1 campground with availability next weekend
Emerald Lake State Park Campground provides pet-friendly camping with multiple hiking trails accessible from the campsites. Dogs are welcome at all campground areas except designated beaches and must be kept on a leash no longer than 10 feet. The campground features wooded sites with good separation between neighbors, providing privacy for campers with pets. Tent sites, RV spots, and lean-tos accommodate various camping styles while welcoming four-legged companions. Campers report quiet, respectful environments even on busy holiday weekends, making it suitable for dogs that need calmer surroundings.
The Green Mountain National Forest surrounding Dorset offers extensive pet-friendly hiking opportunities, including trails at Hapgood Pond and near Stratton Mountain. Dorset RV Park permits pets while providing convenient access to the Dorset Quarry for swimming, though dogs must remain leashed in common areas due to free-roaming chickens on the property. During summer months, the water at Emerald Lake remains warm enough for swimming with pets at designated areas away from the main beach. Nearby Manchester provides emergency veterinary services and pet supply stores within a 10-minute drive of most campgrounds. The hiking trail to Lye Brook Falls, approximately 20 minutes from Emerald Lake, welcomes leashed dogs on a moderately challenging 2.5-mile route to a scenic waterfall, offering excellent exercise opportunities for energetic dogs. Dog-friendly campgrounds near Dorset span a range of settings, from forested state park sites to private RV parks, making it straightforward to find pet-allowed camping that suits both your setup and your dog.
"We camped here with our dog on a tent site in camping area B."
"Dogs are allowed and I find that sites where dogs are present have less of a critters problems like racoons."
"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
"nothing special but nothing bad but we really wanted to see the area since we were told the town of Dorset was so pretty."
"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."
"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
"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 next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $30 / night
"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
"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."
"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"Most park activities are based around a small, 25-acre lake. You can rent canoes or kayaks, fish for trout, or hike the loop trail around the lake."
"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."
"Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. "
"Hiking trail to Stratton Pond close by."
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.
Dorset camping areas sit at elevations between 800-1200 feet in Vermont's Taconic Mountains. Sites generally remain cooler than surrounding valleys, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Fall camping extends through mid-October when overnight temperatures can drop below 40°F.
Hike the West River Trail: Jamaica State Park Campground offers a riverside trail perfect for moderate day hiking. "The West River trail leads right out of the campground to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls," notes Chris D. The trail features gentle grades suitable for most fitness levels.
Visit local attractions: Within 10 miles of Camping On The Battenkill, campers can explore Vermont Country Store in nearby Weston. "We are close to both Bennington and Wilmington, a great spot to camp at in Southern Vermont!" explains Sandy M. The area features several historic covered bridges within short driving distance.
Fish in local waters: Multiple sites offer fishing access, particularly for trout enthusiasts. "Great campground with access to 3 river streams," says Jae H. of Winhall Brook. The Battenkill River is nationally recognized for wild trout fishing, with early morning and evening being prime fishing times during summer months.
Well-maintained facilities: Jamaica State Park Campground earns consistent praise for cleanliness. "The staff was very friendly and accommodating, and the tent and lean-to sites were all kept very clean. Bathrooms and showers were also kept nice and clean which is always a plus," writes Chris D. Showers require quarters in most state park facilities.
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. "Our site was very spacious, you could have easily accommodated a family of four with a large tent," says one camper about Jamaica State Park. Woodford State Park sites provide similar privacy: "I have stayed here a couple times and loved it. The sites are nice and private."
Swimming opportunities: Beyond Emerald Lake, the area offers several water recreation spots. "The river is beautiful and the site was huge. We did some fishing and swimming," reports Michele S. about Camping On The Battenkill. The Battenkill River provides both swimming holes and tubing opportunities during summer months.
Limited connectivity: Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "Bad phone signal and everything seemed far away, like Walmart was an hour away!" notes Jennifer D. about Winhall Brook. Most campgrounds have limited or no WiFi, and cellular service is spotty in mountainous areas.
Advance reservations recommended: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. "This is a popular campground so reserve as early as 11 months before arrival," advises Ming R. For weekend visits between Memorial Day and Labor Day, book 2-3 months ahead.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly in this region. "We had 30mph winds and luckily the platforms had tie downs!" says Cortne about Grout Pond Campground. Nighttime temperatures can drop below 50°F even in summer, so pack appropriate layers regardless of season.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Woodford State Park Campground consistently ranks high for family experiences. "Perfect for families! There are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean-tos, and a few (hard to get) cabins," writes Sambath T. The park features accessible hiking paths around a small lake.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on your family's specific needs. "Larchmont is our favorite camp site. It is much larger than most sites, a short walk to the showers and a bit tucked away for privacy. We had two tents set up there, which is impossible for most sites," explains Ming R. about Emerald Lake.
Group camping options: Some campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. "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 Tammy E. about their experience at Emerald Lake State Park.
Navigating tight campground roads: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. "Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver," warns Katie E. about Dorset RV Park. RVs over 30 feet should call ahead to confirm site accessibility.
Limited hookup availability: Full hookup sites are concentrated in specific campgrounds. "There are some sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," mentions Gail P. about Winhall Brook. Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only, with water and electric but no sewer connections.
Dump station access: Plan your stay knowing where dump stations are located. "Sanitary dump stations and fresh water fill-up areas are available at Emerald Lake and Dorset RV Park, but smaller campgrounds require driving to these locations for dumping," notes Nancy W., recommending planning your route accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dorset, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dorset, 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 Dorset, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 157 dog-friendly camping locations near Dorset, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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