Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Plymouth, CT

Gentiles Campground in Plymouth provides open camping for pet owners year-round, making it one of several pet-friendly camping options in the greater Bristol and Watertown area. Dogs must be leashed at all times while on the property, with designated pet waste stations throughout the grounds. Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, though some visitors note they prefer more wooded sites for privacy with their pets. Lake Compounce Campground in nearby Bristol also welcomes pets at their tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations, featuring walking paths suitable for dog exercise. Branch Brook Campground offers creek-side sites that provide ample space for dogs to roam while on leash, with sites that feature decks overlooking the water.

Several hiking opportunities exist within a short drive of these campgrounds, including trails at Black Rock State Park where leashed pets are welcome on designated paths. Campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, as coyote activity has been reported near the camping areas, particularly at Lake Compounce. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, and pet owners are expected to clean up after their animals. Local veterinary services can be found within a 10-minute drive of most sites, particularly from Gentiles Campground which is centrally located. Sites with full hookups are available at most pet-friendly campgrounds, though Bear Creek at Lake Compounce notably lacks sewer connections at individual sites but provides a dump station upon departure.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Plymouth, Connecticut (90)

    1. Lake Compounce Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, CT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 583-3300

    "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."

    2. Black Rock State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Thomaston, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8088

    $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 .."

    3. Gentiles Campground

    7 Reviews
    Plymouth, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8437

    $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!"

    4. Cozy Hills Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bantam, CT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-2119

    $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."

    5. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Riverton, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0922

    $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."

    6. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 264-5678

    $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."

    7. Branch Brook Campground

    2 Reviews
    Thomaston, CT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 283-8144

    "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."

    8. White Pines Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Winsted, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0124

    $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."

    9. Point Folly Campground

    2 Reviews
    Bantam, CT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 567-0089

    "The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers  fisherman and families.  I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake.   "

    "Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"

    10. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    New Preston, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 868-0220

    $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 !"

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Plymouth, CT

526 Reviews of 90 Plymouth Campgrounds


  • Kim J.
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    Very nice campground however…

    We 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.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Waters Edge Family Campground

    Incredible campground

    Most 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.

  • K
    Jun. 25, 2020

    Wilderness Lake Park

    Really enjoyed our time here

    Quaint 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.

  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Connecticut

       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. 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!!

  • Tom S.
    Dec. 10, 2021

    Aces High RV Park

    Nice campground

    Clean, 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.

  • Michael O.
    Aug. 16, 2017

    Steep Rock Association

    Great secluded campsites!

    I 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.

  • M
    Mar. 18, 2017

    Black Rock State Park Campground

    A nice family friendly campground

    This 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.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Hidden Lake Farm

    Quiet and Private

    Ashley here with The Dyrt. I would like to welcome your host, Mary, to our platform. There are 2 lodging options to choose from. Pets welcome! Book your stay today and come back here to leave them some love.

  • Laura L.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Okay beach with nice facilities

    The 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.


Guide to Plymouth

Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Plymouth, Connecticut, allows you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friends. Here are some excellent campgrounds that welcome pets and offer a variety of amenities and activities.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great outdoor activities

  • Lake Compounce Campground is adjacent to an amusement park, providing a unique blend of camping and entertainment for families with pets.
  • Point Folly Campground is located right on Bantam Lake, offering opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and fishing with your dog by your side.
  • Branch Brook Campground is close to state parks and forests, making it an ideal spot for hiking and exploring nature with your pet.

Tips for camping with dogs near Plymouth

  • Always bring plenty of water and food for your pet, especially when visiting places like Gentiles Campground, where amenities may be limited.
  • Keep your dog on a leash at all times, particularly in campgrounds like Hemlock Hill Camp Resort and Co-operative, where wildlife may be present.
  • Make sure to clean up after your pet to maintain the cleanliness of campgrounds such as Freedom Farm Homestead, ensuring a pleasant experience for all campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Plymouth, CT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Plymouth, CT is Lake Compounce Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Plymouth, CT?

TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near Plymouth, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.