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White Pines Campsites in Barkhamsted welcomes pets with designated pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations. The campground provides drinking water, electric hookups, and fire rings at most sites, with pets allowed throughout the property. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in nearby American Legion State Forest also permits pets at their tent, RV, and cabin sites, operating seasonally from May to September. Campgrounds near Barkhamsted typically require pets to remain leashed when outside the designated dog areas. Most campgrounds that allow pets in this region maintain dedicated dog parks or exercise areas where dogs can play off-leash. White Pines Campsites receives positive reviews for its wooded sites that provide privacy, making it comfortable for campers with pets.
Prospect Mountain Campground in nearby Granville features an impressive dog park that exceeds the quality of some children's playgrounds according to visitor experiences. Campers should note that some state parks in Connecticut, like Hammonasset Beach State Park, prohibit pets during summer months, making private campgrounds a more reliable option for year-round pet-friendly camping. The region offers numerous hiking trails where leashed dogs are welcome, including paths through Onion Mountain Park where tent camping is permitted with pets. Wilderness Lake Campground provides lakefront access where dogs can swim alongside their owners. When planning a trip, campers should verify specific pet policies as they vary by location - some campgrounds like Cozy Hills have enclosed dog parks with 3-foot fences that may not contain larger or more athletic dogs.
"We were passing through Connecticut and needed a place to crash. Loved this campsite! Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a litrle community but still quotr private."
"Hawes is one of the few campgrounds in CT that's dog friendly. The sites are nice and large, with room for trailers, and they also have a few cabin sites as well."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We got a tent spot and it was perfect since it was the furthest one away and there was no one near us which is probably why we loved it so much bc we were so isolated. a little disappointed in the site"
"However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."
from $74 / night
Check Availability"The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!"
"This is over the boarder in mass from ct We did a three month seasonal Site Staff is super nice and helpful We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake"
"We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."
"It’s up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it’s not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."
"Trails are right near the sites so def scope out your spot before purchase. Has a full shower/bath and sink for washing very well kept and water pump rnot to far from the site."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"Tons of kids activities to keep the little ones busy and great hikes around! Tons of waterfalls in the area and the highest point in Connecticut."
"I happened upon Lone Oaks Camp Site when looking for someplace to stay in north eastern Connecticut."
"People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes. Won’t be surprised if I see a bear in the morning.."
"Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."
"campground the bathroom was clean and well equipped with toilet paper and soap
we stayed at site 70 which was very spacious and set back from the road so had more privacy, although site 71 is very close by"
"There are some easy hikes nearby also. Great for our dogs also."
from $17 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"However, we picked this place because it has an enclosed dog park. It does have an enclosed dog park but the fence is only 3 feet high."
"We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
from $72 - $122 / night
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ScoutWe have enjoyed our stay. Nice campground with lots of activities and things to do. However, we picked this place because it has an enclosed dog park. It does have an enclosed dog park but the fence is only 3 feet high. While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there.
GuideMost amazing weekend with tons of woods (privacy is huge for us). Very friendly guests and staff! Amazing weekend with lots of fun for the kids and even the dogs! We’ve been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park. Every one of us had a great time with the perfect campsite deep in the woods (still able to park my 26’ camper trailer). Swimming pool, great playground, among lots of trails and wooded area surrounding almost every site. Best camping weekends we’ve ever had have been at Waters Edge.
TravelerQuaint little campground. Not many tenting sites but along a beautiful lake. Pets allowed. Bathrooms close by 10, something to keep in mind. And they’re cash or check only! Taylor Pond is not far and a great hike to bring both kids and pets. This campground was perfect for us and our dog. Bring your own kayaks or use the campgrounds free of charge.
GuideMy first visit to New York state was amazing, largely in part due to my campsite at the Woodland Hills campground. I had a back in site and was having problems with my camper, and they were able to change to a pull through at time of check in. However, it was in early May and before the summer crowds. The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom. Very nice bathrooms and showers, and my dog loved the dog park.
RangerI really wanted to like this place. It's in a very cool area that I didn't expect to be so awesome. First main issue was how bad the cell reception is. Normally, I'd day that's a perk for camping but we're full-timers and work on the road so it is important for us. Next, the place is massive and they are more about make money than making people comfortable. What could easily be a very nice and spacious pull-thru spot are 2 back to back back-ins. Unless you're lucky enough to get an end spot, those are pull-thru. Pros: awesome dog park, great office with laundry, activities, arcades, adult only room, community campfire, indoor pool with lifeguard, the staff is nice, there's a lake for swimming, boating, catch and release fishing. Their basketball court is on a shuffleboard court, playground is nice though. Close to Old Sturbridge Village and many cool hikes and MA cities.
LegendI had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground. They divide the loops with names. I unfortunately chose Pequot. This loop has THE WORST bathrooms/showers on the South side of the campground. Looks like they were built in 1950s with rotten wood siding. Dirty. The showers were outside the bathroom- there was a bench & hooks OUTSIDE! We found out all the other loops had modern bathhouses.
My first impression of this campground is it's loud, crazy busy & there's traffic noise from the beach road. I actually liked it! This is a fun campground for families. There were kids on bikes, scooters, skateboards,roller blades. Watch your speed! They don't always watch out for your car.
I found out most people stay through Sunday & leave on Monday. There were still lots of campers left. Lots of tent campers.
I chose site 14 on the Pequot Loop because I thought I would have a view of one of the ponds. There was tall vegetation, so that was out.
The sites on the other side of the loop were right by the main beach road. Noisy during the day, but quiet at night.
There are some sites with shade, but most are sunny.
There's no electricity at most of the sites. Our site was full sun(yay for the solar panel!). On Beach Road in the campground there's 2 rows of full hookup sites, but they go FAST! I tried.
NO PETS! Including dogs.
No WiFi, but there's cell service. At least 5 dump stations.
The beach was popular.
There was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in.
They have a beautiful Nature Center. A couple of easy hikes through one of the preserves.
This was a good base camp for the area. Gillette Castle & other state parks are within driving distance. Connecticut is a beautiful state!!
TravelerI have camped here many times. There are three campsites; two that require short hikes (.5 miles and .75 miles, respectively) and a third that can be driven to. Each one is far away from the others. The two that are closest are still divided by several hundred feet of wooded area; you can hear if someone at the other campsite shouts loudly enough, but you can't hear normal conversation or see any lights.
There is no cell phone coverage at any of the campsites (if you care about that while camping).
All of the campsites are right next to the Shepaug River. There is a very crude outhouse between campsites #1 and #2, but none at #3. Each campsite has a designated fire pit, and the Steep Rock Association provides ample firewood. SR 1 and SR 2 both have picnic tables at them; SR 3 does not. Pets are welcome; there are many people hiking and camping with dogs, and people ride horses down some of the trails.
On 9/2/17, when camping at SR1, we saw a Dumpster on the side of the trail that leads from campsite SR1 to campsite SR2. I have never seen a Dumpster anywhere at Steep Rock before, so I don't know if that is a permanent new addition or if it was there temporarily.
Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the Steep Rock Association office during the week.
ScoutThis is a nice family friendly campground that makes for easy trips. There are a variety of sites available, from open field sites to more wooded and private areas. The campground also has a lake for swimming,trails for hiking, and some nice quiet areas for fishing. Well maintained bathrooms, with available showers, are also spread throughout the grounds. Not pet friendly unfortunately.
GuideThe actual beach isn't too nice; not soft sand, broken shells, and cigarettes. However, the campgrounds have nice facilities like a shop, good showers, a playground, and volleyball courts. Be noted PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this.
Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest spans along the Farmington River with 30 campsites spread across 4,500 acres of mixed hardwood forest. Campsites at Hawes typically feature fire rings surrounded by gravel pads on gently sloped terrain at elevations between 750-850 feet. The area experiences summer temperatures averaging 80°F during July and August with moderate rainfall.
Fishing the Farmington River: Prime trout fishing access directly from Austin Hawes Memorial Campground sites along the riverbank. "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only," notes Melissa R. The Pleasant Valley General Store nearby provides "everything you need in addition to live bait and even a rod and reel to purchase if you forget yours," according to Anthony and Kim C.
Hiking regional trails: Onion Mountain Park offers moderate 2-4 mile trails through mixed hardwood forest. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," shares Nora S. The Henry Buck Trail in American Legion State Forest provides additional day hiking options with minimal elevation gain suitable for most fitness levels.
Local attractions: Prospect Mountain area contains interesting sites within 15-20 minute drives. "The Pleasant Valley General Store down the road is great. We also recommend the General Store nearby in Riverton! Great place to have lunch!" reports Anthony and Kim C. Austin S. adds, "there is a drive-in movie theater 10 min away (we always tailgate a movie as tradition) it's close to a bunch of quaint towns."
Spacious camping spots: White Pines Campsites offers well-designed tent areas separated from RV sections. "We stayed at site T3 and it was spacious and spread out from other tent sites. There was a tiny creek meandering behind the site and the woods just went on for miles. We felt grateful to be separated from the RVers and have so much space to ourselves," reports Sylvia P.
Natural water features: Fishing and swimming opportunities abound at multiple campgrounds. "We had a great time, we stayed right on the river side," shares Andrzej K. about his experience at Austin Hawes. Tolland State Forest Campground offers lakefront access where "we have brought out kayaks and took off right from the site. There are rocks to get into the water but the water is clean and not mucky," according to Rebecca D.
Tranquil environments: Several campgrounds provide peaceful settings away from urban noise. "Nice campground, semi private. The sites are spread out enough but you're not completely alone," notes Emily M. about Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. At Tolland State Forest, campers experience "Owls hooting every night around midnight," according to Cheryl B., who describes it as a "Beautiful clean campground. All the sites are spacious."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the region operate within specific date ranges. "Austin Hawes Memorial Campground operates seasonally from May to September," while Tolland State Forest runs "mid May to mid October." At Lone Oak Campsites, the season extends from "April 15 to October 15," providing slightly longer camping opportunities.
Varying amenities: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "Hawes is one of the few campgrounds in CT that's dog friendly. The sites are nice and large, with room for trailers, and they also have a few cabin sites as well," notes Katherine P., who cautions: "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!" For those requiring modern facilities, "The bathhouses have always been clean with sinks to wash your dishes," at Tolland State Forest, according to Rebecca D.
Wildlife awareness: Bears and other wildlife are present throughout the region. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," reports Sylvia P. about White Pines Campsites. At Bear Creek Campground, one camper notes, "As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. People left their left over food scraps in the grass by my camp so not only has my dog been eating it, I also hear coyotes. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning."
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer structured recreation for children. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'. Kids had a blast!" according to Sandra S.
Swimming options: Pools provide safer alternatives to river swimming for families with young children. Cozy Hills Campground features a "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," notes Ann S. Similarly, at Prospect Mountain, Megin F. reports "Pool was lovely and refreshing. The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance camping experiences for children. Nicole G. shares that at Tolland, "my daughter loved the campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff." Many campgrounds offer hiking trails with interpretive signage suitable for school-age children, allowing for self-guided educational walks.
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size, privacy and amenities. At Cozy Hills Campground, "They pack us in pretty tight in some sites," according to Mike W. For better experiences, research specific site details as "sites can be close but nice variety to choose from," at Tolland State Forest, says Lisa W.
Dump station availability: Most campgrounds provide dump facilities, though setups vary. At Bear Creek Campground, Ray B. notes the campground "does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station." Similarly, Austin Hawes Memorial Campground has "a dump station" accessible for RVs according to Andrzej K., making it suitable for shorter stays without full hookups.
Seasonal considerations: RVers should check specific closing dates as seasons vary. White Pines operates "April 16 to Columbus Day weekend," while Bear Creek Campground runs "May 1 - Oct 31," providing additional fall camping opportunities when temperatures in the region typically range from 50-65°F during the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Barkhamsted, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Barkhamsted, CT is Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Barkhamsted, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 112 dog-friendly camping locations near Barkhamsted, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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