Connecticut State Parks pet policy

[poodlecamper1]

Connecticut is one of the few states that has a no-pet policy in its state parks. There are 3 state forests with few sites that allow pets and one state park which was previously a private park (CT residents $33-$40/night, non-residents $45-$52/night). The rest of the $14-$20/night (residents) affordable campgrounds=no pets.
I would like to camp with my dog close to home so I may go frequently and not be out a small fortune in the process. We have no interest in crafts, bingo, hayrides etc.
More than 3/4 of US state parks allow pets, and for dogs the rules are very simple re: leash length, nuisance barking, pet waste.
If you would like to see our parks allow pets, or have "dog loops", please write to DEEP , 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT 06106.
Emphasize the $$ you would be spending locally (food,gas etc).
Thanks you

[bgum]

We won't be stopping in Conn.

[Tvov]

I understand where you are coming from poodlecamper1, but I didn't want an out of state camper to think that all Connecticut campgrounds, state and private, restrict dogs.

[poodlecamper1]

Tvov wrote:

WrongWayRandall wrote:
In planning various vacations/camping trips we have often discounted Conn. for that very reason. It's too bad really, because it's a very pretty place to visit and the people have always been friendly to us when we have passed through on our way to other destinations....

There are plenty of private campgrounds here in Connecticut that allow and even welcome pets - and the private campgrounds have full hookups. Most Connecticut state parks have extremely limited hookups, vast majority of state campsites are dry camping. My understanding is that hookups (at least electric and water) are being added to many state park

s over the next few years.

We prefer state parks to private parks, hence this thread. Electric/water is not the issue

[poodlecamper1]

WrongWayRandall,
I have tried the hand written letter, as I reasoned the same.
We've stayed in VA state parks, you are correct re: the dog fee, I believe we stayed a week or so and paid the maximum of $15.00 for one dog. Beautiful park system. PA tried dog loops in a few parks, and when it worked out well, expanded the number of parks that had dog loops.

[Tvov]

WrongWayRandall wrote:
In planning various vacations/camping trips we have often discounted Conn. for that very reason. It's too bad really, because it's a very pretty place to visit and the people have always been friendly to us when we have passed through on our way to other destinations....

There are plenty of private campgrounds here in Connecticut that allow and even welcome pets - and the private campgrounds have full hookups. Most Connecticut state parks have extremely limited hookups, vast majority of state campsites are dry camping. My understanding is that hookups (at least electric and water) are being added to many state parks over the next few years.

[WrongWayRandall]

In planning various vacations/camping trips we have often discounted Conn. for that very reason. It's too bad really, because it's a very pretty place to visit and the people have always been friendly to us when we have passed through on our way to other destinations.

Usually when we pass on a state for dog related issues (Virginia, for example, charges extra per night per pet!) we write to a couple of State officials to let them know why we will be spending our tourism dollars in surrounding states. Also, I always hand-write because I have heard from various government employees in multiple states that hand written letters carry a lot more weight since they take more effort to generate (if someone emails it's not considered worth a lot, but if someone takes time to sit down and write a letter then they must feel fairly strongly about the subject matter.)

- Randy

[dturm]

poodlecamper1 wrote:
Hi, original poster here. I've given up on the State park/dog camping campaign. We are moving away from CT, and will be enjoying lots of dog friendly state park camping in other areas and paying less for it, as well as living where leashed dogs are allowed on the beach, and unleashed at specified times.Seems to work out at other locations without mountains of dog doo being left.

Interesting factoid, Chicago has an extensive beach system on Lake Michigan, only a few allow dogs. They do routine testing for bacteria and close beaches when e.coli counts get too high. The dog beaches are closed LESS than the non-dog beaches. Could be the dogs keep the bird population down, so less bird poop??? Unintended consequences.

[poodlecamper1]

Hi, original poster here. I've given up on the State park/dog camping campaign. We are moving away from CT, and will be enjoying lots of dog friendly state park camping in other areas and paying less for it, as well as living where leashed dogs are allowed on the beach, and unleashed at specified times.Seems to work out at other locations without mountains of dog doo being left.

[Tvov]

Oh, and I just remembered this... If you really want to change something at Hammonassette, try the group "Friends of Hammonassette".

http://www.friendsofhammonasset.org/

You might be surprised at how much the park management will go by the FoH recommendations.

[Greyghost]

We lived in Mass for 17 years and only camped in CT twice. In both cases it was for a half marathon and we stayed at dog friendly private cg's that were far less expensive that $50/night.

When we visit our daughter in Lowell MA we stay at Minute Man CG in Littleton (dog Friendly). If we need or want to visit any other state, Minute Man is our base of operations. So in reality, no skin off my nose of CT is not dog friendly. We have two large doge that travel with us full time and we only go where the dogs are welcome.

[Tvov]

poodlecamper1 wrote:
Please keep the comments coming. I tried last year to get them to at least try some dog loops and was told they "were thinking about it". Since $$$ is the prime motivator here, if they reslized that they're losing potential income that may be the incentive needed.

I know this is an old thread, but... I don't think they are losing much income, if any, due to the dog restrictions. Most of the state parks that are on or near the shore are packed all summer long.

On a related note... during the off season (winter), the state parks are free entrance, and the no dogs rule is basically not enforced - they simply don't have the personnel, they run a minimum crew. Especially at Hammonassette, tons of people bring their dogs there to run around. Few dog owners, if any, carry plastic bags with them for cleanup. The camping areas, by spring, sometimes are covered in dog poop. You have to be careful setting up the first couple weekends of camping due to the doo doo. Some winters the roads can be gross - the state plows some campground roads for access to various parts, and if the snow is deep the dogs stay on the road and poop. A LOT.

If you want to blame anyone for the restrictions on dogs, blame dog owners.

P.S. we camped for 10 years with our boxer, so I am well aware of having to find dog friendly campgrounds. And picking up dog poop.

[poodlecamper1]

mdcamping wrote:
IMO, Ct has never been friendly to anything concerning Camping/Rving.... expensive, and pet policys in both the state and some of the private campgrounds where the concern for the most part is for liability.

That said, in the Norteast corner of the state, is a very nice COE campground, very pet friendly,lots of nature,larger sites,lake, and respectful campers. West Thompson Lake COE

Mike

We've actually camped there a couple of times, and enjoyed it. Hammonassett is near family , the beach, and enormous. Just wish they'd give it a chance.

[mdcamping]

IMO, Ct has never been friendly to anything concerning Camping/Rving.... expensive, and pet policys in both the state and some of the private campgrounds where the concern for the most part is for liability.

That said, in the Norteast corner of the state, is a very nice COE campground, very pet friendly,lots of nature,larger sites,lake, and respectful campers. West Thompson Lake COE

Mike

[poodlecamper1]

Well that's why there are separate dog loops, for dog tolerant people. Snd my point is the dearth of camping spots in the state parks, which DO allow dogs in the non-camping areas. Private, dog allowing campgrounds are very expensive as I'm sure you're aware, being a resident of MA