Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Norwich, NY

Bowman Lake State Park Campground allows pets at all campsites with large, shaded spaces situated in densely wooded forests for privacy. The pet-friendly sites accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabins, though campers must follow standard leash regulations. Previous visitors note the campground has a maze-like layout that provides seclusion even when fully occupied. Several free dispersed camping options near Norwich also welcome pets, including Whaupaunaucau State Forest, Round Pond Pharsalia Woods, and Hunts Pond State Forest. These primitive sites require no permits and have established fire rings, though campers should be prepared to filter water and pack out all waste. The campground features a swimming area with lifeguards and hiking trails around the lake.

The Finger Lakes Trail system connects several pet-friendly camping areas throughout the forests surrounding Norwich, allowing hikers with dogs to access primitive campsites. Pharsalia Woods Lean-To Campsite and Ludlow Creek Lean-To both welcome dogs and offer Adirondack-style shelters maintained by volunteers of the local Bullthistle Hikers Club. These hike-in sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby springs for water. Ticks have become prevalent in the region's forests according to local campers, so dog owners should check pets regularly when hiking. Tall Pines Campground provides full hookups for RVs with pets and offers family-friendly activities including a swimming pool, though additional fees apply for many amenities. Most primitive sites in state forests require campers to stay at least 150 feet from water sources and practice leave-no-trace camping with their pets.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Norwich, New York (98)

    1. Bowman Lake State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Oxford, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 334-2718

    $17 - $65 / night

    "We had never been to site before so when we booked, we thought we were next to a bathroom. Turns out you had to walk through woods to get there in the mud."

    "There was a potable water spigot a few sites over and a bathroom with showers a short walk away. This is a great spot for tent camping, so if that’s your vibe this place is perfect."

    2. Hunts Pond State Forest

    2 Reviews
    New Berlin, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 674-4017

    "The campground is still being minimally maintained as a group of 8 drive-in campsites on the north side, and 4 other scattered sites on the east and of the pond."

    3. Whaupaunaucau State Forest

    1 Review
    Sherburne, NY
    6 miles
    Website

    "This is a relatively unknown oasis outside of the county, but this state forest has a network of miles of trails for both hiking and criss country skiing."

    4. Round Pond Pharsalia Woods Dispersed

    1 Review
    South Plymouth, NY
    6 miles
    Website

    "This is a relatively new location for primitive camping in the Pharsalia Woods State Forest."

    5. O Land

    1 Review
    New Berlin, NY
    9 miles
    +1 (813) 841-4756

    $35 / night

    6. Pharsalia Woods Lean-To Campsite

    1 Review
    South Plymouth, NY
    10 miles

    "Trail advocate Ed Sidote."

    7. Ludlow Creek Lean-To Campsite

    1 Review
    Oxford, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 674-4017

    "This is a beautiful primitive hike-in campsite alongside the Ludlow Creek section of the Finger Lakes Trail in Chenango County, New York."

    8. Gilbert Lake State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Laurens, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 432-2114

    $17 - $156 / night

    "Went on some hiking trails and swam in Gilbert Lake with my dog."

    "Two entrances, one to the kitchen and the other to the porch. Outside was a fire ring. An easy hike to a nearby lake was very pretty."

    9. Pharsalia Y Pond

    1 Review
    South Plymouth, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 753-3095

    "This campsite is a hike in stop on the Finger Lakes Trail, but can also be accessed by a short walk-in from Elmer Jackson Rd, or by paddling in from the parking area in the west side of the pond."

    10. Tall Pines Campground & Canoeing

    3 Reviews
    Bainbridge, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 563-8271

    "Great for kids, kinda close to busy roads but close to convenient shopping and local activities when they open back up."

    "My 3 year old loves the swimming pool and the ice cream and craft carts that come around."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Norwich, NY

336 Reviews of 98 Norwich Campgrounds


  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2020

    Cooperstown KOA

    Nice Park

    This park is located approximately 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown and is set in the quiet rural countryside of New York. The mature trees make for beautiful scenery in the fall. There is a mix of sites varying from tent, RV, rental trailers, and camping cabins/cottages/lodges bringing the total number of sites to 120. Back-in and pull-thru sites are available. Site types include full hookup, water and electric, and no hookup with prices varying depending upon site. You can choose between 30/20 or 50 amp electric service. Interior roads are gravel and some site pads are gravel while others are grass. 

    The park is nicely terraced and all the sites are level. Patios were a grassy/dirt area with a picnic table and fire pit. Our site (#41) was a pull-thru but there was no way we could drive our 45’ motorhome forward out of the site because of a large tree and narrow roads. So we ended up having to back out. The free wifi worked well as did our Verizon 4G phone and hotspot. We picked up a dozen or so television channels with our antenna. The park does have a fair amount of trees that would interfere with roof-mounted satellite dishes so you would have to pick your site carefully. But, there are some 30 amp and no hook-up sites that are clear. This is a typical KOA with lots of amenities including a swimming pool(which was closed for the season when we were there), a playground, volleyball court, basketball court, jump house, pavilion, recreation room, bicycle rental, and horseshoes. Showers, restrooms and laundry are also present and clean. There is a propane filling station. While there is no fenced-in dog park there is a pet walking area. The surrounding area is pretty rural and the closest town (Richfield Springs– which is very small) is five miles away and where you will find restaurants, gas station, grocery store, and more. A few miles from the park is a creamery that has a café. 

    Approximately five miles away is Glimmerglass State Park which was great for hiking and kayaking Otsego Lake. There is a also a historic house at the park that you can tour and the country’s oldest covered bridge. Cooperstown is a little over twelve miles away from the park but well worth a trip. Not only is Cooperstown home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame but it is a charming downtown well worth exploring. Other nearby attractions include The Farmers Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, Hero’s of Baseball Wax Museum, Glimmerglass Opera, and Cooperstown Brewing Company.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2017

    Ludlow Creek Lean-To Campsite

    Ludlow Creek Lean-to

    This is a beautiful primitive hike-in campsite alongside the Ludlow Creek section of the Finger Lakes Trail in Chenango County, New York. It is located in a beautiful, unspoiled and seldom visited region of state forest, providing a wilderness type experience fairly close to several nearby villages, and only a half hour drive from the town of Norwich and less than an hour from the city of Binghamton.. The campsite is perfect for groups or individuals willing to hike in a short distance to this secluded spot. There is a large relatively new Adirondack-style lean-to in great condition, perched on an heavily wooded overlook above Ludlow Creek. The hike in from the trailhead to the north is relatively short, and recommended for easy overnight access. The hike is longer coming in from the south. The campsite is maintained by local volunteer members of the Bull Thistle Hiking Club, http://www.bullthistlehiking.org/p/about-us.html, which is a member chapter of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference http://www.fingerlakestrail.org/ If camping here, be sure to pack in water and plan to pack out garbage and leave no trace. Detailed maps of this trail section can be found in the Finger Lakes Trail East Passport Guide, see map E07, p. 21 at http://www.fltconference.org/trail/files/3814/0154/4940/Passport_East_View.pdf, or visit the interactive trail map at https://fltconference.org/trails/P/TrailConditionMaps/Interactive/Seg_Cat.html?Vifw#"

  • Amber A.
    Jul. 31, 2016

    Hickories Park Campground

    Quaint NY/PA border town

    The park itself is pretty small but it’s in a really cute area with a lot of outdoor recreational activities. Lovely but simple views all around and rolling green hills in the distance. Campground is well-kept and relatively modern but not particularly memorable. Nice little stopover on a road trip. Lots of day use activity. Dog park is kind of annoying with all the barking and owners shouting futile commands, try to camp away from it. Ditto for train noise, stay by the river. It does what it does well, so five stars!

  • Sue C.
    Jul. 17, 2021

    Cooperstown K O A Campgrounds

    Great place

    This is our 2nd time here and may come back again. Great variety of things to do and they have a pool and Great kids area. Also have a dog park

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Jul. 14, 2023

    Nature Lover's Paradise

    Tent Camping for Hikers & Runners

    Jake from the Dyrt here!  Nature Lover's Paradise is new to the Dyrt and they have an awesome spot to share with access to a vast network of trails in upstate New York.  Check them out and make sure to share some pics of your adventure!

  • Paully B.
    Oct. 26, 2017

    Hickories Park Campground

    Serenity next to the river

    It is a very nice open area to camp in. It is a first come first serve campground. The dog park is a great addition to the park. There is always something going on. Also allows for an easy place right off Route I-86 to rest while driving across MY. Some of the best river access there is to paddle through a great small town.

  • Deborah W.
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Unadilla KOA

    Affordable KOA

    A bit off the beaten path for a KOA, but nearly sold out in early October nonetheless. Sites range from typical large rig to dispersed tents next to a creek. The tent sites with electric like the one we took used 240v 50A plugs, so we had to borrow a converter plug form the office for our 120v equipment. Only one bath house and it’s a bit dated. Very pet friendly including a dog play pen. Pool looked nice and was still open in early October.

  • Secc P.
    Jul. 24, 2020

    Bowman Lake State Park Campground

    A dump

    New York State pretty much has abandoned this park. Trees fallen down across the sites. Might be ok for a tent but that’s all.

  • Rachel Y.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Cooperstown KOA

    Perfect little get away

    This was the first KOA I ever stayed at and I was very impressed. The bathrooms were very nice and so were the showers, which were separate from the bathrooms. The pool, along the dog park, bounce house and swing set were well taken care of. The camp site was on grass and staff made it a point to check on us and invite us to the community bonfire they were doing that night. They also had WiFi and laundry at this campground. I would stay at this campground again.


Guide to Norwich

Norwich's forested landscape offers multiple pet-friendly camping options across New York State's terrain. Located in Chenango County at around 1,000 feet elevation, the area features a mix of state forests and developed campgrounds with predominantly deciduous forest. Campers will find several free dispersed options with established fire rings and primitive sites throughout the surrounding woods.

What to do

Disc golf course access: Gilbert Lake State Park Campground has a complete disc golf course along with "miles of hiking trails including one around the lake" as noted by camper Rob L. The park also features "multiple really nice pavilions" making it suitable for group activities.

Fishing opportunities: Pharsalia Y Pond primitive campsite offers excellent fishing in a "deep and clear" pond that's "stocked with brook trout." According to Janet R., the pond allows "fishing (canoe or kayak only)" and features a "cascade into a gorge which is the beginnings of Canasawacta Creek."

Kayaking on secluded waters: Bowman Lake State Park Campground provides calm waters perfect for paddling. Oleńka S. notes, "The lake is small but calm and great for kayaking." The park features a boat launch and rentals at the marina for those without their own equipment.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: The layout of Whaupaunaucau State Forest offers significant seclusion. Janet R. describes it as "a relatively unknown oasis outside of the county" with "several primitive sites with tent site and stone fireplace" and notes campers can find "lovely hilly vistas, pondside glens, and lots of clearings near clear streams deep in this old stately forest."

Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate the upkeep at developed sites. At Gilbert Lake State Park, Rob L. reports that "Shower/bathroom buildings are a bit dated but well maintained" and notes the state "has made many sites bigger over the last few years and is starting to add electricity to more sites."

Tree coverage for temperature control: The wooded settings provide natural cooling. At Bowman Lake, Oleńka S. reported, "We had a lot of tree cover so we didn't even need our air conditioning on during an 85 degree day," making it comfortable even in summer heat.

What you should know

Maze-like campground layout: Hunts Pond State Forest offers secluded camping but requires navigation skills. Janet R. explains, "The campground was created several decades ago as part of Hunts Pond State Park. It has now been decommissioned as a state park and is a state forest recreation area instead."

Tick awareness needed: Ticks have become a significant concern in the area. At Whaupaunaucau State Forest, visitors are warned to "beware of ticks, they are invading the region" according to recent reviews. Proper tick checks and repellent are essential when hiking or camping.

Permit requirements vary: While many sites are free, some require advance planning. At Pharsalia Y Pond, "Camping in this DEC Wildlife Management Area campsite is limited, and requires a permit" that requires about one week for processing through the regional DEC office.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming options with lifeguards: Gilbert Lake State Park Campground provides supervised swimming areas. Sierra K. notes the park "has a big lake that is very built up for swimmers and has a playground, water sport rentals and more. There are also volleyball courts and horseshoes. Great place to bring the family!"

Kid-friendly campground activities: Tall Pines Campground offers numerous activities for children. Abigayle R. shares that her "3 year old loves the swimming pool and the ice cream and craft carts that come around" and recommends it "for those seeking a family friendly- jellystone or koa type park with a mom and pop atmosphere."

Short hikes with lake access: Multiple state forests offer easy trails suitable for children. At Round Pond Pharsalia Woods, Janet R. highlights "a beautiful and accessible raised boardwalk to a unique overlook that has a beautiful vista over the bog and is an amazing place for birdwatching especially during spring migration."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Norwich have minimal services. At Gilbert Lake, Rob L. advises "You can fill your water tank at the dump station as there are no water hookups. There is plenty of places to get water to wash dishes or whatever you need."

Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. At Tall Pines, Sue G. reports their site "had a nice concrete pad, but the parking spot was mud. In fact, we could never get level because our blocks kept sinking."

Cell service limitations: Pharsalia Woods Lean-To Campsite and other remote locations have minimal connectivity. At Gilbert Lake, Secc P. notes "the roads are rough and there's little to no cell signal. That could be a plus for some though."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Norwich, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Norwich, NY is Bowman Lake State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Norwich, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 98 dog-friendly camping locations near Norwich, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.