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Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest permits pets throughout its riverfront campsites, offering private, well-spaced sites with access to the Farmington River. The campground features tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabins that accommodate dogs. Campground rules require pets to be leashed at all times within camping areas. Sites are notably spacious and separated by trees, providing privacy for campers with animals. Onion Mountain Park also welcomes pets for primitive tent camping, though no designated pet amenities are present. The campground maintains quiet hours that help ensure minimal disturbance for campers with noise-sensitive pets. Sites are clean but primitive, with no water or electric hookups available for RV camping with dogs.
White Pines Campsites provides another pet-friendly option with both tent and RV sites that allow dogs, plus pet-friendly cabins and yurts for those seeking more comfortable accommodations. Trails throughout the camping areas offer good walking routes for exercising dogs. The campground is located near multiple hiking trails and outdoor recreation areas suitable for pets, though some visitors note the campground can become noisy on weekends. Black Rock State Park Campground and Lake Compounce Campground round out the nearby pet-friendly options, both offering drive-in access and accommodations for tent and RV campers with pets. When camping with dogs in this region, owners should be aware of wildlife, as black bears have been spotted near some camping areas. Visitors should also prepare for bugs and ticks by bringing appropriate protection for both themselves and their pets.
"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"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."
"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"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."
"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 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"
"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 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."
"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
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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.
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.
Camping options near Collinsville, Connecticut provide diverse experiences across state forests and private campgrounds. The region sits within the Farmington River Valley at elevations between 300-700 feet, creating varied terrain for outdoor activities. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during peak camping season, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures with occasional frost in higher elevation sites.
Fishing access: The Farmington River offers trophy trout fishing directly from riverfront sites at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," notes Tom C., who appreciated the "excellent amenities available within a short walk."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to trail networks for day hiking. "We have gone tubing down the river, swimming and fishing as well... there are hiking trails in and near the campground," explains Sue B. about Austin Hawes. At Onion Mountain Park, hikers can tackle moderate elevation gains. "If you like nice big private sites, peace and quiet while providing a great location for fishing and hiking (Henry Buck Trail) then this is your kind of place," reports Anthony and Kim C.
Swimming options: Lake Compounce Campground offers swimming access at the main amusement park. Danny A. notes, "Great time! Would have been nice if they had a place to swim (in the camping area) besides for at the main park." For pool swimming, Cozy Hills Campground features a family-friendly option. "The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly," explains Rino S.
Private, spacious sites: Campgrounds in the region offer varying levels of privacy. At Onion Mountain Park, campers appreciate the seclusion. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," writes Nora S. "The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent (no group sites) but has a firepit already set up."
Family activities: Prospect Mountain Campground provides structured recreation. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," reports Sandra S. Similarly, Cozy Hills offers "Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," according to Ann S.
Clean facilities: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. "Bathrooms are nice, maintained, and well lit. You can get ice and firewood at the camp store at the entrance," shares Emily M. about Austin Hawes Memorial. At Lake Compounce Campground, Diane R. notes, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
Limited cell service: Some campgrounds have connectivity challenges. "No cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it," mentions Katherine P. about White Pines Campsites, a pet-friendly option.
Mosquitoes and ticks: Bug protection is essential when camping with pets. "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!" warns Katherine P. Similarly, Anthony and Kim C. advise, "Not a negative against the camp site but bring your bug spray! Bugs and ticks abound but it's nature. What else do you expect :)"
Wildlife awareness: Pet owners should be alert to wildlife. "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," reports A.J. at Lake Compounce. Another camper reported, "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours."
Choose sites strategically: For dog-friendly camping with kids, site selection matters. "The map made it seem like site 30 was going to be set back a little into the trees but it was pretty open and exposed. I'd say 29 looks like the best spot of that loop," advises Emily M. about Austin Hawes Memorial.
Consider distance to facilities: At Cozy Hills Campground, "Bathrooms are very clean but very far apart," notes Ann S. This can be challenging for families with young children or dogs. Rino S. adds, "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Research noise levels: Some pet-friendly campgrounds become louder on weekends. "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," reports Sylvia P. about White Pines. "Nothing was enforced" regarding noise rules at this dog-friendly campground.
Hook-up availability: Black Rock State Park Campground offers limited services. "No water or electric hookup but I have solar and a generator and they have a wash area for dishes and REALLY HOT showers," notes Topher L., who brought his dog. "They also have a dump station and a place to fill up ur water tank as well."
Site levelness: Many campgrounds in the Collinsville area have uneven terrain. At Lake Compounce, "Sites were large enough for RV. NO privacy, but tent sites were ok," according to Ruth K. Meanwhile, at White Pines Campsites, Becca Z. observed, "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped - I would recommend a drive through if you can beforehand."
Length restrictions: RVers should check site specifications before booking. "Campground is small and sees a lot of people. There is a small pool that is very busy, and there is a pond for fishing," notes Michelle D. about White Pines, adding that sites vary significantly in size and accessibility for larger rigs with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Collinsville, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Collinsville, 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 Collinsville, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 107 dog-friendly camping locations near Collinsville, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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