Renting an RV in Connecticut
Connecticut is one of those core New England states that’s well known for year-round beauty, opulent homes, and gorgeous drives. Its coastal region, proximity to New York, and beautiful nature in its upstate area make it a magnificent place to check out in an RV.
Renting an RV in Connecticut is an easy way to take a great vacation through one of the nicest states in the country. Between the quaint coastal fishing towns to the grandiose homes high up in the hills, renting an RV lets you take your sightseeing to the next level.
With many state parks and other attractions, there are plenty of places to take your rental RV, stay a while, or travel around as much as you want.
There’s more than one reason to rent an RV. If you’re not ready to own one yet—or haven’t driven one and aren’t sure how comfortable you’ll be in one—renting an RV lets you try it on for size. It’s an easy way to make sure you have accommodations for every person on your trip without worry of occupancy or upcharges.
If you’re ready to buy an RV, we can help you there, too. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a trip in an RV without all of the long-term maintenance and upkeep that comes with owning an RV. Rent your RV and get out on the road for your trip in Connecticut.
Nothing quite compares to the scenery and views in New England, and Connecticut is often hailed as one of the most beautiful of the states. From lavish homes that make for great sight-seeing to the tiny fishing and beach resort towns on the coast. To make your travel plans a little easier in your rental RV, we’ve pulled together a list of 10 favorite spots to check out.
Inside the building itself, which was designed by Gillette, you’ll find beautiful hand-carved wood and other opulent touches. There are also interesting puzzles and secret rooms throughout the building. It’s one of the most unique spots in Connecticut, and a must for any RV trip.
Learn more about Gillette Castle State Park
Outside of the geodesic dome, there are miles of walking trails in the Arboretum. Here, there are numerous species of native plants and trees. Inside the exhibition center, there’s also a discovery center where you can learn more about the dinos that lived in the area, as well as a “dig site,” where kids get a chance to play archeologist and get their hands dirty.
Learn more about Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
There’s a beach just off the Cochinaug River, and while swimming is prohibited, there are picnic spaces available. Fishing is also hugely popular in the river, which is stocked with trout. This park makes for a great day trip and a quick visit.
Learn more about Wadsworth Falls State Park
Biking, fishing, walking the boardwalk, and picnicking are all great ways to spend some time at Hammonasset Beach. And there’s no reason to be in a hurry: the park has 550 camping spots available, so you can post up and enjoy yourself.
Learn more about Hammonasset Beach State Park
Silver Sands is a large park on the coast of Connecticut. There are your classic coastal park activities here: swimming, sunbathing, enjoying the sand, long strolls down the boardwalk, and more. Restored salt marshes and trails through the local woods are also great for day trips.
St. Charles Island sits off the coast and is also part of the park, albeit with a different twist: it’s a bird sanctuary. At low tide, it’s possible to walk on the tombolo out to the beach (though they caution this as it’s easy to get stranded when the tide comes back in. The island is closed May through August to allow the nested birds to remain undisturbed. That’s probably for the best because Captain Kidd is rumored to have buried his treasure there some 400 years ago.
Learn more about Silver Sands State Park
Connecticut plays an important role in bird migration. West River Memorial Park is another bird sanctuary, playing home to orioles, ospreys, tree swallows, sparrows, and more. The park sits along a good length of the 13 miles West River. On the river, you’ll find a rowing course.
Elsewhere in the park is the Barnard Nature Center, an educational environment with a classroom, green roof, and collection of amphibians and reptiles. There’s also a statue of WWI hero Timothy Francis Ahearn, plus soccer, rugby, and basketball courts.
Learn more about West River Memorial Park
The falls themselves are awe-inspiring. The pools created are very popular for swimming, though they can be dangerous if proper precaution isn’t taken. This is the perfect place to come as a day trip in your RV, camera in hand, prepared to enjoy some of Connecticut’s most beautiful scenery.
Learn more about Enders Falls State Park
Elsewhere in the park is a replica covered bridge, fishing, and picnic areas. The trail isn’t difficult, but it is steep. But you’ll be ok resting when you stop at one of three observation decks and take in the gorgeous views around you.
Learn more about Kent Falls State Park
If you’re on a fishing trip and brought a fly rod, there’s great stream fishing nearby, as well as other trails nearby. The forest is largely quiet without many other visitors. So if you’re trying to get away from people, Campbell Falls is your place.
Learn more about Campbell Falls State Park
Another place in Connecticut that’s important for the birds, the Stewart B. McKinney Refuge (formerly known as Salt Meadow) sits in the Atlantic Flyway. Songbirds, shorebirds, and wading birds all spend time here, whether nesting, feeding, or simply calling it home. The refuge, which is just under 1,000 acres, is more than a bird sanctuary, though. It’s also home to a variety of wildlife and interesting land formations.
The refuge features a salt marsh as well as eight total coastal islands and a barrier beach. Whether you’re coming into birdwatch, take photographs, or just go for a leisurely hike, remember that the refuge is delicate and it’s best enjoyed with the eyes.
Learn more about Stewart B. Mckinney National Wildlife Refuge
Many of the campgrounds you’ll find will be rustic and no less lovely than all of the state parks you’ll visit. Good Sam maintains a list of parks in Connecticut that offer full RV hookups. From the coast to gorgeous inland, you won’t be mad about staying at a campground in your rental RV.
Connecticut has a tendency to be quite beautiful in spring, summer, and fall. It’ll come as no surprise that fall is especially busy in the state thanks to “leaf peepers.” And with all of the natural beauty, you can’t blame them. That said, expect campgrounds to be exceptionally busy in the fall. Call and reserve a spot way ahead—which is actually a good idea no matter when you’re traveling there.
Coastal Connecticut tends to be more temperate throughout the year, while inland can be both hot and humid in the summer and see a lot of snow during the winter. If you’re new to RVing, you might want to stick to renting an RV in the nicer months unless you’re interested in a challenge. RVs aren’t all-terrain vehicles, so take extra care if you’re driving one in the snow.
Dry camping or boondocking refers to camping in an RV without any electrical, water, or sewer hookups. You rely on what’s in your tanks—or what your tanks can hold. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a spot with full hookups somewhere on your trip, but know that if you can’t, boondocking is an option.
You can technically boondock on any land governed by the Bureau of Land Management, though some parks explicitly prohibit camping of any kind on their sites. If a campsite or spot like this isn’t in your cards, many stores with large parking lots allow RVers to dry camp there. Otherwise, many state parks not listed above do offer overnight camping as well.