Gillette Castle State Park, Connecticut
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
A castle in Connecticut? Yep, or so it would seem. The castle here at Gillette Castle State Park looks like a medieval fortress, but the inside of the structure is far different than you would ever imagine from the outside. If you’re renting an RV in Connecticut, then you have to stop at this unique and unforgettable state park.
The castle was the masterpiece of the creative genius that was William Gillette. He was an actor and playwright in the late 19th century and this castle was his home for some time. Now, it’s a 184-acre park unlike any other in the state. It’s a bit of an oddity, but not one that you’ll regret visiting in your RV. Here’s what you need to know about it.
The large field-stone structure known as Gillette Castle looks like something not of the U.S. It looks like it would be more at home in some European countryside, but it’s right in Connecticut and it’s a beautiful building. As impressive as the outside of the castle is, the interior is what’s truly interesting
There are 24 rooms within the 14,000 square foot home, and William Gillette, who played Sherlock Holmes during his life, created some secret passageways and tricks that were built right into the home. The woodwork inside the home is nothing short of artwork, and you’ll marvel at the impressive craftsmanship. You can take a tour of the castle when you visit the park.
The Connecticut Art Trail teamed up with some other organizations to create what’s called Viewpoints. This is an outdoor exhibit that showcases reproduced works of art painted in the 19th Century. If you’re visiting the park, make sure to check out this fun exhibit, and all of the artworks showcased there.
The park is made up of 184 acres. There are plenty of hiking trails throughout the park, giving you and your family room to stretch your legs and experience everything this unique place has to offer.
Along the winding trails, you’ll find steep stone steps, beautiful stone arches, and tunnels to walk through. There are even trails that follow Gillette’s three-mile-long narrow gauge railroad, which is another oddity of the park.
Camping is a common activity here, but there’s an important twist to note. It’s all about the river. The campground is accessible from the water.
If you’re canoeing or kayaking the Connecticut river, then you can camp right at the state park and take advantage of the toilets and campgrounds there. However, RVs are not going to work here. You could camp up the river and paddle down to these campgrounds, though.
Few places in the entire state of Connecticut are better for picnicking. There are picnic tables around the park and you can also lay out a blanket and relax in the sun or the shade.
Picnicking is popular here, so you likely won’t be the only family out there enjoying lunch in the park.
Salem Farms Campground is a great option for RVers looking for a rural farm-like stay in Connecticut. The campground offers 157 acres full of campsites, features, and amenities. There are full hookup campsites here and every campground gets a fire ring and a picnic table.
The campground also offers two swimming pools, several playgrounds, bocce ball courts, volleyball, mini-golf, and more. There are also trails for walking and ponds and lakes are only a few minutes away opening up opportunities for fishing and more.
Located about 11 miles from the Gillette Castle State Park, Markham Meadows Campground is a family-friendly park. There are full hookup campsites at this campground that offer plenty of amenities for campers who are traveling in an RV.
The amenities include a pool, Wi-Fi, Direct TV, general store, snack bar, arcade, pool table, basketball courts, playground, catch-and-release fishing, paddleboarding, kayaks, laundry facilities, and bathroom and shower facilities.
Another great farm setting, the Riverdale Farm Campground is located on a 100-acre colonial farm. The campsites here offer full hookups and they feature Wi-Fi, restroom and shower facilities, fire pits, and picnic tables.
The campground also offers a spring-fed pond, a laundromat, tennis and basketball courts, volleyball, pool table, ping pong, trout fishing, and camp store.
If you don’t mind making a 45-minute drive then you can stay at one of the best campgrounds in the entire area. Hidden Acres is a fantastic place to be if you’ve rented an RV in Connecticut. The campground offers full hookup campsites and cabins for rent.
At the campground, there’s a laundromat, shower facilities, snack bar, camp store, Wi-Fi, playground, community areas, and much more. Many of the campsites here are riverfront, offering great views of the water.
One of the closest campgrounds to the Gillette Castle is Wolf’s Den Campground. This campground offers games and outdoor playgrounds as well as a pool for all campers to use. There’s also a mini-golf course and various sporting courts for you and your family.
The campsites themselves are varied. Some are without hookups and others offer full hookups. They all offer fire rings and picnic tables. There’s a camp store, laundromat, Wi-Fi, and bathroom and shower facilities.
As was mentioned above, there aren’t many places to find food within the park’s boundaries. The park shop and museum only offer some small snack food options.
However, there is Sherlock’s Grill at the park. This restaurant is located next to the visitor’s center. You can easily walk to it from the park’s main parking lot. The cuisine here is American, and it’s a great place to grab a quick bite to eat while you visit the park. Be sure to check the hours to make sure it’s open.
Outside of the park, you’ll find that all of the local towns and communities offer a good selection of restaurants and shops for food.
The town of East Haddam is a great option. There are numerous places to eat and some nice restaurants in the town. Many of these will be your standard American cuisine, but you should also be able to find some variety.
No matter where you stay or eat, Gillette Castle State Park should be a fun time and provide you and your family with an unforgettable and educational experience that you’ll remember for years to come.