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Little River State Park Campground accepts pets with sites offering good separation in wooded areas near Waterbury Reservoir. All accommodation types permit dogs, including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and lean-tos, with clean facilities throughout the park. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground provides another pet-friendly option near Bolton, featuring picnic tables, trash disposal, and drinking water access for campers and their four-legged companions. Both parks maintain trails where dogs can join hiking excursions, though leashes are required on all paths. The park maintains two camping loops with multiple bathhouses offering coin-operated showers. Boat-accessible remote camping sites on Waterbury Reservoir also welcome pets for campers seeking more solitude.
Waterbury Reservoir offers excellent opportunities for dogs to swim and cool off during summer months, with several beaches accessible to pet owners. Hiking trails throughout Little River State Park feature historical sites including abandoned foundations and a cemetery that dogs can explore alongside their owners. The campground's location provides convenient access to nearby Stowe and Waterbury for emergency veterinary services if needed. Mountain biking trails designed with reservoir views accommodate pets on leashes, allowing active campers to bring dogs along for recreation. The heavily wooded sites provide natural shade during hot summer days, keeping pets comfortable while camping. The reservoir's paddle-only remote sites offer additional privacy for campers whose dogs may be reactive around others.
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."
from $19 - $28 / night
Check Availability"I’d say this was one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, except I don’t think it’s exactly a secret. Even in October, the Park seemed full with visitors and Stowe was hopping!"
"Close to tons of beautiful hikes. As for the campground. It was quiet, comfortable, and kid, as well as pet friendly. Would definitely camp here again."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other. Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose."
"We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike."
from $37 - $100 / night
Check Availability"While we were next to the creek at site 12, it was blocked by brush and trees.
Check in was easy, and the staff were present enough in case you had questions or needed to buy firewood.""Our dog loved swimming in the creek and meeting his first bullfrog. The campground also has a small pool, one washer and one dryer, and decent showers/restrooms."
"This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities."
"Lastly, the location was perfect, just outside of Burlington made access to the area ideal."
"They ask that you limit your driving on the path to the site- so we were sure to go into town to get all we needed before we settled into camp- which wasnt hard to do."
"Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
Facilities were accessible and clean."
"Also the spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better.. still 10/10 will return, these sites are all prime locations!"
"The toilets are composing toilets, but from the user experience, it's very close to a regular toilet in that it's in a stall in a nice, well maintained proper bathroom (unlike some composting toilets in"
"the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains"
from $23 / night
Check Availability"All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!"
"This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25."
"Large sporting field car park suitable for big dogs. No 'no camping' signs. There was a portaloo on site."
ScoutThis is one of our favorite places to camp in Vermont. The sites are fairly private without being built too close together. Lake is clean and has a great concrete dock that the kids love to jump off. They have boat rentals and nature tours on the lake led by the state park faculty. When the kids get tired from swimming they're a nice beach area and playground.
GuideI have a 24’ RV towing a 30 foot trailer for perspective. I easily fit in site 107 and lots of other sites would have worked. They have a place to drop trailers if you don’t fit.
Sites 90 to 108 are best. Spaced out under trees.
Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other.
Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose. Clean easy to use dump with water.
Tent sites looked nice.
Short walk to nice beach or you can drive a car. Short tunnel so no campers or bikes on the roof.
Right next to rails to trails path that goes onto a causeway over the lake. There is a bike ferry to keep going. Nice ride.
Nice dog park 3/4 miles to the South on the trail.
Far away from noise. Can’t comment on loud campers.
GuideVery nice, clean campsite. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Campsites are spread out, great dog walking areas , and very spacious dog parks, one for big dos and one for little ones.
ScoutWe visited this campground twice this summer after the switchover to KOA. They had lots of activities to take back to the campsite for rainy days. They do not have a dog park and this caused our pup to get a bit hyper.
GuideThis campground is drive in and never touch the car again. Two huge sites that can be rented in tandem as a group site. Each site has a prep table, picnic table, fire pit, 5 gallons of fresh water, a raised platform for tents, and a porta potty. Very spacious sites. Easily two camoer vans and two tents on each site. Site is at the bottom of Kitchel and Herbs trails, atop the exit/entrance trails into the village of East Burke. Showers are a short walk away at Mike's Tiki Bar, in the Kingdom parking lot. The sites can be reserved, and usually are up to a year in advance. So call ahead! Sites are pet friendly and there's lots of space for big dogs to run around. Sites are super private from the outside world. This place is truly a hidden gem that can make your trip.
LegendThis is a small family-owned and operated campground just a few miles outside of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The campground abuts the Moose River which makes for a pretty backdrop and wonderful place to dip your toes in the water. The shallow river is a clear flowing rocky river.
The campground is a mix of seasonal and transient campers with sites large enough to fit big rigs. There is also a rental camper and cabin available. There were tent sites but the owner mentioned they may fade those out. We stayed in a large pull thru (well over 125’), full hook-up site in the center section of the campground. (Site 27 @ $47/night). The electric worked fine and the sewer was easily reached with my 20’ sewer hose. The pad was gravel (as were the roads) and the patio was nice grass. Cable television is available and produced 32 stations. Our Verizon hotspot and phone worked well.
There are lots of activities at this park. It seems like every week there was a community bonfire where lots of palettes were set ablaze. During our stay, there was a potluck dinner in which the owners supplied roast beef and hosted us in a large covered pavilion. One evening they drove around the campground offering free ice cream sandwiches or drum sticks. Some mornings they supplied free bagels or donuts and always had free coffee. And, there were people always on the porch playing cards. Amenities include river access, a decent size dog park, large covered pavilion, bathhouse and laundry. When you arrive, you are given a swag bag with printed information about the surrounding area and businesses. This is a really nice touch because the reusable bag can be used in the grocery store as plastic bags have been banned in Vermont.
If you can score a riverfront site those are nice to sit outside and enjoy a fire. The pull thru sites are very close on one side as each RV pulls in the opposite direction; however, the sites are so long that if you pull up far enough you are not looking at your neighbor. Your patio opens to a neighbor but the sites are far enough away that it’s not a bother and you don’t feel like you are on top of them. Probably the nicest site in the park is #23 which is a back-in site with your patio facing the river.
The campground is in a good location, just a few miles from downtown St. Johnsbury, just a mile or so from “Dog Mountain,” and about 15 miles from Littleton, New Hampshire. There is a town forest just a few miles away that has some nice hiking trails. The campground is pretty small so we were happy to find places to hike with our dog.
GuideTo start off, we are avid KOA campers. So when we looked at this campground, we expected the typical layout which had a swimming pool and other stuff for the kids, however, this campground lacked all of the above. When we arrived here, check-in was easy we did drive along ways to get to our campsite which was nice to be wooded, but I did miss the typical activities and KOA usually has which when I booked the site, I usually expect them since the prices usually, fairly high compared to state parks. Our main reason for seeing KA versus state parks for these extra activities. With that said the bathrooms were clean, which we barely use since we have a full hook up camper. The dog park was very small and it looked like they did the very minimum to check the block. If you’re looking for a place to run your little guy around, he might be disappointed at this place. However, there are plenty hikes nearby to wear them out if you desire. As far as location, there is a lot of stuff to do in the area as we went and hike, the mountain, which was amazing.
ScoutI've camped on Valcour all my life since I was 7. It was amazing. So beautiful. Now it's covered in cockroaches and the water is murky and everything is covered in Zebra muscles. Other campers are rude and have no respect for your property. Has been all Canadians from my experience. They let their pets on the island to defecate and we've had one let their two large dogs swim ashore from their yacht and urinate on all our tents and destroyed our campsite and stole our food off from the picnic table all while the owners watched and laughed it off from their boat. The dogs then swam back and boarded the boat and they left. It's not like it used to be. We were yelling at them the whole time, trying to get the dogs away from our campsite and the owners didn't even apologize. One of the dogs defecated on my son's clothing that has fallen off the line.
RangerI’d say this was one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, except I don’t think it’s exactly a secret. Even in October, the Park seemed full with visitors and Stowe was hopping! Leaf peepers were in full force and the grounds were absolutely spectacular- I really picked the perfect time of year to go. Nights got pretty brisk, but the foliage was breathtaking.
The Park, located along scenic Rte108, has about 20 tent sites and 14 lean-to’s well dispersed throughout the grounds. A couple spots were drive-in sites, accessible to those with disabilities; most had small pathways and/or stairwells leading to their platforms. There was not a bad site within the entire vicinity. All were fully shaded and extremely private. Although, I’d be curious about checking out Sites 1 or 16 next time around!
Bathrooms were clean and the main office sold firewood at the entrance. Facilities are also pet friendly. Plus, there are so many hiking trails and recreational opportunities in and around the Park-from Stowe Mountain Resort to the quaint shops in town and local craft breweries. And even with the Park seeming “full”, the grounds were perfectly quiet, without the incessant sound of generators you find at larger state parks.
Without a doubt, Smugglers Notch State Park is a favorite of mine!
Waterbury Reservoir anchors the camping experience in Bolton, Vermont at an elevation of 600 feet above sea level. The region sits along the western slopes of the Green Mountains with seasonal temperatures varying from 40-80°F during camping season. Sites feature predominantly maple-beech-birch forest cover with terrain ranging from flat reservoir shorelines to mountain slopes.
Hike Mount Mansfield trails: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers immediate access to hiking trails on Vermont's highest mountain. "Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Silent and starry nights," notes Ed M. who visited in winter. The campground serves as an excellent starting point for both day hikers and overnight backpackers.
Visit historic Stowe: Gold Brook Campground places campers within minutes of Stowe's attractions. "We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!" reports Alison O. The town provides dining options and cultural activities when weather interrupts outdoor plans.
Swim at Waterbury Reservoir remote sites: Paddle-access camping offers secluded swimming opportunities. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27," advises Julia S., noting the 30-minute paddle time from the cotton brook launch point. The reservoir maintains a summer water temperature of approximately 70°F.
Private wooded sites: Underhill State Park Campground provides secluded spots with forest separation. "Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent," writes Bojangles R. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere with strictly observed quiet hours.
Historical exploration opportunities: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers sites near historic landmarks. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," Rita M. reports. The park, Vermont's oldest state park, contains just 10 campsites yet provides access to both natural and historical attractions.
Direct beach access: North Beach Campground combines camping with immediate lake access. "Right on the Burlington bike path and across the beach, there is plenty to do and easy access to town and other attractions," explains Michael G. The beach features lifeguards during summer months and maintained swim areas.
Reservation policies vary significantly: Some campgrounds like Gold Brook require full payment upfront with strict cancellation terms. "Made the reservation on 2/15, and today May 23 had to cancel because of the uncertainty with diesel. Reservation was for August 7-10 (2 1/2 months from now). Deposit was payment in full... $171.00. Refund was $0.00!" reports Kloee S.
Limited facilities at remote sites: Waterbury Reservoir remote sites provide primitive camping experiences. "The bathroom is a composting toilet that you'll share with fishing spiders the size of your hand, slam the lid before use!" warns Julia S. Pack accordingly with water purification equipment and self-contained waste disposal methods.
Off-season camping available: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers winter camping options. "Free of charge during off season, you just have to call a couple weeks ahead to reserve and make sure you park in the allotted area. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed," advises Ed M.
Choose sites with playground access: Lone Pine Campsites features family-oriented amenities. "The sites were long and spacious. We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice," Erin S. mentions. The campground also includes mini-golf and a game room for rainy days.
Pack for variable weather: Mountain elevations create unpredictable conditions even in summer months. "We visited here with our 5 kiddos for 2 nights late July 2016. The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," reports Rita M. about Little River State Park, suggesting multiple activity options.
Consider boat-accessible sites for older children: Remote reservoir sites require transportation planning but reward with privacy. "We left kayak down at beach," Cindy L. notes about accessing water at Little River State Park. These sites often require carrying equipment, so assess children's capabilities before booking.
Check electrical service reliability: Some campgrounds experience power issues for RV hookups. "Electricity would not work. We got an error on our control panel that said stop! Power source is not correct!" reports Snooz H. about Shelburne Camping Area. Test connections before setting up completely.
Access roads vary significantly: Approach routes may present challenges for larger rigs. "Rough road coming to campground," notes Nicholas G. about Waterbury Reservoir areas. Some campgrounds clearly indicate "NO big-rig-friendly" in their amenities list.
Winter storage considerations: Most campgrounds in the Bolton area close seasonally. "Open May 19 to October 15" is typical for the region's campgrounds. Plan winter storage or relocation before booking if traveling with RVs during shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bolton, VT is Little River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
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