Kettletown State Park Campground accommodates pets in its tent sites, RV spaces, and rustic cabins, with clean facilities and peaceful wooded surroundings. Dogs must be leashed at all times within the park, which features hiking trails accessible to four-legged companions. The campground's proximity to water offers opportunities for dogs to cool off, though swimming may be restricted at times due to algae blooms. Camping spots throughout the area remain uneven at many sites, with roots and natural terrain features requiring careful tent placement. ['Recent visitors note the park is beautiful for camping with kids and pets, with large sites providing ample room for dogs to explore safely.']
Lake Compounce Campground and Gentiles Campground also welcome pets, with tent, RV and cabin options depending on the location. Multiple hiking options near these pet-friendly campgrounds include trails at Sleeping Giant State Park and Black Rock State Park, providing excellent exercise opportunities for dogs. Most campgrounds in the region maintain standard pet policies including proper waste disposal, vaccination requirements, and keeping pets attended at all times. Seasonal considerations affect pet comfort, with early summer months bringing heavy mosquito presence in wooded areas requiring protection for both humans and animals. The designated quiet hours at most campgrounds help manage barking and noise concerns, though enforcement varies by location. Veterinary services can be found within 10-15 minutes of most campgrounds in the Bethany area.
$17 - $50 / night
"We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "
"I love kettletown, it’s a favorite that is very close to home. It’s a small camp ground and it’s absolutely beautiful."
"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."
$20 - $70 / night
"I 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."
"Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
$55 - $150 / night
"Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."
"There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"
$17 - $50 / night
"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."
"Beautiful state park, very clean .. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers .. stores within a 5 minute drive. Most of the camp ground site are not secluded .."
"The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."
"Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"
$72 - $122 / night
"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."
"Sites are pretty close together and the campground is close to a fairly busy road. The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer."
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.
TravelerClean, family friendly campground. Pet friendly with plenty of area to walk. Close to I-95 and 15 minutes from the beach. fishing areas for the kids. Spots are well organized and no issues with hookups. Propane is available at the store.
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.
LegendLet me just start off by saying we did stay at the end of the season so the campground was quiet… But this is a stunning park and totally worth a stop if you’re traveling via hwy 84! They had such great customer service and the amenities are on point. 2 separate ponds: one for fishing, one for swimming; large outdoor games; Rec hall with video games, 50¢ pool table, live music; volleyball; boat rentals; and even a baseball diamond! (We picture kickball more than baseball happening here) Facilities were east to use and clean. Sites were wide open and easy to access, my only complaint being that they offer “full hookups” but you’re told to just leave your grey tanks open. We chose to wait and dump on our way out. If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!
ScoutBeautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them. You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay. The camp area is beautiful, especially in the fall. Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to.
Campgrounds near Bethany, Connecticut sit at the edge of the central Connecticut upland region, with elevations ranging from 200-700 feet above sea level. The area experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, making April through October the prime camping season. Camping options in Bethany and surrounding towns include both state park campgrounds and private facilities that accommodate various camping styles.
Hiking trails with varied terrain: Black Rock State Park Campground offers multiple hiking options with scenic viewpoints. "Beautiful state park, very clean... fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Check out Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, Tory's Den, and Buttermilk Falls nearby," notes reviewer Michelle B.
Fishing opportunities: Cozy Hills Campground provides on-site fishing that's particularly good for families. "Kids caught about 20 fish. The pool is nice, no deep end," reports Rino S., highlighting the productive fishing available right at the campground.
Swimming and water activities: Many campgrounds in the area offer swimming options when weather permits. At Hammonasset State Park Campground, the beach proximity is a major draw. "The short walk to the beach made it worth it. Store is a bit distanced from most sites, bathrooms are run of the mill but centrally located. Bugs weren't too bad in July," says Stephanie S.
Spacious sites with natural features: Kettletown State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "To start, access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom. The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful," notes Justin P., though he mentions sites can be close together.
Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds in the region offer organized events for children. "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," writes Ann S. about Cozy Hills Campground.
Clean facilities: Many reviews mention the quality of bathroom facilities. "Bathrooms are clean but very far apart. The only downside was the real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw," adds Ann S., providing a balanced perspective on Cozy Hills.
Quiet hours enforcement varies: Review experiences differ regarding noise management. At Kettletown, one camper reported: "Overall, folks seemed to be there in larger groups for celebrations so things were loud well past midnight, which was challenging given how close each site was."
Site privacy considerations: Riverdale Farm Campsites and other campgrounds in the region have varying levels of privacy between sites. "Great Value and Nice Family owned business. The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this is an awesome small campground," notes Nick H.
Seasonal limitations: Water activities may be restricted during certain times. Justin P. mentions at Kettletown: "Access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom." Always check current conditions before planning water activities.
Pool access for children: Many campgrounds feature pools suitable for younger campers. "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," notes Ann S. about Cozy Hills Campground.
Campground activities: Lake Compounce Campground offers proximity to an amusement park. "Great time! Would have been nice if they had a place to swim (in the camping area) besides for at the main park," mentions Danny A., highlighting the connection to entertainment options.
Pet-friendly options with space: For families camping with pets, sites that provide adequate room are important. "The campground was clean and quiet. Pool was nice and clean but a little cold. Will definitely come back," notes Rebecca S. about her stay at Cozy Hills Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have natural terrain features. At Kettletown, a reviewer noted: "Site 11, while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over. It was a walk up the hill to the bathhouse. No hookups."
Hookup availability: Branch Brook Campground offers RV amenities but has some limitations. "Spaces were decent sized. We were in site 16 and it was on the creek which was a decent view and gave us plenty of space to sit outside and for our dog to have space to roam," shares Charlie & Danielle B.
Wi-Fi reliability: For RVers needing connectivity, Branch Brook gets mixed reviews. "Better wi-fi than most campgrounds. My wife and I both were able to work with mostly no issues, though there were some situations where it would go out," reports Charlie & Danielle B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bethany, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bethany, CT is Kettletown State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bethany, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 dog-friendly camping locations near Bethany, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
