Lake Compounce Campground accommodates tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabins, yurts, or glamping experiences with their pets. The campground operates from May through October and provides clean bathrooms with hot showers that campers find particularly impressive. Black Rock State Park Campground similarly welcomes pets and offers camping options including tents, RVs, and cabins from May to September. Sites at both locations include standard amenities such as picnic tables and fire rings where pets can relax alongside their owners. The bathrooms at Black Rock State Park are well maintained and extremely hot showers are available for campers after a day of hiking with their dogs.
Nearby trails provide excellent opportunities for exercising pets, with most campgrounds requiring dogs to remain on leash at all times. White Pines Campsites in Barkhamsted offers similar pet-friendly accommodations with the added benefit of allowing alcohol, unlike some state park campgrounds that prohibit it. Onion Mountain Park provides a more primitive camping experience for those seeking to camp with dogs in a more natural setting. Staff at pet-friendly campgrounds in the region typically greet campers warmly, creating a welcoming atmosphere for both human and canine visitors. Most locations maintain clean grounds with accessible water sources for pets, though campers should pack sufficient supplies for their animals, especially when staying at more remote sites.
"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."
$17 - $50 / night
"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."
$74 / night
"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"
"However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."
"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."
$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."
"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."
"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"
"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.
GuideMy first visit to New York state was amazing, largely in part due to my campsite at the Woodland Hills campground. I had a back in site and was having problems with my camper, and they were able to change to a pull through at time of check in. However, it was in early May and before the summer crowds. The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom. Very nice bathrooms and showers, and my dog loved the dog park.
RangerI 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.
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.
The Unionville region sits at the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains with elevations ranging from 350-700 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds near Unionville remain open from May through October, closing during Connecticut's winter months when temperatures frequently drop below freezing. Several dog friendly campgrounds near Unionville provide sites with varying levels of privacy and amenities depending on your camping preferences.
Fishing opportunities: At Point Folly Campground, campers can access Bantam Lake for various water activities. "Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island," notes Mary C. The campground offers waterfront sites that provide easy lake access.
Hiking trails: The region features multiple trail systems connecting to campsites. At Onion Mountain Park, "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," reports Nora S. These primitive campsites require minimal hiking from parking areas.
Amusement park access: Some campgrounds provide unique entertainment options beyond standard outdoor recreation. "This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother. If ever in the area again we will definitely stay again," writes Diane R. about Lake Compounce Campground.
Clean facilities: Many pet-friendly campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom facilities. "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 Lake Compounce Campground.
Waterfront camping: At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, water access ranks highly among camper preferences. "First time here this past fourth of july! Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," Tom C. explains. The campground provides river access from select sites.
Family activities: Prospect Mountain Campground offers numerous structured activities for families with dogs. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," says Sandra S. These activities run throughout the camping season.
Wildlife awareness: The area has active wildlife that campers should prepare for. "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. Won't be surprised if I see a bear in the morning," notes A J. from Lake Compounce.
Site maintenance varies: Campsite conditions can differ significantly between locations. At White Pines Campsites, one camper reported: "Upon arrival, I liked the atmosphere and friendly service but our site was filthy. A bag of dog poop by a tree, trash under the picnic table, cigarette butts littering the rocks around the fire pit, and the pit was so full of ash, there was no more room for firewood."
Season limitations: Most dog friendly campgrounds operate seasonally. "The campground operates from May 1 to Columbus Day weekend," mentions Richard about Lake Compounce, which aligns with most area campgrounds' operational calendars.
Quiet weekday options: For families seeking less crowded experiences with dogs, timing matters. "Very nice campground. Has electric, water and cable TV connections. Clean bathrooms and nice store. CG is pretty empty during the week and gets busy during the weekend," notes Richard about Lake Compounce.
Pool facilities: Several pet-friendly campgrounds offer swimming options beyond natural water bodies. "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," reports Ann S. about Cozy Hills. Many pools close by 7pm with adult swim times scheduled throughout the day.
Pack extra supplies: Black Rock State Park Campground requires campers bring everything needed. "Very Beautiful Place To Visit With Family and Freinds!!! We were their for 4 nights and 5 days. Very rewarding visit. Rangers and other campers were very friendly. The sites are very spacious and clean," says Tanya B.
Site selection considerations: RVers should research site layouts before booking. "Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded," mentions Diane R. about the RV sites at Lake Compounce.
Limited sewer connections: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Unionville lack full hookups. "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," Ray B. reports. Most campgrounds provide central dump stations rather than site-specific sewer connections.
Electric availability: For power needs, check specific campground offerings. "This was good for an overnight stop on our way south. We couldn't find much else along our route, but this wasn't too bad. 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," notes Tina about Lake Compounce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Unionville, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Unionville, CT is Lake Compounce Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Unionville, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 105 dog-friendly camping locations near Unionville, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
