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Mount Ascutney State Park Campground maintains a pet-friendly policy across its tent and RV sites, offering private camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground is situated on the base of Mount Ascutney, a standalone mountain not part of the Green Mountains. Sites are generously sized, relatively private, and nicely shaded, making them comfortable for campers traveling with pets. Dogs must remain on leash throughout the campground, and owners are required to clean up after their pets. Wilgus State Park Campground also welcomes pets, providing access to the Connecticut River with tent sites, lean-tos, and four cabins that accommodate dogs.
The hiking trails at Mount Ascutney offer excellent opportunities for exercise with pets. Four different trails of varying difficulty levels lead up the mountain, with the Weathersfield Trail extending 2.9 miles from trailhead to summit. Dogs can accompany owners on these trails while leashed. At Wilgus State Park, the short trail along the Connecticut River provides a peaceful walking option for pets and their owners. Both parks maintain clean facilities with showers and bathrooms. During summer months, early morning or evening hikes are recommended to avoid excessive heat for pets. The parks are also conveniently located near local attractions including Harpoon Brewery, which features outdoor seating areas where leashed dogs are permitted.
"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."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Vermont parks are just some the most lush you’ve ever seen."
"Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year."
"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."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont. Especially true if you're lucky enough to get one of the few sites on the outside of A loop that has a Lean-to with a view."
"My wife and I along with our dog Wyatt make an annual trip to CC. There is a great secluded site off the road into the park."
"Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Campground was very clean and well manicured."
"This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc."
"Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance."
"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."
"While searching online we learned that Vermont state parks do not have hook ups. 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 ."
from $26 - $36 / night
Check Availability"They have scheduled events that occur including family and adult only fire truck rides around the campground."
"This is a great campground set in a thick pine forest near a large pond. They have a lagoon for swimming and a children's playground. Hiking trails nearby. Canoes for rent."
"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."
from $59 - $99 / night
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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.
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.
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.
LegendThis tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos. Some of the lean-tos are situated right on the West River, but they are well-loved and coveted so we've never actually stayed in one.
For our July trip, we stayed in the Juniper lean-to, which is incredibly quiet and near the overlook hiking trail. The park is small enough to walk to the swimming area from your campsite, as well as into town. Note that you will not get cell service here, but if you walk into the village of Jamaica, you will find Wi-Fi hotspots at the library or the grocery store.
Here are all the awesome things to do in Jamaica State Park:
Learn about the first peoples who lived here: The area along the West River was an important trade route for the Abenaki tribe. Throughout the park, there are interpretive signs with lots of information about the Abenaki, as well as the archaeological dig that was conducted here in 2010.
2. Cool off in the West River: The main swimming area is at Salmon Hole, right in the campground, but you can swim anywhere in the West River. It's awesome!
Ride your bike to the Ball Mountain Dam: There's a bike trail that leads from the campground all the way to the federally-owned Ball Mountain Dam, which provides great views of Ball Mountain Lake and the surrounding mountains. It's a 5-mile ride from the campground, round-trip.
Learn about Jamaica's railroad history: It's crazy that the rail trail was really a railroad at the turn of the century. It's a narrow, mountainous route. As you ride along the trail, stop and read the signs. No wonder it was called 36 miles of trouble!
5. Hike the Overlook Trail: It's a 2.5-mile loop that brings you up on a ridge with great views.
Hike to Hamilton Falls: It's actually easier to bike part of the way on the rail trail and then hike the 1.1 miles to the falls. Otherwise, it's a 6-mile hike round-trip. Hamilton falls is 125 feet tall, and one of the loveliest waterfalls in Vermont.
Walk into the village of Jamaica for donuts: Seriously! Head to D&K Grocery for the best donuts ever, or stock up on camping provisions.
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.
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!
TravelerClean 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. It’s a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water.
It’s very close to Quechee village and Woodstock so there are plenty of other activities, shopping, and dining options near by.
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.)
Pets are welcome.
ScoutWe travelled as a group with family (4 sites). When we booked all our sites were right next to each other. When we arrived not a single one of us were even on the same road. The biggest issue with this, is that there were plenty of sites available next to each other. My parents paid for 50 amp electric and the site next to them was using it instead of the 30amp they were meant to have. Also, while the campground is pet friendly, a warning about free roaming chickens would have been nice. I would not have brought my (prey driven) dogs if I had known there were free roaming chickens.
Mount Ascutney stands as a monadnock in Vermont's landscape, rising independently to 3,144 feet rather than forming part of a mountain chain. The Connecticut River Valley surrounding Brownsville offers moderate summer temperatures typically between 65-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler evenings around 50-60°F. Campgrounds in this area feature sites with varying terrain characteristics, from riverside locations to forested hillside settings.
Hike to mountain summits: Mount Ascutney provides multiple trail options with elevation gains between 2,000-2,500 feet. "Four different trails of varying difficulty levels lead up the mountain, with the Weathersfield Trail extending 2.9 miles from trailhead to summit," notes Kyle R. about Gifford Woods State Park Campground. For a shorter option, "walk about 2.5 miles to the Deer Leap Overlook for some incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby."
Paddle the Connecticut River: The river provides calm waters suitable for beginning paddlers. "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," explains a visitor at Wilgus State Park Campground. Franklin R. adds that Wilgus offers "sites for tents, as well as cabins and lean to's" and is "beautiful with such a relaxing and humbling environment."
Visit historic sites: The Calvin Coolidge Homestead is accessible within a 25-minute drive from several area campgrounds. Bob W. from Coolidge State Park recommends: "Take a walk to the picnic pavilion which has a great view. Trail around Slack Hill has view of Ascutney. Pavilion and some shelters look over to Killington. CCC trail cuts through."
Private, wooded sites: Campgrounds in the region typically feature sites separated by natural vegetation. "The sites are large, private, and wooded, and there are clean restrooms with hot showers," writes Tara S. about Quechee State Park Campground. "The hiking trails are also pleasant—there is a sweet little nature loop in the campground with signs identifying different trees."
Pet-friendly accommodations: Most campgrounds welcome dogs with standard leash requirements. "Our site was beautiful, very generously sized, relatively private and nicely shaded," notes Rachel P. from Mount Ascutney State Park Campground. The grounds are a "quick drive to Harpoon Brewery, which is situated in a plaza with a craft spirit, ice cream and accoutrements shops."
Swimming opportunities: Natural swimming areas provide relief during warmer months. Kaileigh K. from Wilgus State Park mentions, "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." Another camper adds that Wilgus has "amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River."
Road noise affects some sites: Interstate proximity impacts certain campgrounds. Dana M. explains about Mount Ascutney, "Like many of the other reviews, I cannot give this a 5 star rating solely for the fact of road noise. We were in site 27 and it was a beautiful site but the road noise from interstate 91 was extremely loud." She adds that "There is a loop designated for tents only (sites 19-24) where the road noise is considerable less."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October. The Tree Farm Campground runs "from May 10th to Oct 19th" according to their information. Emily H. notes, "This was a very simple basic campground but the best part was that it was very quiet and cool despite the highest temps VT had seen in a long time."
Reserve early for premium sites: Top locations book quickly, especially for holiday weekends. "Apple and Hemlock are awesome lean-tos if you can get them!" advises Tara S. about Gifford Woods. Douglas L. mentions Quechee as a "Great location, easy access to the Gorge. Bathroom were clean and the grounds were quite at night."
Look for campgrounds with activity programs: Some parks offer organized events for children. Katie R. from Crown Point Camping Area shares, "They have scheduled events that occur including family and adult only fire truck rides around the campground. There are bonfires, shuffle board and corn hole tournaments and so many options for entertainment."
Choose sites near play areas: Proximity to recreational fields benefits families with children. "As a bonus, it even had direct access down a path to a large recreation field that included a volleyball net. Our children and their friends loved biking around the field and exploring it while waiting for meals," writes Rita M. about Mount Ascutney.
Consider cabin options for easier family trips: Several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations. Jen B. mentions, "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.)" She adds that pets are welcome at these family-oriented events.
Check site dimensions before booking: Some campgrounds have limited capacity for larger rigs. Jim B. cautions about Caton Place: "The pull through site is not level and is barely long enough to fit my 43' rig (with my motorcycle lift). The roads aren't wide enough to take a motorhome into."
Consider utility needs: Most state parks lack electrical hookups. Nancy W. explains about Quechee/Pine Valley KOA, "There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size. Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost."
Prepare for varying site surfaces: Ground conditions affect leveling and setup. Chris A. notes about Quechee State Park, "It looks like the state has spread out RCA on the sites, which probably could have spread out better and made more level. Also tough to drive a stake into. No Electric or hookups."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Brownsville, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Brownsville, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 147 dog-friendly camping locations near Brownsville, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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