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Hammonasset State Park Campground welcomes pets at their Madison sites with tent, RV, and cabin options just 24 miles south of Middletown. Dogs must be on leashes no longer than 7 feet at all times within the campground. Wolf's Den Family Campground in East Haddam provides pet-friendly accommodations with spacious 50x30 sites that aren't crammed together, allowing comfortable room for pets to relax with their owners. Lake Compounce Campground in Bristol allows pets at both their tent sites and cabins, but guests note there are limited waste stations so bringing supplies is essential. The farm experience at Hidden Lake Farm creates a unique pet-friendly camping option where dogs can enjoy the rural setting. Very clean facilities throughout these campgrounds make traveling with pets more convenient, though pet owners should verify seasonal availability as most operate from April/May through September/October.
River Highlands State Park River Campground permits dogs on trails and at campsites but visitors should be prepared for limited facilities when camping with pets. Several campgrounds in the region feature dedicated pet exercise areas where dogs can stretch their legs after traveling. GrandView CampResort's big-rig friendly sites accommodate larger RVs with pets, while their level sites make setup easier for those traveling with animals. Some locations near the Connecticut River provide water access where pets can cool off, though swimming regulations vary by campground. Wildlife encounters are common, so keeping pets secured is particularly important at dusk and dawn. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours that apply to barking dogs as well. Markham Meadows offers spacious sites not cramped together, making it more comfortable for campers with pets who need some separation from neighbors. The East Haddam Veterinary Clinic provides emergency services within driving distance of several pet-friendly campgrounds in the area.
"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."
"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."
from $20 - $70 / 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."
"This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River (major RT 9 highway is on west side)."
"Nice camp ground in the woods near hadlyme"
"The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."
"Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"
"There are trails behind the sites along a large marsh. The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."
"The sites are very open, not wooded so you have little privacy from adjacent sites."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."
from $5 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Machimoodus is one of the newest outposts just outside Boston and NYC. My bf and I went during one of the snowiest weekends all winter, but it was completely worth it!"
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.
TravelerQuaint 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.
ScoutStandard 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.
ScoutGreat 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
GuideWe 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.
GuideSomewhat 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
RangerI 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.
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!!
Connecticut's central region offers diverse dog friendly campgrounds near Middletown with terrain varying from riverfront lowlands to forested hillsides. The area sits within the Connecticut River Valley at elevations ranging from 20 to 500 feet above sea level, creating varied camping experiences. Most pet-friendly campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with limited wintertime options.
Hiking with dogs: Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground in East Haddam permits dogs on trails near the campground. As one camper notes, "The waterfall was a quick walk away and you could hike down to the river for a quick dip. The river isn't deep enough for a full swim but still was good enough on a hot day."
Beach access with pets: At Hammonasset State Park Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to swimming. "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," mentions a reviewer.
Fishing options: Waters Edge Family Campground provides fishing opportunities at their pond. A camper shares, "There's a nice lake to float on, a clean pool to swim in, activities every weekend. I camp here seasonally and love it." The property features both a lake for fishing and kayaking plus a saltwater pool.
Spacious sites: At Wolf's Den Family Campground in East Haddam, campers appreciate the room to spread out. As one visitor described, "Very very clean. 50x30 sites common. I would recommend to stay here if in the area." This extra space is particularly valuable for those camping with pets.
Clean facilities: Many pet-friendly locations maintain high cleanliness standards. A camper at Lake Compounce Campground in Bristol notes, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper. They have cabins, teepee and tent sites."
Natural settings: Devil's Hopyard State Park offers a more natural experience for pet owners. A visitor shares, "I woke in the morning to a gray sky and hundreds of birds singing– it was my favorite part of the trip. I delayed getting up to enjoy the moment." The park provides a rustic experience with limited amenities but greater immersion in nature.
Pet restrictions: Some campgrounds have seasonal limitations. At Hammonasset, "PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this." Always call ahead to confirm current pet policies before booking.
Limited facilities: At River Highlands State Park River Campground, expect minimal amenities. "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river. As a heads-up, the outhouse did have quite a few wolf spiders."
Wildlife awareness: Keeping pets secured is important. At Lake Compounce Campground, one camper warned, "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. 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."
Water activities: Riverdale Farm Campsites offers swimming options. A visitor shared, "There is a playground, game room, 'adult' lounge, a laundry, a swimming pond, and river access for fishing and swimming." These water features provide entertainment for families with children and pets.
Recreation options: Waters Edge Family Campground provides multiple recreation choices. A camper reports, "There's a nice lake to float on, a clean pool to swim in, activities every weekend." Another adds, "Swimming pool, great playground, among lots of trails and wooded area surrounding almost every site."
Noise considerations: Some locations may be louder than others. At Hammonasset, one camper noted, "The campgrounds are clean and spacious but very open, being a beach there are a few campers who enjoy staying up quite late and listening to music." Consider booking sites further from gathering areas when camping with children or pets who need quiet.
Hookup availability: At GrandView CampResort, RVers appreciate the level sites. "We enjoyed our stay. Level sites and very nice owners," notes one camper. Level sites are particularly important for setting up with pets to avoid doors sticking or steps being uneven.
Big rig access: Some campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles better than others. Wolf's Den Family Campground works for modest-sized RVs but has limitations. One camper advised, "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers."
Seasonal considerations: Most pet-friendly campgrounds operate from April through October. At Riverdale Farm Campsites, a visitor mentioned, "We were only one night there. 50€ has the for a smaller camper cost. In October. The sanitary facilities were very clean and the staff friendly. We were almost alone there." Traveling with pets in shoulder seasons may offer more space and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Middletown, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Middletown, CT is Hammonasset State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Middletown, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 117 dog-friendly camping locations near Middletown, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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