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Kettletown State Park Campground features pets-allowed camping across various accommodation types including tents, RVs, and cabins. Located in Southbury, Connecticut, approximately 8 miles from Brookfield, this state park provides designated pet-friendly sites with picnic tables and fire rings where leashed pets can stay with their owners. The campground maintains clean bathrooms and showers according to most visitors, though some reviews note occasional maintenance issues. Large, partially wooded sites offer good spacing between campers, making this location suitable for families camping with dogs. Sites near the water are particularly desirable but can be uneven with tree roots.
Several pet-friendly camping options exist within a 30-minute drive of Brookfield. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground in New Preston accommodates pets at their tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites with access to a lakefront for kayaking and paddleboarding. When camping with pets, visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters including skunks, which frequent many Connecticut campgrounds. Most state parks require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 7 feet at all times, and owners must clean up after their animals. Firewood sales are available on-site at many locations, eliminating the need to transport wood that might harbor invasive species. Quiet hours are inconsistently enforced at some locations, which may affect pets sensitive to noise.
"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"With Covid/social distancing requirements, many sites are closed so it’s extra quiet and spread out. I stayed at site 6 with my seven year-old daughter from Tue-Thur."
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."
"One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
from $45 - $55 / 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
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges place is clean it has running water has a porta potty and festival you don't have to worry because the state of Connecticut"
"Our camp spot was right above the river the flows behind this spot. You can go sit down by the water. But be careful!"
from $14 / night
Check Availability"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 .."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $55 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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.
ScoutRecently, we camped here for a week. We don’t ever post negative reviews like this. The last day, we experienced a violent attack by a very large and aggressive Pit Bull. The Pit Bull did not have a collar or a leash and was accidently let out of the RV to roam free and unsupervised. It immediately ran to our site(4 sites away) and attacked our dog that was tied at the time. The incident was unprovoked. While trying to save our dog, my wife and I were also attacked. The wounds were serious enough to require emergency transport to a hospital for treatment including stitches. All we could think of was what might have happened if our granddaughter had been playing with our dog.
To put it mildly, their existing pet policy is grossly lacking. They never checked what breed of dog or ask to see documentation of shots when we were registering. Yogi Bear Jellystone Park needs to better manage their pet policy to address aggressive dog breeds and ensure the safety of campers. We camped there for seven days and saw multiple sites have more than one large dog, which in many places we’ve camped at would have been banned due to breed type or size. We have RV’ed extensively across the US and have never seen such careless enforcement of a pet policy regarding aggressive dog breeds. Seriously, think about avoiding this park if you have pets or small children.
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!!
RangerCampsites Great campsites, wooded and cozy, though a little tight for longer rigs as our neighbors found out when they ran over a wooden post backing in. But spaced apart nicely with lots of vegetation between. Nice and level. Amenities Bathrooms are older and need of some repair but let me tell you I was very happy to see a normal shower head with real hot water! So no complaints here. Laundry facilities were clean and open 24/7 with reasonable prices 2.50/2.00 washer/dryer. And the dryers actually worked. Small dog park, communal spaces, and a camp store all made the place feel like a little village. They even have a wine store- cab sav was good. WiFi I work remotely and WiFi is always an issue. We have Starlink but in a wooded campsite, connecting is an issue but luckily their WiFi was great. Had no issues and could stream just fine. Halloween! We visited mid October and folks had sites decorated and the KOA has trick or treating and other activities every weekend in Oct. we were SO bummed to be leaving on a Friday and miss the festivities because it looked really fun. Would definitely go back. Also, staff was super nice.
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.
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.
TravelerThis is a public park owned by the Town of Brookfield; it can be reserved for camping and there are several flat areas to pitch a tent. There are two picnic tables by the lakeside and several fire rings scattered about.
When you reserve the site from Parks and Recreation they will give you the code to open the gate so you can drive all the way down to the campsite.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that the kids and I had to pick up a medium to large amount of garbage, mostly fast food containers/bags and beer bottle/cans. We don't mind picking up a bit, but there was a LOT of garbage strewn about. The fire pits were also full of charred wood and ash, and more than a little broken glass. If we'd had a shovel we would have cleaned those out, but we didn't so we just skipped having a fire. The garbage does not come from other campers; the area is used during the day for picnics and some hiking, and unfortunately some of the people who stop by to eat at the lake side don't bother to pack out their trash.
Camping options within a 20-mile radius of Brookfield, Connecticut provide access to the western Connecticut highlands, where elevations range from 400 to 1,000 feet and summer temperatures average 75-85°F. Most campgrounds in this region sit near small lakes or rivers, with mixed hardwood forests providing partial shade at campsites. Rainfall averages 4-5 inches per month during camping season, making drainage considerations important when selecting sites.
Hiking trails at Macedonia Brook: The state park features a challenging mountain loop trail system with over 6 miles of interconnected paths. "The loop hike over the mountains was good, at times more intermediate than beginner and I wouldn't try to go it with younger kids. We did the east side one afternoon and the west the next," according to one Macedonia Brook State Park Campground visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes throughout the region support bass, panfish, and trout fishing. At Fahnestock State Park, campers report good catches: "If you are into fishing, there is another lake and two ponds that our neighbor campers said were great for catching panfish - one fisherman said he had caught several bass weighing over 3 pounds!!" Access is typically available from shorelines with Connecticut fishing license.
Water activities: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Brookfield offer swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking options. "The beach is closed after Labor Day to the public, but open to people staying at the campsite. Clean and beautiful," notes a camper at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. Many locations rent kayaks and canoes for hourly or daily use.
Privacy at wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded options with natural buffers between neighbors. "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site...I highly recommend this place but check out the sites online to get one that is private," advises a visitor to Fahnestock State Park.
Clean bathroom facilities: Newer park facilities receive positive mentions for cleanliness. At Black Rock State Park Campground, "The staff greeted with warm welcomes and big smiles...They have a wash area for dishes and REALLY HOT showers. Lol I like my showers hot butt my biscuits were burnin lol."
Access to fishing spots: Many campers appreciate water access directly from sites. At Point Folly Campground, "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. The water front sites on the West Side seem to flood easily if it rains."
Seasonal weather impacts: Spring camping near Brookfield can involve significant precipitation, while summer brings higher humidity. "The water front sites on the West Side seem to flood easily if it rains," warns a Point Folly camper. Select elevated sites during rainy periods.
Bathroom availability varies: Some dog-friendly camping locations near Brookfield offer only basic facilities. At Macedonia Brook, expect "No bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps. And a night sky as dark as you can find in CT."
Cell service limitations: Multiple campgrounds report limited connectivity. At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, "Yes, cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years. Actually we were a bit disappointed because this camp ground is a great place to disconnect and relax."
Child-friendly swimming options: Look for designated shallow swimming areas for young children. "The swimming area is an absolute joke, unless you are 18 months old, and then its probably perfect. (Extremely small, extremely shallow, and some sand to dig in.)" notes a Lake Waramaug visitor - perfect for toddlers but limiting for older children.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for wildlife encounters beyond skunks. "This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. Site 11, while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over," warns a Kettletown visitor about potential tripping hazards for children.
Activity options: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for different ages. Cozy Hills Campground receives praise for "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."
Site selection considerations: RVs require careful site selection at most Connecticut state parks. "We stayed in site number 1, and I found it to be just wooded enough. Almost all of the sites offered privacy.... Even when the campground was full," reports a Fahnestock State Park visitor, though not all sites accommodate larger vehicles.
Limited hookup availability: Many public campgrounds near Brookfield offer electric but not full hookups. "Sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel," reports a Cozy Hills camper, adding that the campground has "Short-term sites on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult internal roads. "Roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," notes a Gentiles Campground visitor, recommending, "Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Brookfield, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Brookfield, 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 Brookfield, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 dog-friendly camping locations near Brookfield, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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