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Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and Beaver Pond Campground accommodate pets on leashes throughout their grounds, with spacious sites that provide adequate distance from neighboring campers. Both locations feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails where dogs can explore alongside their owners. Beaver Pond Campground offers electric hookups and water access, while Ward Pound Ridge provides more secluded tent sites with port-a-potties conveniently located near camping areas. Dogs must remain leashed at all times, and campers should bring waste bags as dedicated pet waste stations are limited. Sites at Ward Pound Ridge are positioned farther from comfort stations than most campgrounds, though the extra space creates a more comfortable environment for pets and their owners.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds vary in difficulty, with Ward Pound Ridge offering paths suitable for all skill levels, including those accessible to dogs of different ages and abilities. The trails at Beaver Pond Campground connect to the surrounding Harriman State Park network, providing extensive walking options for campers with pets. Wildlife encounters are common, particularly at Beaver Pond where bears are known to roam near campsites, requiring proper food storage to keep pets safe. Campers should be prepared for mosquitoes in densely wooded areas, especially at Fahnestock State Park where the dense forest creates ideal breeding conditions. The dog-friendly areas at Croton Point Park include a nearby dog park, though pets are not permitted on all beaches in the region. Quiet hours are inconsistently enforced at some locations, which can be challenging for campers with noise-sensitive dogs.
"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"Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."
"The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail. 30 or so sites around a central public restroom."
"Hiking trails are beautiful. Dog friendly. Clean bathrooms"
"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"This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. It's basically a parking lot with a dump station. Not much else. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room."
"Basicly a parking lot, but the location can't be beat. 2 ferries that run to Manhattan. Path train is a 12 minute walk away that will take you yyo manhatten."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability"* cottages far enough away from each other
- fire ring with Adirondack chairs
- dumpster and recycling within walking distance
- lots of bone dry firewood around for campfire
- walkable beach"
"Overall my experience was positive. Camping Sites
Each camping site has a picnic table and barbeque grill."
from $24 - $320 / night
Check Availability"The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility. There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."
"However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."
from $24 - $250 / night
Check Availability"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"It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around."
"They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything."
GuideI grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.
benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer
ScoutVery nice family oriented, places the beach, which is great except for the birds watch out they come at you. They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything.
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.
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.
Rangerthis place seemed okay to begin with, but then you start noticing that the bathrooms are run down and not well kept, the lots are near an expressway that constantly has loud traffic, and there are tons of feral cats wandering and sometimes even begging for food. i probably would like to find a different place to stay during my next visit
GuideCamp Gateway in Brooklyn New York is one of my favorite places to visit. I went to college in New York, and loved to get out of the busy city and go camping and be outdoors. Camp Gateway was always a place that I loved to go. It is pretty close to town-which is crazy because you feel like you are miles away. Camp Gateway does offer a lot of different activities for everyone. One thing I love to do is go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. My girlfriends and I tried to do this once a month to get away from the city and school. Because you are so close to the city, you can plan outdoor activities as well as some activities in the city. My friends and I stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to. You can also walk, hike or ride your bike along multiple paths- I have done the Fort Tilden trail (I just walked, but there were multiple people that passed us on their bikes). Within the campground they do have some fire pits- which my friends and I always use because we love cooking smores and hot dogs for dinner. A little further away from the campground, about 10-15 miles there is a place where you can do horseback riding, see the Statue of Liberty (which is gorgeous!), and there is a little beach area. This beach area is where I do my kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Again, its not very far away...you can either drive there, walk or ride your bike. The road is paved, which is nice. I stayed here also with my parents, and I know my dad went golfing one day (I didn't go, but he said it was awesome)- and again that was only a 10 minute drive from our camping spot. This campground like I said, does offer quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't really feel like you are "camping" because things are pretty close by, but it definitely is worth going to and trying.
GuideWard Pound Ridge is very well known to the locals as a great place for sled-riding in winter (Pell Hill area) and a place for big group gatherings. The many different trails are frequented by the locals as well. In recent years, the county government also allow bow-hunting of deer to control its population during the months of October to December.
As far as camping as a family, it is not too exciting a place for us. The grounds are far too well trimmed, as you can see in one of the videos. There is wide open space and the paths are well paved so kids can have fun riding the bikes or running around. There is also many trails of various difficulty levels to suit everyone, including horseback riders. The Trailside Nature Museum is also fun for the kids.
There are lean-to sites as well as tent sites. A maximum of eight people in two tents are allowed at each site. But if you really do have a party of eight, one picnic table seems to be inadequate. The sites are much farther away from the comfort stations than most campgrounds we have been to. But there are port-a-potties very close to the sites, which is very important when you have young kids.
All in all, it is not a place I would recommend if you want to get close to nature.
TravelerClose 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. Parking is close, but some of the sites are also pretty close to each other so there is less privacy. It’s a good site to do a quick camping trip. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Campgrounds near Old Greenwich offer a mix of coastal and wooded experiences along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Most sites sit at elevations under 200 feet, creating accessible terrain for campers of all ability levels. The region's humid subtropical climate brings warm summers with occasional thunderstorms and mild spring and fall conditions that extend the camping season from April through November.
Hiking trails for every skill level: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation features over 40 miles of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging terrain. "There are elevation gain, creeks, and open fields for stargazing. You have the options of a lean to here," notes Seth K. The reservation's diverse landscape accommodates hikers of all abilities.
Beach access for swimming: Nickerson Beach Park Campground offers direct beach access. "Right on the beach! Great spot to camp at if the waves are pumping at Lido Beach on Long Island," says Michael K. The beach area is a short walk from the campground through a concrete parking lot and basketball courts.
Water activities at nearby lakes: Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground provides a lake with rental options. "This park has a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch," explains Shelly B. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy multiple lakes and ponds throughout the park.
Spacious lean-to shelters: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers sturdy shelters that protect from weather changes. "The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather," writes Ethan K. These structures provide a solid alternative to tent camping during uncertain conditions.
City proximity with natural surroundings: Beaver Pond Campground balances wilderness with accessibility to urban areas. "A quick 40 minutes north of NYC, Harriman State Park has an eclectic little campground called Beaver Pond," says Steve W. This location allows campers to enjoy nature while staying close to metropolitan amenities.
Winter camping options: Several parks in the region remain open year-round. "They have great sights and are open all year round. I've stayed in hammocks, tents, lean-tos, and even did a good share of car camping," shares Paul R. about Ward Pound Ridge. This flexibility allows for four-season camping experiences when many other facilities close.
Reservation systems vary by park: Some campgrounds require in-person bookings rather than online systems. "The one downside is that you need to book in person but it can be done well in advance if need be," explains Paul R. about Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Always check booking procedures several weeks before planned trips.
Wildlife encounters require preparation: Croton Point Park and nearby campgrounds have active wildlife. "Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless raccoons at night," warns Anil S. Proper food storage is essential at all area campgrounds.
Bathhouse conditions fluctuate: Facility maintenance varies widely across parks. "Bathrooms and showers were clean, no stalls ran out of toilet paper, and there was soap most of the time at the sinks," reports Jess M. about Fahnestock State Park, while others note less consistent conditions at other parks.
Playground access for children: Heckscher State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "There is a playground just for the campground," notes Giselle P. Parents should know that some playgrounds require driving rather than walking from campsites.
Educational nature programs: Multiple parks provide learning opportunities for children. "The Trailside Nature Museum is also fun for the kids," mentions Ming R. about Ward Pound Ridge. Some parks also offer ranger programs and special events during peak season.
Dog-friendly trails with limitations: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Old Greenwich allow pets on trails but with restrictions. "Dogs are welcome on a leash," confirms Susana M. about Ward Pound Ridge. Families should note that while dogs are permitted at many campsites, some beaches and facilities prohibit pets.
RV site selection matters: Liberty Harbor RV Park offers strategic positioning options. "Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig," advises Keith and Tia S. Reserving corner or end sites provides additional space at most area campgrounds.
Hookup variations between parks: Electric and water connections differ significantly across the region. "There is water, electric, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump," explains Joe R. about Liberty Harbor. Some parks offer full hookups while others provide only basic services.
Accessibility challenges for larger rigs: Navigating to certain campgrounds requires planning. "Google Maps doesn't have an option for large vehicles so I made my way manually and the trip took an extra hour or more to arrive than planned," shares Matt S. RVers should research parkway restrictions as many routes near Old Greenwich have low bridges that prohibit high-profile vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Old Greenwich, CT is Ward Pound Ridge Reservation with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
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