Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Ridgefield, CT

Ridgefield is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Ridgefield is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Ridgefield camping trip.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Ridgefield, Connecticut (63)

    1. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "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."

    "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"

    2. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Fishkill, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 225-7207

    $17 / night

    "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."

    3. Kettletown State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Stevenson, CT
    18 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."

    4. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "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."

    5. Croton Point Park

    10 Reviews
    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 862-5290

    $30 - $60 / night

    "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!"

    6. Jellystone Park Gardiner

    32 Reviews
    Gardiner, NY
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 255-5193

    "We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."

    "With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."

    7. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 245-1817

    $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."

    8. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $250 / night

    "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."

    9. Blydenburgh County Park

    11 Reviews
    Hauppauge, NY
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 854-3713

    "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"

    10. West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Highland Falls, NY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 774-9524

    $25 - $40 / night

    "Love the proximity to NYC - I always look for areas that are not too far, but not too close to NY. Beautiful but small-ish tent sites."

    "We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Ridgefield, CT

470 Reviews of 63 Ridgefield Campgrounds


  • Mackenzie B.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Nickerson Beach Park Campground

    surfers dream

    I 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

  • 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.

  • Allen N.
    Aug. 12, 2020

    Jellystone Park Gardiner

    Serious Dog Bite Incident

    Recently, we camped here for a week. We don’t ever post negative reviews like this. The last day, we experienced a violent attack by a very large and aggressive Pit Bull. The Pit Bull did not have a collar or a leash and was accidently let out of the RV to roam free and unsupervised. It immediately ran to our site(4 sites away) and attacked our dog that was tied at the time. The incident was unprovoked. While trying to save our dog, my wife and I were also attacked. The wounds were serious enough to require emergency transport to a hospital for treatment including stitches. All we could think of was what might have happened if our granddaughter had been playing with our dog. 

    To put it mildly, their existing pet policy is grossly lacking. They never checked what breed of dog or ask to see documentation of shots when we were registering. Yogi Bear Jellystone Park needs to better manage their pet policy to address aggressive dog breeds and ensure the safety of campers. We camped there for seven days and saw multiple sites have more than one large dog, which in many places we’ve camped at would have been banned due to breed type or size. We have RV’ed extensively across the US and have never seen such careless enforcement of a pet policy regarding aggressive dog breeds. Seriously, think about avoiding this park if you have pets or small children.

  • 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!!

  • 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.

  • Tiffany T.
    Apr. 29, 2020

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Best of all worlds beach camping

    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. You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig’s point nature center. We make it a point to spend at least a week here every summer!


Guide to Ridgefield

If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Ridgefield, Connecticut, there are several great spots where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Tips for camping with dogs near Ridgefield

  • At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, you can explore numerous hiking trails that are perfect for walking your dog while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
  • Blydenburgh County Park offers spacious sites with plenty of room for your pet to roam, making it a great choice for families traveling with dogs.
  • For a more rustic experience, Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park allows pets and provides a peaceful environment for you and your dog to unwind.

Dog owners appreciate the amenities

  • Croton Point Park features electric hookups and clean facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your pet.
  • At Branch Brook Campground, you’ll find well-maintained sites with picnic tables, perfect for enjoying meals with your pet by your side.
  • Gentiles Campground provides a friendly atmosphere with plenty of space for pets to play, making it a popular choice among dog owners.

Pet owners like the activities available

  • Freedom Farm Homestead offers a variety of outdoor activities, allowing you to engage in fun adventures with your pet.
  • At Point Folly Campground, you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and fishing, all while having your dog by your side.
  • Cozy Hills Campground hosts numerous family-friendly activities, ensuring that both you and your pet have a memorable camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ridgefield, CT is Ward Pound Ridge Reservation with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 63 dog-friendly camping locations near Ridgefield, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.