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Hammonasset State Park Campground and Lake Compounce Campground both accommodate pets with their varying cabin options alongside traditional tent and RV camping. Leashed pets are permitted throughout most areas at both locations, though specific pet regulations vary by campsite section and season. Riverdale Farm Campsites provides additional pet-friendly accommodations with water access for dogs that enjoy swimming. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities with regular maintenance of pet waste disposal areas. Pet owners particularly appreciate Lake Compounce's spacious sites that provide adequate room for dogs without feeling crowded, despite the sites facing neighboring campers. Extremely helpful staff assist campers with pets, especially those new to camping with animals.
Multiple hiking trails surrounding these pet-friendly campgrounds allow dogs to explore natural settings while properly leashed. Totoket Valley RV Park offers grassy sites with picnic tables where pets can rest between adventures. Seasonal considerations affect pet policies, with most locations fully operational from May through September. Hidden Lake Farm receives excellent reviews for its quiet, private atmosphere that works well for pets needing calm environments. Wildlife encounters require vigilance when camping with pets, as coyote activity has been reported near some campgrounds. Clean bathroom facilities remain accessible at most locations, though Riverdale Farm's tight laundry scheduling may create challenges for pet owners needing to clean pet bedding or supplies during their stay.
"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"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 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!"
"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 Availabilityfrom $55 / 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"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"
"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"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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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.
ScoutGreat 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
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.
Travelerwe love camping at Mount Misery! The sites are private, it’s usually pretty quiet, and it’s one of the only campgrounds around that is pet-friendly. We always have a good time!!
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.
Wallingford Center offers multiple camping options within a 30-mile radius, with elevations ranging from 30 to 650 feet above sea level. The area experiences humid continental climate with average summer temperatures between 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through September. Seasonal wildlife activity varies between campgrounds, with some areas implementing specific camping regulations during bird nesting periods.
Lake swimming access: Black Rock State Park Campground features a designated swimming area where families can enjoy water recreation during summer months. "The campground also has a lake for swimming, trails for hiking, and some nice quiet areas for fishing," notes camper Mathew D. Water quality monitoring occurs regularly throughout the season.
Hiking trail exploration: Located approximately 25 miles from Wallingford Center, Kettletown State Park Campground provides access to varied terrain for day hikes. "Beautiful trails, flat & hilly," reports Trina W. The park's trail system ranges from beginner-friendly paths to more challenging routes through diverse Connecticut woodlands.
Amusement park visit: Lake Compounce Campground offers direct access to the adjacent amusement park. "This is good for an overnight stop on our way south. We couldn't find much else along our route, but this wasn't too bad," notes camper Tina. The campground provides shuttle service to the park during operating hours, saving families parking fees.
Private camping atmosphere: Hidden Lake Farm provides a secluded camping experience with only 5 total sites. "Quiet and Private," says Ashley F., making this location ideal for campers seeking minimal crowds and noise compared to larger state park campgrounds in the region.
Beach proximity: Hammonasset State Park Campground offers oceanfront camping with quick access to Long Island Sound beaches. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite," writes Tiffany T. The beach area includes designated swimming zones monitored for water quality throughout the season.
Outdoor recreation facilities: Wolf's Den Family Campground provides multiple activity options beyond typical camping amenities. "Mini golf, pool, tennis, basketball, volleyball, lots of playgrounds for the kids," notes Jeremy G. The recreation areas remain open from 9am to 9pm during peak season.
Pet restrictions vary by season: While many campgrounds advertise as dog friendly near Wallingford Center, specific seasonal limitations exist. "Be noted PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer," warns Laura L. about Hammonasset. Always call ahead to confirm current pet policies before booking.
Limited hookup options: Many Connecticut state parks offer electric-only sites with limited water connections. "Most sites don't have hook ups so you have to run off battery and water storage tanks if you have a RV," explains Jason B. Plan accordingly with fully charged batteries and filled water tanks.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "The camp sites do fill up FAST over the summer up until school starts back up so if you plan to camp, BOOK AHEAD!" advises Bianca M. State park reservations typically open 11 months in advance through the Connecticut DEEP reservation system.
Insect preparation: Riverdale Farm Campsites and other waterfront locations experience significant insect activity. "We were there in early June, and were almost eaten alive by mosquitoes when we ventured into the woods," warns one reviewer. Pack appropriate repellents and protective clothing, particularly for evening activities.
Youth activities: Wolf's Den Family Campground organizes structured recreation for younger campers. "Bingo, board games, and other activities available," mentions Jeremy G. Weekend activity schedules are typically posted at the main office with both free and fee-based options available.
Playground accessibility: Black Rock State Park Campground maintains multiple play areas for children of different ages. "The campground 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," shares Mathew D. Playground equipment undergoes safety inspections monthly.
Nature education opportunities: Hammonasset State Park offers environmental programming for children. "You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center," explains Tiffany T. Programs run daily during summer months and weekends in spring and fall.
Site selection strategy: When booking at Lake Compounce Campground, consider how sites are arranged. "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," advises Tina. Request specific site numbers when making reservations for more privacy.
Dump station logistics: Totoket Valley RV Park provides full hookup options for RVers seeking convenience. "Small campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table," notes Tara N. The park offers level sites without needing extensive leveling equipment.
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds near Wallingford Center have limitations for larger rigs. "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers," cautions Kevin J. Always confirm maximum vehicle length before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Wallingford Center, CT is Hammonasset State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 39 reviews.
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