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Lake Waramaug State Park Campground's pet-friendly sites accommodate tent campers, RV owners, and those seeking cabin or glamping options near New Preston. The campground maintains a generous pet policy across its spacious waterfront sites, though visitors should note that pets must remain leashed at all times. Macedonia Brook State Park Campground and Black Rock State Park also welcome pets with similar accommodation options. Sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water access, though bathrooms can be inconsistently maintained during busy periods. The family-friendly atmosphere extends to four-legged visitors, with plenty of room for walks along the lakeside promenade and nearby trails.
Point Folly Campground provides rustic camping with direct access to Bantam Lake where dogs can enjoy water activities alongside their owners. The lakefront camping areas are particularly popular for pet owners who kayak or fish, as canoes and kayaks can remain secured at the water's edge overnight. Cozy Hills Campground features a dedicated dog park, though some visitors note the three-foot fence height may be insufficient for athletic breeds. Most campgrounds in the area enforce standard leash rules and quiet hours that apply to barking dogs as well. Nearby hiking options in the Litchfield Hills, including trails at White Memorial Conservation Center, offer excellent pet-friendly outdoor recreation opportunities with varying difficulty levels.
"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"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"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
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"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"
"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 Availabilityfrom $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Quiet woods atmosphere with trail’s. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean"
from $25 / 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
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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.
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.
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.
Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers primitive camping with portable toilets, water pumps, and widely spaced sites. Located 8 miles from New Preston, the park features dark night skies ideal for stargazing during summer months. Winter temperatures in the area typically range from 20-40°F, while summer daytime temperatures average 75-85°F with higher humidity levels during July and August.
Hiking trails for all abilities: At Macedonia Brook State Park Campground, visitors can access trails with varying difficulty levels. "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.
Fishing opportunities: Cozy Hills Campground provides on-site fishing for campers seeking relaxation. "Kids caught about 20 fish," reports Rino S., while Daniel M. adds that there's "fishing on site. Crafts and events. Great camp store and grill and hot food."
Water activities: The region offers multiple swimming options beyond Lake Waramaug. At Kettletown State Park, visitors can enjoy both hiking and water recreation, though one visitor notes: "When swimming is allowed, there isn't a lifeguard." Point Folly Campground provides direct lake access where "the campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers, fisherman and families."
Clean facilities: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near New Preston maintain high standards for bathrooms and amenities. Black Rock State Park Campground receives praise for its cleanliness. "The staff greeted with warm welcomes and big smiles... REALLY HOT showers. Lol I like my showers hot but my biscuits were burnin," writes Topher L.
Family activities: Organized events enhance camping experiences at several locations. According to Ann S., Cozy Hills Campground offers "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."
Quiet weekday visits: For those seeking tranquility at dog-accepting campgrounds, timing matters. G Y. recommends Lake Waramaug: "If you like to sleep in skip and rent a B&B. Also if you want a better place to swim go to Mt.Tom state park about 10 minutes up the road." Another visitor confirms: "If you go during the week the place is a ghost town."
Site selection matters: At Lake Waramaug State Park Campground, campsite location significantly impacts your experience. "The sites are HUGE," notes one reviewer, while another explains that "if you have a pop-up or anything above the ground on wheels they make your life miserable and prevent you from camping in the front row where the sites are larger, level, and have a lake view."
Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Macedonia Brook State Park Campground, one visitor reports "no cell service." For those needing to stay connected, "it is possible to get a phone signal up at the 'lookout' of the hike" at Lake Waramaug.
Off-season advantages: Camping outside peak summer months offers quieter experiences. A visitor to Black Rock reports: "It's been pretty quiet but we are here at the beginning of October on a Monday." Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from late May through early September.
Bicycle-friendly options: Kettletown State Park Campground provides safe areas for children to cycle. Jennifer H. notes, "Place is perfect for young 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!"
Pack entertainment: Limited organized activities at state parks means bringing your own fun. "Bring scooters or bikes for little kids to use within the camp," suggests one visitor to Lake Waramaug, while another advises bringing a French press for coffee since "this park is remote from all conveniences- pack it in or expect a drive."
Wildlife awareness: Some campgrounds have resident wildlife that requires vigilance. "Be sure put foods in the car!" warns a Kettletown visitor, while another camper at Macedonia Brook cautions, "We were walking back up to our tent there was a small bear within feet from us that we almost didn't see!"
Accessibility challenges: Housatonic Meadows State Park Campground offers waterfront sites but has limitations. "This is a small campground and the sites on the north side are the only ones worth staying at," advises Chris A., who also notes that during their July visit, they were "the only trailer in the park."
Site leveling preparation: Many sites in the area require leveling equipment. At Gentiles Campground, "most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG," while at Cozy Hills, sites are described as "well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel."
Off-grid considerations: Limited hookups at many state parks necessitate preparation. A Housatonic Meadows visitor describes "typical campground baths... mostly tents as we were the only trailer in the park," suggesting most RVers opt for private campgrounds with better amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near New Preston, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Preston, 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 New Preston, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 95 dog-friendly camping locations near New Preston, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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