69 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kettletown State Park Campground allows pets at its cabin and tent sites within Southbury's wooded landscape. Campers can bring their dogs while enjoying this state park's clean facilities, hiking trails, and fishing areas. The campground offers both primitive and hook-up options with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations available. Sites vary in terms of privacy and terrain, with some waterfront locations providing scenic views. Large, relatively flat areas for pitching tents exist throughout the park, though some campsites are uneven with tree roots to navigate. Sites in the upper loop tend to be close together with unclear boundary lines, while those near the water offer more space and privacy.
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in nearby New York provides pet-friendly shelter sites with access to over 40 miles of hiking trails. Dogs can accompany owners on the reservation's extensive trail network, making it ideal for active pets. The shelter sites are large, private, and positioned minutes from trails. Freedom Farm Homestead in Connecticut permits pets at its 20 camping sites with electric hookups and toilets available. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground also welcomes pets at its tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. When camping with pets at these locations, visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters and varying terrain conditions. The campgrounds remain relatively quiet with minimal road noise, though weekend celebrations can occasionally continue past designated quiet hours at some locations.
"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"Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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 $21 / 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"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 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 Availabilityfrom $50 - $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."
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.
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.
GuideWhile 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.
Camping near Newtown, Connecticut offers varied terrain across Fairfield County's hills and valleys. The region sits at elevations between 400-830 feet and experiences humid continental climate with distinct seasonal changes. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with typical summer daytime temperatures reaching 75-85°F and overnight lows of 55-65°F.
Hiking trails access: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides direct entry to over 40 miles of trails. "This is a great place for camping. The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area. I believe there are over 40 miles of trails in this area," notes one camper at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
Lake activities: Lake Compounce Campground connects to both camping and amusement options. "This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother," explains a visitor who appreciates the balance between recreation and peaceful camping.
Local exploration: Day trips from Cozy Hills offer access to nearby attractions. "It's a very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool," advises a camper who spent time at Cozy Hills Campground. The location serves as a convenient base for exploring western Connecticut.
Shelter camping: The lean-to shelters at Ward Pound Ridge provide protection from weather variables. "The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather," shares a camper who appreciates this option at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
Family activities: Organized events keep children engaged at several locations. "Clean. Well run campground. Crafts And events. Great camp store and grill and hot food," mentions one visitor about their experience at Cozy Hills Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The natural environment supports diverse animal sightings. "The reason why I said that 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," explains a camper about Kettletown State Park. They also advise: "be sure put foods in the car!"
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly between locations. A visitor to Clarence Fahnestock State Park advises: "This is one of my favorite campsites I have been to but only because after several visits we have finally found our favorite site. This place can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities range from excellent to basic across area campgrounds. At Lake Compounce, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," while another camper notes of Fahnestock: "Bathrooms and dishwashing... UGH. So old and dirty!!!"
Wildlife management: Be prepared for various animal encounters. "I went to there with campers for ten years. One thing that I have to say to watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food," advises a Kettletown visitor.
Site privacy considerations: Choose locations based on your need for space from neighbors. "The sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent," reports one camper about Kettletown's upper loop, highlighting the importance of site selection for family comfort.
Activity planning: Organized recreation varies widely between locations. "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," explains a visitor at Cozy Hills Campground.
Transportation options: Consider bringing bikes or scooters for children at larger campgrounds. "Bring scooters or bikes for little kids to use within the camp," suggests a Lake Waramaug visitor, noting the expansive layout requires planning for younger campers.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary significantly between parks. "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," notes a visitor at Lake Compounce Campground.
Site length and privacy: RV parking spaces differ in size and orientation. "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor," explains another Lake Compounce camper, highlighting the design consideration.
Dog-friendly options: For those traveling with pets, Freedom Farm Homestead permits dogs at its 20 camping sites with electric hookups and toilets. Several other dog friendly campgrounds near Newtown include sites with varying levels of privacy and access to hiking trails where pets can exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Newtown, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Newtown, 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 Newtown, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 dog-friendly camping locations near Newtown, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
