3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Emerald Lake State Park Campground permits pets throughout its three camping loops, with sites positioned on forested ridgetops above the namesake turquoise lake. Several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Danby allow dogs, including Hapgood Pond in the Green Mountain National Forest, Dorset RV Park, and Greendale Campground along a babbling brook. Each park maintains different pet amenities, though all require pets to remain leashed at designated campsites and on trails. Most parks have flush toilets and some offer coin-operated showers, with Emerald Lake maintaining daily-cleaned restroom facilities. Campers found sites at Emerald Lake provided good privacy despite busy summer weekends, with many sites separated by 10-20 feet of trees. The campground is quiet at night with sites that accommodate tents, small RVs, and some featuring lean-tos that provide weather protection.
Dog owners frequently enjoy the hiking opportunities around these campgrounds, particularly Emerald Lake's pond loop trail which provides both exercise and swimming access for pets. Green Mountain National Forest camping areas offer extensive trail networks where leashed pets can explore. During hot summer months, Emerald Lake provides clear, warm swimming opportunities for cooling off after hikes, though some beach areas may have pet restrictions. The Emerald Lake area features moderately steep trails, so prepare dogs for elevation changes when hiking from the campground to the water. Sites near Danby offer varying levels of privacy for pets that need space from other campers—Greendale Campground in Weston remains particularly quiet and remote with just 11 sites total. When planning longer stays, Manchester is approximately 10 minutes from Emerald Lake, providing veterinary services and outdoor gear shops for any pet supply needs.
"The camp sites are quite a bit of a walk up the hill from the lake where there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and picnicking."
"We camped here with our dog on a tent site in camping area B."
"This 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."
"This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site."
from $20 - $42 / night
"Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."
"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
from $45 - $57 / night
"The roads and campsites are gravel and a little tight to get around because of all the trees but we were able to manage in our 45’ motorhome."
"The location was very good in allowing us to visit family in nearby village and go into nearby Manchester Center. Much more of an RV Park (name is on the money) than camping where we had our site."
"The campground is located where Winhall River meets the West River."
"There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none. The bathrooms are clean. Where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $30 / night
"Greendale Campground is a small remote campground located along Greendale Brook in Weston, VT. There are 11 campsites available in a wooded setting."
"We picked a nice site next to a babbling brook. While we only tent camped we plan to return with our new to us pop up this year. We only saw two cars during our entire stay."
"We appreciate the pond for swimming and the nice easy pond loop trail for hiking. Hapgood is in close proximity to Manchester and near the Appalachian Trail."
"The surrounding grounds are mostly manicured fields."
"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."
"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."
"My friend and I were desperately looking for a place to spend the weekend, and with Covid making it a little more difficult to rely on walking in and finding a campsite, we made a blind reservation for"
"We were the only campers along the waterfront, but there were a few car campers in the sites near the road."
from $16 / night
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
ScoutThe recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
ScoutWe came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
ScoutWe have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
ScoutNothing beats sitting by the river after a long day of exploring. We visited a few places around the Lake Sunapee area and this was a really convenient home base.
GuideThere was a few sites 5-6 we didn’t get to the eastern loop. But the sites we saw were very secluded. All had fire pits ours had a picnic table. And was right next to the creek. Would highly recommend if you want to get away from city lights. All sites are not maintained. We had a small off road camper it was easy In and out some sites could be hard with larger pull behinds. Some sites might need 4wd to get in and out we had lots of mud after a lot of rain.
ScoutWe brought the kids and they found plenty to do. Between the pool, river and recreation area, they were pretty much entertained the entire trip.
ScoutWe rented a cabin and honestly it was perfect for what we needed. Spent the days exploring around Lake Sunapee and came back here to relax at night.
GuideNice campground near Killington, VT. Water and dump station. Not for big rigs we have a 21 ft TT. Things were tight but doable. One of the few Vermont state campgrounds that is still open. Most close from second Monday in October until Memorial Day.
Camping near Danby, Vermont offers access to the southern Green Mountains, where elevations reach 3,000+ feet with temperature drops of 10-15°F compared to valley locations. The Danby area sits at the intersection of the Taconic Mountains and Green Mountains, creating diverse forest habitats that transition between northern hardwoods and conifer stands as elevations change.
Fishing opportunities: At Camping on the Battenkill in Arlington, campers can access world-class trout fishing directly from riverside sites. "The water is clean, refreshing and soothing. Especially soothing while sitting by the campfire," notes one visitor who enjoyed the peaceful brook setting.
Mountain hiking trails: The area's moderate to challenging elevation changes provide excellent day hikes. "Short drive into town to get supplies if need be. Plenty of hiking and biking in the area," reports one camper at Winhall Brook Camping Area, which sits where the Winhall River meets the West River.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to Vermont's rich cultural history. "Take advantage of the historical site nearby (President Calvin Coolidge's homestead) and Long Trail brewing," recommends a camper who stayed at Coolidge State Park, noting its wooded mountain location.
Natural water features: Campers consistently mention the refreshing water access at various dog friendly campgrounds near Danby. "The pond has a nice easy 1 mile trail that loops around the pond," notes a visitor at Hapgood Pond NF Campground, highlighting the convenient water access.
Wooded privacy: Many campgrounds feature substantial forest buffers between sites. "The campground is large, with three camping loops. While there are trails down to the lake from the campground, none of the sites are waterfront, or even water view. In fact, many of them are perched on a steep ledge," explains a camper at Emerald Lake, noting the terrain creates natural separation.
Night sky viewing: The rural location of Danby-area campgrounds minimizes light pollution. "A little road noise from nearby highway but it quiets down for a good night's rest," reports a camper at Camping on the Battenkill, indicating the peaceful evening atmosphere that allows for stargazing.
Variable site terrain: Many campgrounds feature significant elevation changes. "Site #1 is one of the smaller sites and is not super level, but we were able to get the Subaru backed in and relatively level for camping," notes a visitor at Gifford Woods State Park, highlighting the importance of preparation.
Insect considerations: Depending on the season, biting insects can be prevalent. "Buggy, dirty, nasty bathroom," stated one Greendale Campground visitor bluntly, while another elaborated: "Mosquitos. Black flies. Deer flies. All of them biting."
Water access challenges: Some campgrounds require significant walking to reach swimming areas. "The camp sites are quite a bit of a walk up the hill from the lake where there is swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and picnicking. As a result, we drove even though there were paths," explains a camper describing the accessibility considerations.
Group-friendly options: Multiple campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings with specialized sites. "We camped for two nights in Lean-tos with 20 Girls and Leaders. It's a great place to bring a Troop and use the lake and trails for badges plus cooking badges as well," shares a Girl Scout leader who visited Emerald Lake State Park.
Kid-friendly water access: Several locations offer gradual water entry points ideal for children. "Great for fishing and kayaking. Well kept. Was very quiet when we visited though I suspect it's much busier in mid summer," notes a visitor to Emerald Lake, indicating seasonal variation in crowds.
Playground amenities: For families seeking built recreation options, Horseshoe Acres Campground offers extensive facilities. "Mini golf, playground and swimming pool for the kids. Three large field areas with lots of families and plenty of space for kids to meet others and ride bikes," reports a family camper.
Site selection considerations: Certain pet friendly campgrounds near Danby have terrain challenges for larger rigs. "We witnessed several neighbors in my 10 day stay with major issues navigating. I don't think campground staff is familiar with their own campground and that larger rigs are likely to have issue in this loop," cautions a camper at Dorset RV Park.
Limited hookup availability: Many campgrounds in the region offer primarily rustic sites. "There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none. The bathrooms are clean," explains a visitor to Winhall Brook, noting facility trade-offs.
Access road challenges: Some campgrounds have steep access roads that can be problematic. "We knew the moment we started going up the hill we wouldn't be getting down unscathed. Our 42 foot fifth wheel hit the road going up it, then severely drugged down the hill," warns an RVer about Horseshoe Acres' upper sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Danby, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Danby, VT is Emerald Lake State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Danby, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 161 dog-friendly camping locations near Danby, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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