coast, Rocky Neck State Park is the right place for you. The park has long been considered one of the most popular recreational destinations in the state, with accessible facilities and great beaches. Whether you stay for the day or carve out a few nights of camping there with your RV rental, there is so much fun to be had by the shore. Picnic areas, stone pavilions, fascinating wetlands, and epic trails add to the park’s appeal.

If you plan on heading to Rhode Island, Burlingame State Park is yet another promising area quite close to the Atlantic Ocean. The rugged park has thousands of acres of heavily-wooded forests. Hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, kayaking, swimming, and more can be enjoyed when you rent an RV near Mystic KOA and make the drive over the border.

Mystic KOA is not quite in Mystic, despite its name, meaning that when you go into town, you will most likely be visiting North Stonington. Any of the towns in this area are interesting enough that regardless of where you decide to visit, there'll be plenty of places to eat, shop, and walk around. North Stonington has lots of old buildings and historic sites, including the North Stonington Village, found in the center of the small town. This registered historic site and 50 others can be spotted throughout the city, adding to the excitement and appeal of the charming village. The John Randall House is merely one of many houses that you can observe, refurbished and preserved to showcase the elegance and style of the colonial period. The Samuel Miner House is another similar colonial structure that adequately represents the period during which it was constructed, with iconic New England style.

Over near Ledyard, North Stonington campers will find one of the largest casinos on the planet. This five-star mega-facility is run by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, with tons of amenities, dining options, shopping centers, live concerts, comedy acts, and other expositions/events. You can catch some live entertainment, do some gaming, or simply kick back and relax at the spa or pool.

The Mystic Aquarium is a famous feature of Connecticut’s coastline, recognized for its amazing array of ocean animals. This gorgeous facility houses an impressive collection, with penguins, seals, beluga whales, jellyfish, as well as a petting tank for kids to explore the ocean habitats with their hands in a fun, hands-on way.