Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest offers pet-friendly tent, RV, and cabin camping on private, well-spaced sites. The campground provides water and electric hookups, with clean bathrooms and hot showers available for campers with pets. Sites back up to the Farmington River, creating excellent opportunities for dogs to cool off during summer months when bugs are prevalent. Onion Mountain Park allows pets at its primitive campsites with no permit required, though sites are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard leash policies, requiring dogs to be under control at all times. The tent sites at Lake Compounce Campground accommodate pets with some shade, while their RV sites feature water and electric hookups without sewer connections.
Dog-friendly hiking trails connect directly to several campgrounds, with the Henry Buck Trail accessible from Austin Hawes Memorial Campground providing excellent exercise opportunities for pets. The Farmington River offers swimming access for dogs at designated areas, though catch-and-release fishing regulations apply along the trophy trout sections. Mosquitoes and ticks are abundant during summer months, requiring appropriate pet protection alongside owner bug spray. The Pleasant Valley General Store located near Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides camping supplies and pet necessities. Campers report the sites at American Legion State Forest offer good privacy while maintaining reasonable proximity to amenities. Cell phone service is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds in the region, which proves either an advantage or disadvantage depending on camper preferences.
$17 - $50 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
$74 / night
"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."
"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"
$55 - $150 / night
"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!"
$17 - $50 / night
"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 .."
$72 - $122 / night
"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."
$17 / night
"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."
"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."
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.
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
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.
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.
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!!
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.
Campsites near Avon, Connecticut occupy a variety of terrain within the Farmington River Valley, ranging from elevations of 300-500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights dropping to the 50s. Many campgrounds in the region offer access to both woodland hiking trails and water recreation, with varying degrees of site privacy and amenities.
Hiking the trails: Access the Henry Buck Trail directly from Austin Hawes Memorial Campground for extended woodland exploration. "There's a hiking trail along river had a lot of traffic," notes Melissa R., describing the popular trails that connect to the larger American Legion State Forest system.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line in the Farmington River for trophy trout fishing. "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," shares Tom C. from Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. The river's regulated fishing areas provide excellent angling throughout the season.
Family entertainment: Visit Lake Compounce Campground for direct access to the adjacent amusement park. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park," explains Nichol P., highlighting the recreational amenities beyond traditional camping activities.
Mining for gems: Try prospecting activities at Prospect Mountain Campground. "They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'," says Sandra S., describing one of the unique activities available within 30 minutes of Avon.
Secluded sites: Select a site at Onion Mountain Park for a more primitive camping experience. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," explains Nora S., noting the appeal of basic camping with established firepits.
Clean facilities: Appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers at most established campgrounds. "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," shares Diane R. about Lake Compounce Campground, highlighting the thoughtful design of the facilities.
River access: Cool off in the Farmington River during summer months when temperatures peak. "We jumped in the river and got out of the heat," says Ashley B. about her stay at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, emphasizing the natural swimming opportunities available during hot weather.
Varied accommodation options: Choose from tent sites, RV hookups, or cabins at several area campgrounds. "They have cabins, teepee and tent sites," notes Diane R. about the diversity of lodging options at Lake Compounce Campground, which offers alternatives for campers without tents or RVs.
Seasonal crowds: Expect busier campgrounds during summer weekends and holidays. "CG is pretty empty during the week and gets busy during the weekend," reports Richard about Black Rock State Park Campground, describing the typical pattern of visitation at most area campgrounds.
Limited services: Be prepared for varying levels of amenities depending on the campground. "Keep in mind, there is no place to dispose of garbage. So be prepared to haul it out," warns Tara P. about Granville State Forest, highlighting the need to check specific campground policies before arrival.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for possible wildlife sightings, including bears. "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. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning," cautions A J. about their experience at Lake Compounce Campground.
Bug protection: Bring ample insect repellent, especially during summer months. "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!" emphasizes Katherine P., reinforcing the importance of proper preparation for camping comfort.
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with organized family events. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides," Sandra S. shares about Prospect Mountain Campground, noting the structured entertainment available for children.
Swimming options: Select campgrounds with pools or swimming areas for hot weather relief. "Pool was nice and clean but a little cold," notes Rebecca S. about Cozy Hills Campground, which provides an alternative to river swimming.
Pet-friendly considerations: Confirm pet policies before booking if traveling with dogs. "Lone Oak is one of the few campgrounds in CT that's dog friendly," explains Katherine P., highlighting an important consideration for pet owners seeking accommodations near Avon.
General store access: Check proximity to supplies and necessities. "The Pleasant Valley General Store down the road is great. Provides everything you need in addition to live bait and even a rod and reel to purchase if you forget yours!" advises Anthony and Kim C. about shopping options near Austin Hawes Memorial Campground.
Site selection: Request specific sites based on your RV requirements. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," describes Diane R. about the RV sites at Lake Compounce Campground, noting the social layout.
Utility connections: Verify available hookups when booking. "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," explains Ray B. about White Pines Campsites, emphasizing the importance of checking what utilities are available.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," shares Nora S. about Onion Mountain Park, indicating the importance of bringing leveling blocks for some locations.
Cell service limitations: Expect variable connectivity throughout the region. "No cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it," notes Katherine P. about disconnecting while camping near Avon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Avon, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Avon, CT is Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
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