Looking for the best options for camping with dogs near Dorset? Camping is an adventurous and unique way to escape the city—and you can bring along your furry friend. Search nearby campgrounds that allow pets or find top-rated spots from other campers.
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Camping On The Battenkill is a quiet nature orientated campground on 35acres of land that offers large spacious private sites in 30 Acres of forest, 2 rivers and a large open field area for group bookings. The beauty of The Battenkill and Roaring Branch rivers can be experienced throughout the varied terrain of the campground. We have RV Sites and Raw Camping sites that are situated on the Battenkill River the other sites are located in the forest or open field. Life does not get better than this! A natural swimming hole with a sandy beach lies in the midst of the campground with all campers having access to it for long cool summer’s day experiences. Campers also enjoy tubing and canoeing on the river as well as basking in the sun, or taking their pets for long cool walks through the forest. The Battenkill is noted as an exceptional trout stream for fishing and we even offer guided fishing tours right from the campground. On rainy days campers can enjoy the games room or take a covered bridge tour nearby the campground. We offer a mobile honey wagon service for campers who require longer stays. The campground is well known for creating memories and experiences that last a lifetime so book your stay now and start making memories.
Nearby Attractions: Lake Shaftsbury State Park, Battenkill River, Mount Equinox, Covered Bridges, Lye Brook Wilderness, Merck Forest, Lincoln House, Robert Frost Stone House Museum, Norman Rockwell Art Museum and Sugar Shack, Christmas Day Shop, Shaftsbury Alpaca Farm, Manchester VT for world class shopping, and many other local attractions.
Nearby Cities/Town: Arlington, Shaftsbury, Bennington, Manchester.
$45 - $57 / night
Whether you’re in an RV or a tent, Moose Hillock campground is the largest in the Lake George region. Each site is spacious, level and offers the best in wooded privacy. Just ask any of our past guests, WE OFFER THE BEST CAMPSITE PRIVACY IN THE ADIRONDACKS! Our sites are full hook-up and come with water, sewer, cable TV, and 20-30-50 amp electrical services. Moose Hillock campsites are large enough to handle ANY SIZE camper and feature a natural stone fireplace along with a family size 8 ft picnic table. Less than 10 miles from Lake George, you can get away from it all or have it all nearby!
NOTICE: Due to damages sustained during the 2023 floods, in addition to planned infrastructure upgrades, the Winhall Brook Camping Area will be closed for the entirety of the 2024 Recreation Season. We are unsure at this time how long we will be closed and will update as soon as possible. (Updated October 23, 2024) Winhall Brook Camping Area is nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont along Winhall Brook and the West River, seven miles from Ball Mountain Lake. The campground has strong appeal to the outdoorsman at heart, offering hiking, biking and fishing opportunities in a beautiful natural setting.
The campground offers several waterways in which to fish and play. The West River and Winhall Brook are home to brook, rainbow and brown trout. Hiking and biking are popular summer activities with cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The West River Trail stretches 16 miles along parts of the long-since-abandoned West River Railroad, providing a safe and scenic route for hiking, biking and cross country skiing in the winter months. The trail connects the villages of South Londonderry, Jamaica and Townshend. Ball Mountain Lake is nearby with fishing, boating, hiking and scenic overlooks. You can access the lake at our car-top boat launch which also provides shore fishing access. Hiking trails offer great views of Angel Falls to the north and Hamilton Falls to the south along the West River Trail. Water is released from the dam to create whitewater opportunities for rafting and kayaking the first weekend in May and the last weekend in September.
Winhall Brook consists of broad grassy meadows surrounded by heavily wooded areas. The campground lies among a beautiful northern hardwood forest, which provides outstanding fall color and wildlife habitat. Visitors enjoy catching glimpses of the region's wildlife which may include moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, bald eagles, owls, osprey, woodpeckers and a wide variety of songbirds.
For local information, please call (802) 824-4570 or call (978) 318-8914 for general information.
Please see Recreation.gov changes and cancellation policy at the link below: Changes and cancellations
$24 / night
Each of Lake George RV Park's 400 RV campsites include:
-400 pull-through and back-in campsites
-30 and 50 amp hookups
-Water, sewer and cable available at every campsite
-A picnic table and fire ring
-FREE Wi-Fi available through out the whole Park
All of our Wilderness Lodging accommodations, both Park Trailer & Cabins feature:
Our Park Trailers ALSO feature:
Our Cabins ALSO feature:
Grout Pond is a popular destination for camping, hiking, paddling, and fishing. Located in a beautiful mixed conifer and hardwood forest, the campground has 12 reservable sites and offers easy access to over 10 miles of mulituse trails. The Green Mountain National Forest in partnership with the Vermont Huts Association has a cabin located at the Grout Pond Campground available for reservations. The Grout Pond Hut (pictured above) is open for year-round use and is located within the semi-remote campground on the Green Mountain National Forest. To make reservations and learn more please visit the Grout Pond Hut website: Grout Pond Hut__
Grout Pond offers a variety of recreation opportunities year-round. In the warmer months, fishing and non-motorized boating is popular on the pond. A 200-foot carry-in boat launch is accessible from an unloading pull-out just before the parking lot.__ Please help prevent the spread of non-native invasive species, such as Eurasian watermilfoil, by cleaning and drying your boat between each use. Hiking is another popular activity at Grout Pond. Over 10 miles of relatively flat trails are accessible from the campground. These trails connect with a more extensive system off National Forest lands around Somerset Reservoir to the south. Trails that are marked with blue diamond blazes are designed for cross-country skiing and can be very wet and muddy in the spring, summer, and even fall.
Grout Pond offers a variety of recreation opportunities year-round. In the warmer months, fishing and non-motorized boating is popular on the pond. A 200-foot carry-in boat launch is accessible from an unloading pull-out just before the parking lot.__ Please help prevent the spread of non-native invasive species, such as Eurasian watermilfoil, by cleaning and drying your boat between each use. Hiking is another popular activity at Grout Pond. Over 10 miles of relatively flat trails are accessible from the campground. These trails connect with a more extensive system off National Forest lands around Somerset Reservoir to the south. Trails that are marked with blue diamond blazes are designed for cross-country skiing and can be very wet and muddy in the spring, summer, and even fall.
Grout Pond is 84 acres and 28 feet deep. The water can be chilly but refreshing on a hot summer day. The campground is located along the pond and is shaded by red maple, yellow birch and red spruce. Fall foliage viewing in the autumn months is excellent.
Nearby attractions include hiking trails accessible from the site and paddling on the pond. The campground is also in close proximity to Appalachian/Long Trail trailheads off Kelly Stand Road and Stratton Mountain Resort and Village.
$16 / night
Guide
Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice. Within walking distance from the campground are accesses to hiking / biking trails. Sites are spacious and shady.
Guide
Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be. Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though.
Legend
What a beautiful and well maintained CG! Great owners, facilities, and amenities. Gravel roads and relatively level gravel sites. There are W/E sites, dry sites, and many secluded tent sites. There are two lakes and another nearby. It is close to many hiking trails. We arrived an hour after the water was turned off due to freezing temps. We were allowed to fill the fresh tank from the lodge. We woke the next day to heavy fog. We would definitely stay here again - for longer than an overnight stay!
TravelerThe entrance to the road had a sign that said “road closed ahead”. We chanced it and was able to find a really nice open spot right before the road closure. Was a great spot!
Scout
It was a very quiet location. There was plenty of room between sites. The roads going in and leaving were well maintained. I accidently booked a tent site, and my popup camper and truck almost didn't fit. We will have to go back and get a shelter site. This way we can get the beautiful views of the mountains. We both enjoyed the Coolidge State Park
Scout
There are a lot of camping sites for tents at this location. Quite a few lean-tos to rest . Restrooms with coin operated showers. Every site has a picnic table.
Scout
Site 47 pull thru. Nice clean campground ! No neighbors left and right. Staff very nice. Very noisy tho in sites by the river due to Rte 10. We enjoyed the campground. Small and cozy. Nice size sites
Scout
I just got here. Road was quite good. I believe I have the last of 4 sites. Nice camp fire area.
Scout
No camping signs. Private property
Scout
I needed a place to stop, been traveling for 6 hours. Nice enough for me. Everything was wet from last night's rain. Everyone was pleasant.
Scout
I strongly urge anyone considering Getaway Mountain Campground to stay far away. Our experience here was nothing short of appalling. From the moment we checked in, the owners were extremely rude and unwelcoming. After staying for the weekend, we extended our stay due to the campground’s cleanliness, thinking it would be perfect for our family, including our three children with special needs and our service animals.
Unfortunately, the owner’s behavior quickly escalated. One day, the man running the office drove by on his golf cart and began yelling and swearing at me, accusing us of not picking up after our dogs. I explained that we always clean up after them, but he refused to listen. We decided to leave for the weekend to avoid further conflict, but when we returned, we found piles of dog poop deliberately placed near our motorhome. Things worsened when one of our children, who is nonverbal, picked up a pile of the mess.
When we addressed the issue with the office, the owner’s wife not only refused to acknowledge their behavior but also accused us of lying. The man’s hostile behavior escalated again, yelling and swearing at us in front of our children. He threatened to have us thrown out by the police, which he followed through on. The officers who responded could see that this was a personal issue and were baffled as to why they had been called. We were told to leave, but not before being denied a refund for the remaining days we had already paid for.
To make matters worse, we’ve since learned that the owners of Getaway Mountain Campground have been actively calling around to other campgrounds, slandering our name. They falsely claim we don’t pick up after our dogs and that my husband chased the owner with a 2x4—an outright lie. The current campground we’re staying at informed us of this and has stated that they’ve seen no issues with us or our pets. In fact, the surrounding campers have no complaints, and the campground owner is willing to write a statement about the situation, including notifying the authorities of this baseless harassment.
The entire experience left us feeling targeted and mistreated. We have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and have never encountered anything like this. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this campground at all costs.
Verdict: AVOID Getaway Mountain Campground.
Scout
Paid in full for a week in July, we stay here every year. Learned in May that I had cancer and would need surgery and weekly chemo until the end of September. Contacted Forest Lake Campground in May to cancel reservation, discussed options and was told we could carry our week over for later. Just received the all clear from my Dr today. Called to make reservations and was told they would not honor our already paid week. They said we would not get our money back either. Won’t stay here again as they are not people of their word.
Scout
In addition to the descriptions of this campground in other reviews, I add charm and utility of site design, and the friendliness and intelligence of the staff. Enjoy the serenity of the forest surrounding you, while you glimpse stars, and warm your innards beside a fire.
ScoutGreat spot for quiet desolate camping. Several spots to choose from.
Traveler
Nicely spaced sites, level and welcoming hosts. There are a few trails around the campground and it is close to Mt Ascutney which if you are feeling a bit lazy there is an auto rd that goes about 3/4 of the way up. 3 mi. Away Springfield as all the services you might need.
Ranger
Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.
Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.
There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.
Guide
We stayed in the rustic campground right down the road from the main campground. We parked in a lot and walked about 5 minutes to the campgrounds on the lake. They were beautiful and well kept, even had a small pile of fire wood for us.
The site had a relatively nice outhouse, a picnic table, a fire pit and a grate for grilling. It was right on the lake. There were a ton of other people in the main campground but only one other camper in the rustic area. $25 a night to camp.
There was some noise from the highway but not too bad. Coyotes were howling all night and definitely heard some around our campground.
Scout
Despite only having 3 stars on dyrt, lees park is pretty cool to come to. Close to SPAC, lots of area to set up tents, dog friendly, campfire friendly, and there’s a lake minutes away. Some of the crowd seemed a little rowdy but overall nothing that was obnoxious. DONT GO IN THE WOODLINE you’ll get mobbed by mosquitoes.
Scout
Absolute worst campground we have ever been to(and we do a TON of camping in state parks both in NY and out of state and private campgrounds as well). When we arrived our site was covered in trash and the picnic table was in the site next to ours with old propane tanks sitting on them. Beer bottle caps and cigarette ends were EVERYWHERE on our site, crushed cans and bottles scattered around, tons of garbage throughout the site(plastic spoons, cardboard pieces, plastic wrappers, a huge metal pipe, etc.) We spent the first half hour there cleaning up all the trash on our site and we didn't even get it all. All of the sites next to us had just as much trash in them as well and were never cleaned up the duration of our stay either. When walking around we noticed tons of other sites with garbage left in them too. I don't think any of the sites are checked after checkout and if they are they are definitely not cleaned up at all after check out. We stayed on the'other side of the road' and the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting and falling apart. They were never cleaned at all during our stay(although we seen workers sitting in the golf cart goofing around and talking several times instead of actually cleaning the bathrooms). The only thing the workers did was add toilet paper(and not even enough because there were several times we went and there was no toilet paper). We were there 5 nights and the trash can wasn't emptied once and none of the garbage or toilet paper on the floor was ever picked up. There was also poop smeared across the wall and door in the one stall and poop all over one of the other toilets that was like that our whole stay as well. Mirror was literally tapped together with black tape, there was only one faucet handle and locks on the stall were broken. We had to go across the street into the other side of the campground to shower and the showers were absolutely disgusting. Black mold covered the shower curtains, was all in the lights and on the lower and higher sections of walls and it smelled like mildew. It was gross and cannot possibly be safe. This is definitely a party campground and no quiet hours are enforced. People were up partying, drinking and blasting music literally all night. It's such a shame because the location of this campground is amazing and it has the potential to be a great campground but we will never go back. We have never been to any campground this dirty, unkempt and with workers who literally just don't care or do their jobs. Such a disappointment. Wish I had seen all the other bad reviews before going.
ScoutThere seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area. Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook. They were well used with some litter. We packed out what we could find. There are posted signs on the opposite bank so we stayed on our side. Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome. Very pretty area.
Scout
Had a pleasant stay at Woodford State Park. Sites near T38 have a great elevated view of the reservoir. Also a nice loop trail for those looking to do a little bit of hiking.
GuideLarge, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit. It was a little muddy from rain.
Scout
The owners are very nice but the sites are super close together. We had neighbors that had a large party 4 ft from our camper for two days. The showers cost .50 and are luke warm, definitely not hot. Only 4 shower stalls (2 men 2 female) for the whole campground. The bathrooms weren't cleaned during the 2 days we were there. The country side is beautiful and Newport is a cute little town. We won't stay at the campground again.
TravelerWe booked this spot sight unseen as there were no pictures available. Tucked back in the woods and quiet. The front section was much wider open and more state parkish. Excellent showering facilities and a cook wash up station that was well maintained.
Scout
Do you enjoy staying up until sunrise, underage drinking, staff that don’t give AF, and rules that don’t matter? Then this is the state park for you! I wanted to give the park a try even with all the bad reviews, because the location is awesome. Now I realize the views are not worth it if you’re sleep deprived. I thought since it was a not a holiday weekend it wouldn’t be that bad, I was wrong. If you still plan on coming, I’d avoid the first week in August. Some garbage family from New Jersey rents out a bunch of sites and gives their teenagers their own site, because they hate them too. All in all, it was not a good time. There are plenty of other parks around if you want to actually enjoy camping. This one isn’t it. 10/10 would not recommend 👎
Guide
Highlights of the trip included a somewhat secluded site by the river, pavilion tater tots and the pool. This campground was once thriving with activities and events and a real sense of community. Now, it seems hollow and unkept. Bathrooms and Showers were filthy.
Guide
Road goes in pretty far. Some parts are muddy and very rough. Higher clearance would be advised!!!
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 18 reviews.
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