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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near South Lyme, CT

603 Reviews

Rocky Neck State Park Campground welcomes pets at its wooded campsites just minutes from Long Island Sound. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times on designated pet-friendly sites throughout Crane, Osprey, and Heron camping loops. Niantic KOA offers pet-friendly accommodations including tent sites, RV spots with hookups, and pet-allowed cabins and yurts with convenient access to walking trails. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies including current vaccinations, waste cleanup requirements, and restrictions during quiet hours. Hammonasset State Park Campground and Devil's Hopyard State Park both allow pets at their campsites while maintaining clean facilities. Some campers note that while Rocky Neck's bathrooms could use better upkeep, the spacious sites and proximity to the beach make it an excellent option for campers with dogs. The campgrounds typically don't charge additional pet fees but limit pets to two per site.

A well-maintained hiking trail connects Niantic KOA to Rocky Neck State Park beach, offering morning and evening dog walking opportunities when beach restrictions may be more relaxed. The shuttle service from Niantic KOA provides transportation to downtown areas and beaches, though pets may have limited beach access during peak summer hours. Wolf's Den Family Campground and Riverdale Farm Campsites both feature pet-friendly accommodations with nearby walking paths. Odetah Camping Resort provides additional pet amenities including designated pet waste stations. Local veterinary services can be found within 15 minutes of most campgrounds, with the closest emergency vet clinic located in New London. The nearby town of Niantic offers pet supply stores and dog-friendly outdoor dining options. Many campers appreciate that Rocky Neck's beach area is a short bike ride away, perfect for early morning walks with dogs before the crowds arrive.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near South Lyme, Connecticut (102)

    1. Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-1339

    "The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground.  The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way."

    "Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."

    2. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    16 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."

    3. Niantic KOA

    13 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-9308

    "His place in Niantic Connecticut very close to downtown and the beach which they have a shuttle for. The staff is very friendly, courteous and knowledgeable of the area."

    "Close to level parking pad, with table and very nice brick firepit. Sites not too close together. I had woods behind me. I would definitely camp here again."

    4. Crocker's Boatyard

    12 Reviews
    New London, CT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 443-6304

    $50 - $75 / night

    "Which was walking distance from the boat yard. Had a bite to eat at the Blue Duck, it was fine. Saw the show and walk back to the boat yard."

    "Easy access to the boatyard at night; pulled in, picked a spot and all good. Enjoyed the pool.

    Walked to Fort Trumbull.

    Recommend Crockers."

    5. Aces High RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Montville, CT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-8858

    $74 - $80 / night

    "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."

    "Sites and roads are a pea gravel material and each site has large grassy areas around it. It was a quiet area with ponds and creeks and a generally relaxing setting."

    6. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Salem, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 526-2336

    $14 / night

    "There are trails behind the sites along a large marsh. The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."

    "The sites are very open, not wooded so you have little privacy from adjacent sites."

    7. Wolf's Den Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hadlyme, CT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 873-9681

    "This place is off Route 9 in Connecticut on the east side of the Connecticut River (major RT 9 highway is on west side)."

    "Nice camp ground in the woods near hadlyme"

    8. Riverdale Farm Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 669-5388

    "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!"

    9. Odetah Camping Resort

    13 Reviews
    Bozrah, CT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 889-4144

    "Tucked away in the woods I never knew this was there! Beautiful pond and a good mix of seasonal and overnight sites as well as cabins. Plenty of areas to walk our dogs and have them swim."

    "We had two sites side by side for our group of 7 and two dogs. The staff will deliver wood right to your site. The only con is the sites are not very private...at all."

    10. Mystic KOA

    25 Reviews
    North Stonington, CT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 599-5101

    "Lots of places around to go sightseeing. Most of the area isn’t dog friendly, so be careful if you take your pet. No problem at the campground"

    "During our stay we enjoyed our campsite as it was close to the pool. The grounds were beautiful to walk on with water nearby and little places to explore."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near South Lyme, CT

54 Photos of 102 South Lyme Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near South Lyme, CT

603 Reviews of 102 South Lyme Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Steve T.
    Aug. 3, 2020

    Fort Getty Campground

    Tent campers

    Perfect location for a summer / beach camp. Mostly for RVs but tent site #6 was great. Views of the ocean to wake up too and tucked away from main area.

    Worst part is you can’t bring your car on the site. Do not understand this, especially since it was over 95° and we have dogs that need AC, one if which is 14. We did sneak the car up by asking an RV camper to use his land because they block off the entrance with giant tree trunks.

    More good stuff, the private pet friendly beaches were great! Small but perfect to relax. No problems with the pets at all and old but clean bathrooms.

  • 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.

  • Rose P.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Ashaway RV Resort

    Rude Staff

    Standard crabgrass parking lot with drunks driving around on golf carts and RV's stacked on top of each other. The woman who runs the office is a very angry person and it made the entire visit unpleasant, which is no surprise as she has been hostile and unwelcoming the several times I've visited. Pool looks nice though I guess, I've never dared to use it for fear of breaking one of the many unwritten and unspoken rules. A great place for people who enjoy eating dinner next to your neighbor's septic pipe. I called to ask if they allowed dogs and was told "NO" just to arrive and be asked to park next to the dog park.

  • K
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Strawberry Park

    Great atmosphere

    Great family campground with lots of activities. A little pricey. Plenty of open space a dog park area. 3 pools a kiddie pool and outdoor in ground hot tub. Golf cart rentals. Very clean and accommodating

  • R
    Aug. 14, 2020

    Whispering Pines Campground

    Great family campground

    We stayed for 3 nights, the sites and camp were very clean and well maintained. Everyone was very friendly, lots of things to do - pool, bocce, volleyball, horseshoes, arcade, a small field to play frisbee or ball, mini-golf (mini-golf landscape needs to be refreshed a bit) there is even a very small fenced in dog park which was nice if you want to let your dog off leash to play. We did not experience any screaming kids all night.

  • D
    Jun. 4, 2018

    Mystic KOA

    Very nice

    Somewhat crowded

    staff was very nice. Lots of places around to go sightseeing. Most of the area isn’t dog friendly, so be careful if you take your pet. No problem at the campground

  • R
    Jan. 20, 2021

    Bowdish Lake Camping Area

    Wow! Beware of all the extra charges and filthy facilities

    Bowdish Lake Camping Area is the worst campground we have ever been to and we travel fulltime! Their website states: $1,800-$3,600 per season (look for yourself on their website if you don’t believe me). We get there after reserving site Blue 65. They then charged us $3,900. Why? We have no idea! Then they charged us an additional $75.00 for our truck. Why I don’t know? Then they charged us an additional $50.00 for having our own kayak. Then they charged us an additional $50.00 for a small dog, $100.00 for large dogs (by the way they have no dog park). Then they charged us an additional $100.00 for cable. Then they charged us an additional .50 cents per kWh ( which cost us an average of$250.00 extra per month). The public facilities are filthy. They do not supply any toilet paper, hand soaps, hot water, etc. They charge you an additional charge by coin operated showers (cold water only) that are crawling with spiders, bugs and cobwebs.

  • 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.

Guide to South Lyme

Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near South Lyme, Connecticut, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a variety of amenities and activities for both you and your four-legged companions.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near South Lyme

Pet owners appreciate spacious and clean facilities

  • Mystic KOA provides well-maintained sites with ample space for pets to enjoy the outdoors while you relax at your campsite.
  • Riverdale Farm Campsites is known for its clean facilities and friendly atmosphere, making it a comfortable choice for pet owners.
  • Hidden Acres Campground features a clean park with a river and small beach, perfect for a day of fun with your pet.

Dog owners enjoy community and activities

  • At Strawberry Park, families can participate in scheduled activities while their pets enjoy the friendly environment.
  • Aces High RV Park is praised for its community feel, where pet owners can mingle and share experiences while enjoying the park's amenities.
  • Sunfox Campground offers a variety of family-oriented activities, ensuring that both pets and their owners have a great time together.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near South Lyme, CT is Rocky Neck State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 102 dog-friendly camping locations near South Lyme, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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