Strawberry Park Resort Campground, Preston, CT

Overview

Address

42 Pierce Rd, Preston, CT 06365, USA

Phone

(860) 886-1944

Website

https://www.strawberrypark.net/

Operating Hours

Sunday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

About

For Connecticut families looking for a local vacation destination where the fun literally never stops, Strawberry Park Resort Campground in Preston is a name that instantly comes to mind. This sprawling 70-acre resort is less a simple campground and more a fully operational vacation village, renowned for its incredible density of amenities, a lively community atmosphere, and an events calendar packed with creative, non-stop entertainment that caters to every member of the family.

Located in the heart of southeastern Connecticut, Strawberry Park has built a reputation on high energy. Weekends, especially, buzz with activity, featuring everything from live bands and themed events to creative games and unique children's programming. The significant seasonal population here—which lends the park a genuine, established 'neighborhood feel'—is a major plus, creating a friendly, familiar, and welcoming social environment for new and returning guests.

However, as a local user, it's important to approach a destination of this size and popularity with a full understanding of the experience. Its popularity means it is always busy, and while the activities are fantastic, some day-to-day operations, like adherence to schedules or campsite maintenance, can sometimes fall victim to the sheer volume of guests. Potential visitors should also be aware that the lively atmosphere means noise levels, particularly on busy weekends and late evenings, may be higher than those found at more rustic campgrounds, making earplugs a potential packing essential if you value absolute quiet. That said, for the family that thrives on entertainment, activity, and a vibrant community, the trade-off is often well worth the occasional chaos.

Introduction / Overview

Strawberry Park Resort Campground, nestled on 70 scenic acres in Preston, CT, is one of the region's largest and most activity-intensive camping resorts. Operating from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day, the park offers a wide variety of accommodations, including dedicated RV sites, tent sites, and various rental units such as log cabins and park models. This resort is highly distinct from typical quiet retreats due to its focus on providing a packed schedule of entertainment and a strong sense of community, largely fostered by its extensive base of seasonal campers.

The philosophy of Strawberry Park revolves around maximizing family memories through organized fun. Their weekend and daily activity lists are famously extensive, moving far beyond the typical campground fare with professional entertainment, unique games like horse racing, and themed weekends that span the entire season, including popular, large-scale Halloween events. This commitment to entertainment is a primary draw for local families who want an all-in-one vacation experience close to home.

While the resort is known for its excellent activities, it operates at a very high capacity. Visitors should anticipate a very social, high-traffic environment, especially near central amenities. It is a bustling, dynamic resort where the focus is on fun and energy, making it an excellent match for high-activity campers.

Location and Accessibility

Strawberry Park Resort Campground is conveniently located at 42 Pierce Rd, Preston, CT 06365, USA. Its location in southeastern Connecticut is a significant advantage for local residents, particularly due to its close proximity to major regional attractions and ease of access from various parts of the state.

Major Route Access: The campground is easily reachable, situated only about five miles off I-395 and 15 miles from I-95, making it a quick trip from Hartford, New Haven, and Rhode Island.
Casino Proximity: A major local draw, the resort is just minutes (approximately six miles) from Foxwoods Resort Casino and less than ten miles from Mohegan Sun. This proximity offers a convenient, immediate option for adult entertainment and dining away from the campground.
Coastal and Cultural Access: The historic, picturesque town of Mystic, with its famed Seaport and Aquarium, is only about 15 miles away. Ocean beaches are also within a 20-mile drive, offering perfect day-trip opportunities for campers.
Local Services: The area surrounding Preston provides access to necessary local services, shopping, and dining, though the campground itself also offers on-site options, including food trucks on occasion.

Services Offered

Strawberry Park provides a comprehensive range of amenities to ensure guest convenience and comfort, regardless of their chosen accommodation:

Campsite Options: The park offers a large inventory of sites, including Full Hookup RV sites (water, electric, sewer), Electric and Water sites, and dedicated Tent Sites. Both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service are available, and sites can be open/grassy or wooded/shaded.
Lodging Rentals: For those without an RV, the park offers various rental accommodations, including Log Cabins, Park Models, and Travel Trailer rentals. Some rentals are specifically designated as pet-friendly.
Essential Facilities: On-site amenities include numerous bathhouses/restrooms, hot showers, a coin-operated laundry facility, a camp store for essential groceries and supplies, and LP gas sales.
Waste Management: A centralized dump station is available for all guests.
On-site Transportation: Golf cart rentals are offered, which is a popular way to navigate the expansive property.

Features / Highlights

The primary highlights of Strawberry Park are centered on its vast recreational offerings and the vibrant atmosphere they create:

Multiple Swimming Pools: The resort features three distinct swimming pools, including a family pool, a dedicated adult-only pool with an outdoor hot tub/whirlpool spa, and a kiddie splash pad area, providing relief and fun for all age groups.
Extensive Activities Calendar: The park’s full calendar is a key draw, featuring creative, high-energy scheduled events, games, arts and crafts, and entertainment like live bands, magic shows, and specialized activities such as horse racing and bingo.
Sports and Recreation: Amenities include a Jumping Pillow, multiple playgrounds, four outdoor pickleball courts, basketball and softball fields, horseshoe pits, an Arcade/Recreation Hall, and a dog park for furry family members.
Themed Weekends: Themed events, particularly the elaborate Halloween weekends in the fall, are massive draws, featuring haunted mazes, costume contests, and trick-or-treating.
Community Atmosphere: The large presence of seasonal campers fosters a strong, friendly neighborhood feel, contributing to the lively social environment.

Contact Information

To inquire about reservations, seasonal site availability, or details on upcoming events, please use the following contact information:

Address: 42 Pierce Rd, Preston, CT 06365, USA

Phone: (860) 886-1944

Mobile Phone: (860) 886-1944

Conclusion: Why this place is Suitable for Locals

Strawberry Park Resort Campground is an ideal destination for Connecticut locals who prioritize a high-energy, all-inclusive, and fun-filled family vacation experience without the need for extensive travel. It is a self-contained resort where the activities are the main attraction, effectively turning the campground itself into the destination.

For parents looking for guaranteed ways to keep children and teens entertained for the entire length of a stay, the non-stop activity calendar is an unmatched advantage. The location in southeastern Connecticut is also perfect for local explorers, offering the best of both worlds: a world of fun right outside your RV door, and a convenient base camp for quick day trips to the region’s largest casinos, Mystic’s attractions, and the scenic Connecticut shoreline. While a busy environment comes with its own set of challenges, particularly concerning site maintenance and noise on peak weekends, the sheer volume of organized fun and the warm, vibrant neighborhood feel provided by the seasonal residents make Strawberry Park a unique and highly suitable choice for the active, entertainment-seeking Connecticut family.

Strawberry Park Resort Campground Details

Service options
Onsite services

Highlights
Picnics

Accessibility
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
RV camping
RV electric hookup
RV sewer hookup
RV water hookup

Payments
Camping fee
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
Good for kids birthday
Kid-friendly activities
Playground

Parking
Free parking lot
On-site parking

Pets
Dog park
Dogs allowed

Reviews

Pros - Lots of fun activities for the kids. A full calendar and the activities are different (creative) than what you typically see at campgrounds which made it fun. A lot of seasonal guests, which gave it a nice neighborhood feel. Some were very friendly. A food truck or two there with good options if you didn’t feel like cooking. The entertainment they hire is great. We enjoyed the band on Saturday night. Horse racing was such a fun event. Cons - There is no oversight of campsites keeping their noise levels to a respectable level. Unless you go to the front office and complain, it isn’t very relaxing to be next to three different sites all blasting different music over each other. Activities were regularly running behind or canceled completely without notice. I understand some of it being due to lack of interest of kids but made it tough to plan our day out. This campground has so much potential! We started our weekend off thinking we could see ourselves getting a seasonal site, but not restricting the noise of other campers made us change our mind by the end of our stay.

Sep 01, 2025 · Gina M.

Hold on to your hats folks this is going to be a bumpy ride.Arrived at 1 PM for checkin handed a map that was basically unreadable.As we pulled up to our site there was a broken down golf cart with a flat tire sitting on our site.A seasonal informed us that security had left it there days ago.We pushed it across the street thanks to our seasonal savior.We tried to back into our site only to discover that leveling would require lowering the front by 14 inches and raising the back by 10 inches.Site 409.The seasonals said they weren't sure why the campground would rent this site as this happens weekly.We tried calling the office 5 times but they kept hanging up.At the office I explained the situation to the girl at the desk. She said Let me see what I can do & handed me a list of 3 site numbers.I have to go check them out?Isn't this the campgrounds job?I was grateful for the seasonals who became our personal tour guides.All 3 sites proved equally unfit same pitch or lacking FHU.Back to the office I went again.At this point, my eyebrows rose in disbelief when she said,I have 2 more sites across the park, but she did not know if they were FHU because the computer doesn't provide that info.A campground computer system that doesn’t keep track of the basics?Perplexing.Her manager would call me.I headed back to the truck, where my partner was waiting now an hour and ten minutes.20 minutes later still no call.While waiting two different seasonals knocked on our window trying to barter their available sites for cash.It felt like we had unwittingly walked onto a reality TV show.I called the office back & I asked for a refund only to be told We will not do that for you.It’s not our fault you do not fit in the site.I mean who wouldn’t be surprised to rent a site that looked like a mountain range?Just then Bill the maintenance guy arrived.He whisked my husband off in search of the elusive level site.Husband called to say Bill had found us a site but I wouldn’t like it.The new site was a gravel parking lot at the entrance.The kicker?We couldn’t park the right way without raising the hitch three feet.We started setting up under the blazing sun, exhausted & suddenly we were met by Dan,just a casual aura of authority.With all the charm of a brick wall he says The Bates Motel is open for business.We exchanged glances searching for the hidden camera.Dan let us know our car needed to be moved during our setup in a unfriendly tone.I calmly explained that we’d be happy to move it once we settled in but Dan clearly wasn’t here for pleasant conversation.As we continued setting up in our site Dan parked himself across from us watching as if he were our personal audience.Because nothing says relaxing camping trip quite like feeling like you’re on stage while trying to level an RV.It took from 1pm till almost 4:30 to setup. Day 2 Dan rides up on his golf cart ready to argue with the neighbors like it’s the Olympic sport of the year. It was like a trailer park drama unfolded right in front of us.Who knew the owner could double as a reality TV star.Day 3 No water. Whole park was out & no email from campground.Water out from noon to 5pm during a heatwave.Day 4 Hunting for dumpsters.The camp map seemed less like a guide and more like a treasure map with Xs marking places that didn’t exist.Day 6 Email alert! Do not use the water without boiling it! No explanation offered.It was like a bad horror flick, cleverly leaving us to guess whether it was E. coli or the plague in the water.Welcome to the to the mystery of the week!And the final touch? The gate unlocked after 10 PM.Security? What’s that? I guess it's just a suggestion! Dirty pools with more debris than a garbage site, rundown buildings, and laundry facilities looking like they were rescued from a rusty graveyard. The food truck was the cherry on top or should I say, the only option left, because the onsite food was closed! The seasonal sites were the only bright spot, as if they were the hidden gems in this treasure trove of chaos.The best part of Strawberry Park was leaving Strawberry Park.

Aug 24, 2025 · The Bates Motel RV

Loved our stay here so far. Dan went above and beyond to get us a golf cart at least our last 2 nights here. Love bingo. Won 3 times so far… need adult softball back, and adult beach volleyball back…. And the food court !!! Other wise great place for every one!!

Aug 08, 2025 · Jesse James

Disappointing Stay – Would Not Recommend We recently stayed at Strawberry Park in Connecticut, and unfortunately, it was not a positive experience. While the campground boasts a long list of rules, none of them are enforced, leading to a chaotic and uncomfortable environment for weekend campers. One major issue we encountered was the strong smell of weed throughout the campground, despite it being strictly prohibited. The lack of enforcement on this and other rules created an unsettling atmosphere, especially for families with young kids. To add to the frustration, a random man approached our son and told him he couldn't ride his bike without a helmet—even though dozens of other campers were biking around without one. It felt arbitrary and unnecessary, especially when this was the only "rule" we saw someone try to enforce all weekend. Loud music from the site behind ours blasted until 12:30 AM, keeping our entire family awake. We reported the issue to the office and we were told Secuirty would take care of this, but nothing was done. It was clear that complaints were being ignored. The campground community was not welcoming at all. The large population of seasonal campers—who prefer to be called "owners"—act as if they own the park, often with an attitude that made us feel out of place. They weren’t friendly, and their presence dominated the campground in an uninviting way. Since the new management took over, it's clear that things have gone downhill significantly. It feels like they’re focused solely on bringing in more seasonal "owners" and cash, rather than maintaining a welcoming experience for weekend campers. Overall, we highly do not recommend Strawberry Park. It's a waste of money for weekend visitors, and there are far better experiences to be had at places like Thousand Trails parks, which offer more value and a friendlier atmosphere without all the drama.

Aug 31, 2025 · Michael Simonelli

Beware! Rented for the weekend at the beginning of the season. They informed guests pool would not open due to rain. The golf carts die and are poorly kept up with. Had to battle with the front desk over a refund to which I was sent away saying someone would get back to me and it took weeks of non stop calling the get a single response. This used to be such a great camp ground to go to and I loved it. My heart is broken over new experiences this yea.

Aug 26, 2025 · Rebecca Lebel

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