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Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest offers spacious, pet-friendly sites with well-spaced lots providing privacy between campers. Dogs are welcome at this quiet campground located along the Farmington River, with clean bathrooms and hot showers available for campers. The campground accommodates tent campers, RV users, and also features cabin sites for those seeking more shelter. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground and owners are expected to clean up after their animals. White Pines Campsites also welcomes pets, featuring tent sites, RV spots, cabins, glamping options, and yurts where dogs can join their owners. Many sites are designed with enough space between them to ensure pets have room to relax without disturbing neighboring campers. The campground remains convenient for dog owners with trash collection available and dedicated pet waste disposal areas.
Onion Mountain Park provides primitive, free camping areas that accommodate pets and their owners in a more rustic setting. Hiking trails within the park are pet-friendly, with the blue trail leading to camping spots suitable for smaller tents and dogs. The hiking paths require pets to be under control, especially given the wildlife in the area. Dog owners should prepare for insects and bring appropriate protection for both themselves and their pets during summer months. Bear activity has been reported near White Pines Campsites, so campers with pets should take proper food storage precautions and keep dogs secured, especially at dawn and dusk. Local fishing spots along the Farmington River near Austin Hawes campground provide additional recreation opportunities where leashed dogs can accompany their owners. Sites backing up to the river offer pleasant walking options for dogs, though the trail receives regular foot traffic.
"We were passing through Connecticut and needed a place to crash. Loved this campsite! Very chilled and secluded in your own site. I liked that it felt like a litrle community but still quotr private."
"Hawes is one of the few campgrounds in CT that's dog friendly. The sites are nice and large, with room for trailers, and they also have a few cabin sites as well."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We got a tent spot and it was perfect since it was the furthest one away and there was no one near us which is probably why we loved it so much bc we were so isolated. a little disappointed in the site"
"However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."
from $74 / night
Check Availability"We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."
"It’s up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it’s not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."
"The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!"
"This is over the boarder in mass from ct We did a three month seasonal Site Staff is super nice and helpful We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake"
"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."
"Trails are right near the sites so def scope out your spot before purchase. Has a full shower/bath and sink for washing very well kept and water pump rnot to far from the site."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"Tons of kids activities to keep the little ones busy and great hikes around! Tons of waterfalls in the area and the highest point in Connecticut."
"I happened upon Lone Oaks Camp Site when looking for someplace to stay in north eastern Connecticut."
"campground the bathroom was clean and well equipped with toilet paper and soap
we stayed at site 70 which was very spacious and set back from the road so had more privacy, although site 71 is very close by"
"There are some easy hikes nearby also. Great for our dogs also."
from $17 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $65 / 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
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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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
Campsites near North Canton, Connecticut offer a mix of state forest, private, and riverfront camping options throughout the central Connecticut highlands. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 700-1,200 feet, creating moderate temperature shifts between day and night even in summer months. The area typically receives more rainfall than coastal Connecticut, with streams and small rivers creating natural boundaries for many camping areas.
Fishing the Farmington River: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides direct access to trophy trout fishing areas. "Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," notes Tom C., who visited during Fourth of July weekend.
Hiking forest trails: Onion Mountain Park features primitive camping connected to hiking paths. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent but has a firepit already set up," explains Nora S., who recommends proper bear precautions.
Amusement park access: Lake Compounce Campground combines camping with theme park admission options. "This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother. If ever in the area again we will definitely stay again," writes Diane R., who appreciated the well-designed facilities.
Farm and vineyard visits: Black Rabbit Farm offers unusual camping sites overlooking agricultural fields. "I stayed here last weekend and had a great night watching the stars twinkle and the fireflies dance in the vineyard and meadows. Loved the views," reports Steve W., who enjoyed this peaceful alternative to forest camping.
Privacy between sites: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground features well-designed site layout. "Love camping here the sites are spaced apart nicely," remarks Dawn D., who found the spacing conducive to a relaxing experience without feeling crowded by neighbors.
Clean facilities: Tolland State Forest Campground maintains reliable bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathroom was clean and well equipped with toilet paper and soap," notes C.R., adding that "we stayed at site 70 which was very spacious and set back from the road so had more privacy."
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds offer sites directly adjacent to water. "We love Tolland and have had good luck securing lakefront sites. We have brought out kayaks and took off right from the site," mentions Rebecca D., who found the water "clean and not mucky" despite some rocks at the entry points.
Pet-friendly staff: Many campgrounds welcome dogs with proper management. "Hawes is one of the few campgrounds in CT that's dog friendly. The sites are nice and large, with room for trailers, and they also have a few cabin sites as well," explains Katherine P., who warns that summer brings mosquitoes requiring proper protection.
Weather preparation: Camping in the North Canton area requires preparation for varied conditions. "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive," warns Katherine P. about Austin Hawes Memorial Campground.
Wildlife awareness: White Pines Campsites has reported bear activity. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," cautions Sylvia P., who recommends proper food storage and waste management.
Cell service limitations: Some campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, there's "no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it," notes Katherine P.
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront options. "Sites backing up to the river and was large but hiking trail along river had a lot of traffic," advises Melissa R., suggesting campers consider the tradeoff between premium locations and visitor volume.
Activity planning: Lake Compounce Campground provides easy access to entertainment. "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted," writes A.J., noting the family-friendly environment.
Site selection for families: Choose sites based on bathroom proximity when camping with children. "Sites can be close but nice variety to choose from. We went fall camping and it was fantastic cooking on the open fire," suggests Lisa W. about Tolland State Forest.
Dog-friendly considerations: When bringing pets, select campgrounds with appropriate facilities. "No one bothered me and I was right front and center. Kids riding around on the bikes and lots of laughter from other sites," reports Topher L. about Black Rock State Park Campground, adding that they have "REALLY HOT showers."
Budget options: Free or low-cost sites provide family alternatives. "My BSA troop has been going here for years to help new scouts learn to camp. It is a very casual site and good for your first trip," explains Marshall S. about Onion Mountain Park, noting its accessibility for beginners.
Hookup availability: Prospect Mountain Campground offers sites with varied services. "I flew up here from Louisiana and met my sister in a primitive tent site. The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained," notes Megin F., who enjoyed the fishing and biking opportunities.
Site dimensions: Check campground maps carefully for accurate site information. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains Diane R. about Lake Compounce Campground, appreciating that "whoever planned this campground is/was a camper."
Dump station access: Plan for waste management at facilities without full hookups. "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 Ray B. about Lake Compounce Campground.
Winter storage: Some dog friendly campgrounds near North Canton offer seasonal options. "We did a three month seasonal Site. Staff is super nice and helpful. We had a nice quiet spot even though we were in the road to the lake," mentions John M. about Prospect Mountain Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near North Canton, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near North Canton, CT is Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near North Canton, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 109 dog-friendly camping locations near North Canton, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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