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Mount Philo State Park Campground welcomes pets throughout its entire camping area with no designated pet-free zones. Located in Charlotte, Vermont, this established campground offers tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. Pets must be leashed at all times while in the campground and on hiking trails. The park features clean restroom facilities with composting toilets and coin-operated hot showers. While Mount Philo doesn't offer electric hookups or water hookups at individual sites, drinking water is available at central locations. Button Bay State Park Campground, approximately 10 miles southwest, also accommodates pets and provides additional amenities including cabin options, water hookups, and a sanitary dump station. Sites at Mount Philo are fairly private without being built too close together, making them suitable for campers with pets who prefer more secluded settings.
The surrounding area provides numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation with pets. The Charlotte Town Beach ($10 for non-residents) offers a nearby swimming option, though pet policies should be confirmed before visiting. Lake Champlain access points provide additional water recreation for pets who enjoy swimming. Shelburne Camping Area, open year-round, offers more developed facilities for RVers with pets, including full hookups and a camp store. When camping with pets in the region, visitors should be prepared for seasonal temperature variations, particularly cooler nights in early and late season. Grand Isle State Park Campground, located about 40 miles north, features a designated dog park area that provides off-leash exercise space. The Burlington bike path, accessible from North Beach Campground, includes a dog park approximately 3/4 mile south of the campground entrance, offering another option for pet exercise during a camping trip.
"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"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."
"Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents)."
"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"
from $23 / night
Check Availability"The first is where you'll find the lean-tos and the dog trail/beach. This area is super quiet, offers a bit of shade, and plenty of privacy."
"We selected it because it was nearby for our second outing with our new (used) R-Pod camper. Turns out it's a wonderful park."
"This camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more. The Chasm has their own store and cafe"
"Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
"They do not have a dog park and this caused our pup to get a bit hyper."
"They do have a very nice network of trails, both within the campground property and in the surrounding forest, all of which were leashed dog friendly. "
"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"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"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."
"Cool little campground right in Mallets Bay on Lake Champlain. Campsites are kind of close together. Nice pool, game room, and little store. Its a fun place for families!"
from $8 - $12 / night
Check Availability"Take a walk up the path next to the chasm. So relaxing listening to the water falls. Great place to watch the sunset! "
"They have some beach and river sites if you like to be close to the water. Showers and bathrooms were spacious."
from $22 - $40 / 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.
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.
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!
RangerMostly Seasonal area with some overnight spots. No tents allowed. But pet friendly. Small but clean areas with electric at each site. Has some benches outside, a small pool, playground, and community of seasonal campers. I think there was only a few overnighters.
RangerWe stayed last year during the fall and the views were breathtaking. 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. The staff was friendly and the bathroom facilities were kept nice and clean.
Mount Philo State Park Campground serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the Champlain Valley region of Vermont. Located at approximately 968 feet elevation, this park provides visitors with panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. The camping area sits on a forested hillside where temperatures typically range 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands, offering relief during summer heat waves.
Lake swimming access: 10 miles away Charlotte Town Beach charges $10 for non-residents, though several campers recommend it as a worthwhile option. "Recommend nearby Charlotte town beach for swimming ($10 for non-residents)," notes a visitor from Mount Philo State Park Campground.
Morning summit hikes: 10-minute walk from the campground to catch spectacular sunrises over Lake Champlain. "My favorite part about camping here is getting up early and hiking the short trail to the top for a spectacular sunrise," shares a reviewer from Mount Philo. The hiking trail is well-maintained and accessible for most fitness levels.
Water sports: 12 miles west at Button Bay State Park Campground where paddling opportunities abound. "We rented kayaks and a canoe from down the road Adirondack River rentals and they delivered and picked up from our site," reports a camper. The park provides direct lake access for boating and paddling activities.
Cycling routes: 8 miles north of Charlotte where paved paths follow Lake Champlain's shoreline. "Nice park for cycling the Lake Champlain Byway," mentions a Button Bay visitor. These routes connect multiple parks and provide scenic views with minimal traffic for family-friendly riding.
Private wooded sites: North Beach Campground offers a balance of forest and lake access just 17 miles north. "It satisfies all tastes," remarks one camper. "Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain."
Dog-friendly beach areas: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Charlotte feature designated swimming areas for dogs. "Right on Burlington bike path and across the beach, there is plenty to do and easy access to town and other attractions," notes a North Beach camper, highlighting the convenient location for exploring with pets.
Spacious campsites: Grand Isle State Park Campground provides larger sites that accommodate multiple tents. "We had a huge campsite that was comfortable for 3 tents and 6 adults," shares a visitor. This makes it suitable for group camping with pets, offering enough space for dogs to relax without disturbing neighbors.
Clean facilities: Most state parks in the region maintain well-kept bathrooms with hot showers. "Bathrooms and showers were clean. Showers were quarter operated, 50 cents for 5 minutes," reports a Mount Philo camper. This consistency across parks ensures reliable access to basic needs regardless of which dog-friendly campground you choose.
Limited hookups: Most Vermont state parks near Charlotte offer primitive camping with no electric service. "While Mount Philo doesn't offer electric hookups or water hookups at individual sites, drinking water is available at central locations," confirms one camper.
Seasonal operation: Nearly all campgrounds in the area operate from late May through mid-October. "Open Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend," states official information for multiple parks, so planning ahead becomes essential for prime summer weekends.
Reservation requirements: Ausable Point Campground, a 21-mile ferry ride across Lake Champlain, fills quickly for waterfront sites. "Beach sites are nearly impossible to get," warns a visitor. Reservations typically open 9 months in advance through Vermont's reservation system.
Shower costs: Coin-operated showers are standard at state parks in the region. "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water!" notes a Grand Isle visitor. Bringing quarters becomes essential for longer stays at these dog-friendly campgrounds near Charlotte.
Off-season visits: Late September offers fewer crowds while maintaining comfortable temperatures. "There is no place we'd rather be in September!" shares a Button Bay camper. "While it can be hot and buggy in the summer months, it's perfect in the fall."
Swimming options: Shelburne Camping Area features a swimming pool suitable for families with children. "Nice pool, clean camp, affordable," notes a visitor. The pool provides a controlled environment when lake conditions aren't ideal.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. "It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" explains a Button Bay visitor, highlighting the multiple activity options available in a single location.
Nature programs: Seasonal ranger-led activities occur at most state parks, particularly on weekends. "The park features a nature center with youth programs," mentions a Grand Isle camper, noting the educational opportunities available for children learning about local ecology.
Dump station locations: Button Bay and Grand Isle state parks provide dump stations, though individual sites lack sewer hookups. "No hookups but have a dump station," confirms a Button Bay visitor, which allows for extended stays with proper waste management planning.
Site selection strategy: Choose back loop sites for more privacy with larger rigs. "We've stayed there a few times, and even during high summer the campsites aren't usually full," shares a Mount Philo visitor, indicating that strategic timing can secure better sites even with larger vehicles.
Limited full-hookup options: For extended stays requiring complete hookups, consider private campgrounds. "We had a full hook-up site that was plenty long enough for our 45' RV and tow car," notes a visitor at Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA Holiday, which sits approximately 60 miles west across Lake Champlain.
Generator restrictions: Most state parks enforce quiet hours and generator usage times. "Although this was 'dry camping' I really didn't miss the electric hook up as we were able to use the generator for a few hours as needed (during specified times)," explains an Ausable Point camper, highlighting the workable compromise for RV power needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Charlotte, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Charlotte, VT is North Beach Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Charlotte, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 154 dog-friendly camping locations near Charlotte, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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