Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Jay Peak, VT
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.