Dog-Friendly Camping near Wethersfield, CT

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    Lake Compounce Campground provides pet-friendly sites in Bristol, approximately 10 miles from Wethersfield. The campground features full hookup RV sites, tent areas, cabins, and glamping options where pets are welcome. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings with firewood available for purchase. The bathroom facilities are exceptionally clean with good shower options for the number of campsites. The campground is connected to Lake Compounce Amusement Park but is situated far enough away that noise isn't an issue. Very nice owners maintain the property with level sites for easy setup.

    Several pet-friendly state parks surround the Wethersfield area, including Hammonasset State Park Campground in Madison and Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam. Both allow pets on leashes throughout the camping areas. When hiking with dogs at Onion Mountain Park, owners report peaceful overnight camping experiences with no permit required, though campsites are primitive and available on a first-come basis. Wildlife is common in these areas, so proper food storage and bear bags are recommended when camping with pets. The Farm at Carter Hill offers a unique experience where pets and children can interact with farm animals including goats, ducks, and chickens. Most campgrounds in the region maintain a strict leash policy, typically requiring pets to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside your vehicle or camping unit.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Wethersfield (125)

      1. Lake Compounce Campground

      4.5(11)13mi from WethersfieldRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      2. River Highlands State Park River Campground

      4.0(1)6mi from Wethersfield2 sitesTents

      "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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      3. Waters Edge Family Campground

      3.7(10)19mi from WethersfieldRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      "This is our families favorite camping location. On the pond at Waters Edge. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge."

      from $45 - $100 / night

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      4. Onion Mountain Park

      4.5(4)16mi from WethersfieldTents

      "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."

      5. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

      4.4(16)24mi from Wethersfield35 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      6. Hammonasset State Park Campground

      3.8(39)31mi from Wethersfield513 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      7. Markham Meadows

      4.5(2)14mi from WethersfieldRVs, Tents

      8. Wilderness Lake Park

      4.2(14)25mi from WethersfieldRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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!"

      "Connecticut is LACKING when it comes to outdoor activities when compared to some of the places around the country."

      from $70 / night

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      9. Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

      3.8(10)22mi from Wethersfield21 sitesRVs, Tents

      "There are trails behind the sites along a large marsh. The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."

      "The sites are very open, not wooded so you have little privacy from adjacent sites."

      from $14 / night

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      10. Wolf's Den Family Campground

      4.3(7)21mi from WethersfieldRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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"

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Wethersfield, CT

    640 Reviews of 125 Wethersfield Campgrounds


    • Kim J.
      Jun. 8, 2025

      Cozy Hills Campground

      Very nice campground however…

      We 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.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 22, 2020

      Waters Edge Family Campground

      Incredible campground

      Most 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.

    • K
      Jun. 25, 2020

      Wilderness Lake Park

      Really enjoyed our time here

      Quaint 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.

    • K
      Jun. 26, 2021

      Strawberry Park

      Great atmosphere

      Great 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

    • R
      Aug. 14, 2020

      Whispering Pines Campground

      Great family campground

      We stayed for 3 nights, the sites and camp were very clean and well maintained. Everyone was very friendly, lots of things to do - pool, bocce, volleyball, horseshoes, arcade, a small field to play frisbee or ball, mini-golf (mini-golf landscape needs to be refreshed a bit) there is even a very small fenced in dog park which was nice if you want to let your dog off leash to play. We did not experience any screaming kids all night.

    • D
      Jun. 4, 2018

      Mystic KOA

      Very nice

      Somewhat crowded

      staff was very nice. Lots of places around to go sightseeing. Most of the area isn’t dog friendly, so be careful if you take your pet. No problem at the campground

    • Sammii D.
      Jun. 20, 2019

      Thousand Trails Sturbridge

      Nice, yet cramped and no cell reception

      I 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.

    • R
      Jan. 20, 2021

      Bowdish Lake Camping Area

      Wow! Beware of all the extra charges and filthy facilities

      Bowdish Lake Camping Area is the worst campground we have ever been to and we travel fulltime! Their website states: $1,800-$3,600 per season (look for yourself on their website if you don’t believe me). We get there after reserving site Blue 65. They then charged us $3,900. Why? We have no idea! Then they charged us an additional $75.00 for our truck. Why I don’t know? Then they charged us an additional $50.00 for having our own kayak. Then they charged us an additional $50.00 for a small dog, $100.00 for large dogs (by the way they have no dog park). Then they charged us an additional $100.00 for cable. Then they charged us an additional .50 cents per kWh ( which cost us an average of$250.00 extra per month). The public facilities are filthy. They do not supply any toilet paper, hand soaps, hot water, etc. They charge you an additional charge by coin operated showers (cold water only) that are crawling with spiders, bugs and cobwebs.

    • T
      Apr. 23, 2025

      Douglas Forest RV Resort

      Awesome Campground In The Forest

      We had an incredible stay at Douglas Forest RV Resort! From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by how peaceful and well-maintained everything was. The RV sites are spacious and easy to navigate, with full hookups and strong Wi-Fi— a big plus for us since we work remotely on the road. What really sets this place apart is the location. You’re literally steps away from Douglas State Forest, which made morning hikes and evening strolls absolutely magical. It’s pet-friendly too, and our dog loved the wooded trails and open areas. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and the camp store had everything we needed. Even though the recreation area is still being built, the amenities already in place more than made up for it. We’re already planning our next trip for summer when the pool opens! If you’re looking for a relaxing spot that blends nature with convenience, look no further. Douglas Forest RV Resort is a true hidden gem!


    Guide to Wethersfield

    Camping near Wethersfield provides options within a 20-mile radius across central Connecticut's rolling hills at elevations between 250-650 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer camping temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and 60-65°F at night. Late summer humidity can be high, making waterfront campsites particularly desirable for natural cooling.

    What to do

    Waterfront activities: Waters Edge Family Campground in Lebanon features a lake for fishing, kayaking and swimming. As camper Erin M. notes, "It's a little lake for fishing, kayaking and swimming if you like. The camp store is adequately supplied and they had just enough activities for the kids to be engaged."

    Hiking trails: Wolf's Den Family Campground offers access to nearby trails and attractions. "Nearby attractions are Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera. The campground itself is really nice," explains Kevin J. The proximity to these landmarks makes it an excellent basecamp for day hikes.

    Amusement park access: Lake Compounce Campground connects to Lake Compounce Amusement Park while maintaining distance from noise. According to Ray B., "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."

    What campers like

    Privacy levels: At Onion Mountain Park, campers appreciate the secluded feel. Ricky H. shares, "Very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required. Small campsite, first come first served basis." This offers a more primitive option for campers seeking solitude.

    Clean facilities: Visitors to Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground appreciate the natural setting despite basic amenities. Shannon B. mentions, "Sites are very close together and little privacy, but our site was by far the most private (set back a little so bushes covered us from neighbors) and one of the largest sites on the campground."

    Site spacing: Wilderness Lake Park receives praise for site layout. Kay B. notes, "Tent sites are nice and isolated, but not scary far apart. Lots of wildlife so keep your food sealed... Nice walking trails and free kayaks as available."

    What you should know

    Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds report active wildlife. At Devil's Hopyard, one camper observed, "The wildlife was incredible, a beaver family lives in the marsh so every night around 10 they would be up splashing around loudly."

    Tick prevention: Multiple reviews mention ticks as a concern, especially at Devil's Hopyard State Park. One camper warns, "Be very careful with ticks, there were tons of them under our picnic table and by the campfire. Bring your own chairs to sit on and don't put too much down that they may be able to stick to."

    Seasonal crowds: Hammonasset State Park Campground gets crowded during peak season. Bianca M. shares, "The campgrounds are clean and spacious but very open, being a beach there are a few campers who enjoy staying up quite late and listening to music. The camp sites do fill up FAST over the summer."

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly activities: Waters Edge Family Campground ranks highly for families. Charles B. states, "Quiet and secluded but not too much. This is our families favorite camping location. When asked where they want to camp my 5 and 7 year old will always respond with Waters Edge."

    Playground options: Austin Hawes Memorial Campground offers outdoor recreation for families. Anthony and Kim C. share, "If you like nice big private sites, peace and quiet while providing a great location for fishing and hiking (Henry Buck Trail) then this is your kind of place."

    Beach access: Families enjoy Hammonasset State Park for its beachfront. Tiffany T. says, "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. 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."

    Tips from RVers

    Site dimensions: Wolf's Den Family Campground accommodates larger rigs. Jeremy G. reports, "50x30 sites common. Power and water at every site. Very very clean." This makes it suitable for RVers with larger vehicles.

    Hookup availability: Lake Compounce Campground offers partial hookups. Ruth K. explains, "Sites were large enough for RV. Few showers for number of campsites, but very clean. Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."

    Dog friendly options: For dog-friendly campgrounds near Wethersfield, Wilderness Lake Park gets positive reviews. Rob L. shares, "Amazing staff & Beautiful Campground. Beautiful views, spacious site and lots to do. They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake." Their pet policies allow dogs with standard leash rules in effect.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Wethersfield, CT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Wethersfield, CT is Lake Compounce Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Wethersfield, CT?

    TheDyrt.com has all 125 dog-friendly camping locations near Wethersfield, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.