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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
