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Beartown State Forest Campground in Monterey accommodates pets at its 12 sites near Benedict Pond. The campground provides clean facilities with a pets-allowed policy that requires leashes no longer than 10 feet when outside designated areas. October Mountain State Forest Campground, located about 20 minutes from Monterey, also welcomes pets with similar leash requirements. Both campgrounds offer fire rings and picnic tables at each site, though October Mountain features the additional option of three pet-friendly yurts for those seeking shelter alternatives. Sites throughout these areas remain fairly close to neighboring campers, with Beartown offering more seclusion among its wooded settings. Extremely clean bathrooms enhance the camping experience at these pet-friendly locations.
Hiking trails accessible directly from these campgrounds provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs and their owners. The Appalachian Trail sections near Jug End offer free dispersed camping with pets allowed, though permits are required and no facilities are provided. When camping with dogs at Tolland State Forest Campground, visitors can enjoy waterfront sites where pets can access the clean, non-mucky water areas. Dog owners should be aware of local wildlife, as owls can be heard hooting around midnight at Tolland. During summer months, the swimming areas may have restricted pet access, but the surrounding trails remain open for leashed pets. Winter camping options are limited as most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October.
"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"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"
"A pretty spot near the Berkshires. This spot has rustic hikes and good swimming, plus relatively secluded campsites."
from $14 / 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"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"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"
"Very nice bathrooms and showers, and my dog loved the dog park."
"The staff was helpful, the site was pretty and there are so many places to hike and the best of the Berkshires so close by."
from $29 - $999 / 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"Between Sage's Ravine and Jug End Road there are five backcountry campsites on the Appalachian Trail."
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.
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.
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
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.
LegendLet me just start off by saying we did stay at the end of the season so the campground was quiet… But this is a stunning park and totally worth a stop if you’re traveling via hwy 84! They had such great customer service and the amenities are on point. 2 separate ponds: one for fishing, one for swimming; large outdoor games; Rec hall with video games, 50¢ pool table, live music; volleyball; boat rentals; and even a baseball diamond! (We picture kickball more than baseball happening here) Facilities were east to use and clean. Sites were wide open and easy to access, my only complaint being that they offer “full hookups” but you’re told to just leave your grey tanks open. We chose to wait and dump on our way out. If you’re a pet owner, you’ll absolutely love the dog run!
LegendI tent camped here in night while exploring the fishing in Western Massachusetts.
The campsite was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside.
I did see the electrical station at the entrance but the sound didn’t reach where I was staying at site 33. To avoid that sound, I would suggest sites further up the road.
The sites offered medium privacy. Site 33 was built into a slope in the hill, so it required walking up a short set of stairs, but the tent site was level.
I didn’t explore the hiking trails but it seems very convenient that you could leave into the trails right from the campground.
For any fly fishing folks, this campground is very close to the Housatonic (catch and release only!)
LegendWhat a fun place to stay! The sites are spaced apart nicely and well maintained. There is electric at most sites with water near the ends and there is a tent area with nothing. Also each site had large fire pits and picnic tables!! Large well maintained bathrooms are provided in the middle of each campground circle. They have recycling there and a large selection of books for you to use also! I told you this is a fun place. All the staff was very helpful, and courteous! Nicole at the front gate was very professional as were the others we encountered throughout our stay! The trails were fun to mountain bike ride on and hike! Just watch out on the weekends as there may be horses on the trail and leave their droppings behind "on" the trail.(Why do the owners not clean up after them, dog owners manage their pets!) We kayaked up and down the Schodack Creek, just watch out for the tide changes. It moves about 5' difference most days. It was fun. Lots of birds, turtles and some fish jumping! We watched the boats, some barges, go up and down the Hudson River as well as people fishing along the banks. Grocery store(Hannaford's) is just SE of there about 8 miles or you can go to Albany(17 miles). Laundry(Nine Juliet Laundromat) is in Castleton just N of there.. 3 miles.. very nice, clean and friendly owner! Go have fun and enjoy yourself!.(Oh, we were out-of-staters so we paid an extra fee but it was well worth it!)
Camping areas near Monterey occupy the western region of Massachusetts at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet, creating cool summer nights with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees lower than nearby urban areas. The region contains numerous interconnected waterways including Benedict Pond, Otis Reservoir, and the Farmington River, with most campgrounds open from mid-May through mid-October due to the region's extended winters.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers visiting Austin Hawes Memorial Campground can access trophy trout fishing on the Farmington River. "Excellent campground for tent campers. Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots," notes reviewer Tom C. The Farmington is a catch-and-release only section, making it ideal for sustainable fishing practices.
Swimming options: Several local water bodies provide swimming alternatives beyond the popular Benedict Pond. Tolland State Forest Campground offers "a small area of sandy beach with a pavilion and grills" according to Cheryl B. For families seeking a more developed swimming environment, Copake Falls Area at Taconic State Park features "a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," as described by Erin B.
Trail exploration: The region connects to multiple trail networks beyond the Appalachian Trail. "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," reports John E. about the ecosystem diversity in the area. Sunset Rock trail offers an adventurous option with significant elevation changes and viewpoints.
Natural sounds: The forest atmosphere provides distinctive night sounds different from those mentioned in the existing description. As one camper at Tolland State Forest describes, "Owls hooting every night around midnight" creates a memorable wilderness experience. This natural soundtrack adds to the camping experience without requiring additional equipment.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness remains consistent across multiple campgrounds. At Prospect Mountain, reviewers note "very friendly and a great place for kids. Nice pool with time for adult only swim time." The dedicated adult swim periods provide opportunities for quieter water enjoyment, typically scheduled for 1-2 hours in mid-afternoon.
Site variety: Camping locations offer diverse terrain configurations. At October Mountain State Forest, "the campground has 3 sections, located on different tiers of a hill. The lower level has RV sites, middle has tent sites, and upper has a few yurts," explains reviewer Trip Over Life. This tiered arrangement creates natural separation between different camping styles.
Non-alcoholic policy: Massachusetts state forests prohibit alcohol consumption, unlike some private campgrounds in the region. One camper at October Mountain notes, "Massachusetts does not allow alcohol in their parks," an important regulation difference for visitors accustomed to other state systems.
Utility infrastructure: Some campgrounds have nearby power facilities that create ambient noise. According to a review of October Mountain State Forest Campground, "Outside the entrance station (near the RV sites) is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore." Site selection within a campground significantly impacts the noise exposure.
Permit requirements: Free dispersed camping at Jug End requires permits and offers extremely limited facilities. "Great spot, I have section hiked the majority of the east coast AT and this is in my top 10 spots to stay at. Trash cans, but carry out is preferable," explains Luke A. Recent changes may affect availability as another reviewer notes "This is a hiking trail only- no camping per website."
Activity planning: Family-friendly campgrounds provide structured programming throughout the day. Prospect Mountain Campground "is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," according to Sandra S. These scheduled activities typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Site selection: When traveling with children, waterfront sites offer natural entertainment options. One family describes Prospect Mountain: "We liked this campground a lot! Lots of trees and shade. Great pool. The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!" The combination of shade and water access creates comfortable conditions during summer heat.
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife includes black bears that occasionally approach campgrounds. At White Pines Campsites, a camper reports "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours." Bear boxes are available at some sites like Tolland State Forest to secure food properly.
Hookup variety: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provides full-service RV sites with varying terrain challenges. "Although sites are squeezed in, it is a nice family campground. However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow," explains Ray P. Requesting specific site information about leveling requirements can prevent setup challenges.
Site inspection: Carefully examine RV sites upon arrival to ensure safety and cleanliness. Kristen L. recounts an experience at White Pines where "When we got to our spot, it was covered in hundreds and hundreds of nails and broken glass. Maintenance ended up having to get a shovel to get most of the nails up." This demonstrates the importance of thorough site inspection before completing setup.
Seasonal considerations: RV camping early or late in the season offers different experiences than peak summer. One camper at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills notes, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Monterey, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Monterey, MA is October Mountain State Forest Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 16 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 116 dog-friendly camping locations near Monterey, MA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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