Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Hartford, CT

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Hartford, CT has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Connecticut camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Connecticut camping adventure.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Hartford, Connecticut (126)

    1. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 583-3300

    "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."

    2. Onion Mountain Park

    3 Reviews
    West Simsbury, CT
    12 miles
    Website

    "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."

    3. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Riverton, CT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0922

    $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."

    4. Wilderness Lake Park

    14 Reviews
    Willington, CT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 684-6352

    $70 / night

    "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!"

    "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."

    5. River Highlands State Park River Campground

    1 Review
    Cromwell, CT
    10 miles
    +1 (203) 287-5658

    $5 / night

    "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."

    6. White Pines Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Winsted, CT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0124

    $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."

    7. The Quarry Campground

    4 Reviews
    Tolland, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 875-8325

    $45 - $68 / night

    "If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!"

    "We came to discover new bike trails and this one was close to the Hop bike trail which we enjoyed very much"

    8. Waters Edge Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Amston, CT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 642-7470

    $45 - $100 / night

    "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."

    "This is our families favorite camping location. On the pond at Waters Edge. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge."

    9. Brialee Family Campground

    14 Reviews
    Ashford, CT
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 303-2267

    $25 - $150 / night

    "Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs."

    "Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field. Nice sites. Decent laundry and showers. Great place with kids.....lots of seasonal, but plenty short term."

    10. Gentiles Campground

    7 Reviews
    Plymouth, CT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8437

    $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!"

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Hartford, CT

651 Reviews of 126 Hartford 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.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Waters Edge Family Campground

    Incredible campground

    Most 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.

  • K
    Jun. 25, 2020

    Wilderness Lake Park

    Really enjoyed our time here

    Quaint 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.

  • K
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Strawberry Park

    Great atmosphere

    Great 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

  • D
    Jun. 4, 2018

    Mystic KOA

    Very nice

    Somewhat crowded

    staff was very nice. Lots of places around to go sightseeing. Most of the area isn’t dog friendly, so be careful if you take your pet. No problem at the campground

  • Sammii D.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Thousand Trails Sturbridge

    Nice, yet cramped and no cell reception

    I 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.

  • R
    Jan. 20, 2021

    Bowdish Lake Camping Area

    Wow! Beware of all the extra charges and filthy facilities

    Bowdish Lake Camping Area is the worst campground we have ever been to and we travel fulltime! Their website states: $1,800-$3,600 per season (look for yourself on their website if you don’t believe me). We get there after reserving site Blue 65. They then charged us $3,900. Why? We have no idea! Then they charged us an additional $75.00 for our truck. Why I don’t know? Then they charged us an additional $50.00 for having our own kayak. Then they charged us an additional $50.00 for a small dog, $100.00 for large dogs (by the way they have no dog park). Then they charged us an additional $100.00 for cable. Then they charged us an additional .50 cents per kWh ( which cost us an average of$250.00 extra per month). The public facilities are filthy. They do not supply any toilet paper, hand soaps, hot water, etc. They charge you an additional charge by coin operated showers (cold water only) that are crawling with spiders, bugs and cobwebs.

  • T
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Douglas Forest RV Resort

    Awesome Campground In The Forest

    We had an incredible stay at Douglas Forest RV Resort! From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by how peaceful and well-maintained everything was. The RV sites are spacious and easy to navigate, with full hookups and strong Wi-Fi— a big plus for us since we work remotely on the road. What really sets this place apart is the location. You’re literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical. It’s pet-friendly too, and our dog loved the wooded trails and open areas. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and the camp store had everything we needed. Even though the recreation area is still being built, the amenities already in place more than made up for it. We’re already planning our next trip for summer when the pool opens! If you’re looking for a relaxing spot that blends nature with convenience, look no further. Douglas Forest RV Resort is a true hidden gem!

  • Tom S.
    Dec. 10, 2021

    Aces High RV Park

    Nice campground

    Clean, 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.


Guide to Hartford

Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Hartford, Connecticut, allows you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friends. Here are some excellent campgrounds that welcome pets and offer a variety of amenities and activities.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Hartford

  • At Wilderness Lake Park, you can enjoy free canoe and kayak rentals, perfect for a day of paddling with your dog by your side.
  • Lake Compounce Campground features a family-friendly atmosphere with activities like bingo and corn hole, ensuring fun for both you and your pet.
  • Waters Edge Family Campground offers a peaceful setting where you can relax and explore the nearby trails with your dog.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include

  • GrandView CampResort & Cottages is known for its spacious sites and friendly owners, making it a great choice for families traveling with pets.
  • Markham Meadows provides a safe environment for kids and pets alike, with plenty of space for your dog to roam.
  • Branch Brook Campground allows pets and features decent-sized sites, perfect for a comfortable stay with your furry companion.

Tips for camping with dogs near Hartford

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hartford, CT is Lake Compounce Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 12 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 126 dog-friendly camping locations near Hartford, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.