Dog-Friendly Camping near New Milford, CT

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    Lake Waramaug State Park Campground welcomes pets across its spacious campsites that accommodate tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping setups. The park features well-maintained sites with picnic tables and fire rings where dogs can join their owners during overnight stays. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground and Black Rock State Park Campground similarly allow pets throughout their facilities, maintaining clean areas for animal companions. Freedom Farm Homestead earns a perfect 5-star rating from visitors who appreciate its pet-friendly environment across 20 campsites. Campers should note that pets must remain on leash at all campgrounds, and waste must be properly disposed of to maintain the natural environment. The local campgrounds maintain porta-potties or restroom facilities near pet-friendly sites, though amenities vary significantly between locations.

    Bantam Lake's Point Folly Campground provides lakeside access where dogs can enjoy water activities alongside their owners, with the small campground offering direct lake access for pets who enjoy swimming. Cozy Hills Campground includes a dedicated dog park, though some visitors note the 3-foot fence height may be insufficient for larger or more athletic dogs. Hiking trails at Macedonia Brook State Park offer excellent pet exercise opportunities through mountainous terrain where dogs can explore alongside owners. The campground loop at Lake Waramaug provides significant space between sites during weekdays when the area is less crowded, making it ideal for dogs who need more space. Campers should pack all necessary pet supplies as the nearest pet stores require significant driving time from most campgrounds, with limited cell service at many locations restricting emergency veterinary contact.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near New Milford (90)

      1. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

      3.1(9)9mi from New Milford73 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      2. Cozy Hills Campground

      4.4(9)12mi from New MilfordRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      3. Kettletown State Park Campground

      4.3(12)15mi from New Milford53 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      4. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

      4.2(33)23mi from New Milford66 sitesRVs, Tents

      "With Covid/social distancing requirements, many sites are closed so it’s extra quiet and spread out. I stayed at site 6 with my seven year-old daughter from Tue-Thur."

      "When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."

      from $17 / night

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      5. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground

      4.6(7)14mi from New Milford50 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      6. Freedom Farm Homestead

      5.0(1)3mi from New MilfordRVs, Tents

      from $50 - $70 / night

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      7. Black Rock State Park Campground

      4.2(6)16mi from New Milford68 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      8. Point Folly Campground

      4.5(2)13mi from New MilfordRVs, Tents

      "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"

      9. Gentiles Campground

      3.1(7)19mi from New MilfordRVs, Tents

      "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

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      10. Windmill Hill - Connecticut White Memorial Campground

      5.0(1)14mi from New MilfordTents

      "Quiet woods atmosphere with trail’s. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean"

      from $25 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near New Milford, CT

    538 Reviews of 90 New Milford 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.

    • Allen N.
      Aug. 12, 2020

      Jellystone Park™ Gardiner

      Serious Dog Bite Incident

      Recently, 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.

    • Cynthia K.
      Aug. 29, 2024

      Hammonasset State Park Campground

      Connecticut

         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. 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!!

    • Chelsea B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 10, 2025

      New York City North-Newburgh KOA

      Good amenities and fun experience!

      Campsites 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.

    • Michael O.
      Aug. 16, 2017

      Steep Rock Association

      Great secluded campsites!

      I 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.

    • M
      Mar. 18, 2017

      Black Rock State Park Campground

      A nice family friendly campground

      This 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.

    • Laura L.
      Jul. 31, 2018

      Hammonasset State Park Campground

      Okay beach with nice facilities

      The 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.

    • M
      Nov. 20, 2025

      Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

      Secluded sites

      Beautiful 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.

    • J
      Aug. 16, 2023

      The Farm at Carter Hill

      Charming Layover at the Farm at Carter Hill

      While the Farm at Carter Hill offers a truly unique experience, it's important to note that this is a boondocking campsite. There are no electric or water hookups available for RVs. This might not be a concern for those well-prepared for self-sufficiency, but it's worth planning ahead to ensure you have enough power and water for your stay. The campsite is set up for easy in and out, making it a great option for RVers looking for a convenient overnight stop.

      The farm boasts a prime location, just minutes away from the bustling junction of Interstate 91 and 84. Travelers seeking a quick and easy layover, this campsite proves to be a gem. The proximity to major highways makes it incredibly convenient to reach, whether you're passing through the area or looking for a unique spot to spend the night.

      What sets the Farm at Carter Hill apart is the immersive farm experience it offers. My kids interacted with farm goats, ducks, and chickens, the farm provides an opportunity for a hands-on encounter. Feeding and petting the animals was a highlight, and our kids were absolutely enthralled by the experience. 

      The night we stayed, the farm played host to several live blues bands, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere. Food and drinks were also available and ensured that we had everything we needed for an enjoyable evening. It's worth checking ahead to see if any events are scheduled during your stay.


    Guide to New Milford

    New Milford camping offers varied terrain ranging from river access points along the Housatonic to higher elevation sites in the surrounding Litchfield Hills. Most campgrounds in the region sit between 500-1,000 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F during daytime and cooling to 60-65°F at night. Cell service varies dramatically throughout the area, with stronger signals in valley locations and significant dead zones in more mountainous campgrounds.

    What to do

    Morning hikes with elevation: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground features a mountainous loop trail that provides substantial exercise for hikers and their dogs. "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 camper Marque D.

    Lakeside swimming: The beach at Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground offers a sandy swimming area that's typically less crowded on weekdays. "The lake is clear and sandy (some rocks in sand on shore, but standard for imported sand), and many families seemed to have traveled up for a day trip," reports Jess M. The swim area closes to the public after Labor Day but remains open for campers.

    Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes across the campgrounds provide fishing options. At Cozy Hills Campground, one visitor reported: "Kids caught about 20 fish" during a two-night midweek stay. Bantam Lake at Point Folly Campground is particularly known for being "great for boaters/kayakers, fisherman and families."

    What campers like

    Large, private sites: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground receives praise for its spacious camping areas. "You can get a VERY large site that easily fits 3 tents," explains camper katrina M. Sites are "partially wooded and not out in the open" with many offering water views.

    Family-friendly activities: Cozy Hills Campground provides structured recreation options beyond standard camping. "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," writes Ann S. The campground also features a dog park, though the fence is only 3 feet high.

    Disconnected experience: The lack of connectivity at many campgrounds serves as a positive feature for some. "Cell service is basically non-existent. Actually we were a bit disappointed because this camp ground is a great place to disconnect and relax. Being forced to put away the devices is heaven in my mind," shares a Macedonia Brook visitor.

    What you should know

    Bathroom conditions vary dramatically: Facility cleanliness fluctuates across campgrounds and sometimes within the same location. At Kettletown State Park Campground, a reviewer noted: "This one is really just in dire need of updating. Having visited 2 other state parks in a neighboring state, CT should really invest in better quality bath houses."

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Milford, CT is Lake Waramaug State Park Campground with a 3.1-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near New Milford, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.