39 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation shelters and trails welcome dogs on leashes across multiple sites, with trails spanning over 40 miles through varied terrain. Blydenburgh County Park maintains clean facilities with accessible grass camping areas for pets year-round. Both parks feature picnic tables, fire pits, and restroom facilities, providing comfortable accommodations for campers with dogs. Several campgrounds within driving distance of Westport offer pet-friendly tent, RV, and cabin options, including Kettletown State Park and Hammonasset State Park which provide electric hookups and water access. The spacious sites allow pets to accompany families while maintaining adequate distance from neighboring campers. Sites are typically far enough apart to give dogs room without disturbing other guests.
Hiking trails throughout these parks provide excellent opportunities for dog exercise, with many routes following creeks and waterways where dogs can cool off. Ward Pound Ridge receives consistently positive reviews for its dog-friendly trails and shelter camping options, while Blydenburgh Park features a dedicated dog run area where pets can socialize off-leash. Most parks enforce standard leash policies on trails and in camping areas. Connecticut Welcome Center Rest Area on I-84 provides a convenient overnight option for travelers with pets needing a quick stopover, offering clean restrooms and a small dog area, though leashes are required at all times. All campsites require proper disposal of pet waste, and many visitors note the respectful atmosphere among pet owners at these locations.
"Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail. 30 or so sites around a central public restroom."
"Hiking trails are beautiful. Dog friendly. Clean bathrooms"
"With Covid/social distancing requirements, many sites are closed so it’s extra quiet and spread out. I stayed at site 6 with my seven year-old daughter from Tue-Thur."
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Recently went camping in our pull behind, met some old friends and had a great time. Rangers have a hardon for people screwing up tho. Think they're all that and then some..."
"Great Location Clean Park."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"Literally steps to the beach."
"A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite. No shade so be prepared to wake early if you’re in a sweltering tent. Staff has been great, no complaints."
"Beautiful location steps away from the beach. Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean. Not ready for full on camp-life? No problem!"
"Camping gets you away from the bustle. It is a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock and located behind the dunes which offer some protection. Take a quick walk down to the beach."
"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."
GuideI grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.
benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer
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.
ScoutVery nice family oriented, places the beach, which is great except for the birds watch out they come at you. They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything.
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!!
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.
TravelerBeautiful 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. 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. We make it a point to spend at least a week here every summer!
Westport, Connecticut campsites feature varied seasonal conditions with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to the mid-80s in summer. Located along the Saugatuck River's watershed, many camping areas sit on gentle slopes with mixed hardwood forests that provide natural shelter. Most campsites within a 30-mile radius of Westport remain open from April through October, with limited winter options available.
Hiking the varied terrain: Clarence Fahnestock State Park offers over 14,000 acres of forests and trails. As one visitor noted, "The park has a nice open beach on Canopus Lake with a concession area and bathhouse, which we found to be quite clean! They even have boat rentals - or you can bring your own boat to launch!"
Lakeside activities: Wildwood State Park Campground provides beach access on the Long Island Sound. "The North Shore and South Shore are pretty different. This site gives you the North Shore experience with high bluffs, sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound, and views of CT across the water," shares one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Birdwatching opportunities abound at multiple parks within driving distance. "The highlight of Heckscher State Park is the newly constructed heated cottages located on the shore of Nichol's & Great South Bays... There are cottages suited for two, four, and six people," reports a visitor who observed local wildlife including "deer, rabbits, turtles."
Natural swimming spots: Croton Point Park sits right on the Hudson River. A camper reports, "Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood. I would highly recommend it. Oh...and did i say, gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!"
Accessible platforms: At Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park, the raised sites provide practical benefits. One reviewer explains, "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained."
Group camping areas: Multiple sites accommodate larger gatherings with pets. "I have gone from tent platform, tent camping, tarp, and now hammock camping. The sites can be a bit tight, at times and you may find a few visitors, not necessarily on two legs, but always a delight," shares a regular at Harriman State Park.
Reservation requirements: Hammonasset State Park Campground fills quickly during summer months. "I would recommend reserving early to get some of the more private campgrounds on the outskirts and near the woods or you may be in the field with everyone else," advises one camper.
Pet policies vary seasonally: Not all pet-friendly camping near Westport, Connecticut maintains the same rules year-round. At Hammonasset, one visitor cautions, "The 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."
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons and other wildlife present challenges at many sites. At Cathedral Pines County Park, a camper warns, "Be sure to lock food away as the raccoons are pretty invasive. The further camps are very far from facilities and the ones closer to the bathrooms are usually louder / taken up."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Westport, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Westport, CT is Ward Pound Ridge Reservation with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Westport, CT?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 dog-friendly camping locations near Westport, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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