Dog-Friendly Camping near Mansfield Center, CT

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    Charlie Brown Campground accommodates pets with spacious tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt options in Eastford, just minutes from Mansfield Center. Waters Edge Family Campground provides wooded sites with privacy for campers with dogs, featuring a dog park that exceeds the quality of many standard playgrounds. Brialee Family Campground, Wilderness Lake Park, and Peppertree Camping all welcome pets while offering various accommodation types including cabins at some locations. Most campgrounds in the area provide full hookup sites with 30-amp service, fire rings, and picnic tables. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities with showers and toilets, though specific pet rules vary by location.

    Nearby hiking trails offer excellent opportunities for dog walking, with Taylor Pond trail noted as particularly suitable for both children and pets. Wilderness Lake Park allows free kayak use, giving campers and their dogs water access opportunities. Mount Misery Campground in Pachaug State Forest stands out as one of the few pet-friendly state park options in the region. Most private campgrounds charge additional pet fees ranging from $50 for small dogs to $100 for larger breeds. Seasonal temperatures in Connecticut make spring and fall ideal for camping with pets, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Campers report that while Newport attractions are less pet-friendly, the campgrounds themselves provide ample space for dogs to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Mansfield Center (128)

      1. Brialee Family Campground

      4.6(14)9mi from Mansfield Center3 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $25 - $150 / night

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      2. Wilderness Lake Park

      4.2(14)12mi from Mansfield CenterRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      from $70 / night

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      3. Waters Edge Family Campground

      3.7(10)10mi from Mansfield CenterRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $45 - $100 / night

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      4. Odetah Camping Resort

      3.9(13)14mi from Mansfield CenterRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Tucked away in the woods I never knew this was there! Beautiful pond and a good mix of seasonal and overnight sites as well as cabins. Plenty of areas to walk our dogs and have them swim."

      "We had two sites side by side for our group of 7 and two dogs. The staff will deliver wood right to your site. The only con is the sites are not very private...at all."

      5. Salt Rock Campground

      3.4(8)10mi from Mansfield Center57 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We were close to activities and enjoyed an afternoon tubing down the river. The bathrooms weren't the cleanest, but we've seen worse. We enjoyed our time here."

      "we had a group from work head out here. we reserved Coyote Run, and had the field to ourselves, it was a bit of a walk to the shower from there, but we had our own outhouse, bring a light for night time"

      from $33 - $100 / night

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      6. Charlie Brown Campground

      4.6(8)12mi from Mansfield CenterRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Surrounded by the Natchaug forest, and adjacent to the Natchaug River. Great activities for everyone."

      "Activities were still available with social distancing of course due to Covid. Close by was Taylor Brooke Winery which was the perfect place to while away a late summer afternoon."

      7. Nickerson Park Family Campground

      4.5(4)7mi from Mansfield CenterRVs, Tents

      "Staffers and other campers said kids tube down it when it's warmer, then just hop out and walk back through the camp to start over again.  Walmart & Aldi's is 10-15 minutes away."

      from $45 - $55 / night

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      8. Hopeville Pond State Park Campground

      4.5(10)18mi from Mansfield Center79 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "General: There are three sections to this campground: five canoe sites; 16 sites including one cabin behind the ranger station and what I would assume is the main section with 61 sites."

      "Hopeville Pond is a moderate sized state park campground located along a river and offering fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities."

      from $17 - $50 / night

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      9. Starlit Camping at Atlantic Coast Farms and Estates

      5.0(1)2mi from Mansfield CenterRVs, Tents

      from $40 - $160 / night

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      10. Peppertree Camping

      5.0(2)9mi from Mansfield CenterRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "It’s a quiet campground, located right on a river. My children spent hours in it playing and fishing. Looking forward to returning."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mansfield Center, CT

    730 Reviews of 128 Mansfield Center Campgrounds


    • A
      Oct. 16, 2021

      Newport RV Park

      Clean sites and easy hiking trails

      The campground is close to relatively easy hiking trails and Portsmouth Dog Park. Clean site areas, but many are on a slight slop so leveling blocks are needed. We Took one of the nearby Trails get to the Portsmouth Publick House restaurant, which is dog friendly, for lunch. The waterfall along the blue trail is picture worthy.

    • 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.

    • I
      Oct. 26, 2020

      Newport RV Park

      Best dog park

      We got a great pull through full hookup with a 5 minute walk to a huge dog park. There are also a bunch of beautiful trails right from the park

    • Steve T.
      Aug. 3, 2020

      Fort Getty Campground

      Tent campers

      Perfect location for a summer / beach camp. Mostly for RVs but tent site #6 was great. Views of the ocean to wake up too and tucked away from main area.

      Worst part is you can’t bring your car on the site. Do not understand this, especially since it was over 95° and we have dogs that need AC, one if which is 14. We did sneak the car up by asking an RV camper to use his land because they block off the entrance with giant tree trunks.

      More good stuff, the private pet friendly beaches were great! Small but perfect to relax. No problems with the pets at all and old but clean bathrooms.

    • 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.

    • Rose P.
      Jul. 21, 2025

      Ashaway RV Resort

      Rude Staff

      Standard crabgrass parking lot with drunks driving around on golf carts and RV's stacked on top of each other. The woman who runs the office is a very angry person and it made the entire visit unpleasant, which is no surprise as she has been hostile and unwelcoming the several times I've visited. Pool looks nice though I guess, I've never dared to use it for fear of breaking one of the many unwritten and unspoken rules. A great place for people who enjoy eating dinner next to your neighbor's septic pipe. I called to ask if they allowed dogs and was told "NO" just to arrive and be asked to park next to the dog park.

    • 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

    • Sarah A.
      Aug. 13, 2023

      Newport RV Park

      Nice, but further out than we thought

      This park was very nice, but they advertise being 5 miles away from historic Newport, and it’s more like 8. There are zero bike paths that are immediately accessible and Newport drivers are not walker/biker friendly. No sidewalks on the Main Street to get you here. Ubers and Lyfts can be scarce and very expensive depending on the time of day. Between $16 to $78 rides…so, if you’re not towing, just something to be aware of. Neighbors were super nice and there is a great dog park (we think it’s city owned) with super nice doggo humans. Was good for a short stay - we just wish we had known how far out it really was because we really would have loved to spend more time downtown.

    • R
      Aug. 14, 2020

      Whispering Pines Campground

      Great family campground

      We stayed for 3 nights, the sites and camp were very clean and well maintained. Everyone was very friendly, lots of things to do - pool, bocce, volleyball, horseshoes, arcade, a small field to play frisbee or ball, mini-golf (mini-golf landscape needs to be refreshed a bit) there is even a very small fenced in dog park which was nice if you want to let your dog off leash to play. We did not experience any screaming kids all night.


    Guide to Mansfield Center

    Riverside camping options abound in northeastern Connecticut, with elevations ranging from 400 to 650 feet throughout the region. Most campgrounds near Mansfield Center sit along the Natchaug River watershed, creating opportunities for water recreation from April through mid-October. Winter temperatures average 20-35°F, while summer camping season brings 65-85°F days with moderate humidity.

    What to do

    Kayaking for free: Wilderness Lake Park offers complimentary kayak and canoe use for guests. "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake," notes Rob L., who appreciated this uncommon amenity during his stay. The lake provides calm waters suitable for beginners.

    River tubing: The Natchaug River flows through several campgrounds, creating natural tubing routes. At Peppertree Camping, "we had more fun tubing down the river," recalls Gail M., highlighting this as a popular warm-weather activity. Most tubing spots feature gentle currents appropriate for families.

    Hiking nearby: Taylor Pond trail connects to several campgrounds in the region. "Taylor Pond is not far and a great hike to bring both kids and pets," mentions Kailie G. from Wilderness Lake Park. Most trails range from 1-3 miles with minimal elevation gain, making them accessible for varied skill levels.

    What campers like

    Riverside sites: Premium waterfront camping spots provide direct water access. At Nickerson Park Family Campground, "We got a nice spot backing up to the river. Very secluded, clean sites," reports Jason E. Most riverside sites command a $5-10 premium but offer the convenience of launching boats directly from your campsite.

    Privacy between sites: Waters Edge Family Campground receives praise for its wooded setting. Rob L. appreciated "lots of woods (privacy is huge for us)" and noted "every one of us had a great time with the perfect campsite deep in the woods." The campground maintains natural vegetation buffers between most sites.

    Cleanliness of facilities: Charlie Brown Campground maintains well-kept grounds and bathroom facilities. According to Michael, "The grounds were clean, the playground was nice, and the people were all friendly." Most campgrounds provide daily bathroom cleaning and weekly site maintenance.

    What you should know

    Payment policies: Some campgrounds have specific payment requirements. At Wilderness Lake Park, "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared," advises Hails L. Most campgrounds require full payment at check-in with a credit card authorization for incidentals.

    Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate from mid-April through October. Brialee Family Campground receives busy traffic during peak season. "Weekends tend to get loud but we don't mind that," notes Christine M., highlighting the weekend atmosphere difference. Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) typically offer quieter experiences and occasional discounts.

    WiFi limitations: Internet connectivity varies significantly between properties. According to Mallory P., "WiFi in common areas isn't great so if you're planning on working during some down time, this isn't the place." Most campgrounds offer limited WiFi near office areas only, with spotty cell coverage throughout the region.

    Tips for camping with families

    Activity planning: Brialee Family Campground organizes regular scheduled events. "Plenty of activities and things for kids to do; Rec hall, mini golf, shuffleboard, beach, pool, playground," shares Christine M. Most scheduled activities occur on weekends with sign-ups required at check-in.

    Swimming options: Multiple water features appeal to different age groups. Kimberly B. at Brialee Family Campground notes they offer a "Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field." Most swimming areas have limited lifeguard hours from 10am-5pm.

    Specialized play areas: Waters Edge Family Campground features above-average recreational facilities. "We've been to campgrounds with playgrounds worse than the waters edge dog park," explains Rob L., highlighting the quality of their specialized areas. Most campgrounds update their recreational equipment every 3-5 years.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: Charlie Brown Campground provides water and electric but limited sewer connections. "Water, electric, gray water hookup, $63," notes Bobcat B., mentioning the common practice of offering only gray water disposal at riverside sites. Most campgrounds charge $5-25 additional for full hookup sites.

    Site leveling: The terrain throughout the area often requires leveling equipment. At Odetah Camping Resort, "The sites are a little close, but with so much to do you don't spend that much time at your site," notes Happy Camper L. Most RV sites require 1-3 inches of leveling adjustment on at least one side.

    Wood delivery service: Many campgrounds offer convenience services for RVers. Jason E. appreciated that "they have a nice dump station on your way out" at Nickerson Park Family Campground, while other campers mention firewood delivery as a common amenity. Delivery services typically require 30-60 minutes advance notice through the camp store.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mansfield Center, CT is Brialee Family Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 128 dog-friendly camping locations near Mansfield Center, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.