Kettletown State Park Campground's tent, RV, and cabin sites accommodate pets with clean facilities and multiple water access points. Located in Southbury, approximately 10 miles from Naugatuck, this state park provides designated pet areas within its wooded setting. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Naugatuck, Connecticut. Black Rock State Park Campground and Lake Compounce Campground also welcome pets while offering diverse accommodation options including tent sites and pet-friendly cabins. Leashed pets must be supervised at all times, with most campgrounds enforcing standard cleanup policies. The large campsites at Kettletown provide ample space for families camping with dogs, though bathroom facilities at some locations need updating.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly state parks offer excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with Kettletown featuring both flat and hilly terrain suitable for various activity levels. The nearby fishing areas allow pet owners to enjoy water activities while keeping dogs on leash. Seasonal considerations include heavy mosquito presence in early summer, requiring appropriate protection for both humans and pets. Gentiles Campground provides year-round access for pet owners, though reviews indicate the facility is primarily occupied by long-term residents and seasonal campers. Quiet hours at most campgrounds begin at 10 PM, though enforcement varies by location. When camping with pets, secure food items in vehicles as raccoons and skunks are common visitors to campsites, particularly at Kettletown.
$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."
"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."
$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!"
$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 .."
$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."
$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."
"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."
$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 !"
"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"
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.
TravelerQuaint 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.
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.
LegendLet me just start off by saying we did stay at the end of the season so the campground was quiet… But this is a stunning park and totally worth a stop if you’re traveling via hwy 84! They had such great customer service and the amenities are on point. 2 separate ponds: one for fishing, one for swimming; large outdoor games; Rec hall with video games, 50¢ pool table, live music; volleyball; boat rentals; and even a baseball diamond! (We picture kickball more than baseball happening here) Facilities were east to use and clean. Sites were wide open and easy to access, my only complaint being that they offer “full hookups” but you’re told to just leave your grey tanks open. We chose to wait and dump on our way out. If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!
Naugatuck area campers can access several Connecticut state parks within a 30-mile radius. The region features rolling hills and deciduous forests with elevations ranging from 200-700 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region experience high humidity in summer months, with temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping season.
Hiking trails for all abilities: Black Rock State Park Campground offers diverse terrain for hikers. "Beautiful trails, flat & hilly" notes reviewer Trina W., who appreciates the accessibility of paths for different skill levels.
Fishing opportunities: Point Folly Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. "Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island," says Mary C., who found the quiet setting ideal for water activities.
Water recreation: Lake Compounce Campground connects to entertainment options beyond camping. "Would have been nice if they had a place to swim (in the camping area) besides for at the main park," mentions Danny A., highlighting the connection to additional recreational facilities.
Family activities: Cozy Hills Campground schedules regular events for children. "Lots and lots of activities for kids! Arts & Crafts, Arcade, Bingo, Casino Night etc.," reports Ann S., who found the family programming extensive during her stay.
Spacious campsites: Kettletown State Park Campground offers generously sized areas. "Nice place. Sites are close together so recommend reserving two for more space. Well maintained and secure. Staff patrols for safety. Good place for families and large groups," advises Melynda M.
Well-maintained facilities: Lake Compounce Campground provides clean amenities. "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper," observes Diane R., who appreciated the thoughtful layout.
Privacy options: Black Rock State Park Campground features various site configurations. "There are a variety of sites available, from open field sites to more wooded and private areas," explains Mathew D., who found the campground accommodating for different preferences.
Fishing success: Cozy Hills Campground has productive fishing areas. "Kids caught about 20 fish. The pool is nice, no deep end. It's very hilly," reports Rino S., who recommends a golf cart for navigating the terrain if staying far from amenities.
Seasonal considerations: Kettletown State Park Campground experiences varying upkeep. "I have been camping here since the early 90s. I am usually impressed by its cleanliness and upkeep. This past visit, Aug 2018, I was not impressed," notes Pamela C., suggesting conditions may fluctuate by season or year.
Bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds near Naugatuck have basic facilities. "Speaking of bathhouse - this one is really just in dire need of updating," comments Kristin about Kettletown State Park, reflecting a common theme at state parks in the region.
Campsite proximity: Branch Brook Campground has sites close together. "Spaces were decent sized. We were in site 16 and it was on the creek which was a decent view and gave us plenty of space to sit outside and for our dog to have space to roam," reports Charlie & Danielle B., noting the varied site layouts.
Wildlife awareness: Animals frequent many dog friendly campgrounds near Naugatuck. "There are lots of skunks and squirrels that will get into EVERYTHING even in a bin," warns katrina M. about Lake Waramaug State Park, emphasizing the importance of securing food.
Child-friendly swimming: Cozy Hills Campground offers safe water options. "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," explains Ann S., noting the thoughtful design for younger children.
Open play areas: Kettletown State Park Campground provides space for children to run. "The reason why I said place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night!" shares Jennifer H., who found the layout ideal for active children.
Bring entertainment: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground has limited amenities. "Bring scooters or bikes for little kids to use within the camp," suggests Mo S., who found additional activities necessary for keeping children entertained.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers stargazing opportunities. "Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!" notes Jennifer H. about Kettletown State Park Campground, highlighting natural attractions beyond daytime activities.
Pull-through sites: Lake Compounce Campground accommodates larger vehicles. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," explains Diane R., describing the site layout for RVs.
Utility connections: Branch Brook Campground offers reliable services. "Better wi-fi than most campgrounds. My wife and I both were able to work with mostly no issues," reports Charlie & Danielle B., who found the connectivity sufficient for remote work.
Leveling considerations: Kettletown State Park Campground has variable terrain. "Site 11, while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over," cautions Kristin, suggesting RVers should carefully select sites or bring leveling equipment.
Limited hookup options: Some dog friendly Connecticut campgrounds offer only partial hookups. "No hookups. It was a walk up the hill to the bathhouse," notes Kristin about Kettletown State Park, advising self-contained RVers to plan accordingly for water and waste management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Naugatuck, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Naugatuck, CT is Kettletown State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Naugatuck, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Naugatuck, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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