Kettletown State Park Campground in Southbury offers pet-friendly sites with water access and fire rings. Several campgrounds near Oxford accept pets in different accommodation types, including tents, RVs, and cabins. Lake Compounce Campground, Gentiles Campground, and Black Rock State Park Campground all permit dogs with proper vaccination records. Most sites provide drinking water and electrical hookups for campers traveling with pets. Sites at Kettletown are somewhat close together, making it important to maintain control of pets at all times. Campers describe the pet-friendly areas as clean and well-maintained, though the bathhouses need updating.
The trail network around Kettletown State Park provides multiple hiking options for campers with dogs. Pets must remain on leash while exploring the wooded areas surrounding the campgrounds. Several campers report early morning and evening are ideal walking times during summer months due to mosquito activity. Branch Brook Campground and Cozy Hills Campground both offer seasonal camping with pet accommodations from approximately April through October. The proximity to water access points makes these locations popular for dogs who enjoy swimming, though algae blooms occasionally restrict water activities. Wildlife encounters are common in these wooded settings, requiring vigilant supervision of pets, particularly at dawn and dusk.
$17 - $50 / night
"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."
"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."
$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."
$20 - $70 / night
"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."
"Sites are pretty close together and the campground is close to a fairly busy road. The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer."
$17 - $50 / night
"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 !"
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.
LegendLet me just start off by saying we did stay at the end of the season so the campground was quiet… But this is a stunning park and totally worth a stop if you’re traveling via hwy 84! They had such great customer service and the amenities are on point. 2 separate ponds: one for fishing, one for swimming; large outdoor games; Rec hall with video games, 50¢ pool table, live music; volleyball; boat rentals; and even a baseball diamond! (We picture kickball more than baseball happening here) Facilities were east to use and clean. Sites were wide open and easy to access, my only complaint being that they offer “full hookups” but you’re told to just leave your grey tanks open. We chose to wait and dump on our way out. If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!
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.
Camping near Oxford, Connecticut offers wooded sites within easy reach of several state parks and lakes. The region's terrain features rolling hills with elevations between 400-800 feet, creating varied camping experiences from lakeside locations to more secluded forest settings. Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with several offering year-round accommodation options for campers with pets.
Hiking trails access: Black Rock State Park Campground offers multiple trail options directly from the campsite. "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," notes Mathew D.
Lake activities: Lake Compounce Campground provides swimming opportunities in summer. "Great time! Would have been nice if they had a place to swim (in the camping area) besides for at the main park," mentions Danny A. The campground connects to an amusement park for additional entertainment.
Fishing options: Branch Brook Campground sits near water access points. "Stayed here as a 'layover' while on a longer road trip. Sites are pretty close together and the campground is close to a fairly busy road. The pool and laundry areas were clean and seemed newer," shares Benjamin A.
Private bathrooms: Cozy Hills Campground receives praise for its facilities. "Very nice facilities. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community. Sites are well maintained, with fresh wood chips and groomed gravel," notes Jon R.
Pool amenities: Cozy Hills Campground maintains a family-friendly swimming area. "The pool is nice, clean but only 3 feet deep," says Kim T., while Rino S. adds, "The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly. A golf cart is recommended if your site is far from the pool."
Spacious sites: Kettletown State Park Campground offers larger camping spots in certain areas. "I love kettletown, it's a favorite that is very close to home. It's a small camp ground and it's absolutely beautiful. The bathrooms are always kept clean and stocked and there are a ton of watering spots," says Taylor C.
Site spacing considerations: At many Oxford-area campgrounds, proximity to neighbors varies widely. At Kettletown State Park Campground, "Sites are close together so recommend reserving two for more space. Well maintained and secure. Staff patrols for safety. Good place for families and large groups," advises Melynda M.
Bathroom facilities: Facility maintenance differs between campgrounds. "Speaking of bathhouse - this one is really just in dire need of updating. Having visited 2 other state parks in a neighboring state, CT should really invest in better quality bath houses," reports Kristin about Kettletown State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Most pet-friendly camping near Oxford operates on limited schedules. "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.
Kid-friendly spaces: Kettletown State Park Campground provides open areas for children. "The reason why I said 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!" shares Jennifer H.
Activity planning: For families seeking structured recreation, make advance arrangements. "Family activities, like archery, were excellent," mentions Jon R. about Cozy Hills Campground, which offers organized events throughout the camping season.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local animals at campsites. "One thing that I have to say to watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. :) be sure put foods in the car!" Jennifer H. warns about Kettletown State Park.
Site selection: Choose appropriate locations based on RV size. At Lake Compounce Campground, "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," reports Diane R.
Hookup availability: Confirm utility connections before booking. "Very nice campground. Has electric, water and cable TV connections. Clean bathrooms and nice store," notes Richard about Lake Compounce Campground.
Terrain considerations: Be aware of elevation changes within campgrounds. At Gentiles Campground, "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," cautions Mae, making it less suitable for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Oxford, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Oxford, CT is Kettletown State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
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