— Our First Stop in Early May
After years of dreaming, months of planning, and way too many last-minute Amazon orders, we finally hit the road. Our very first stop on this adventure? The Mystic KOA Holiday in beautiful Mystic, Connecticut. We couldn’t have picked a more welcoming place to begin our journey. From the quiet, tree-lined roads to the friendly staff and “quirky” amenities, this KOA gave us exactly what we needed to ease into RV life—with a few surprises along the way.
Let’s be real—pulling into our first campsite in Frank (our trusty Chevy Silverado) with our entire life in tow was a little nerve-wracking. But KOA made it feel easy. We lucked out with a pull-thru site, which meant no backing in under pressure. One of the staff members even came guided us into place. That simple gesture made a world of difference. As we got hooked up and settled in, we shared a little “we actually did it!” moment. Our new chapter had officially begun.
We appreciated how easy it was to find this campground. It’s located right off the highway, which made arrival stress-free, especially after a long day of travel. Surprisingly, we barely noticed any road noise once we were parked. The trees and layout created a quiet, relaxing atmosphere that felt miles away from the hustle and bustle, even though town was just a short drive away. That’s a balance we’ll always appreciate—convenience without chaos.
Visiting in early May had its perks. The campground was blissfully uncrowded, and we had plenty of space to spread out, breathe deeply, and find our rhythm. It gave us the breathing room we didn’t even know we needed. For our first stay, it was comforting to be surrounded by peace and quiet while we figured out the ins and outs of RV life.
We’ve come to learn that a good camp store can save your sanity, and Mystic KOA’s shop did the job. It had all the basic necessities—things like propane, firewood, and RV essentials. They even had some local goods and cute extras. It was practical and well-stocked for what campers need most. And honestly? That was exactly what we needed at the time.
We got hit with a string of rainy days, which could have been a total bummer for our first stop—but it turned out kind of perfect. Rain gave us a chance to slow down, settle in, and get organized. We caught up on laundry (thanks to the on-site facilities), tested some things out, and got a chance to organize some more.
Between showers, we even managed to squeeze in a campfire one evening, complete with marshmallows and a damp-but-determined fire that Layla proudly kept going. There’s something cozy about being in an RV during a storm, hearing the rain tap on the roof, and knowing you’re home.
On one of the drier days, we checked out the campground’s mini-golf course. Let’s just say… it had character. The course was clearly vintage and a little worn down, but that kind of added to its charm. Some of the holes were almost comically uneven, which led to some hilarious putting attempts and impromptu rule changes. We laughed more than we kept score, and in the end, that’s all that really matters.
The campground’s trio of tube slides looked like something out of a retro summer camp brochure—tall, colorful, and slightly mysterious. Since they’re dry slides and not water-based, we assumed they’d be a bit of fun. Layla gave one a try and came shooting out the bottom faster than expected, laughing the whole way. Later, one of the KOA staff told us people have actually broken bones on those things! Apparently, there used to be an attendant, but now it’s all “slide at your own risk.” Even afterwards, Layla gave it another go. They are labeled “slow”, “fast” and “fastest” but honestly, they are all the same.
Right as we were getting ready to head out, Frank started acting up. Nothing major, but enough to give us pause. We spoke with the office, and extending our stay by a night was no problem at all. That extra day gave us time to breathe, see a mechanic, panic call my dad, and double-check everything before hitting the road again. The flexibility and kindness we experienced here was such a relief—exactly what we needed during our first week of life on the road.
As we packed up and prepped to head to our next stop, we realized the dump station was completely blocked off—they were in the middle of paving. Panic? Almost. But then came Lori (I believe), a friendly staff member who we’re now convinced might actually be an angel in disguise. She quickly offered a solution: we could use one of the full hook-up sites. Not only did she guide us there, she patiently waited while we dumped our tanks for the very first time. I sheepishly admitted we had no idea what we were doing, and she just laughed and jumped in to help without hesitation. Her kindness and calm made what could have been a stressful end to our stay feel smooth and even a little fun.
While we didn’t pack our days with too many off-site adventures (thanks again, rain), we did make time to visit the Mystic Aquarium, and we’re so glad we did. It was magical—penguins, belugas, jellyfish, and more. Layla took some stunning photos we can’t wait to share, and we both left with a deeper appreciation for marine life. Be sure to keep an eye out for our full post about that visit—coming soon!
So, what did we think of Mystic KOA Holiday overall? It’s not a rustic retreat or a back-to-nature boondocking spot—but it doesn’t try to be. It’s a clean, convenient, family-friendly campground with all the comforts you’d expect from a KOA. And for that, we’re grateful. Starting this adventure with a place that helped us ease in, shake off the nerves, and get our bearings was invaluable.
Would we stay here again? Maybe not for an extended vacation, but definitely as a stopover or weekend base to explore Mystic. It’s close enough to enjoy town, comfortable enough to regroup, and quirky enough to leave a few funny memories behind. Plus, we’ll always have a soft spot for it—our very first stop on what’s already shaping up to be the adventure of a lifetime.
Have you stayed at Mystic KOA Holiday? What did you think? Or do you have a favorite “first campground” story from your RV travels? Share it in the comments below—we love hearing from our travel fam!
And don’t forget to stay tuned for our Mystic Aquarium post, coming soon. Until next time… happy trails! 🌲🚐✨
Travel Turtles 