Pillsbury State Park Campground accommodates pets at its primitive campsites around May Pond. The park features spacious, wooded sites where campers can bring their dogs while enjoying the natural setting. Most sites easily fit multiple tents and vehicles, with waterfront locations offering direct lake access for pets and owners. Campground rules require pets to be leashed and supervised at all times. Tree Farm Campground in nearby Springfield, Vermont also welcomes pets with a dedicated dog park containing toys for off-leash exercise. The campground maintains clean facilities and provides fullhook-up sites with enough space between them for privacy. Campsites at both locations require cash payment for on-site services, though online reservations accept cards. The primitive nature of Pillsbury means no showers and only pit toilets are available, while Tree Farm offers more amenities including showers and trash collection.
Hiking trails connecting directly to campsites provide excellent opportunities for dog walking at both locations. Pillsbury's trail system links to the 51-mile Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, offering extensive exercise options for dogs and owners. May Pond at Pillsbury allows non-motorized boating with rentals available on-site, though pet owners should be aware that the lake contains leeches and swimming is better in nearby streams. Tree Farm features several hiking paths through wooded areas with streams and waterfalls where dogs can cool off. The Sugar River at Northstar Campground provides another water option for dogs, though some visitors note inconsistent enforcement of pet policies there. Quiet hours begin at 11:00 PM at most area campgrounds, and barking dogs may receive warnings from staff. During summer months, shaded sites are preferable for pets to avoid overheating.
$29 - $40 / night
"Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat. "
"Pillsbury resides in a very pretty spot nestled around a lake. There are campsites that are car accesable and remote campsites only accessable by boat. Canoe rentals are available at the park."
$26 - $36 / night
"There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included; and fabulous hiking trails with lots to see, including a pond, waterfalls, and streams."
"We are a family of five with a pop up pull behind and the Glamping lifestyle is a little bit easier on us these days ."
$20 - $30 / night
"Wilgus state park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full."
"This is a small park, but it's a good spot to stay to explore the area (nearby Mt. Ascutney State Park, Harpoon Brewery, the American Precision Museum, etc.)."
"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Whether it’s a hike or a drive, I highly recommend it! Just note, the road closes after dusk and a barrier goes down."
$32 - $37 / night
"We had a spacious site w/water and electric next to the Sugar River. We enjoyed our time here and will definitely go back."
$47 - $70 / night
"Great for pets. They have pet poo drop boxes and bags. Super clean bathrooms. The sites are not very private, but spacing is decent."
"Sites along the river, pull thrus in the field, shaded along the edge of the field, completely wooded area towards the end of the campground. Playground, volleyball, horseshoes, game room."
$20 - $42 / night
"The campsites were beautiful with the river behind us. Not to many people there so we're got the best spot. The bathrooms are sanitary and are not port-a-potties."
"Book your site early to get a lean-to or a site near the river...it's stunning in the morning with the mountain mist rolling through!!"
$32 - $115 / night
"Close to the Sugar River Rail trail for biking. Definitely not a wilderness experience, but pleasant."
GuideAdorable little camp! In New Hampshire; Vermont is across the river on the north side of the property. Nice bathroom, showers, laundry room, library. Spacious lots with tables and fire rings. Some long time campers are set up.
RangerThis place is pretty awesome. They have an ice cream shop attached to their office/store, mini golf just outside of it too. There is an amphitheater for concerts and shows throughout the summer. RV Spots, tent camping spots, a dog park, badminton, basketball, horseshoe, shuffleboard, the works. The bathrooms are beautifully redone and clean. The laundry room is pretty good too. Its close to Brattleboro and Putney and just across the border to New Hampshire. I'd most definitely stay again when I'm in the area. The other guest were very nice and we could also have packages delivered.
ScoutPros- very clean, bathrooms kept up with regularly. Staff is very nice. They offer boat rentals, canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. Store on site and they do activities during the week. Definitely more kids friendly I think. They do have a pool, park, dog park, lake and food trucks visits at times. They have community fires and dances. Pet friendly. Wood available on site.
Cons- loud cars going all night, some lights in your face. Some people tend to fly down the road on golf carts. You can also hear the main road from the open style campsite. No privacy. People will walk threw your tent site. They will talk during the night while doing this, smoking seems to be allowed at pool. No fires between 9am-5pm.
Overall we had a good time.
GuideTucked away in what feels like the middle of nowhere New Hampshire is it's largest state park. Bear Brook is full of trails, ponds and a fairly large campground. This extremely family-friendly campground comes equip with trails, play structures, camp store, beach, and even a small baseball diamond. The sites are fairly large and if you need some privacy, reserve site 12. There is a great trail that is around Beaver Pond, roughly 2-3 miles with plenty of opportunities for dogs to swim, yeah for dog friendly! This campground is beautiful, quiet in places and has everything you need for a great weekend away!
TravelerPillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups.
Most of the campsites are accessable by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake.
There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car. They are accessable by a sort walk or boat.
There is at least one handicap accessible site, which I have used, near the toilet facilities. It provides a good sized very level area to set up a tent and park your car. There may be other handicap sites. I have only used this one and never checked for others.
Note: Not all New Hampshire State Parks are dog friendly. If you have a dog check which parks are as part of your trip planning.
This web page says this about Pillsbury.
Pillsbury State Park is one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system. Heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands, its diversity of habitats makes it home to a great variety of wildlife, including moose and loons. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Crossed by a network of hiking and mountain bike trails, the park is an important link in the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, a 51-mile hiking trail that connects Mount Monadnock with Mount Sunapee to the north.
Pillsbury State Park
100 Pillsbury State Park Rd
Washington, Nh 03280
Phone: 603-863-2860
ScoutTully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border. It is a State managed campground, and reservations must be made through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations. There are some prime camp sites with direct access to the lake, but suggest you be prepared to call early in the morning of the first day State Campground reservations can be made, if you want one of these!
This is a "Carry In" campground. You park at the entrance, register with Ranger. Large wooden wheelbarrows are provided to bring your gear to your camp site. (This means no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites.) There are individual sites, and 2 group sites, if you are camping with a group. Canoes are available to rent to explore Tully Lake. Most parts of the lake are suitable for swimming, and some camp sites offer direct entry into the lake for swimming, canoeing, or kayaking. If you'd like to hike with children, there is an easy hike close to the entrance, along Doane's Falls, a series of 5 waterfalls along an ascending path through a wooded area. The views are beautiful, and it's not unusual to spot professional nature photographers at various points along the waterfalls. Bring your cameras or smart phones to capture some of these breathtaking views! And of course there are longer, more challenging trails for more experienced hikers. There are family oriented programs offered, and dogs are allowed, on leash only. Cell service is spotty to non-existent for some providers within the campground. But a short walk or drive away from the campground you can get connected again.
The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park, and include flush toilets as well as coin operated, hot showers, open 24/7. There are sinks beside the building, where campers are asked to wash their dishes, rather than at the camp site. A fire ring and picnic table are provided at each camp site. If you've forgotten any gear or need groceries, there's a Walmart just a 15 minute drive away, open until 12 midnight.
The staff are quite friendly, helpful and informative. If you enjoy "old fashioned" family tent camping, without the noise and presence of cars and RV's near your camp site, (or cell phones!) this is the place for you. Enjoy!
TravelerWe stayed in a cabin with our pup. This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc. This was glamping with a fire pit 😃 There were plenty of sites for all size RV’s with hook-ups. A town with lots to do and see is nearby including hiking trails.
ScoutWe are pleasantly surprised! The adage "you get what you pay for" just isn't true here. This campground is my new favorite. The owners, Liz and Ben, are super friendly, easy-going, and welcoming. The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private. The wifi is pretty darn good. There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included; and fabulous hiking trails with lots to see, including a pond, waterfalls, and streams.
We'll definitely be returning!
TravelerIt's great, although I was leery because of the rules they are not strict at all, you have to follow the rules but everybody does and it's a good experience, everyone is very friendly the owners are wonderful people and super friendly very helpful it's clean they offer a lot of stuff to do right on a lake in the bottom of the beautiful mountain in New Hampshire
Camping options near Acworth, New Hampshire include several state parks and private campgrounds situated throughout the Connecticut River Valley. At elevations ranging from 500-1,500 feet, the area experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 50s even during July and August. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October due to the region's weather patterns.
Hiking trails beyond Monadnock-Sunapee: At Jamaica State Park Campground, the West River Trail leads directly from campsites to Hamilton Falls, a 2-mile trek along a gravel road followed by another mile uphill to reach the falls. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," notes Chris D.
Mountain biking access: Mount Ascutney State Park Campground maintains its own beginner-friendly 3-mile mountain biking loop accessible directly from the campground, with additional trail networks available at the nearby Mt. Ascutney Outdoor Center. "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain," reports Rita M.
River activities: Visitors to Ashuelot River Campground can tube, kayak or canoe directly from the campground. The river runs slowly enough for leisurely floating. "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other. It has been quite dry in the area, so they are experiencing a drought. However, a little rain in the week got the river moving a bit," explains Rae-Ann W.
Accessible wildlife viewing: Wilgus State Park Campground provides camping along the Connecticut River with shuttle services to facilitate river adventures. "Wilgus State Park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full," writes Kaileigh K., who also mentioned seeing wildlife while exploring the river by kayak.
Spacious wooded sites: Campers at Tree Farm Campground appreciate the natural setting and privacy between sites. "This campground is my new favorite. The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private. The wifi is pretty darn good. There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included; and fabulous hiking trails with lots to see, including a pond, waterfalls, and streams," shares Lee A.
No-frills camping experience: Many visitors to this region appreciate campgrounds with fewer amenities for a more rustic experience. "I have been to this campground three years in a row now and I am very happy I found it. They have no electricity so you have to be willing to rough it. It is a great campground to get away from the city. Be prepared to not have much cell phone service either if you need thing while you're camping," writes Lisa P. about Pillsbury State Park.
Site selection strategies: For tent campers, location within the campground matters significantly. "Pillsbury is called a 'primitive' campground which means no showers or electric hookups. Most of the campsites are accessable by car with space to park a car or two at the campsite. Many campsites are on the lake. None are very far from the lake. There are also a few 'remote' campsites that are not accessable by car," explains Dog S.
Cash-only operations: Several campgrounds in the region require cash for on-site purchases. "The lake would really be nice for kayaking if you have one. The sites are a good size, we easily fit 2 tents and 2 cars, you could definitely even fit 3 tents if need be. Everything is cash here, no cards accepted except when reserving a site online," notes Brandon C. about his experience at Pillsbury.
Limited amenities at state parks: Vermont and New Hampshire state parks typically offer fewer services than private campgrounds. "The primitive nature of this campground means that there are no hook-ups for RVs, no running water in the bathrooms, and no bath houses. There are water pumps scattered throughout, and a sanitary dump station," explains one camper about the state park facilities.
Kid-friendly water features: When camping with children, look for campgrounds with supervised swimming areas. "There is a great local pond for swimming that had dive docks, diving boards and lifeguards on duty that was less than 10 minutes away," reports Kaileigh K. about Northstar Campground, noting this offers a safer alternative to river swimming.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Acworth: Most state parks and private campgrounds in the area welcome dogs, but facilities vary. "There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included; and fabulous hiking trails with lots to see," mentions Lee A. about Tree Farm Campground, highlighting the dedicated pet exercise area.
Quiet time enforcement: Families should be aware of noise regulations. "During our stay, an individual who identified himself as Chad approached us and asked us to be quiet, despite it being approximately an hour and a half before the official quiet hours, which begin at 11:00 PM," notes one camper about enforcement at Northstar Campground.
Accessibility challenges: Large rigs face limitations at several pet-friendly campgrounds around Acworth. "The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig (with my motorcycle lift). The owner was very unfriendly. Driving out of the site was just as bad. You have to go down a small hill and bottom out the front and then drag the backend out of the dirt," warns Jim B. about Caton Place Campground.
Booking strategies: Experienced RVers recommend securing specific sites. "We were in site 59, a pull-through with water and 30/50 amp service. The site was level and easy to get into and park. We were in a fully wooded area on the left side of the campground, which we prefer. They have sites located in fully open areas, as well as some that are partially wooded and have river access," details Rae-Ann W. about Ashuelot River Campground.
Size-appropriate campgrounds: RV campers should match vehicle size to appropriate campgrounds. "Mostly seasonals and RVs but there are some nice spots by the river. Most sites do not have much privacy, but the campground itself is very quiet and clean," mentions Michele S., highlighting that even with large vehicles, finding suitable dog-friendly camping near Acworth requires research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Acworth, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Acworth, NH is Pillsbury State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Acworth, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 140 dog-friendly camping locations near Acworth, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
