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Kettletown State Park Campground welcomes pets at sites spread across its wooded grounds, providing opportunities for camping with dogs throughout multiple loops. Campers can choose from tent sites, RV spots, and pet-friendly cabins where dogs can accompany their owners. Black Rock State Park Campground also maintains pet-friendly policies across its campground areas. Sites are spacious and clean with ample room for pets to settle in comfortably. Most campgrounds in the region maintain standard pet policies including leash requirements and waste cleanup responsibilities. The bathrooms at Kettletown are always kept clean and stocked, an important consideration for longer stays with pets. Gentiles Campground accepts pets year-round with both tent and RV accommodation options available, though its narrow, steep roads make navigation challenging for larger RVs with pet owners.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds offer excellent exercise options for dogs. Black Rock State Park features scenic hiking paths where dogs can explore alongside owners while on leash. The trails include both flat and hilly terrain suitable for different activity levels and pet capabilities. Point Folly Campground at White Memorial Conservation Center permits pets and provides access to additional outdoor recreation areas where dogs can explore. During summer months, campers should be mindful of high temperatures when planning activities with pets. The wooded environment at Kettletown provides good shade coverage but brings significant mosquito activity in early summer months—pet owners should pack appropriate insect repellent for themselves and pet-safe options for their dogs. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground offers additional pet-friendly camping options within reasonable driving distance for those seeking waterfront activities with their dogs.
"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"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 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"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"Sites are pretty close together and the campground is close to a fairly busy road. The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer."
"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 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"
"Quiet woods atmosphere with trail’s. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean"
from $25 / 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.
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!!
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.
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.
LegendLet me just start off by saying we did stay at the end of the season so the campground was quiet… But this is a stunning park and totally worth a stop if you’re traveling via hwy 84! They had such great customer service and the amenities are on point. 2 separate ponds: one for fishing, one for swimming; large outdoor games; Rec hall with video games, 50¢ pool table, live music; volleyball; boat rentals; and even a baseball diamond! (We picture kickball more than baseball happening here) Facilities were east to use and clean. Sites were wide open and easy to access, my only complaint being that they offer “full hookups” but you’re told to just leave your grey tanks open. We chose to wait and dump on our way out. If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!
ScoutBeautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them. You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay. The camp area is beautiful, especially in the fall. Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to.
Middlebury, Connecticut sits within the western part of the state where rolling hills and deciduous forests create varied camping terrain across the region's 700-foot elevation changes. Summer camping temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with humidity levels rising in July and August. Most campgrounds in the area open from May through October with a handful offering extended or year-round access.
Hiking trails and navigation: Black Rock State Park Campground offers both flat and hilly terrain options suitable for different experience levels. "Beautiful state park, very clean... hiking trails. Check out Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, Tory's Den, and Buttermilk Falls nearby," notes reviewer Michelle B.
Water recreation options: The region features several waterfront camping options with varying swimming conditions. At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available. The swim area is marginal- best for little ones," according to reviewer G Y.
Family activities beyond nature: Some campgrounds provide organized activities throughout the camping season. Cozy Hills Campground maintains a schedule of organized events. "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc. Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," shares Ann S.
Large, functional sites: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Middlebury offer spacious camping areas. At Kettletown State Park Campground, "Sites are HUGE" according to multiple reviewers. Camper Justin P. notes, "Access to the river was great, though no swimming was allowed because of an algae bloom. The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness varies across the region, with some maintaining higher standards. At Point Folly Campground, a reviewer described it as "Clean and quiet. Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island." This pet-friendly option provides basic amenities without elaborate facilities.
Quiet environment: Several campgrounds offer secluded options for those seeking peace. Windmill Hill White Memorial Campground provides a more primitive experience for tent campers. "Great experience! Quiet woods atmosphere with trail's. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean," writes Sara R. about this pet-friendly camping option near Middlebury.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons with specific opening and closing dates. "Lake Waramaug State Park Campground is remote from all conveniences- pack it in or expect a drive. There have been several times I've driven to the Dunkin Donuts miles down the road for coffee but I find using a French press is more convenient," notes G Y.
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds report active wildlife that campers should prepare for. At Lake Waramaug, "There are lots of skunks and squirrels that will get into EVERYTHING even in a bin," warns katrina M. Proper food storage is essential at most pet-friendly campgrounds in the region.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the area's campgrounds. "Cell service is basically non-existent. Our trip this weekend was the first time we received more than 1 bar in 20 years," reports a Lake Waramaug camper, noting you can "drive about 5+ minutes out and get cell service."
Site selection strategy: When camping with children, location within the campground matters. At Lake Compounce Campground, one family noted, "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park." However, they cautioned that "tent spots are small and close together" and "there is only one set of facilities for the whole place."
Weather preparedness: Summer conditions can be challenging for families. At Kettletown State Park, one reviewer warned about being "almost eaten alive by mosquitoes when we ventured into the woods. Take lots of bug spray and wear long sleeves/pants, even in the summer. I promise your stay will be more fun that way."
Kid-friendly spaces: Some campgrounds are particularly well-suited for active children. "The reason why I said place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!" shared Jennifer H. about Kettletown.
Access challenges: Many pet-friendly campsites near Middlebury have limitations for larger rigs. At Gentiles Campground, RVers reported that "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs." One reviewer specifically noted their trailer experience: "Stayed one night....roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary across campgrounds. Lake Compounce Campground offers partial hookups. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," notes Diane R., adding, "Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer full sewer connections. Lake Compounce provides alternatives: "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out. The staff were very friendly and they had some activities like bingo and corn hole the weekend we were there," reports Tina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Middlebury, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Middlebury, CT is Kettletown State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Middlebury, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 dog-friendly camping locations near Middlebury, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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