Abel Mountain Campground riverfront sites welcome pets at this quiet campground in Braintree, minutes from Randolph. Dogs find ample space to stretch their legs along the river, with designated walking areas throughout the property. The campground enforces responsible pet ownership with waste stations and leash requirements in common areas. Sites 51-72 offer the best access to pet walking paths, with pull-through options featuring full hookups for RV campers. The campground maintains immaculate facilities, strong WiFi coverage, and recycling stations. Campers traveling with pets appreciate the campground's peaceful setting, particularly during midweek stays when fewer guests are present.
Green Mountain National Forest provides multiple free dispersed camping options where dogs are welcome, including sites along FR207 and at Patterson Brookside camp. These primitive sites feature established fire rings but no services or facilities. Dogs enjoy exploring the numerous brooks and streams that run alongside many of the camping areas. Some sites offer spectacular mountain views from open meadows while others provide more secluded spots along riverbanks. The dirt roads accessing these areas require vehicles with decent ground clearance, especially during spring thaw when conditions can become muddy. Campers should pack out all waste, including pet waste, as there are no trash facilities or outhouses in these areas. Winter camping is possible at some locations, though roads close seasonally due to snow.
"If you're considering a spot in Vermont to camp, come here! Also, make sure your car has a bit of clearance as some sports have dips in the ground."
"Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."
"Campsites are spread out, great dog walking areas , and very spacious dog parks, one for big dos and one for little ones."
"I chose to stay here while I was finishing up the VT 4000-footers because it was midway between the trails for Mt Ellen/Abram and Killington."
$15 / night
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
$45 / night
"I spent a couple of days at Abel Mountain with my dog, and we both had a nice stay."
"WE camp on a site on the river, some sites you can hear the river rushing over the rocks and some not but we like the view of the river when outside. "
"Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."
"The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."
"A great peaceful spot right next to the river."
"Loved camping next to the water and hearing the river as we slept. There are fire rings. No bugs."
"It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road."
"Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended."
"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."
$15 / night
"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground."
$38 / night
"Clean and quiet, good for kids and pets are welcome. There are 2 bathrooms with coin operated showers. There are sites for campers, tents, and a handful of lean tos."
"The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont."
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.
GuideWe just spent 5 days at this wonderful campground. They have paid attention to all of the finer details. Beautiful landscaping, well leveled sites, very clean and neat. The staff is wonderful. My only disappointment with the camp is that there are only a few sites with sewer hookup. However, the dumping station is conveniently located, so if you have a small tank, daily trips are not a problem. There is plenty to do in the area - Littleton is a beautiful little town. The old houses in are incredible. New Hampshire is not a dog friendly state, but a short Drive into Vermont gets you access to many fine restaurants where you can bring your dog. Be sure to visit Dog Mountain in Vermont- a truly touching memorial to departed pets.
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.
LegendWilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year. While it's still pretty cold for camping in Vermont in early May, you can get a jump start on the season by renting one of the four camping cabins. I'll admit that I haven't stayed in one of the Wilgus cabins, but they are pretty much the same all over Vermont - nothing fancy - just four solid walls, bunk beds, and a small table.
Usually when we stay at Wilgus State Park, we rent a lean-to or stay in site #16, which is the very last tent site, and the most private. All sites have a great view of the river, but I won't go so far as to call them waterfront as there is a bank covered with lush foliage between the sites and the water. There is also a short trail that runs between the campsites and the water - a great place to watch the sunrise!
The best part about camping here is getting out on the water. You can rent kayaks and canoes, and the river moves slowly enough to paddle up stream. There is also a shuttle service run by Great River Outfitters upstream in Windsor. If you make reservations, the come to the park (I think on Wednesdays and Fridays), and they will pick you up in the morning, drive you up river to Windsor, outfit you with a canoe or kayak, and let you paddle back to the park. Later in the evening they will come back and pick up the boats. If you choose this option, be sure to stop at Artisan Park, right on the river and have lunch at Harpoon Brewery.
The campground is really small (under 25 sites) and super quiet. Restrooms are clean. There is a short hiking trail, which is just okay - no views or anything. The ranger has been there for years and is an expert fisherman. He's got lots of tips if you ask. For good hiking, be sure to check out Mt. Ascutney, which is just a few miles away.
GuideI spent a couple of days at Abel Mountain with my dog, and we both had a nice stay. The campground is quiet and relaxing with plenty of space and a beautiful river that kept my dog entertained for hours. I was at site 72, an easy pull-through with plenty of shade.
Wifi was decent, cable hook-up did not provide a clear picture, and Verizon cell service was minimal.
Close to Randolph for groceries and take-out. The Barn gas station complex off of Exit 4 was perfect for fueling-up before getting back on the road.
Excellent military discount - 25%, so the stay was similar in cost to staying on at a military base's Famcamp.
If I'm ever back in Vermont, I'll probably stay here again.
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!
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.
Free dispersed camping sites in Green Mountain National Forest near Randolph provide alternatives to established campgrounds. These primitive sites accommodate tent camping and compact RVs along forest roads including FR207 and West Hill Road. Most sites are accessible late spring through fall, though some high-elevation areas close during mud season. The National Forest offers cooler temperatures than valley locations, with summer highs typically 10-15 degrees lower than in town.
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail: Access trail sections directly from Gifford Woods State Park Campground. "The AT runs right through the park and you can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground. Nearby hikes include the Bucklin Trail to the top of Killington, Sherburne Pass to Pico Peak, and Canty Trail to Blue Ridge Mountain," shares one camper.
Swimming in natural pools: Cool off in swimming holes along rivers. "Wow this site was so beautiful! We followed the river all the way to the very end of the road up on the mountain," writes a visitor about Green Mountain National Forest FR207. Another camper notes, "Gravel road is well maintained, made it here in a prius easily... Right on the river, super chill."
Winter activities: Some areas remain open for winter recreation. "My first time winter camping and had the entire area to myself. Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful. Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving," reports a camper about FR207.
Secluded camping spots: Moosalamoo Campground offers privacy between sites. "This is an exceptionally well laid out and maintained campground. The camp sites are well spaced and staggered for maximum privacy," notes one visitor. Another adds, "the campsites are spread out and it's nice and quiet with great privacy."
Pet-friendly areas: Dogs enjoy exploring at Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road, a pet-friendly camping option near Randolph, Vermont. "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road. Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings!" advises a camper. The brook provides natural recreation for pets.
Dark skies for stargazing: Minimal light pollution creates excellent night viewing. A Lake Champagne Resort camper mentions this is "a terrific place to enjoy the dark sky and fall foiliage." Another visitor at Chittenden Brook remarks, "Awesome sites! Was able to snag a spot without a reservation."
Road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging. At White River & Gulf Brook, "The site we found is visible from the road but is best accessible with a 4x4 as it has a rocky entrance and can be muddy during heavy rains or spring thaw." Another camper adds, "Easy to get into for an xterra but if you have an rv I don't think there is room for you."
Seasonal limitations: Late spring brings mud season challenges. One camper notes, "Make sure to have a backup plan during the mud season and treat your skin and clothes during black fly season." Another mentions, "The ground gets soft during mud season."
Limited amenities: Dispersed sites lack facilities. "There is no electricity, no cell coverage, not outhouses in this area. Be prepared to pack out everything you bring in," warns a camper about Patterson Brookside. At Austin Brook, "This is a beautiful little pull off the road right on the river with tables & fire rings."
Kid-friendly water features: Children enjoy shallow streams. "We loved being on Clark Brook. The sites and sounds were soothing," shares a White River & Gulf Brook visitor. Quechee State Park offers "a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water."
Educational activities: Look for ranger programs. "Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee)," reports a Quechee State Park Campground visitor.
Central play areas: Some campgrounds provide open spaces. At Quechee State Park, "aside from the campground and the trail to the gorge, there's a nice field for kids to play in, and clean washrooms." Another camper notes Moosalamoo has "a grassy area in the center of the campground—great for kids, gatherings, etc."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Choose locations with adequate clearance. "About 12 sites off National Forest Road 71. Beautiful area and very secluded. All have fire rings but that's about it," notes a camper at Green Mountain National Forest.
Water and waste management: Most dispersed sites lack hookups. At Abel Mountain Campground, "We have a 21' travel trailer and took advantage of the full hookups that most of the sites provide, including our first time using cable TV." The campground offers "a dump station if you are in a RV."
Winter restrictions: Many forest roads close seasonally. "This area is closed in the winter due to snow, by the GMNF," reports a Patterson Brookside visitor. For those camping at higher elevations, "the road into the site was scenic and beautiful. We followed the river all the way to the very end of the road up on the mountain."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Randolph, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Randolph, VT is Green Mountain National Forest FR207 with a 4.9-star rating from 8 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 148 dog-friendly camping locations near Randolph, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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