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Kettletown State Park Campground accommodates pets throughout its wooded campsites, offering a mix of tent sites, RV spots, and rustic cabins where dogs can stay with their owners. Sites at this state park are spaced along two main loops with varying degrees of privacy, though some campers note sites can be close together especially during busy summer weekends. Pets must be leashed at all times while in the campground and on trails. The park's hiking trails provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with multiple trail options ranging from easy lakeside paths to more challenging woodland routes. Camping with dogs requires proper waste disposal, and the bathrooms are regularly maintained though some visitors report occasional cleanliness issues.
Black Rock State Park Campground and Lake Waramaug State Park both welcome pets at their campgrounds, providing additional state park options within driving distance of Stevenson. The hiking trails at Kettletown feature varied terrain that dogs particularly enjoy, though owners should watch for wildlife encounters. The sites near the water (like Site 11) offer scenic views but can have uneven ground with tree roots that might affect pet comfort. Guests camping with dogs should be prepared for occasional loud groups that might disturb sensitive pets, as ranger enforcement of quiet hours varies. During summer months, bug spray is essential for both humans and pets when venturing onto wooded trails, as mosquitoes can be particularly aggressive in early June through the hiking areas.
"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."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $55 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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 .."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
"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."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $72 - $122 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"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 !"
from $17 - $50 / night
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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.
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.
GuideWhile the Farm at Carter Hill offers a truly unique experience, it's important to note that this is a boondocking campsite. There are no electric or water hookups available for RVs. This might not be a concern for those well-prepared for self-sufficiency, but it's worth planning ahead to ensure you have enough power and water for your stay. The campsite is set up for easy in and out, making it a great option for RVers looking for a convenient overnight stop.
The farm boasts a prime location, just minutes away from the bustling junction of Interstate 91 and 84. Travelers seeking a quick and easy layover, this campsite proves to be a gem. The proximity to major highways makes it incredibly convenient to reach, whether you're passing through the area or looking for a unique spot to spend the night.
What sets the Farm at Carter Hill apart is the immersive farm experience it offers. My kids interacted with farm goats, ducks, and chickens, the farm provides an opportunity for a hands-on encounter. Feeding and petting the animals was a highlight, and our kids were absolutely enthralled by the experience.
The night we stayed, the farm played host to several live blues bands, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere. Food and drinks were also available and ensured that we had everything we needed for an enjoyable evening. It's worth checking ahead to see if any events are scheduled during your stay.
Stevenson, Connecticut camping sites sit within the western edge of the state at around 450 feet elevation, where the Housatonic River carves through the rolling hills of New England. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer camping temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day and cooling to 55-65°F at night. Winter camping is limited at most sites, with state parks typically operating from late May through early September.
Hiking with dogs: Take your pet on the varied terrain at Black Rock State Park Campground where hiking trails accommodate leashed dogs. "Beautiful state park, very clean... hiking trails. Check out Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, Tory's Den, and Buttermilk Falls nearby," notes reviewer Michelle B.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing spots exist throughout the area, particularly at Lake Waramaug State Park Campground where the lake provides excellent catches. "The lake is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoes and for fishing. Bring your own gear but kayak and canoe rentals are available," advises a camper named G Y.
Wildlife observation: Watch for local fauna at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation which offers over 40 miles of trails across its extensive grounds. "This is a great place for camping. The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area. I believe there are over 40 miles of trails in this area," shares Ethan K., making it ideal for nature enthusiasts with pets.
Private campsites: Many visitors appreciate the secluded options at Cozy Hills Campground, which provides more privacy than some state parks. "The campground was clean and quiet. Pool was nice and clean but a little cold. Will definitely come back," shares Rebecca S. about her experience.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a highlight at some locations. "Staff was very polite, bathrooms were very clean. There's two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool," reports Nicholas G. about his stay at Cozy Hills Campground.
Water activities: Lakes and swimming areas throughout the region offer relief during summer months. A visitor at Lake Waramaug notes: "Great for kayaking, canoeing, water skiing and more! People were fishing and swimming." This makes pet friendly camping near Stevenson particularly appealing for those who enjoy waterfront activities with their dogs.
Seasonal variations: Most state parks near Stevenson operate on limited schedules. "The park office is only staffed until 5 pm," reports a camper at Lake Waramaug, highlighting the importance of checking operating hours before arrival.
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have poor connectivity. "It is possible to get a phone signal up at the 'lookout' of the hike," shares Mo S. about Lake Waramaug, while noting generally poor reception elsewhere in the park.
Weather preparedness: Early summer brings mosquitoes to wooded areas. One camper at Bear Creek Campground warns about potential wildlife encounters: "This is an interesting camp ground. As I am set up for bed I see one other large green tent that looks deserted. 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."
Child-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated areas for kids. Jennifer H. writes about Kettletown: "The reason why I said that 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!"
Safety considerations: Families should note proximity to water and roads. A Lake Waramaug camper points out: "The swim area is marginal - best for little ones" and "Watch your children, cars go racing through the campground!"
Playground access: Some sites offer playgrounds for children's entertainment. At Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, "There is a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch!"
Site selection: RVers should carefully research sites as some campgrounds have challenging terrain. At Gentiles Campground, one reviewer notes: "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs."
Hookup availability: Electric, water and sewer connections vary widely between parks. Tina from Bear Creek Campground advises: "None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out. The staff were very friendly and they had some activities like bingo and corn hole the weekend we were there."
Seasonal considerations: Many RV-friendly sites near Stevenson have limited availability during peak seasons. "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," reports Ray B. about Bear Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Stevenson, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Stevenson, CT is Kettletown State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Stevenson, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 dog-friendly camping locations near Stevenson, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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