Lake Compounce Campground's pet-friendly accommodations include tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping options with fire rings and picnic tables. White Pines Campsites welcomes dogs at their drive-in and walk-in sites, providing water hookups and shower facilities for campers with pets. Cozy Hills Campground features an enclosed dog park, though some visitors note the 3-foot fence height may be inadequate for more athletic dogs like border collies. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the Bristol area offer standard amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and trash disposal, with many providing dedicated areas for pet exercise and waste disposal. Gentiles Campground maintains a year-round operation for campers with pets.
Wilderness Lake Park provides secluded tent sites where dogs can swim in the lake alongside their owners. The campground's waterfront patio offers seating overlooking the water where campers can relax with their pets. Branch Brook Campground and Bear Creek Campground both feature pet-friendly policies with full hookup options for RV travelers. Onion Mountain Park allows free primitive tent camping with pets but lacks amenities like drinking water or toilets. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest provides a more secluded experience with pets allowed at their tent, RV, and cabin sites from May through September. Many campgrounds require pets to remain leashed except in designated exercise areas, and some limit the number of pets per site or charge additional pet fees.
"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."
$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 .."
$17 - $50 / night
"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."
$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."
$74 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
$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."
"The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake. "
"Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"
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.
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!
Pet friendly camping near Bristol, Connecticut offers varying terrain from lake shores to wooded hills. The region sits at elevations between 500-1,000 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than coastal areas. Most campgrounds in the Bristol area maintain seasonal operations from May through October, with a few offering year-round accommodations.
Hiking trails: Black Rock State Park Campground features multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. "Check out Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, Tory's Den, and Buttermilk Falls nearby," notes reviewer Michelle B. The park's proximity to these natural attractions makes it ideal for day hiking with pets.
Fishing spots: The Farmington River at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides excellent trout fishing opportunities. Reviewer Tom C. states, "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots." The catch and release section contains trophy-sized trout.
Water activities: Many campgrounds offer lake access for swimming and boating with pets. At Point Folly Campground, reviewer Judy S. notes, "The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake."
Natural settings: Onion Mountain Park provides primitive camping for those seeking a more remote experience with their pets. Reviewer Nora S. shares, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept shower and bathroom facilities. At Bear Creek Campground, reviewer Diane R. appreciates that "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
Spacious sites: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. Black Rock State Park offers "a variety of sites available, from open field sites to more wooded and private areas," according to Mathew D. Site selection can significantly impact the quality of your pet-friendly camping experience.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. However, Gentiles Campground maintains year-round operations. Reviewer Jacob S. notes, "Was here for Three months and it was during the winter and didn't have any problems great people sell propane on site."
Site limitations: Some campgrounds have terrain challenges. At Gentiles Campground, reviewer Mae notes, "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs." Always check site specifications when traveling with larger vehicles.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the region. At White Pines Campsites, one reviewer reported, "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours." Food storage precautions are essential when camping with pets.
Swimming options: Kettletown State Park Campground offers water recreation opportunities. Reviewer Jennifer H. states, "Place is perfect for young kids! It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" However, water quality can affect swimming availability.
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds organize family events. Cozy Hills Campground provides "Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," according to reviewer Ann S.
Noise considerations: Campground atmosphere varies significantly. At White Pines Campsites, a reviewer noted, "Night fell and the place turned into Margaritaville. The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place and while some have tasteful decor and lights, others not so much." Research quiet hours enforcement when planning pet-friendly camping trips.
Hookup availability: Most pet-friendly campgrounds offer partial hookups. At Branch Brook Campground, reviewer Benjamin A. mentions, "The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer," indicating updated facilities for RV campers.
Site spacing: RV site layouts differ significantly between campgrounds. Reviewer Tina shares about Bear Creek Campground, "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor."
Dump stations: Many campgrounds lack full sewer connections. As reviewer Ray B. notes about Bear Creek Campground, "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bristol, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bristol, CT is Lake Compounce Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 101 dog-friendly camping locations near Bristol, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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