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Kettletown State Park Campground offers pet-friendly tent camping, RV sites, and cabin accommodations nestled along scenic woodland trails. Most sites provide picnic tables, fire rings, and easy water access. The park maintains clean restroom facilities with showers, though some visitors note the bathhouses need updating. Sites in the upper loop tend to be closely situated, while waterfront spots provide more natural privacy despite occasional unevenness. Riverdale Farm Campsites allows pets throughout their tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with water and electric hookups available. Sites here remain well-maintained and clean, with campers noting the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The campground is conveniently located near Hammonassett Beach for additional pet exercise options.
Multiple hiking trails wind through the wooded terrain at Kettletown, providing excellent dog walking opportunities though mosquitoes can be problematic in early summer months. Long sleeves and insect repellent are essential when venturing into forested areas with pets. Totoket Valley RV Park offers pet-friendly sites with full hookups, making it ideal for shorter stays while exploring the region with dogs. The small campground features grassy sites with picnic tables, and clean water facilities. Several campgrounds enforce quiet hours, though visitors occasionally report inconsistent enforcement during busy periods. Lake Compounce Campground provides pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping options with fire rings and picnic tables, positioning it as one of the more versatile accommodation choices for travelers with animals.
"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"I 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."
"Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
from $20 - $70 / 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"I was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."
"Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"
"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."
"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 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"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
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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.
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.
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.
The Orange area sits at the intersection of coastal Connecticut and wooded hills, with elevations ranging from near sea level to approximately 500 feet in surrounding areas. Campsites near Orange typically see summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F with higher humidity levels due to the Long Island Sound influence. Fall camping offers cooler temperatures and colorful foliage from mid-September through October.
Hiking terrain options: Black Rock State Park Campground features varied trails ranging from flat paths to more challenging elevation gains. "Beautiful trails, flat & hilly," notes Trina W., while another camper mentions that "the shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful."
Beach access for campers: Hammonasset State Park Campground provides direct beach access within walking distance of campsites. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite," writes Tiffany T., who adds that "you can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meigs point nature center."
Waterfall exploration: Black Rock State Park Campground offers natural water features within hiking distance. According to Tanya B., there are "lot of good hiking trails with a scenic view and waterfall to discover."
Stargazing opportunities: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides open fields ideal for night sky viewing. One camper notes there are "elevation gain, creeks, and open fields for stargazing."
Spacious sites: Kettletown State Park Campground offers varied site options. Taylor C. describes it as "a small camp ground and it's absolutely beautiful," while another camper notes "sites are close together so recommend reserving two for more space."
Warm showers: Kettletown State Park Campground maintains clean bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms are always kept clean and stocked and there are a ton of watering spots," reports Taylor C.
Camp store convenience: Wildwood State Park Campground provides on-site supplies for campers who forget essentials. "There is also a store where you can get a cup of coffee in the morning and lots of goodies throughout the day," shares Giselle P.
Clean facilities: Wildwood State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathroom areas. "Bathrooms and showers were not really clean, which was surprising because most people used their personal bathroom/shower in their RV," notes Michael G., while another reviewer states, "Clean bathrooms and nice store."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds near Orange have limited operating seasons. Black Rock State Park Campground operates from May to September, while Hammonasset and Kettletown typically run from late May through early September.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings during peak season. Ward Pound Ridge requires in-person reservations: "There is no phone or internet reservations and has to be made in person at the office," explains Anil S.
Mosquito concerns: Riverdale Farm Campsites and other wooded sites can have significant insect activity, particularly in early summer. DrDavid P. warns about Kettletown: "We were there in early June, and were almost eaten alive by mosquitoes when we ventured into the woods. Take lots of bug spray and wear long sleeves/pants, even in the summer."
Site privacy variations: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds and even within the same park. Justin P. notes about Kettletown: "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."
Kid-friendly activities: Hammonasset State Park Campground offers family-oriented amenities. Tiffany T. says, "You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meigs point nature center."
Room for play: Kettletown State Park Campground provides open space for children. Jennifer H. explains: "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!"
Wildlife awareness: Lake Compounce Campground and surrounding areas have diverse wildlife. One camper reports: "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."
Quiet time enforcement: Be aware of noise levels at busier campgrounds. Justin P. notes about Kettletown: "Folks seemed to be there in larger groups for celebrations so things were loud well past midnight, which was challenging given how close each site was."
Hookup availability: Totoket Valley RV Park offers full service sites for larger vehicles. Tara N. describes it as having "good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table."
Dump station access: Lake Compounce Campground provides facilities for waste disposal. "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out," explains Tina.
Site layout considerations: Riverdale Farm Campsites offers various site configurations. Thomas says the campground is "not overrun with seasonal campers," and has a "nice activities for kids."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Orange, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Orange, 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 Orange, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 63 dog-friendly camping locations near Orange, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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