2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Elmore State Park Campground welcomes pets throughout its lakeside camping area featuring 45 spacious tent and RV sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Mountain View Campground offers additional pet-friendly accommodations including cabins and RV sites with full hookups. Both properties maintain clean facilities with drinking water and trash collection, though leashed pets must be supervised at all times. The sites at Elmore State Park provide varying levels of privacy—some wooded tent sites offer seclusion while others in meadow areas have less coverage but excellent night sky viewing. Most sites at Mountain View Campground are well-maintained with level gravel pads and grassy patios, though they sit closer together than the state park options. The campground areas remain quiet at night despite Mountain View's proximity to Route 15.
Dogs particularly enjoy the shoreline access at Lake Elmore where the state park features a sandy beach, though specific pet swimming regulations may apply. Hiking trails around Elmore Mountain, including the path to the fire tower offering panoramic views, accommodate leashed dogs and provide excellent exercise opportunities. Mountain View Campground positions pets near the Lamoille River where dogs can cool off after walks. Both locations require waste cleanup, with disposal facilities available in the campground areas. The nearby Elmore Store stocks pet supplies and food items when needed. Summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels for pets, so campers should ensure adequate shade and water access. Campground roads are primarily gravel, providing easy walking surfaces for dog exercise around the camping loops.
"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
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"We came here to hike the Dalley Loop Trail (which is a great trail full of history), but we wish we had camped here instead of the private campground 45 minutes away where we did stay."
from $19 - $28 / night
"This beautiful, small state park has a beach on the shores of Lake Elmore and a hiking trail to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain. There are 45 spacious tent/RV sites."
"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."
from $19 - $28 / night
"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."
"While we were next to the creek at site 12, it was blocked by brush and trees.
Check in was easy, and the staff were present enough in case you had questions or needed to buy firewood.""Our dog loved swimming in the creek and meeting his first bullfrog. The campground also has a small pool, one washer and one dryer, and decent showers/restrooms."
"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
"They ask that you limit your driving on the path to the site- so we were sure to go into town to get all we needed before we settled into camp- which wasnt hard to do."
"Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
Facilities were accessible and clean."
"So close to Stowe and a lot to do…and then you come back “home” to relax and do nothing but enjoy the time away from everyday life. Truly the only time I totally relax. "
"Very close to Smuggs and only a short but beautiful ride to Stowe. I look forward to watching this campground grow as they continue to expand and will be camping here several times each season."
from $50 - $79 / night
from $32 - $55 / night
"Remote campsite #9 was a bit wet this spring but in truth everything has been wet here in Vermont this year. 3 night get away with son, and first time on Kettle pond."
"Kettle Pond is a classic northern pond set in Vermont's Groton State Forest."
ScoutFirst trip with our new RV and we were a little nervous about getting everything set up. Having full hookups made it way less complicated than we expected. Once we were settled, we just enjoyed the area and took a few day trips. Would definatly come back for another Adirondack trip.
ScoutWe came up for a quick Adirondack getaway and ended up spending most of our time outside. A little disc golf, some time by the pool, dinner at the site and plenty of walks with the dog. Pretty much everything we wanted out of the trip.
ScoutOne of the best parts for us was not having to pack up the RV every time we wanted to go somewhere. We stayed put and explored the Adirondacks from here. Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm and a bunch of other spots were all easy to get to.
ScoutHaving the river and Adirondacks nearby made for a really nice change of scenery. We spent our days exploring and came back to the campground for dinner and a fire.
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.
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.
ScoutWe were looking for somewhere to stay while checking out Ausable Chasm and this worked out really well. Easy drive over, then back to the camper in the afternoon. Made the whole trip alot easier.
The Vermont camping season around Lake Elmore typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Located in Vermont's northern region at approximately 1,139 feet elevation, the area experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 50s even during peak season. Most campgrounds near Lake Elmore remain open through foliage season, providing access to the surrounding Lamoille County's extensive trail networks.
Hike to fire towers: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers access to Mount Mansfield's trail system with multiple summit approaches. "Good flat sites. a little small but comfortable. rangers are very helpful. You are minutes from some amazing hiking, which is great when you don't feel like driving long distances after a day hike," notes Matthew H.
Paddle remote ponds: Green River Reservoir State Park Campground provides boat-access primitive campsites across the 653-acre reservoir. "We try and make our way north to Green River Reservoir every summer. It's a primitive park, perfect for paddling, wild camping, swimming, and watching wildlife. Be sure to paddle out to the Beaver Meadow - we have seen moose there several times," shares Tara S.
Mountain biking: Access to the Cross Vermont Trail system offers family-friendly biking near Kettle Pond State Park. The trail utilizes old farm roads, snowmobile trails, and railroad beds with connections to multiple state parks in the Groton State Forest. Winter visitors can access backcountry skiing near Smugglers Notch during off-season camping.
Secluded lean-to options: Underhill State Park Campground provides walk-in sites with a remote feel. "What can I say about this lovely state park campground? Totally beautiful, private spots, pit toilets and a night sky to die for! This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away," reports Molly G.
Access to water recreation: Little River State Park Campground offers multiple ways to enjoy the water. "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. The bathrooms were clean, the site was well maintained, and the reservoir was a great place to relax after a day of hiking!" says Alison O.
Dark skies for stargazing: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional night viewing at several campgrounds. "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!" reports a camper at Elmore State Park.
Remote camping preparation: Kettle Pond State Park Campground has no running water on-site. "There is not ANY running water. The running water is accessed by going to New Discovery Campground, which is about 3 miles down the road. So bringing several large water vessels is important," advises Rita M.
Seasonal variations: Early and late season camping offers more solitude. "Stayed at a lean-to site here in March. 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. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed. No facilities off season," shares Ed M. about Smugglers Notch.
Reservation timing: Dog friendly campgrounds near Lake Elmore book quickly during peak season. "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it fills up quickly!" warns Ben C. Many state parks begin taking reservations in January for the upcoming summer season, with holiday weekends filling first.
Water-based activities: Little River State Park Campground offers excellent swimming options for children. "Had a great one week stay here on the reservoir. Staff was friendly and helpful. The small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," shares Megan O.
Historical exploration: Several nearby trails feature old foundations and settlement ruins. "The hiking trails are really good—actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," notes Rita M. about Little River State Park trails, providing an educational component for young campers.
Pet-friendly considerations: Most campgrounds welcome leashed dogs, but swimming regulations vary by location. "The campground features a nice pool and spacious level camp sites. This campground is the perfect location to setup base camp to see all that Stowe has to offer!" explains Jeff W. at Gold Brook Campground, where many visitors bring their pets.
Hookup availability: Mountain View Campground offers full-service RV sites with electric, water, and sewer connections. "The sites are gravel and seem pretty level. The campground is updated with a new laundry room and shower house. There are 2 pools (one for adults only) and a hot tub," describes Michelle C.
Site spacing and privacy: RV sites at state parks tend to offer more separation between campers. "Despite not feeling all that private, I was impressed with the sandy beach on Lake Elmore and the hiking trail up to the top of Elmore Mountain," notes a reviewer about the trade-offs at Elmore State Park Campground.
Winter access restrictions: Most campgrounds close water systems after Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend in October. Some areas remain accessible for primitive camping through winter, but require special preparation and often permit advanced arrangements. Check individual park websites for seasonal closures and special winter camping policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lake Elmore, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lake Elmore, VT is Smugglers Notch State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lake Elmore, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 134 dog-friendly camping locations near Lake Elmore, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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