Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Danbury, CT

Kettletown State Park Campground allows pets at its campsites with options for tent camping, RVs, and cabins. Located in Southbury, Connecticut, approximately 20 miles from Danbury, this established campground operates seasonally from May 26 to September 4. The park features drinking water, electric hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, and modern amenities including showers and toilets. Sites are somewhat close together, particularly in the upper loop where boundaries can be unclear. The well-maintained trails provide excellent hiking opportunities for visitors and their dogs, though swimming access at the beach area may be restricted or unavailable due to occasional algae blooms.

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation accepts pets year-round at its campground in Pound Ridge, New York, about 25 miles southwest of Danbury. This reservation stands out for its spacious, private shelter sites and extensive trail network spanning over 40 miles. Camping accommodations include both lean-to shelters and tent sites with amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets and showers. The reservation's diverse landscape features elevation gains, creeks, and open fields ideal for stargazing. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the property as wildlife is abundant. Reservations must be made in person at the park office, allowing campers to select specific sites based on their preferences and needs.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Danbury, Connecticut (72)

    1. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $17 / night

    "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."

    2. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $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."

    3. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "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."

    "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"

    4. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."

    "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."

    5. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    New Preston, CT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 868-0220

    $17 - $50 / night

    "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 !"

    6. Freedom Farm Homestead

    1 Review
    New Milford, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 508-1594

    $50 - $70 / night

    7. Cozy Hills Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bantam, CT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-2119

    $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."

    8. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."

    "Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"

    9. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Kent, CT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 927-3238

    $14 / night

    "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!"

    10. Black Rock State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Thomaston, CT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8088

    $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 .."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Danbury, CT

504 Reviews of 72 Danbury Campgrounds


  • Kim J.
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Very nice campground however…

    We 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.

  • Allen N.
    Aug. 12, 2020

    Jellystone Park Gardiner

    Serious Dog Bite Incident

    Recently, 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.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Connecticut

       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. 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!!

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    New York City North-Newburgh KOA

    Good amenities and fun experience!

    Campsites 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.

  • Michael O.
    Aug. 16, 2017

    Steep Rock Association

    Great secluded campsites!

    I 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.

  • M
    Mar. 18, 2017

    Black Rock State Park Campground

    A nice family friendly campground

    This 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.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Hidden Lake Farm

    Quiet and Private

    Ashley here with The Dyrt. I would like to welcome your host, Mary, to our platform. There are 2 lodging options to choose from. Pets welcome! Book your stay today and come back here to leave them some love.

  • Laura L.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Okay beach with nice facilities

    The 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.

  • Tiffany T.
    Apr. 29, 2020

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Best of all worlds beach camping

    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. 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. We make it a point to spend at least a week here every summer!


Guide to Danbury

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Danbury, Connecticut, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Danbury

  • At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, you can explore numerous hiking trails that are perfect for a day out with your dog.
  • Cozy Hills Campground offers a variety of family-friendly activities, ensuring your pets have plenty of space to roam and play.
  • Gentiles Campground features well-maintained facilities and a welcoming atmosphere for pets, making it a great choice for a relaxing getaway.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include

Pet owners appreciate the amenities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Danbury, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Danbury, CT is Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 34 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Danbury, CT?

TheDyrt.com has all 72 dog-friendly camping locations near Danbury, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.