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Dog-Friendly Camping near Windsor Locks, CT

140 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest provides well-spaced, private campsites for pet owners seeking a quiet getaway. This pet-friendly destination offers tent sites, RV spots, and cabin accommodations, with all sites situated near the Farmington River. Dogs must be leashed throughout the campground, and owners should bring waste bags as specific pet stations are limited. The sites back up to the river with large, spacious areas that afford privacy between neighboring campers. Very buggy during summer months, so pet owners should pack extra insect repellent for themselves and appropriate pest protection for their animals.

    Onion Mountain Park accepts pets without additional fees at their primitive camping areas. The park features peaceful overnight camping spots accessible via yellow or blue trails, requiring a short walk from the parking area. No permits are needed for camping with dogs, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites accommodate smaller tents rather than large camping setups. The Quarry Campground offers additional pet-friendly options with full hookup sites, spacious pull-through areas, and access to fishing ponds where leashed pets are permitted on walking paths. Several hiking trails throughout the region provide exercise opportunities for dogs, though owners should be prepared for wildlife encounters by keeping pets under control at all times.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Windsor Locks (140)

      1. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

      4.4(16)18mi from Windsor Locks35 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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      2. Wilderness Lake Park

      4.2(14)19mi from Windsor LocksRVs, 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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      3. The Quarry Campground

      4.8(5)13mi from Windsor Locks43 sitesRVs, Tents

      "If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!"

      "We came to discover new bike trails and this one was close to the Hop bike trail which we enjoyed very much"

      from $45 - $68 / night

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      4. Onion Mountain Park

      4.5(4)12mi from Windsor LocksTents

      "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. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park

      4.4(8)17mi from Windsor LocksRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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"

      6. White Pines Campsites

      3.6(11)20mi from Windsor Locks1 siteRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      7. Lake Compounce Campground

      4.5(12)23mi from Windsor LocksRVs, 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."

      8. Brialee Family Campground

      4.6(14)25mi from Windsor Locks3 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs."

      "Nice hiking around the area. Bathrooms are clean. Good for kids/families."

      from $25 - $150 / night

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      9. Black Rabbit Farm

      5.0(1)14mi from Windsor LocksRVs, Tents

      from $45 - $65 / night

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      10. Granville State Forest

      2.6(5)18mi from Windsor Locks21 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Windsor Locks, CT

    728 Reviews of 140 Windsor Locks 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

    • A
      Jun. 3, 2024

      Spacious Skies Woodland Hills

      A peaceful place with character.

      My 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.

    • Rob G.
      Jul. 10, 2019

      Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

      One of our favorite places to stay

      Beautiful clean campground! Great for kids and pets. We love taking the dog to the dog beach for a swim.

      Camp store is great, fun fishing on the lake and tons of activities for the kids.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 23, 2020

      Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

      Great spot in the middle of nowhere

      Miles and miles of country/forests surrounding pine acres, however pulling in you’ll soon realize how much goes on inside the campground. AWESOME pools (very kid friendly), parks, dog park, hiking trails and even sections off of the trails to find your own private beach on the water. Went there in a tent rather than our camper, which turned out to be better. Tent sites were very dispersed and way up on the top of the mountain. Camper sites seemed a little close but worth the sacrifice due to the incredible environment. On the more expensive side but worth the money if you have kids. Another big plus was the abundance of wood to get from fallen trees (not having to pay for the expensive bundles at the store) and the size of the fire pits

    • 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.


    Guide to Windsor Locks

    American Legion State Forest offers diverse camping experiences near Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The region features elevations between 300-500 feet with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making most campgrounds seasonal operations that close by late October.

    What to do

    Fishing access: American Legion State Forest provides excellent fishing opportunities along the Farmington River. "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only," notes Melissa R. about Austin Hawes Memorial Campground.

    Kayaking and canoeing: Wilderness Lake Park offers free water recreation equipment. "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake," mentions Rob L. about his visit to Wilderness Lake Park.

    Hiking trails: The region features multiple trail systems for day hikes. "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," writes Anthony and Kim C. about their experience near the forest.

    What campers like

    Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-sized sites. "The sites are nice and large, with room for trailers, and they also have a few cabin sites as well," according to Katherine P. at White Pines Campsites.

    Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. "Very nice campground not too far from New York. Super quiet, private campgrounds nestled in the trees, right on a river. We jumped in the river and got out of the heat," says Ashley B. about her stay in the region.

    Local attractions: The area offers activities beyond the campgrounds. "We also recommend the General Store nearby in Riverton! Great place to have lunch! Although we didn't the chance there's also a drive-in down the road!!!" suggests Anthony and Kim C.

    What you should know

    Limited cell service: Some campgrounds have poor connectivity. "Last but not least - no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it," points out Katherine P.

    Cash or alternative payment: Prepare payment methods beyond credit cards. "Heads up, they are cash or Venmo only so be prepared," advises Hails L. about Wilderness Lake Park.

    Wildlife encounters: The region has active wildlife populations. "Also beware of bears. We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours," warns Sylvia P. about her camping experience.

    Tips for camping with families

    Activity-rich campgrounds: Families enjoy campgrounds with programmed recreation. "Brialee is a large seasonal oriented campground... This campground offers activities pretty much hourly for kids and adults to enjoy," explains Mallory P. about Brialee Family Campground.

    Amusement park access: For families seeking additional entertainment, Lake Compounce Campground offers unique amenities. "It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here," notes Tina at Lake Compounce Campground.

    Dog-friendly beaches: Some campgrounds offer specialized pet recreation areas. "Along with a pool, they also have a beach and a separate beach for dogs," mentions Mallory P. about Brialee Family Campground.

    Tips from RVers

    Dump station availability: Many campgrounds offer dump stations rather than full hookups. "No sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," points out Ray B. about Lake Compounce.

    Site layouts: RV sites vary in configuration and spacing. "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," explains Tina about her RV camping experience.

    Hookup limitations: Check specific hookup details before booking. "There was not full service sewer hook up, only gray water. There was a dump station," cautions Dave B. about Brialee Family Campground's facilities.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Windsor Locks, 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 Windsor Locks, CT?

    TheDyrt.com has all 140 dog-friendly camping locations near Windsor Locks, CT, with real photos and reviews from campers.