How much does camping cost at Selden Neck State Park River Camping?

Camping fees at Selden Neck State Park River Camping range from $25-$35/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Selden Neck State Park River Camping first-come first-served or reservation?

Selden Neck State Park River Camping accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Selden Neck State Park River Camping?

Selden Neck State Park River Camping is open Peak season dates correspond to warm months (May through September).. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Selden Neck State Park River Camping?

Selden Neck State Park River Camping does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Selden Neck State Park River Camping?

Fire policies at Selden Neck State Park River Camping: Campfires allowed in designated fire rings with cooking grates.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Selden Neck State Park River Camping have?

Selden Neck State Park River Camping has 4 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Selden Neck State Park River Camping?

Pets are not allowed at Selden Neck State Park River Camping. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Selden Neck State Park River Camping?

Popular activities at Selden Neck State Park River Camping include Hiking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Selden Neck State Park River Camping

1 review

c/o Gillette Castle State Park 67 River Road, East Haddam, Connecticut, 06423, United States

Top 20% in CTSummer

Peace & QuietStargazing

Featured in:Forest Camping Connecticut

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

230 ft

Price

$25 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

2025 Season: Opens T...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on Connecticut State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

230 ft

Price

$25 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

2025 Season: Opens T...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Book on Connecticut State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Selden Neck State Park River Camping

$25.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees range from $25 to $35 per night. Additional charges may apply based on group size or premium features.

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Premium Site Fee$35.00

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Campground Map

c/o Gillette Castle State Park 67 River Road, East Haddam, Connecticut, 06423, United States

Selden Neck State Park River Camping

c/o Gillette Castle State Park 67 River Road, East Haddam, Connecticut, 06423, United States

Nearby places

East Haddam (approx. 5 miles)

Chester (approx. 7 miles)

Essex (approx. 9 miles)

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies available in East Haddam, Connecticut, approximately 5 miles away, including groceries, camping supplies, and fuel.

Weather at Selden Neck State Park River Camping

Current alert: Advisory for hunting season (wear bright clothing and avoid hunting areas).

Best Time to Camp at Selden Neck State Park River Camping

Summer brings the warmest, most reliable paddling conditions. Daytime highs hit the mid-70s to low-80s, with cool nights in the 60s. Water access peaks for kayaking, swimming, and fishing. Long daylight hours make exploring the marshes and quarry ruins easier. Spring and fall see migrating birds and changing foliage. Winter camping is possible but significantly colder and less forgiving for the paddle in.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 20% in CT

Warmest, most reliable paddling and peak season; sites fill on summer weekends per overview.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Peak season dates correspond to warm months (May through September).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: 2025 Season: Opens Thursday, May 1 and closes Tuesday, September 30 at noon 2026 Season: Opens Friday, May 1 and closes Wednesday, September 30 at noon

About Selden Neck State Park River Camping

Selden Neck State Park sits on a 607-acre roadless island in the Connecticut River near East Haddam, accessible only by boat. Four primitive campsites offer real seclusion, with fire pits, picnic tables, and outhouses. Sites run $25-35 per night and fill on summer weekends, though weekdays stay quiet.

Selden Neck State Park offers boating campsites located in secluded areas. These sites are accessible only by water and cater to primitive camping conditions.

Historical Significance

The island holds remnants of old granite quarries and former farmlands. In 1854, powerful spring floods carved Selden Creek, severing what had been a peninsula and creating the island that exists today.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the warmest, most reliable paddling conditions. Daytime highs hit the mid-70s to low-80s, with cool nights in the 60s. Water access peaks for kayaking, swimming, and fishing. Long daylight hours make exploring the marshes and quarry ruins easier. Spring and fall see migrating birds and changing foliage. Winter camping is possible but significantly colder and less forgiving for the paddle in.

ElevationRising 230 feet above the river's edge, the island's gentle slopes invite exploration without exhausting climbs. These moderate trails wind through varying elevations, offering hikers rewarding vantage points to survey their temporary island kingdom while maintaining an accessible adventure for most fitness levels.

Natural Features and SceneryThe island stretches between Selden Creek and the Connecticut River at 230 feet elevation. Tidal marshes line the shoreline, giving way to dense woodland inland. Old granite quarry ruins hide among the trees. There are no roads. The landscape feels genuinely wild, shaped entirely by water and time.

Geological RegionNestled between the flowing embrace of Selden Creek and the Connecticut River, this remarkable 607-acre roadless island showcases nature's architectural prowess. Tidal marshes transition seamlessly into lush woodland habitats, creating diverse ecosystems that thrive in splendid isolation. The island's unique geography, shaped by water and time, provides campers with an authentic wilderness experience just a paddle away from the mainland.

Scenic ViewsViews of Connecticut River, tidal marshes, and woodland scenery.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodge accommodations such as cabins or hotels are present on Selden Neck Island.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in time not specified.

Check-out

Check-out time not specified.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay duration not specified.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum guest capacity per site not specified.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutFour boat-accessible sites spread across the island. Spacing provides privacy. Jerry appreciated the seclusion. Sites include fire pits, picnic tables, and outhouses. Bring your own water. There's none on the island.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through the Connecticut State Park website or by contacting the ranger station directly.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability possible; limited due to isolated island access.

Cancellation PolicyCancellation policies are subject to state park regulations; details vary depending on the reservation platform.

Site SizeCampsite size is not specified.

PrivacySome user reviews suggest that the campsites are secluded. For example, Jerry noted, 'I like that the camping spots are secluded.

Total Campsites4 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose Quarry Knob for hiking access; other campsites offer varied proximity to water.

Best CampsitesQuarry Knob gets mentioned for its trails leading to old quarry remnants. Jerry noted the campsites feel secluded. Beyond that, site-specific details are limited.

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Amenities available

Selden Neck State Park River Camping provides only basic amenities. These include outhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings with cooking grates. However, there is no potable water on the island, meaning campers must bring their own drinking water. Pets are not permitted in the camping areas.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Selden Neck State Park offers hiking trails that are marked and feature historical points of interest such as a quarry and old farm ruins. The elevation of the island, up to 230 feet, allows for potentially strenuous hikes. Wildlife viewing could be a natural extension of the forested and marshy environment, although it is not explicitly mentioned.

Hiking

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential safety hazards include proximity to state hunting lands (mid-September to late February).

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires allowed in designated fire rings with cooking grates.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours not specified.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are located in East Haddam, Connecticut, including hospitals and police stations.

Trash & RecyclingNo trash or recycling facilities are mentioned. Campers are likely expected to practice leave-no-trace principles.

Water FeaturesSurrounded by Connecticut River and Selden Creek, offering water-based recreation.

Camp HostNo on-site host available; ranger station contact provided.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

0.0

1 reviews

Limited Reviews

Selden Neck State Park River Camping has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, user reviews reflect satisfaction with the secluded nature of the campsites and the basic but clean facilities. One user explicitly mentioned their enjoyment of the fire pits and outhouse cleanliness.

Review Summaries

Based on 1 reviews

What Campers Love

- Secluded campsites: 'I like that the camping spots are secluded.' - Clean facilities: 'Campsite was not a mess either.' - Functional amenities: 'Nice little fire pit, outhouse.'

Based on 1 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific campsite numbers or detailed differentiation between sites is provided, other than a mention of Quarry Knob as a starting point for a trail.

Based on 1 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers should bring their own potable water and avoid visiting with pets, as they are not allowed. Given the proximity to hunting areas, wearing bright clothing during hunting season is highly...

Based on 1 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No seasonal-specific user feedback is provided, but official sources note the presence of hunting activities beginning in September, which may influence the camping experience.

Based on 1 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Pretty fun place to camp.' - Jerry 'I like that the camping spots are secluded.' - Jerry 'Nice little fire pit, outhouse Campsite was not a mess either.' - Jerry

Based on 1 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviews do not address accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Based on 1 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

'Pets are not permitted in the camping areas.' This is explicitly stated in the official information.

Based on 1 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Kayakers and canoeists who want real isolation on summer weekdays. The Quarry Knob trailhead leads to old granite ruins, the tidal marshes are worth exploring, and four sites means you might have the island mostly to yourself if you dodge summer weekends.

Skip if

No boat means no access, full stop. Also: no water on the island, no pets, and if you're arriving late September, hunters are active on nearby state lands, pack bright clothing or rethink the timing entirely.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.8

(9)

Gillette Castle State Park River Camping

c/o Gillette Castle State Park 67 River Road, East Haddam, Connecticut, 06423, United States

Gillette Castle State Park River Camping sits atop the Seventh Sister, the southernmost hill in the Seven Sisters chain, with William Gillette's stone castle rising above the campsites. The park offers picnic tables and pedestal grills at each site, but no traditional campfires. Staff training issues at the castle have drawn complaints from visitors.

2.254 km

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

366 HOPYARD ROAD, EAST HADDAM, Connecticut, 06423, United States

Devil's Hopyard Campground sits in a 940-acre Connecticut state park near East Haddam, offering 21 primitive sites at $7-14 per night. The main draw is Chapman Falls, a 60-foot cascade that plunges over ancient Scotland Schist bedrock. Reviewers call it a "lesser-known spot" for affordability. About half the price of coastal campgrounds. But warn that sites lack privacy and spacing.