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Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest welcomes pets with designated pet-friendly tent, RV, and cabin sites. Located in Pleasant Valley, this established campground operates from May to September with a 4.5-star rating from campers. White Pines Campsites in Barkhamsted also accommodates pets across their tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt options. The campground features drinking water, electric hookups, and showers, making it convenient for pet owners staying overnight. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near West Simsbury, Connecticut. Onion Mountain Park offers a more rustic experience for tent campers with pets, providing free camping with minimal amenities but maintaining a high 4.7-star rating.
Lake Compounce Campground's dog park receives high praise from visitors, with one camper noting their dog loved the spacious area. The campground accommodates pets in tent sites, RV spots, cabins, glamping setups, and yurts from May through October. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to remain leashed except in designated off-leash areas, with waste disposal stations available throughout the grounds. When hiking with dogs in nearby state forests, owners should be aware of wildlife encounters and carry sufficient water for their pets. Several campgrounds feature ponds or lakes where dogs can swim, though specific pet swimming areas vary by location. Veterinary services are available in nearby towns for emergency situations.
"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"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."
from $74 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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 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"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."
from $45 - $65 / 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"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
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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.
The Farmington Valley area near West Simsbury sits at approximately 280 feet above sea level, with surrounding hills reaching elevations of 950 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F, ideal for camping from May through October. Camping areas near West Simsbury offer varied terrain from riverside sites to wooded settings with both primitive and developed options.
Fishing spots: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides direct access to the Farmington River, known for trophy trout fishing. "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only," notes camper Melissa R. The campground serves as a prime base for anglers, with one visitor commenting, "Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots."
Hiking trails: Multiple trails surround the West Simsbury area, with varying difficulty levels. Black Rock State Park Campground offers several well-maintained paths. "Lot of good hiking trails with a scenic view and waterfall to discover," reports Tanya B. Nearby trails include the Henry Buck Trail at American Legion State Forest, Leather Man Cave, Whitestone Cliffs, and Tory's Den.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas during summer months. "We jumped in the river and got out of the heat," mentions Ashley B. about Austin Hawes Memorial Campground. Black Rock State Park features lake swimming, though one camper noted it "was nice, just a bit crowded." Swimming availability typically runs from late May through early September, weather permitting.
Privacy levels: Site layouts vary significantly between campgrounds. Onion Mountain Park offers more secluded options. "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night," explains Nora S. In contrast, White Pines Campsites provides more structured settings with one camper noting, "We stayed at site 85 in Sunny Crest and liked having some privacy. The sites nearby had some trees providing space between each site."
Bathroom facilities: Campground bathrooms receive mixed reviews throughout the region. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground earns praise for "hot showers and clean bathrooms are available," while at White Pines some visitors reported inconsistent maintenance: "The bathhouse, which started out immaculate but quickly turned south with the sheer number of people using it."
Natural surroundings: The wooded settings provide wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers at White Pines Campsites report, "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours." At Onion Mountain Park, a visitor mentioned, "The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent (no group sites) but has a firepit already set up."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from May through September/October. Prospect Mountain Campground notes, "We did a three month seasonal Site," highlighting the extended-stay options available. Winter camping is limited, though Gentiles Campground operates year-round with varying services.
Cell service: Coverage varies significantly by location. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, visitors note "no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it." Bring physical maps as GPS may be unreliable in certain areas.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during summer weekends. At Onion Mountain Park, "We arrived at the parking lot of Onion Mountain Park at around 2 pm and proceeded to get our bags packed for the hike," indicating first-come, first-served availability. Reserve sites at larger campgrounds at least 2-4 weeks in advance during peak season.
Noise considerations: Noise levels vary widely between campgrounds and by day of week. One White Pines visitor reported, "Night fell and the place turned into Margaritaville. The seasonal RVers have really taken over the place... The music was so loud." Weeknight stays typically offer quieter experiences than weekends.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds organize regular activities. Lake Compounce Campground connects to an amusement park, providing additional entertainment options. Prospect Mountain offers "activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," reports Sandra S.
Site selection: Families should consider proximity to bathrooms and amenities. "We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake," notes John M. at Prospect Mountain. Sites near main roads may experience more noise and foot traffic, while secluded sites require longer walks to facilities.
Food preparation: Limited food services exist at most campgrounds. The Pleasant Valley General Store near Austin Hawes Memorial Campground provides supplies, with one visitor noting it "provides everything you need in addition to live bait and even a rod and reel to purchase if you forget yours!" Most campgrounds require visitors to pack in their own food or drive to nearby towns for supplies.
Hookup availability: Gentiles Campground offers full-hookup sites but has terrain challenges. "Roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," reports one RVer. Lake Compounce Campground offers partial hookups: "Has electric, water and cable TV connections" but "no sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped," notes a White Pines visitor. Prospect Mountain receives praise for more level sites: "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids... Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG."
Dog friendly campgrounds near West Simsbury include White Pines Campsites and Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, with pet-friendly sites available throughout their grounds. Lake Compounce Campground accommodates pets with designated areas. Remember all pet-friendly camping options near West Simsbury require leashes outside designated areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near West Simsbury, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near West Simsbury, 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 West Simsbury, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 113 dog-friendly camping locations near West Simsbury, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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