🌤 Weather at Salt Rock State Campground by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29–70 °F | 58–84 °F | 34–76 °F | 21–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Norwich Public Utility Plt, 8 mi away, elevation 20 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Salt Rock State Campground spreads across 149 wooded acres in Sprague, in New London County, Connecticut, with more than a mile of frontage on the Shetucket River. It holds a distinction no other park in the state can claim: it is the only Connecticut state campground with full hook-ups for RVs.
Quick Facts
| State | Connecticut |
| County | New London County |
| Location | Sprague / Baltic, CT |
| Size | 149 acres across two parcels |
| Water | Over one mile of Shetucket River frontage |
| Campsites | 56 RV/tent sites — 33 standard, 8 water & electric, 13 full hook-up; plus 2 group sites for up to 25 |
| Season | 2026: 8 May to 12 October (noon). 2027: 14 May to 11 October |
| Fees | $33–$52 per night depending on residency and site type; group sites $100 |
| Pets | Two pets per site |
| Phone | (860) 822-0884 (seasonal) |
Hours, fees and facilities verified against the official Connecticut State Parks page on 9 August 2026.
Location & Getting There
The campground lies in the Baltic section of Sprague, coordinates 41.6396, -72.0934, within easy reach of Norwich and the eastern Connecticut river valleys.
Camping
The 56 sites are split by service level: 33 standard, 8 with water and electric, and 13 with water, electric and sewer. That last group is the reason people book here — nowhere else in the Connecticut system can an RV connect to all three. Two group campsites take up to 25 people each.
The campground has bathrooms and showers, a dumping station, and sells firewood and ice on site. Two pets per site are welcome.
Things to Do
The Shetucket River runs the length of the property and carries the fishing and paddling. On land, the Old Rail Line Footpath gives an easy, level walk along the former railbed, and parts of the state forest are open to hunting in season — worth checking the dates if you are camping with dogs or children.
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⛺ Camping at Salt Rock State Campground: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | Official CT DEEP overview and Wikipedia state 71 tent and RV sites (some with utility hookups) plus 2 group campsites (up to 25 people each) at this Shetucket River property. The state's own ReserveAmerica booking system, however, lists a different breakdown: 22 Standard Electric sites, 20 Standard Non-Electric sites, 13 Popup/Tent sites, and 2 Group Standard Non-Electric sites (57 total). Electric hookups range 15/20/30/50 amp depending on site (sites 1-7 recently upgraded to 50 amp); some sites have full water/sewer hookups; other sites have no utility connections at all. Showers and restrooms on site; the in-ground swimming pool was permanently closed after the 2023 season. |
|---|---|
| Pets | Pets are permitted (Salt Rock is classified as a State Forest campground, and CT DEEP allows pets at State Forest campgrounds while prohibiting them at State Park campgrounds). Maximum 2 pets per campsite, on a leash not exceeding 7 feet. |
| Reservations | Reserve America, online (connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com) or phone 1-877-668-CAMP (2267); campground office (seasonal) 860-822-0884. Reservations accepted up to 11 months in advance, minimum 1 day ahead. $9 reservation processing fee per booking; $3 processing fee for walk-in registrations. Cancellation: more than 7 days before arrival, full refund minus $9 fee; 2-7 days before, full refund minus $9 fee plus one night's cost; less than 2 days, no refund. Maximum stay 14 consecutive days, then all party members must vacate for a minimum of 5 days before returning (absent prior park permission). |
| Special sites | Purchased by the State of Connecticut in 2001 for $750,000 from private owners Dwight and Jean Lathrop and incorporated into the state park system that year; no official source found indicating a prior municipal/town-run phase. Today it is administered by CT DEEP, the same as any other state campground -- not by the Town of Sprague or any municipality. 2 group campsites (up to 25 campers each). Dump station on site. Maximum 2 vehicles per site. RV/trailer length limits vary by site, roughly 16-35 feet. Camping here was curtailed in 2016 due to state budget cuts and reinstated in 2018. |
| Season notes | 2026 season: opens Friday, May 8 and closes Monday, October 12 (some official listings show closing October 11). Early-season camping (before Memorial Day) statewide runs without running water at some CT campgrounds, with portable toilets substituted -- confirm current-year specifics with the park. |
Camping questions about Salt Rock State Campground
Can you camp at Salt Rock State Campground?
Official CT DEEP overview and Wikipedia state 71 tent and RV sites (some with utility hookups) plus 2 group campsites (up to 25 people each) at this Shetucket River property. The state's own ReserveAmerica booking system, however, lists a different breakdown: 22 Standard Electric sites, 20 Standard Non-Electric sites, 13 Popup/Tent sites, and 2 Group Standard Non-Electric sites (57 total). Electric hookups range 15/20/30/50 amp depending on site (sites 1-7 recently upgraded to 50 amp); some sites have full water/sewer hookups; other sites have no utility connections at all. Showers and restrooms on site; the in-ground swimming pool was permanently closed after the 2023 season.
How do you reserve a campsite at Salt Rock State Campground?
Reserve America, online (connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com) or phone 1-877-668-CAMP (2267); campground office (seasonal) 860-822-0884. Reservations accepted up to 11 months in advance, minimum 1 day ahead. $9 reservation processing fee per booking; $3 processing fee for walk-in registrations. Cancellation: more than 7 days before arrival, full refund minus $9 fee; 2-7 days before, full refund minus $9 fee plus one night's cost; less than 2 days, no refund. Maximum stay 14 consecutive days, then all party members must vacate for a minimum of 5 days before returning (absent prior park permission).
Are pets allowed at the Salt Rock State Campground campground?
Pets are permitted (Salt Rock is classified as a State Forest campground, and CT DEEP allows pets at State Forest campgrounds while prohibiting them at State Park campgrounds). Maximum 2 pets per campsite, on a leash not exceeding 7 feet.
Source: portal.ct.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Salt Rock State Campground
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets on a leash are permitted in most Connecticut state parks and forests, but not in buildings, swimming areas or state park campgrounds.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Pets must be leashed and under control at all times; in state forest camping areas the leash may be no longer than 7 feet.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in swimming areas; Sherwood Island and Squantz Pond State Parks ban pets entirely April 15 - September 30.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are banned from all state park campgrounds; they are allowed only in the American Legion, Pachaug and Salt Rock state forest campgrounds, but not on rustic cabin sites.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited year-round at Dinosaur State Park and in the formal gardens and beach at Harkness Memorial State Park.
Are dogs allowed at Salt Rock State Campground?
Pets on a leash are permitted in most Connecticut state parks and forests, but not in buildings, swimming areas or state park campgrounds. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via portal.ct.gov. More: Connecticut state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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