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Cozy Hills Campground's enclosed dog park features a 3-foot fence suitable for smaller dogs, while more active breeds like border collies may easily jump over it. Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Lakeside accommodate dogs with varying amenities and policies. Point Folly Campground in Bantam allows pets and provides picnic tables by the lakeside with fire rings scattered throughout the grounds. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to remain on leash at all times. The dog park at Waters Edge Family Campground receives high praise from visitors, with one camper noting it surpasses many children's playgrounds they've encountered at other campgrounds. Pet-friendly accommodations include tent sites, RV spots with hookups, and cabins at locations like Lake Waramaug State Park and Black Rock State Park.
Campground pet policies vary significantly throughout the region. Lake Compounce Campground welcomes pets at their sites while offering glamping and yurt options for those seeking alternative accommodations. Visitors should be aware that some state parks like Hammonasset Beach State Park explicitly prohibit pets during summer months. When camping with dogs, secure food storage is essential as local wildlife, including raccoons and skunks, frequently visit campgrounds after dark. Most campgrounds provide designated pet waste disposal areas, though availability of pet amenities differs between private and state-operated facilities. Kettletown State Park allows pets but campers report sites are quite close together, potentially creating challenges for those with reactive dogs. The region's wooded terrain offers numerous hiking opportunities where leashed dogs can join their owners on trails through Connecticut's scenic forests.
"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"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"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"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."
"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"
"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"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"Quiet woods atmosphere with trail’s. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Tall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane."
"The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods."
from $17 - $50 / 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.
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.
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.
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.
Camping in Litchfield County offers visitors natural woodlands with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet. The region contains numerous bodies of water including Bantam Lake, the largest natural lake in Connecticut at 947 acres. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler temperatures and occasional rain.
Hiking at Macedonia Brook: The park features a 6.5-mile mountain ridge trail with views of the Taconic and Catskill Mountains. "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," notes Marque D. about Macedonia Brook State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple sites offer fishing access with various species available. "Kids caught about 20 fish," reports Rino S. about their stay at Cozy Hills Campground. Daniel M. adds that the campground offers "fishing on site" along with other amenities.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with varying depths and supervision levels. "The swim area is marginal- best for little ones," notes G Y. about Lake Waramaug State Park. For deeper swimming areas, visitors can find alternatives at nearby parks.
Recreation activities: Campgrounds often provide on-site games and scheduled events. Jon R. from Cozy Hills Campground mentions, "Family activities, like archery, were excellent," while Daniel M. praises the "crafts and events" available at the same location.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank highly among camper preferences. "Bathrooms are very clean but very far apart," notes Ann S. at Cozy Hills Campground. At Bear Creek Campground, Diane R. appreciates that "restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great."
Night sky viewing: Areas with less light pollution offer stargazing opportunities. At Macedonia Brook, Kate notes you'll find "a night sky as dark as you can find in CT," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
Spacious sites: Many campers value adequate room between campsites. "Sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel," according to Jon R. at Cozy Hills. At Point Folly Campground, Judy S. notes it's "a small, quiet campground that has water, pit toilets and I think a dumping station."
Swimming pools: For families seeking alternatives to natural water bodies, certain campgrounds offer maintained pools. "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," reports Ann S. about Cozy Hills Campground.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or non-existent mobile connectivity. "No cell service in that area," warns Tom J. about Lake Waramaug. At Macedonia Brook, Neil T. simply states "No cell service," which can be either a drawback or benefit depending on your perspective.
Site spacing variations: Campground layouts differ significantly throughout the region. "Sites are pretty close together and the campground is close to a fairly busy road," notes Benjamin A. about Branch Brook Campground. Contrasting this, Ann S. mentions at Cozy Hills that "the only downside was the real lack of privacy at almost all the sites we saw."
Bathroom facilities: Amenities vary widely from primitive to modern. "Showers are free and the water is usually warm," notes katrina M. at Lake Waramaug, but also warns "the bathrooms are usually unclean, they run out of tissue."
Seasonal considerations: Weather and crowding change significantly by season. "I would never camp here on a weekend.... it is a party place then," advises katrina M. about Lake Waramaug. For quieter experiences, mid-week visits during shoulder seasons offer less crowded conditions.
Pool safety features: When swimming facilities are a priority, note water depths. "Clean pool but only 3 feet deep," reports Kim T. about Cozy Hills. Similarly, Rino S. mentions "the pool is nice, no deep end," making it appropriate for younger children.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled programming. "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc.," describes Ann S. at Cozy Hills Campground. Daniel M. confirms they offer "crafts and events" that appeal to families.
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on your family's needs. At Kettletown State Park Campground, Jennifer H. notes the campground "has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night," making it ideal for active children.
Wildlife awareness: Local animals may visit campsites after dark. "The skunk was very friendly and cute," mentions Thomas M. about Lake Waramaug, while Jennifer H. advises to "watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. Be sure put foods in the car!" at Kettletown.
Utility connections: Most RV sites offer basic hookups but may lack full services. "It does have a dump station on the way out," notes Tina about Bear Creek Campground, while adding "None of the sites have sewer."
Site layout considerations: RV sites vary in configuration and privacy. "You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains Diane R. at Bear Creek Campground. This arrangement affects both privacy and social dynamics.
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have terrain limitations. "It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool," advises Rino S. at Cozy Hills Campground, which is important for those with mobility concerns.
Bathroom proximity: Distance to facilities matters for RVers without onboard bathrooms. "The bathrooms are very clean but very far apart," Ann S. notes about Cozy Hills, a consideration when selecting your site location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lakeside, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lakeside, CT is Cozy Hills Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lakeside, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near Lakeside, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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