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Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest accommodates tent camping, RV sites, and cabins that welcome pets. The sites are well-spaced, providing privacy while camping with dogs. Clean bathrooms with hot showers are available for campers, and the campground offers access to the Farmington River for fishing and paddling activities. Sites backing up to the river offer excellent locations for pets that enjoy water. Onion Mountain Park provides free primitive tent camping with pets allowed, suitable for overnight stays with dogs. The campground is known for peaceful, quiet camping experiences with no permit required, though campers should note the parking area requires a short walk to reach the campsites.
Dog owners should bring adequate bug spray when visiting these campgrounds, as reviewers consistently mention mosquitoes and ticks are abundant, particularly at Austin Hawes during summer months. Hiking trails connect directly to both campgrounds, with the Henry Buck Trail accessible from Austin Hawes and the blue trail leading to camping areas at Onion Mountain Park. White Pines Campsites offers additional pet-friendly options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations, with a small fishing pond on property. The campground is located near several state parks and natural areas where dogs can enjoy outdoor activities. Some campgrounds implement quiet hours, though enforcement varies by location. Wildlife encounters are possible—bear sightings have been reported near White Pines, so proper food storage is essential when camping with pets.
"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
Check Availability"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
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."
"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."
"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"
"Trails are right near the sites so def scope out your spot before purchase. Has a full shower/bath and sink for washing very well kept and water pump rnot to far from the site."
from $17 / 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"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"Tons of kids activities to keep the little ones busy and great hikes around! Tons of waterfalls in the area and the highest point in Connecticut."
"I happened upon Lone Oaks Camp Site when looking for someplace to stay in north eastern Connecticut."
"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
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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.
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.
American Legion State Forest and Peoples State Forest offer pet-friendly camping options near Weatogue, Connecticut. Located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet, these forested areas feature diverse terrain with hardwood forests and river access. Temperatures typically range from 40°F at night to 80°F during summer days, with higher humidity levels along the river sites.
Fishing the Farmington River: The Farmington River at Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities. "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," notes Tom C. The river is known for its trout population with "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only" according to Melissa R.
Hiking local trails: Onion Mountain Park offers primitive camping with direct access to hiking trails. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," shares Nora S. The area connects to multiple trail systems throughout the region.
Visit neighboring attractions: Lone Oak Camp Sites provides access to regional attractions. "Tons of waterfalls in the area and the highest point in Connecticut. Stars can be seen well and tons of kind and friendly campers," mentions Ashley A. The campground is positioned near several natural landmarks worth exploring.
Swimming options: Lake Compounce Campground offers swimming facilities during warm months. The campground is connected to an amusement park with additional water features. As Nichol P. observes, "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention its next to the amusement park."
Private, spacious sites: White Pines Campsites offers tent sites with natural buffers. "Our site was T3 and it was spacious and spread out from other tent sites. There was a tiny creek meandering behind the site and the woods just went on for miles," reports Sylvia P. This allows for greater separation between camping parties.
Clean facilities: Cozy Hills Campground maintains high standards for their amenities. "Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep," notes Kim T. Another camper adds, "Bathrooms are very clean but very far apart" (Ann S.), highlighting the well-maintained facilities.
Family activities: Prospect Mountain Campground offers organized recreation for families. Sandra S. mentions, "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides." These structured activities provide entertainment beyond standard camping.
Waterfront options: Several campgrounds feature waterfront sites. "We stayed right on the river side, No hook up, but they have a dump station," explains Andrzej K. about Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. The river access points allow for cooling off during summer months.
Bug preparation essential: Insect protection is critical throughout the region. "In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!" warns Katherine P. about Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. Similarly, at Onion Mountain Park, campers note, "There are a lot of bugs so be prepared, and we did put a bear bag about 100 feet away."
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds operate primarily from spring through fall. "It's a very casual site and good for your first trip, you are close to your car and the road in case you need it so no need for a bear bag," explains Marshall S. about Onion Mountain Park.
Varied site privacy: Privacy levels differ significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, Emily M. observes, "Nice campground, semi private. The sites are spread out enough but you're not completely alone. You hear a lot of cars going by if you're at a site that backs up to the main road."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies by location. "Last but not least - no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it," notes Katherine P. about camping in American Legion State Forest.
Child-friendly swimming areas: Cozy Hills Campground features pools designed with children in mind. "Pool is very nice for families - with no deep end, really safe for younger kids," explains Ann S. Another reviewer adds, "The pool is nice, no deep end" (Rino S.), making it appropriate for young children.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule specific weekend programming. "We have enjoyed our stay. Nice campground with lots of activities and things to do," shares Kim J. from Cozy Hills Campground. Activities often include organized crafts, games, and outdoor recreation.
Playground access: Play areas provide entertainment options for younger campers. "Big fun for kids and adults. Two big pools, store, bar for adults with live entertainment. Tons of kids activities going on all day," explains Kim T. about Lone Oak Camp Sites.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secure from local wildlife. "Beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," cautions Sylvia P. from White Pines Campsites.
Site selection importance: Black Rock State Park Campground offers varied site options. "There are a variety of sites available, from open field sites to more wooded and private areas," explains Mathew D. Check site maps carefully before booking.
Utility specifications: Check power requirements at campgrounds. Natalie N. recommends, "be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies."
Dump station availability: RV campers should note waste disposal options. "Very nice campground near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG," notes Michael H. about Gentiles Campground.
Terrain considerations: Be aware of elevation changes within campgrounds. Tina from Lake Compounce Campground notes, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Weatogue, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Weatogue, CT is Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Weatogue, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 112 dog-friendly camping locations near Weatogue, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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