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Riverdale Farm Campsites welcomes pets at all accommodation types including tents, RVs, cabins and glamping options. The campground provides electric hookups, water access, and designated areas for dogs to exercise throughout the 111 River Road property in Clinton, Connecticut. Waters Edge Family Campground features an impressive dog park that surpasses many campground playgrounds, with plenty of wooded areas surrounding almost every site for privacy and pet walks. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the region maintain standard leash requirements while offering varying levels of pet amenities. Hammonasset State Park Campground, despite its popularity for beach access, does not allow pets during the summer season, which surprises many visitors.
Kettletown State Park Campground and Rocky Neck State Park both permit pets at their campsites while offering hiking trails suitable for leashed dogs. The enclosed dog park at Cozy Hills Campground features a 3-foot fence that may be inadequate for more athletic breeds like border collies that can easily jump over it. Lake Compounce Campground allows pets at tent sites, RV spots, cabins, glamping accommodations and yurts, providing multiple options for campers traveling with animals. Totoket Valley RV Park and Bear Creek Campground also maintain pet-friendly policies with varying amenities. Most campgrounds require proof of current vaccinations, and visitors should pack waste bags, portable water bowls, and appropriate restraints when camping with dogs in the West Haven area.
"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"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"The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility. There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."
"However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."
from $24 - $250 / night
Check Availability"I was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"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."
"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"Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."
"There are dog friendly which was very nice. It is a lil tight from each site but you have the beach and a little hiking trails that makes it worth it."
"The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground. The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way."
"Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."
from $20 - $70 / 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.
Pet-friendly accommodations vary across campgrounds near West Haven, with most requiring leashes and vaccination records. Rocky Neck State Park and Kettletown State Park permit dogs in camping areas but maintain specific seasonal restrictions. Campers should prepare for terrain that ranges from densely wooded sites to more open beach-adjacent locations, with elevations generally low across the coastal Connecticut region.
Beach access with water activities: Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers swimming and fishing opportunities. "My family has camped at Rocky Neck every year since i was a child. The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails," shares Mauricio R. The beach closes at sunset unless you purchase a stargazing permit.
Playgrounds for younger campers: Riverdale Farm Campsites provides recreational facilities for children. Nick H. notes, "The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice. They did a show on the beach one night that was fun too. We did bingo too." Most weekend activities run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Stargazing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer night sky viewing. At Wildwood State Park Campground, you need to purchase a special permit for beach access after dark. Amber A. explains, "You have to buy a stargazing permit to be out on the beach after sunset, which is kind of strange but really helps prevent hooligans from taking over the beach and destroying the serenity."
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers frequently mention bathroom cleanliness as important. At Lake Compounce Campground, Diane R. reports, "Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper." Most campgrounds provide shower facilities, though some charge quarters for use.
Privacy between sites: Site spacing varies significantly. Justin P. at Kettletown State Park notes the downside of crowded sites: "The sites were super close together and the boundary lines were unclear, so my neighbors ended up using my fire ring to secure their tent. The picnic table seemed to be shared between sites."
Proximity to urban conveniences: Many campgrounds offer a balance between nature and access to necessities. "This is a really nice family campground just a mile or so off I-95 in Clinton, CT. It is about 20 miles from Mystic and the historic seaport center," Joel R. says about Riverdale Farm Campsites. Most locations are within 15-20 minutes of grocery stores.
Seasonal restrictions for pets: Hammonasset State Park Campground has specific limitations. Laura L. warns, "Be noted PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this." Always check current pet policies when booking.
Fire pit availability: Some campgrounds don't provide fire rings by default. At Indian Island County Park, Maxime T. shares, "The only reason I gave 4 stars is because the campsites don't come with a fire ring. Not sure if this is because of maintenance, but it just wasn't super apparent until we got there."
Booking requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Bianca M. advises about Hammonasset, "The beach is a short walk away from the camping site, but the camp sites do fill up FAST over the summer up until school starts back up so if you plan to camp, BOOK AHEAD!"
Beach proximity matters: Select sites based on beach access for families with children. At Kettletown State Park Campground, Jennifer H. explains, "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! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime!"
Off-season for quieter experience: Consider camping outside peak summer months. At Rocky Neck, sites tend to be less crowded in May and September while still offering access to amenities. One camper notes, "Beach can be crowded. But it is worth it. Nice food shack. Great family place."
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for potential animal encounters. Jennifer warns, "One thing that I have to say to watch out for raccoons and skunk, they love to find food. Be sure put foods in the car!" Most campgrounds require food storage in vehicles overnight.
Hookup variations: Indian Island County Park offers water and electric sites, but availability varies. Janelle G. mentions, "No sewer sites that I could tell, and water was off because we were a week shy of the season opening. Needed to move to dump station prior to leaving (2 night visit)." Check seasonal utility availability when booking.
Site length considerations: RV site dimensions vary widely. At Lake Compounce Campground, Tina notes, "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." Most pull-through sites accommodate up to 35-foot rigs.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Totoket Valley RV Park, one reviewer mentioned the importance of bringing leveling blocks, especially for sites near wooded areas where roots and natural topography create uneven surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near West Haven, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near West Haven, CT is Hammonasset State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near West Haven, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 62 dog-friendly camping locations near West Haven, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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