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Smugglers Notch State Park Campground welcomes pets throughout its 47 sites, offering both tent and RV camping options as well as cabins and glamping accommodations. The campground maintains clean facilities with fire rings at each site and provides drinking water and firewood for purchase. Little River State Park Campground similarly accommodates pets across its boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in sites, with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options available. The campground features well-spaced sites that provide campers with privacy while still maintaining easy access to amenities. Sites at Smugglers Notch are extremely private with many featuring small pathways or stairwells leading to platforms, making them ideal for campers with well-behaved dogs who need space from other campers.
Hiking trails accessible directly from Smugglers Notch State Park provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the park's location along scenic Route 108 offering additional walking routes. North Beach Campground features a dog park approximately 3/4 mile south on the adjacent rails-to-trails path, providing a dedicated space for off-leash play. The Burlington bike path connects directly to North Beach, allowing campers to explore the area with their pets without needing to drive. Waterfront sites at several campgrounds offer dogs swimming access, though owners should be aware that some beaches like those at Lake Champlain can be rocky and potentially slippery for pets. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal, with quiet hours helping to minimize barking disturbances to other campers.
"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"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"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"So close to Stowe and a lot to do…and then you come back “home” to relax and do nothing but enjoy the time away from everyday life. Truly the only time I totally relax. "
"Very close to Smuggs and only a short but beautiful ride to Stowe. I look forward to watching this campground grow as they continue to expand and will be camping here several times each season."
from $50 - $79 / night
Check Availability"Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."
"Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."
from $6 - $28 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Been coming here for a few years now and it’s my favorite place to go in Vermont so far."
"It’s a beautiful and quiet campground with limited spots that you have to reserve before going (they don’t do walk in’s). The woman in the office is so sweet and helpful."
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability"The laundry room is near most sites. The campground is in the perfect location to visit Lake Champlain. There is so much to do in the area."
"Site Quality: RV sites are arranged around an oval. Pads are gravel. Because the loop is on a hill, some sites are not quite level, but only slightly."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Our boys had fun riding their bikes around, playing basketball, and playing a round of mini golf."
from $8 - $12 / night
Check Availability"Many amenities such as wood, water and outhouse nearby. Very nice experience."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability
ScoutFirst trip with our new RV and we were a little nervous about getting everything set up. Having full hookups made it way less complicated than we expected. Once we were settled, we just enjoyed the area and took a few day trips. Would definatly come back for another Adirondack trip.
ScoutIf youre traveling through northern NY, this is a really convenient place to base yourself. We were able to spend some time around Lake Champlain, explore nearby areas and even make a trip toward the border without having to move the RV. Coming back to a waterfront campground every evening was a pretty nice bonus.
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutWhat started as a quick weekend ended up being one of our favorite stops this summer. We spent one day around the campground and another exploring the area. The beach and water were a huge plus for us.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
ScoutWe decided to stay for the summer and so far it has been a really fun experience. There is always something going on and the lake gives everyone plenty to do. The kids have already made friends and we are getting to know the other campers too.
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
ScoutOur site had everything we needed and getting set up was easy. We also appreciated having wifi since we had a few things to take care of during the trip.
GuideMost sites are secluded. There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!
Camping in the Cambridge, Vermont area offers access to both the Lamoille River Valley and the peaks of the Green Mountains, with elevations ranging from 500 to over 4,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Many campgrounds remain open from mid-May through mid-October, with fall foliage peak typically occurring in late September to early October.
Mountain biking trails: Located near Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, trails connect to Mount Mansfield's extensive network. "You are minutes from some amazing hiking, which is great when you don't feel like driving long distances after a day hike," notes Ben C. The area's trails range from beginner to advanced difficulty levels with varied terrain.
Winter camping opportunities: For experienced cold-weather campers, some sites offer off-season access. As Ed M. explains about Smugglers Notch: "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."
Waterfront activities: Little River State Park Campground offers reservoir access for water-based recreation. "The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat! We tend to hang at the site more than the beaches as the beaches are very small and full of children," reports Hannah H. The reservoir features several boat-in camping sites accessible only by water.
Private campsites: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of sites at Underhill State Park Campground. "Campground with lean tos close to mount Mansfield," notes Seth K. Another camper, Ali T., shared, "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff."
Historical hiking trails: Little River State Park offers more than water activities. Rita M. mentions, "The hiking trails are really good--the actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover." These trails showcase remnants of abandoned settlements from the early 1900s.
Direct access to Burlington: North Beach Campground provides urban convenience with outdoor appeal. "Bring your bikes! You're tucked away in the woods on gorgeous lake champlain and can bike into burlington for meals and city street strolls," recommends Mackenzie B. The campground connects directly to Burlington's bike path network, allowing car-free access to downtown.
Campsite variations: At Smugglers Notch, sites have unique configurations. "Some of the campsites on the outside ring you need to walk into (a very short distance), but it makes it feel very secluded and less like car camping," explains Jess O. These walk-in sites often feature small platforms set back from the access paths.
Limited shower facilities: Some state parks have minimal or no shower facilities. Underhill State Park does not offer showers, and at other parks, showers may be coin-operated. Matthew H. notes about Smugglers Notch: "Shower area is nice and both restrooms were clean."
Seasonal reservations: Most campgrounds in the area fill quickly, particularly during peak foliage season. "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it folds up quickly!" advises Ben C. about Smugglers Notch. Many sites can be reserved up to 11 months in advance through Vermont State Parks' reservation system.
Waterfront camping: Grand Isle State Park Campground offers family-friendly beach access. Jessica G. describes it as "a quiet, family friendly campground with a cute little beach and nature center with youth programs." The beach area provides swimming opportunities with gradual entry points suitable for children.
On-site activities: Several campgrounds offer organized programs for children. According to Harry H. at Smugglers Notch, "The ranger programming was exceptional, as are the views and the nearby areas for hiking and backpacking."
Pet exercise options: For families camping with dogs near Cambridge, various trails accommodate pets on leash. Brewster River Campground provides riverside sites where pets can hear the water all night. "I love how dark it gets and that you can hear the river beside you all night," shares K M., making this location ideal for both families and their four-legged companions.
Full hookup options: Gold Brook Campground provides complete RV amenities near Stowe. Kara W. reports, "Our site was level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit. There is a nice playground in the center and a creek that follows the tent sites." The campground offers reliable utilities even during peak season.
Connectivity considerations: While most campgrounds offer some form of connectivity, reliability varies. "Wifi was great over the week (was able to work without a problem), but collapsed when more people showed up on Friday," notes Kara W. about Gold Brook Campground. RVers requiring consistent internet access should plan accordingly.
Site selection strategy: When booking RV sites, consider both location and accessibility. Whitney L. advises about Gold Brook: "Road noise was moderate; I wouldn't want to stay in sites 1-11 due to the proximity to the road." For pet friendly camping near Cambridge, Vermont, selecting sites away from high-traffic areas creates a more comfortable environment for animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cambridge, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cambridge, VT is Smugglers Notch State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cambridge, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 117 dog-friendly camping locations near Cambridge, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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