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Beartown State Forest Campground near Mill River features 12 campsites accommodating both tents and RVs, with 4 sites offering direct access to Benedict Pond. The campground maintains pet-friendly policies throughout its facilities, requiring dogs to be leashed at all times while on trails and in camping areas. Campsites offer fire rings, though wood must be purchased on-site, especially for late arrivals. Dogs are permitted to swim in designated areas of Benedict Pond, away from the main swimming beach. Extremely friendly staff maintain the campground with remarkably clean bathroom facilities compared to typical state parks. The nearby Appalachian Trail sections also welcome leashed pets, with hikers reporting the area to be well-maintained and trash-free.
Mount Washington State Forest provides primitive camping options for backpackers with pets at Alander Trail Campground, requiring a 1.5-2 mile hike to reach the designated sites. Each site includes a fire pit, grill rack, picnic table, and access to shared bear boxes for food storage. The pet-friendly trails connect to Mount Everett State Reservation's Laurel Ridge camping area, where dogs must remain on-leash due to wildlife concerns including bears and coyotes. Both areas offer excellent opportunities for overnight hiking adventures with dogs, though campers should be prepared to pack in all supplies and carry out all waste. The outhouse facilities remain surprisingly clean despite the remote location. Jug End on the Appalachian Trail provides an additional dispersed camping option for section hikers with dogs, though recent reports indicate camping may now be restricted in this area according to Massachusetts wildlife management regulations.
"However, clean, dog friendly and good hiking nearby! Great for a getaway but not my first choice of campgrounds in NYS."
"There are 2 dog friendly loops at the back. Overall, very quiet and friendly. 2 lIfeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of."
from $17 - $175 / night
Check Availability"We could have fit 3 campers in it and were a good distance from the neighboring sites (there are some places that you are packed in like sardines, not this one)."
"well worth a visit and close to berkshires"
"I tent camped here in night while exploring the fishing in Western Massachusetts. The campsite was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside."
"Quiet off the beaten path. There are 3 yurts available May-October (no dogs allowed in the yurts☹️. There are several tent sits available. Dogs are welcomed here!"
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"A pretty spot near the Berkshires. This spot has rustic hikes and good swimming, plus relatively secluded campsites."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots. Definitely need to come back. Great rates on all sites."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"campground the bathroom was clean and well equipped with toilet paper and soap
we stayed at site 70 which was very spacious and set back from the road so had more privacy, although site 71 is very close by"
"There are some easy hikes nearby also. Great for our dogs also."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"However one issue was the garbage situation. Had to walk a long distance to throw out the trash."
"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"
from $74 / night
Check Availability"Between Sage's Ravine and Jug End Road there are five backcountry campsites on the Appalachian Trail."
"You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots."
"Each spot is easy to find off the trail. They also have bear boxes at each site!"
"Basically left a car where we were ending the hike, and took another car with everyone crammed in to the Race Brook Falls parking lot which off Route 41 in Sheffield, Massachusetts."
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.
ScoutThe campsite was great. Big and going after Labor Day means there was tons of space. Well priced. We did have neighbors that had a trailer and used their generator early in the morning and late at night. Beside that it was fantastic. We had planned on driving to hiking but there was so much to do around the camp site we just walked around and did the hiking near by. The dog park is wonderful. Our dog loved it.
GuideLots of room in many sites for my 24 ft RV and 30 ft trailer. Big meadow in middle with new full playground set.
Dry camping but water available and a sewer dump. Gotta haul your own trash.
Two ponds to play in and a fenced dog park.
Some nice hiking in the park.
GuideSuch a clean and well maintained campground. Staff were so nice and friendly. Only one shower area that was a bit of a trek from our site, a bike would have been nice to get around. We had to move our tent as we had set it back too far and was not on the site pad and park ranger Brian who was very lovely came and asked us to move it and we had a nice chat. Lovely big dog park. There are some nice little walks and small hikes on the ground with a lake that you can rent kayaks or canoes. Close to Woodstock which is a cute town. Our site was a little exposed but the sites either side of us were closed for restoration thankfully. There are some more secluded and set back sites too though.
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.
ScoutCan a campground be cozy? I think this place is.
It's not too big, and it's not too small, it's just right.
Bring decent tent pegs because you will probably hit a stone or two.
They sell huge bags of firewood for 8 or 9 dollars and it's much better than the plastic wrapped stuff you get at convenience stores.
Last time we went they were sold out and we had to buy (damp) wood elsewhere.
Each loop has a bathroom. They are clean and well-lit.
They have a single building for trash/recycle/reuse and for washing dishes. They also have a playground and a dog park.
The campsites are nice and shaded.
Each site has a picnic table and grill. The picnic tables can be moved around.
No Wi-Fi. Haven't tried to make a call so I'm not sure about that.
I'd feel safe here if I camped alone. Staff are friendly and helpful.
GuideThis place was recommended by a friend It is exactly what she said Clean, friendly stuff , large RV welcome, but it seems tight for the big ones We had a site with Electric and Water hook up There are sewer hook up available also Over all a great place Pet friendly, ( we had two dogs)
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.
TravelerGreat grounds. Pet friendly. Boat launch. Check out the easy Catskill Mountain house hike (super easy). Only drag is the sites are a bit close together. Bathrooms are super clean. Recycling center super clean
Camping options near Mill River, Massachusetts include rustic tent sites and improved campgrounds with amenities throughout the southern Berkshires. The region sits at elevations ranging from 800 to over 2,300 feet, creating diverse microclimates across the camping areas. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October when temperatures range from 40°F at night to 80°F during peak summer days.
Hiking to waterfalls: Access Bash Bish Falls with a short trail crossing from New York into Massachusetts. According to John E., "nearby is the main attraction Bash Bish Falls, which you take a short hike across state lines into Mass" at Taconic State Park.
Fly fishing: The Farmington River offers catch-and-release trophy trout fishing directly accessible from riverside campsites. Tom C. notes that Austin Hawes Campground provides "access to many many other favorable fishing spots" and is "right on the farmington river and off the main road."
Swimming in natural settings: Otis Reservoir at Tolland State Forest offers family-friendly swimming with sandy beaches. Nicole G. mentions, "The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved the campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff" at Tolland State Forest Campground.
Platform tent sites: Many campgrounds offer raised wooden platforms to keep tents dry during wet conditions. At Taconic State Park, Christina M. explains: "Each of the sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table."
Clean facilities: Shower and bathroom facilities receive consistent praise at several campgrounds. Rebecca D. notes at Tolland State Forest Campground: "The bathhouses have always been clean with sinks to wash your dishes."
Wildlife sightings: The area has active wildlife including deer, frogs, and birds. John E. reports: "The taconic mountains offer some great flora and fauna. We had several species of frogs and toads wandering about in the evening, giant millipedes were plenty, and even found a meet on our hike."
Bear activity: Multiple campgrounds report bear encounters, requiring proper food storage. Kay D. at Alander Trail Campground notes: "You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy."
Weekend crowds: Proximity to urban areas means many campgrounds fill quickly Thursday through Sunday. John E. cautions: "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends."
Variable cell service: Most forested campgrounds have limited or no cellular connectivity. Katherine P. mentions: "Last but not least - no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it."
Look for campground programs: Some state parks offer ranger-led activities for children. Nicole G. at Tolland State Forest Campground shares: "My daughter loved the campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff."
Choose swim areas with supervision: Select campgrounds with lifeguarded swimming spots for added safety. Erin B. notes: "2 lIfeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of."
Consider site location: Family sites near bathrooms provide convenience but may have more foot traffic. Amanda S. advises: "This is basic dry camping it is fun but there is no electric or water at the sites only in the bathhouse. So if you get a site close the the bathhouse you will have water close by."
Check power requirements: Verify your specific electrical needs when booking. Natalie N. at Lone Oak Campsites warns: "be careful on the map for what site has what amenities, and make sure to double check power requirements because it's not labeled on the sites and it varies."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region have sloped sites. Becca Z. observed: "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand."
Limited dump stations: Plan your tank usage accordingly as some parks have limited dumping facilities. Kristen L. recounts: "While we were dumping our gray tank, the dump clogged. The staff member told us to just empty what was in our hose on the grass and maintenance would fix it later."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mill River, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mill River, MA is Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mill River, MA?
TheDyrt.com has all 112 dog-friendly camping locations near Mill River, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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