Dog-Friendly Camping near South Windsor, CT

135 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Wilderness Lake Park in Willington accepts pets at all accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and glamping options. The Quarry Campground's pet policy allows dogs at both tent and RV sites, with a spacious dog run that receives high praise from visiting pet owners. Multiple campgrounds in the region provide pet-friendly amenities while offering a range of hookup options including water, electric, and sewer connections. Pet owners staying at these locations can keep their dogs leashed while enjoying the campground facilities. Sites are generally spacious enough to accommodate pets comfortably, though some locations have specific pet areas to help manage waste and noise concerns.

    Onion Mountain Park provides a more primitive camping experience for hikers with dogs, offering free tent sites without hookups in a natural woodland setting. Trails at the various campgrounds accommodate leashed dogs, with several properties featuring water access where pets can cool off during warmer months. The Farm at Carter Hill allows pets in a boondocking environment with opportunities for children to interact with farm animals while keeping personal pets properly secured. Campers should be aware that most properties require pets to remain on leash at all times, even at designated pet areas. During summer months, shaded sites prove valuable for keeping pets comfortable, with many pet owners noting the importance of selecting wooded sites to prevent overheating.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near South Windsor (135)

      1. Wilderness Lake Park

      4.2(14)19mi from South WindsorRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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!"

      "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."

      from $70 / night

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      2. The Quarry Campground

      4.8(5)13mi from South Windsor43 sitesRVs, Tents

      "If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!"

      "We came to discover new bike trails and this one was close to the Hop bike trail which we enjoyed very much"

      from $45 - $68 / night

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      3. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

      4.4(16)21mi from South Windsor35 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $17 - $50 / night

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      4. Onion Mountain Park

      4.5(4)13mi from South WindsorTents

      "We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike."

      "It’s up the yellow or blue trail depending on which one you take. However, it’s not a long walk to the parking area from the campsite."

      5. Lake Compounce Campground

      4.5(11)19mi from South WindsorRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      6. Brialee Family Campground

      4.6(14)23mi from South Windsor3 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs."

      "Swimming lake, canoeing lake, pool, playgrounds. Choice of shade in trees or open field. Nice sites. Decent laundry and showers. Great place with kids.....lots of seasonal, but plenty short term."

      from $25 - $150 / night

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      7. Waters Edge Family Campground

      3.7(10)21mi from South WindsorRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      "This is our families favorite camping location. On the pond at Waters Edge. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge."

      from $45 - $100 / night

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      8. White Pines Campsites

      3.6(11)23mi from South Windsor1 siteRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."

      "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"

      from $74 / night

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      9. River Highlands State Park River Campground

      4.0(1)14mi from South Windsor2 sitesTents

      "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river."

      from $5 / night

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      10. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park

      4.4(8)23mi from South WindsorRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!"

      "This is over the boarder in mass from ct We did a three month seasonal Site Staff is super nice and helpful We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake"

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near South Windsor, CT

    699 Reviews of 135 South Windsor 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.

    • 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

    • Rob G.
      Jul. 10, 2019

      Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

      One of our favorite places to stay

      Beautiful clean campground! Great for kids and pets. We love taking the dog to the dog beach for a swim.

      Camp store is great, fun fishing on the lake and tons of activities for the kids.

    • 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

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 23, 2020

      Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

      Great spot in the middle of nowhere

      Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you’ll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground. AWESOME pools (very kid friendly), parks, dog park, hiking trails and even sections off of the trails to find your own private beach on the water. Went there in a tent rather than our camper, which turned out to be better. Tent sites were very dispersed and way up on the top of the mountain. Camper sites seemed a little close but worth the sacrifice due to the incredible environment. On the more expensive side but worth the money if you have kids. Another big plus was the abundance of wood to get from fallen trees (not having to pay for the expensive bundles at the store) and the size of the fire pits

    • Sammii D.
      Jun. 20, 2019

      Thousand Trails Sturbridge

      Nice, yet cramped and no cell reception

      I really wanted to like this place. It's in a very cool area that I didn't expect to be so awesome. First main issue was how bad the cell reception is. Normally, I'd day that's a perk for camping but we're full-timers and work on the road so it is important for us. Next, the place is massive and they are more about make money than making people comfortable. What could easily be a very nice and spacious pull-thru spot are 2 back to back back-ins. Unless you're lucky enough to get an end spot, those are pull-thru. Pros: awesome dog park, great office with laundry, activities, arcades, adult only room, community campfire, indoor pool with lifeguard, the staff is nice, there's a lake for swimming, boating, catch and release fishing. Their basketball court is on a shuffleboard court, playground is nice though. Close to Old Sturbridge Village and many cool hikes and MA cities.

    • 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.


    Guide to South Windsor

    Pet-friendly campgrounds near South Windsor, Connecticut offer diverse experiences from lakeside sites to woodland retreats. The area's topography features both river valleys and forested hills, with elevations ranging from 40 to 800 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping months while spring and fall bring cooler nights with temperatures dropping into the 40s.

    What to do

    Kayaking at no cost: Wilderness Lake Park provides complimentary watercraft for guests. "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake," notes Rob L., highlighting the unexpected value for water enthusiasts.

    Hiking on varied terrain: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground offers multiple trails along the Farmington River. "Taylor Pond is not far and a great hike to bring both kids and pets," explains Kailie G., describing the area's family-friendly paths.

    Fishing in stocked waters: The fishing opportunities at Austin Hawes draw serious anglers. "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only," advises Melissa R., noting the conservation rules that maintain the quality of the fishery.

    Swimming options: Brialee Family Campground provides multiple water recreation choices. "Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs," reports Mallory P., highlighting the dedicated pet swimming area.

    What campers like

    Private wooded sites: Waters Edge Family Campground delivers seclusion within the woods. "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," shares Rob L.

    Convenient amenities: The Quarry Campground offers practical services that enhance stays. "They do trash pickup on the weekends so you can just leave your bags at the end of your site which is nice and they also provide delivery of wood/fire starter/ice to your campsite," explains Mallory P.

    Natural settings: Onion Mountain Park provides a more primitive experience for those seeking natural surroundings. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," describes Nora S., detailing the park's backcountry feel.

    Accessibility from highways: Wilderness Lake Park scores points for convenient location. "It's also conveniently located off I-84(exit 70)," mentions Robert L., making it practical for weekend getaways.

    What you should know

    Cash payment policies: Multiple campgrounds have specific payment requirements. "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared," warns Hails L. about Wilderness Lake Park.

    Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April/May through October. "Lake Compounce Campground is only years old. Sites were large enough for RV. NO privacy, but tent sites were ok," notes Ruth K.

    Varied hook-up options: Water and electric connections differ across parks. "The Quarry has something for everyone. Swimming, fishing, hiking, seasonal, daily, full hookups or tenting. Lots of pull throughs!" explains Gail S.

    Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. "Last but not least - no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it," reports Katherine P. about Austin Hawes.

    Tips for camping with families

    Activity schedules: Prospect Mountain Campground organizes regular entertainment. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," says Sandra S.

    Kid-friendly amenities: Lake Compounce provides recreational facilities beyond camping. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention it's next to the amusement park," mentions Nichol P.

    Quiet location consideration: Some sites offer more peaceful settings than others. "Night fell and the place turned into Margaritaville. The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place and while some have tasteful decor and lights, others not so much," cautions Sylvia P. about White Pines Campsites.

    Wildlife awareness: Bear sightings occur in the region. "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," warns Sylvia P., suggesting proper food storage.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection strategy: RVers should research specific site characteristics. "The sites were long so even though you face your neighbor, the sites were long enough that our door wasn't directly across from our neighbor," explains Tina about Lake Compounce.

    Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out," advises Tina.

    Seasonal limitations: River Highlands State Park provides riverside camping but requires preparation. "We only visited for the day and left around dawn, but the campsite was absolutely beautiful—especially with its location right by the river," reports Alicia B.

    Site leveling needs: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive through if you can beforehand," suggests Becca Z. about White Pines Campsites.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near South Windsor, CT is Wilderness Lake Park with a 4.2-star rating from 14 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 135 dog-friendly camping locations near South Windsor, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.