RV Rental Connecticut

RV Rental Connecticut: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals CT

Connecticut is the nation's third smallest state, but it's full of vacation activities and a perfect place to travel in a camper. Located on the corridor between New York and Boston, RV rentals in Connecticut are convenient if you want to see some of the east coast's most popular cities. 

Connecticut has several coastal towns, such as Mystic, which is full of New England maritime charm. Travel to the northwestern part of the state, and you'll see horse farms and rolling hills. You can also visit New Haven, home to Yale University and the country's best-tasting pizza, or the capital city Hartford, which was once inhabited by one of America's most famous authors.

Once you choose what type of RV you want to rent, you can start planning your itinerary. Our guide includes some of the state's top destinations, events, campgrounds, and other information you will need to get started.

Popular RV Destinations in Connecticut

Gillette Castle State Park

Gillette Castle in East Haddam and Lyme is one of the state's most scenic spots. The castle sits high above the Connecticut River, so you have excellent views of the waterway below. Actor William Gillette, who played Sherlock Holmes on stage, designed the castle, which was completed in 1919.

Thousands of visitors stop at the park each year, which features a museum, picnic areas, and a hiking trail. The medieval-looking castle is also open for tours. It has some interesting features, including 47 doors (which are all different in style), built-in couches, light switches carved in wood, and a table that moves on tracks.

Mystic Seaport

The Mystic Seaport Museum is America's largest maritime museum. It has over 60 historic buildings, sailing ships, and boats that together recreate a 19th-century seafaring community. The museum, which was established in 1929, draws around 250,000 visitors a year.

One of the highlights is the Charles W. Morgan, which was built in 1841 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and is the nation's last surviving wooden whaleship. Other attractions include a shipsmith shop that was built by James D. Driggs in 1885, the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard where visitors watch craftsmen involved in wooden shipbuilding, and a scale model of the Mystic River.

Mark Twain House Museum

Samuel Samuel Langhorne Clemens, AKA Mark Twain, lived in what is now called the Mark Twain House and Museum with his family from 1874 until 1891. Twain wrote some of his most popular works during that time, including “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” “The Prince and the Pauper,” “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.”

Twain's Hartford home is three floors with 25 rooms. It was very innovative for its time and featured seven bathrooms with flushing toilets and hot and cold running water. Warm air from the furnace traveled through a basic duct system to heat the house. Twain even installed a telephone and had an alarm system on the premises.

You'll need about two hours to see the house, which is open for guided tours. There are three buildings on site, which include a museum store, film, exhibits and a café.

Sleeping Giant State Park

Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden features two miles of mountaintop, and it got its name because it looks like a large man "lying in repose." It's one of south central Connecticut's most iconic geographical features. Sleeping Giant became a state park in 1924. 

You can take a 1.5-mile trail from the bottom to the stone observation tower on the top of Mt. Carmel. When you reach the top, you'll be treated to some scenic views of the New Haven Area and Long Island Sound. In addition to hiking and nature trails, the park is also a great place for fishing.

Events and Entertainment in Connecticut

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP) used to be known as the "Indianapolis of the East" and was the nation's first asphalt-paved racing oval track. It hosted its first NASCAR race in 1951. The park has a 5/8-mile asphalt oval racetrack and a 1.7-mile road racing course.

The park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Icebreaker, Bud 150, and the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing. It also has a restaurant, Drivers Club, an 18-hole golf course, and several driving experiences for auto enthusiasts. We also recommend you check out Bogey’s Ice Cream, which serves race fans, golfers, and anyone else with a sweet tooth.

Sea Music Festival

The Mystic Seaport Museum hosts the Sea Music Festival every summer. It features four days of concerts, workshops, demonstrations, and an educational symposium with a sea music theme. Everything from contemporary compositions to old-fashioned tunes are featured.

The festival has a children's area with special family-oriented entertainment as well as maritime work song performances carried onboard some of the seaport's historic vessels. Musicians travel from all over the world to take part in the event. 

Some past performances have included songs of fishing, instruments at sea, contemporary sea songs, sea islands stories, women and the sea, and a seine fishing demonstration.

Guilford Art Center Craft Expo 

Thousands of visitors travel to Guilford's historic town green every July to attend its annual Craft Expo, which is hosted by the Guilford Art Center. Around 180 nationally renowned artists display and sell their wares at what is one of New England's top craft shows.

You can find everything from ceramic to fiber, jewelry, glass, mixed media, metal, and sculpture pieces at the juried show. While some of the items are purely decorative, others are functional and practical. There is also a food court, beer and wine vendors, a family art tent, a silent auction, and student craft demonstrations.

Campgrounds and Parks in Connecticut

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Enjoy the sights of the Long Island Sound at the Hammonasset Beach State Park campground in Madison. On site is the Meigs Point Nature Center, which has programs and activities for guests of all ages. The campground is also located near several other parks, including Chatfield Hollow State Park, Rocky Neck State Park, and Sherwood Island State Park.

Hammonasset has several campsites that feature electric and water hookups. Other amenities include bathrooms, showers, a concession stand, dumping station, fishing, and saltwater swimming. You can walk or bike in several areas of the park and sunbathe on the coastal waters. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed.

Charlie Brown Campground

The Charlie Brown Campground in Eastford is located near 12,000-plus acres of forests and state park recreational areas. You can spend hours hiking, biking, or riding horses on the region’s nature trails. It's also one of the state's best places for fishing. Experience New England country charm as you drive by the area's rustic farms, antique districts, and historic landmarks.

You can spend time at a local swimming hole, visit an apple orchard, or check out a local sugar house. There are several oversized sites at the campground to accommodate campers and big rigs. Amenities include Wi-Fi, cable TV, 30- and 50-amp electrical service, and arcade-style video games.

Riverdale Farm Campsite

Riverdale Farm Campsites in Clinton is part of a 100-acre colonial farm. It's a great place to call home if you're seeking rest and relaxation. The campground has both waterfront and wooded sites and water, electric, and three-way hookups, including 50-amp electrical service. There are also modern restrooms, showers, fireplaces, and picnic tables.

Amenities include tennis, basketball, volleyball, a softball field, shuffleboard, horseshoes, ping pong, video arcade, and trout fishing on the Hammonasset River. 

Local attractions include the beaches on Long Island Sound, the Indian River Marina for paddle sports and fishing, the Chamard Vineyards, Chatfield Hollow State Park, and the Opera Theater of Connecticut.

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Connecticut

While traveling in a camper or motorhome is a lot of fun, you may need to store it for a short period of time. Connecticut has several facilities that accommodate RVs of various sizes, including the following:

• Planet Self Storage, Bridgeport
• Clearview Storage Park, Harwinton
• East Coast RV Boat Storage, Bethel
• Bolton Notch RV Storage, Bolton
• Southington Super Storage, Plantsville

At some point during your travels, you will need to find a dump station for your wastewater. There are several locations in Connecticut, including facilities in East Hartford, East Lyme, and Barkhamsted. Other options include:

• Keith's RV & Trailer Repair, Clinton
• Milford Transfer Station, Milford
• Gentile's Campground, Plymouth
• Town of Manchester Landfill
• Strawberry Park Resort Campground, Preston

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

If you want to travel around the country, an RV is a great way to do it. They’re affordable to rent, and you don’t have to pay the costs associated with ownership. 

2. How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals vary in price depending on their size. Larger motorhomes can cost as much as $250 per night, while smaller campers can cost between $75 and $150 per night. One way to save money is to rent the RV for a longer period of time. 

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Connecticut?

Typically, you need to be 25 years old to rent an RV. You may be able to find a business that will rent to younger people, but there will likely be added fees.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. It will protect you should you get into an accident. 

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

Check the rental policy. Certain owners and companies may require a full tank of gas when you return the vehicle.

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Connecticut?

Most RV rentals are pet-friendly. Check with the owner or company in advance. You may also have to pay a deposit or extra fee if you decide to travel with one of your pets.