Lake Carmi State Park Campground near Jay Peak allows pets at its wooded lakefront sites spanning two loops with numerous primitive tent areas, lean-tos, and cabins. Smugglers Notch State Park also accommodates pets across its drive-in, hike-in and walk-in campsites. Most pet-friendly accommodations in the region maintain standard leash requirements, with Tree Corners Family Campground strictly prohibiting bully breeds or dogs considered aggressive types according to their policy. The campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities—some like Prouty Beach Campground feature full hookups (water, electric, sewer) along with showers and flush toilets, while Green River Reservoir offers truly primitive boat-in sites with no amenities beyond pit toilets. Families camping with dogs appreciate the clearly enforced quiet hours at Mill Pond, which helps ensure both children and pets can rest properly. The campgrounds remain clean with regular maintenance, though cell service can be limited or non-existent.
Hiking with dogs proves popular at these locations, with the Missisquoi Rail Trail accessible near Lake Carmi providing excellent pet exercise opportunities. Many campgrounds sit on lakes offering swimming access, though Green River Reservoir specifically prohibits dogs from swimming in its pristine waters to maintain water quality. Several locations including Tree Corners Family Campground feature large sites that accommodate multiple tents or RVs with pets, though campers note sites at some locations can be closely spaced with neighboring sites facing each other. Mountain View Campground provides both tent and RV sites along with pet-friendly cabins from May through mid-October. Summer weekends see higher occupancy rates with more activity noise, while shoulder season camping in September and October offers quieter experiences for those camping with noise-sensitive dogs. Law enforcement regularly patrols Lake Carmi during peak seasons to ensure rule compliance regarding pets and noise levels.
"Our first time in Vermont, we were coming from Montreal, Quebec. And while there are many nice campsites to visit in Quebec... we've done them all, within a 2-hour radius. Well, guess what?"
"Dog friendly, cool trails to walk on. The sites were very private. Would love to come back! The sites and bathrooms were also VERY clean. Friendly staff!"
from $29 / night
"We stayed at T4, a site w electric right on the lake."
"There is a very nice bike trail that runs through the campground, to the city of Newport on one side and to Canada on the other!"
from $33 - $75 / night
"Great place to go if you’re looking to go trail riding- trail is right across from the campground alongside the corn field."
from $42 - $100 / night
"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
"We reserved on line a month before as we were pulling a motorcycle behind our RV. Total distance of 38 feet. Site accommodated us nicely."
"It can get a bit noisy due to the proximity to the highway, but it's still a good option for car camping in this part of Vermont."
"Nice grass site with a large field behind, and Just a short walk to the river. Clean facilities and proximity for exploring Stowe and surrounding areas. Would love to camp here again."
from $30 - $1600 / night
"Our lean-to, Hickory is situated in a lovely meadow, but quite close to other campers and a view that overlooks the campground road. There is very little shade and no privacy."
"Great hiking trails from easy to difficult. Early and late seasons are quiet. It's quite busy during the summer months as the lake is great for families and swimming."
from $19 - $28 / night
"I love this location because you have to paddle out to a site for camping. It‘s private, quiet, and really gives you that “forest bathing” escape."
"Each campsite includes a fire pit and access to an outhouse. Usually the outhouse is shared between 2 to 3 campsites, but there is plenty of space between each site."
from $20 - $50 / night
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.
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.
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.
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 !!
GuideWe had the upper sites all drive in or small camper. And or Tent. Amazing rolling brook beautiful sites we had site 32. The lower ones are rv. The owner gave us free wood as it was end of season. We were there Oct 10 I’m not sure but think they close the 13
ScoutCampground was clean and quiet. We arrived late but information was taped to the window at the office. Will was very helpful also and checked to make sure we arrived.
ScoutHaving the water right there makes a huge difference. We brought the paddleboard and spent hours out on the lake. The kids had a blast too.
ScoutSuch a beautiful location. Watching the sunset over Lake Champlain from the campground was probably my favorite part of the trip.
Campers can access numerous dog friendly campgrounds near Jay Peak situated in Vermont's Green Mountains at elevations between 1,260 and 3,858 feet. The region receives 377 inches of annual snowfall, creating lush summer vegetation. Northern Vermont's camping season typically runs May through mid-October with temperatures ranging from 40°F nights to 75°F days during peak months.
Hiking trails with dogs: Access the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain for panoramic views with a 1.5-mile moderate climb. "There is a fire tower you can hike at the top which provides beautiful views," notes Kelli M., while Gail C. adds, "Great hiking trails from easy to difficult."
Winter camping access: Smugglers Notch State Park offers free off-season lean-to camping with advance reservations. "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March of 2019. 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," explains Ed M., adding "Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed."
Paddle-in camping: Reach remote sites at Green River Reservoir where motorized boats are prohibited. "The reservoir is 653 acres with 19 miles of shoreline. There are 27 campsites and two group campsites. Most sites are within a mile of the boat launch, a few require closer to a 2-mile paddle," reports Tara S.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies away from light pollution create stellar viewing conditions. Tara S. discovered at Elmore State Park, "Because our lean-to was in a meadow with no tree coverage, we were treated to the most awesome night sky we've ever seen at a Vermont state park. It was mesmerizing!"
Off-season tranquility: Camping after Labor Day provides quieter experiences at Lake Carmi State Park. "Our stay was very quiet during the week after Labor Day, but I imagine the vibe is quite different during summer weekends, especially given the sign in the restroom stating that quiet hours are strictly enforced," writes Lee D.
River recreation: Many local campgrounds offer water activities. At Mountain View Campground, "One of the most popular amenities is the river access. You can rent kayaks and tubes from the store or bring your own and float down the river. There are multiple spots where you can put in and float down a little ways before reaching the other access point," explains Nancy W.
Lean-to availability: Several state parks offer shelters as camping options. At Lake Carmi, "A mix of primitive sites (no w/e/s), lean-tos, and two cabins, one in each section. Sites/lean-tos are designated premium (lakefront) or non. There is also an ADA-accessible lean-to," reports Lee D.
Shower situations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The showers do take quarters and although you get five minutes for each quarter (up to 15 quarters, although I can't imagine taking that long of a shower), it was quite possibly the wimpiest shower I've experienced in quite some time," notes a Lake Carmi camper.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies by campground and carrier. At Prouty Beach Campground, "Strangely Verizon has strong signal but bandwidth issues/very slow to stopped at times - not just me but confirmed by office rep. AT&T works better and u can do WebEx's," reports Ted D., while Jessi C. notes "no cell service" at Lake Carmi.
Swimming options: Most lakeside campgrounds permit swimming but with varying facilities. At Prouty Beach, one camper notes: "I was initially very excited to be so close to the lake but my enthusiasm waned a little after a swim- the lake bottom was murky sticky mud which is fine it's just not my favorite."
Campground activities: Look for recreation beyond hiking and swimming. "There is mini golf, a playground, corn hole, and tube rentals for the river behind the campground," notes Michelle C. about Mountain View Campground, while Mallory P. describes Tree Corners Family Campground as having "two separate pools and hot tubs for kids and adults. Tons of other activities for kids- splash pad, water slides, playground, basketball court, etc."
Off-peak advantages: September camping offers both benefits and challenges. "The temps dropped into the 20s during our trip, which made washing up a little bit painful," reports Tara S. about fall camping at Elmore State Park, but many reviewers recommend shoulder seasons for reduced crowds.
Hookup availability: Full-service options are limited in the region. Nancy W. reports about Prouty Beach: "Campground amenities include 50-amp, water, sewer, laundry, free showers and restrooms, and free wi-fi," while at Mountain View Campground, "The site was level and all the hookups were well-placed and worked fine."
Site dimensions: Larger rigs need to research carefully before booking. At Lake Carmi, Jessi C. notes "few that are big enough for large RVs" while Tree Corners offers "Massive campground made mostly for those with kids."
Electrical reliability: Power quality can fluctuate during peak season. One camper at Prouty Beach reported: "Our electric was problematic. Granted it was hot while we were there (in the high 80's and low 90's) our electric pedestal showed readings between 110 and 115 volts which was constantly cutting off our air conditioners."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Jay Peak, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Jay Peak, VT is Lake Carmi State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Jay Peak, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 77 dog-friendly camping locations near Jay Peak, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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