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Riverdale Farm Campsites accommodates pet owners with designated pet-friendly areas for tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping options. The campground maintains a clean environment with full hookups, picnic tables at each site, and facilities including showers and toilets. Nearby, Hammonasset State Park Campground allows pets in its camping areas while providing beach access within walking distance. Totoket Valley RV Park offers pet-friendly sites with water and electric hookups on grassy areas with picnic tables. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies, though specifics vary by location. Several reviewers note that campground staff are generally accommodating to pet owners, though some mention inconsistent enforcement of pet policies during busy periods.
Dog-friendly hiking trails surround many of these campgrounds, particularly at state parks where designated pet exercise areas are available. At Hammonasset, the campground beach provides space for dogs to explore, though pets may not be permitted on the main public beaches during peak season. Riverdale Farm features both pond and river access where dogs can cool off during summer months. Weather considerations become important when camping with pets in Connecticut, as summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels for dogs. Most campgrounds provide shaded sites suitable for pets, with water access available at all locations. Local veterinary services can be found within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds, particularly in Clinton and Madison. The campsites generally have enough space between them to prevent dogs from feeling crowded or territorial.
"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."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility. There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."
"However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."
from $20 - $225 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground. The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way."
"Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."
"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."
"This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River (major RT 9 highway is on west side)."
"Nice camp ground in the woods near hadlyme"
"Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."
"There are dog friendly which was very nice. It is a lil tight from each site but you have the beach and a little hiking trails that makes it worth it."
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.
ScoutGreat family campground with lots of activities. A little pricey. Plenty of open space a dog park area. 3 pools a kiddie pool and outdoor in ground hot tub. Golf cart rentals. Very clean and accommodating
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!!
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.
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!
Branford Center in Connecticut sits along the Long Island Sound, providing access to both coastal and inland camping environments. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures around 80°F and cold winters dropping below freezing. Several campgrounds within a 30-mile radius offer varying levels of amenities from primitive tent sites to full RV hookups with seasonal availability typically running April through October.
Beach access: Hammonasset State Park Campground offers multiple beaches within walking distance of campsites. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center," notes one visitor.
Hiking opportunities: Many campgrounds feature on-site trails with varying difficulty levels. "Hammonasset has great hiking and bird watching. We enjoyed mid August staying for 3 nights, if we had time, would've stay longer," reports a camper. The area provides habitat for diverse coastal bird species, making it popular with wildlife photographers.
Water activities: Fishing spots are available at several locations. At Kettletown State Park Campground, campers can fish in the Housatonic River. Note that swimming may be restricted at times due to water conditions, as one reviewer mentions: "Access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. One visitor to Rocky Neck State Park Campground noted, "Every site had a central bathhouse and they have a variety of tree covering options for each campers preferences. The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails."
Natural surroundings: Wooded sites provide privacy and shade during hot summer months. A Kettletown camper mentioned, "Beautiful trails, flat & hilly," while another appreciated that "The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful."
Varied accommodation options: Riverdale Farm Campsites offers multiple camping styles. "Great Value and Nice Family owned business. The lake is perfect... Have been going for 2 years and started with tenting up to a trailer," shares one regular visitor. The campground has a pond for swimming and recreational activities.
Seasonal restrictions: Beach access for dogs varies throughout the year at coastal campgrounds. At Rocky Neck, one reviewer points out, "Beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack."
Reservation requirements: Sites fill quickly during peak season. One Hammonasset camper advises, "BOOK AHEAD! I would recommend reserving early to get some of the more private campgrounds on the outskirts and near the woods or you may be in the field with everyone else."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds closer to beaches tend to be busier. "The campgrounds are clean and spacious but very open, being a beach there are a few campers who enjoy staying up quite late and listening to music," notes a Hammonasset visitor. Weekends typically see higher occupancy and more activity.
Bugs and wildlife: Prepare for insects, especially in wooded areas. "We were there in early June, and were almost eaten alive by mosquitoes when we ventured into the woods. Take lots of bug spray and wear long sleeves/pants, even in the summer," cautions a Kettletown camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Branford Center, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Branford Center, CT is Hammonasset State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Branford Center, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 71 dog-friendly camping locations near Branford Center, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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