149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Little River State Park Campground welcomes pets and provides spacious sites with fire pits, picnic tables, and drinking water access. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, also pet-friendly, offers both tent and RV campsites, along with cabin options for those wanting more comfort while traveling with their dogs. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to remain leashed when outside designated pet areas. Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites allow pets at their boat-in tent camping locations, offering a more secluded experience for campers with well-behaved dogs. Gold Brook Campground in nearby Stowe provides full hookups for RVs traveling with pets, including water, electric, and sewer connections. Clean facilities with hot showers make these locations comfortable for multi-day stays. Ranger-led programs are offered on weekends through summer at several parks, though pets typically must remain at campsites during these activities.
Dog owners hiking with their pets can access numerous trails throughout the area, including those at Little River State Park where abandoned foundations and a ghost town can be explored. The Waterbury Reservoir provides excellent swimming opportunities where dogs can cool off after hiking, though pets should be kept away from wildlife. For dispersed camping with dogs, Austin Brook in Green Mountain National Forest offers free sites with more relaxed regulations, but campers must pack out all waste and keep dogs under control. Campers report the reservoir boat-in sites are peaceful but require careful planning to transport gear and pets safely. The campgrounds near Middlesex generally maintain pet-friendly policies year-round, though some facilities close seasonally from late October through mid-May. Reservations are strongly recommended for summer and fall weekends when pet-friendly sites book quickly.
"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
from $24 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Also the spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better.. still 10/10 will return, these sites are all prime locations!"
"All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!"
"This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25."
"This campground is easy to access, though owing to that one can hear traffic on the nearby road. The lake is beautiful, clear and clean, and there is a beach with sand for swimming."
"The campground has a small beach, boat launch and it's right on the Cross Vermont Trail. I stayed in October and it was really quiet and relaxing."
from $19 - $110 / night
Check Availability"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."
"It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road."
"Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended."
ScoutThis is one of our favorite places to camp in Vermont. The sites are fairly private without being built too close together. Lake is clean and has a great concrete dock that the kids love to jump off. They have boat rentals and nature tours on the lake led by the state park faculty. When the kids get tired from swimming they're a nice beach area and playground.
GuideI have a 24’ RV towing a 30 foot trailer for perspective. I easily fit in site 107 and lots of other sites would have worked. They have a place to drop trailers if you don’t fit.
Sites 90 to 108 are best. Spaced out under trees.
Sites 1 to 16 are close to each other.
Sites 113 to 119 are bad. Very close to each other. No redeeming qualities.
Sites have 30 amp electric and water but might need a longish cord or hose. Clean easy to use dump with water.
Tent sites looked nice.
Short walk to nice beach or you can drive a car. Short tunnel so no campers or bikes on the roof.
Right next to rails to trails path that goes onto a causeway over the lake. There is a bike ferry to keep going. Nice ride.
Nice dog park 3/4 miles to the South on the trail.
Far away from noise. Can’t comment on loud campers.
GuideVery nice, clean campsite. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Campsites are spread out, great dog walking areas , and very spacious dog parks, one for big dos and one for little ones.
GuideWe just spent 5 days at this wonderful campground. They have paid attention to all of the finer details. Beautiful landscaping, well leveled sites, very clean and neat. The staff is wonderful. My only disappointment with the camp is that there are only a few sites with sewer hookup. However, the dumping station is conveniently located, so if you have a small tank, daily trips are not a problem. There is plenty to do in the area - Littleton is a beautiful little town. The old houses in are incredible. New Hampshire is not a dog friendly state, but a short Drive into Vermont gets you access to many fine restaurants where you can bring your dog. Be sure to visit Dog Mountain in Vermont- a truly touching memorial to departed pets.
TravelerWe stayed in a cabin with our pup. This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc. This was glamping with a fire pit 😃 There were plenty of sites for all size RV’s with hook-ups. A town with lots to do and see is nearby including hiking trails.
GuideThis campground is drive in and never touch the car again. Two huge sites that can be rented in tandem as a group site. Each site has a prep table, picnic table, fire pit, 5 gallons of fresh water, a raised platform for tents, and a porta potty. Very spacious sites. Easily two camoer vans and two tents on each site. Site is at the bottom of Kitchel and Herbs trails, atop the exit/entrance trails into the village of East Burke. Showers are a short walk away at Mike's Tiki Bar, in the Kingdom parking lot. The sites can be reserved, and usually are up to a year in advance. So call ahead! Sites are pet friendly and there's lots of space for big dogs to run around. Sites are super private from the outside world. This place is truly a hidden gem that can make your trip.
LegendThis is a small family-owned and operated campground just a few miles outside of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The campground abuts the Moose River which makes for a pretty backdrop and wonderful place to dip your toes in the water. The shallow river is a clear flowing rocky river.
The campground is a mix of seasonal and transient campers with sites large enough to fit big rigs. There is also a rental camper and cabin available. There were tent sites but the owner mentioned they may fade those out. We stayed in a large pull thru (well over 125’), full hook-up site in the center section of the campground. (Site 27 @ $47/night). The electric worked fine and the sewer was easily reached with my 20’ sewer hose. The pad was gravel (as were the roads) and the patio was nice grass. Cable television is available and produced 32 stations. Our Verizon hotspot and phone worked well.
There are lots of activities at this park. It seems like every week there was a community bonfire where lots of palettes were set ablaze. During our stay, there was a potluck dinner in which the owners supplied roast beef and hosted us in a large covered pavilion. One evening they drove around the campground offering free ice cream sandwiches or drum sticks. Some mornings they supplied free bagels or donuts and always had free coffee. And, there were people always on the porch playing cards. Amenities include river access, a decent size dog park, large covered pavilion, bathhouse and laundry. When you arrive, you are given a swag bag with printed information about the surrounding area and businesses. This is a really nice touch because the reusable bag can be used in the grocery store as plastic bags have been banned in Vermont.
If you can score a riverfront site those are nice to sit outside and enjoy a fire. The pull thru sites are very close on one side as each RV pulls in the opposite direction; however, the sites are so long that if you pull up far enough you are not looking at your neighbor. Your patio opens to a neighbor but the sites are far enough away that it’s not a bother and you don’t feel like you are on top of them. Probably the nicest site in the park is #23 which is a back-in site with your patio facing the river.
The campground is in a good location, just a few miles from downtown St. Johnsbury, just a mile or so from “Dog Mountain,” and about 15 miles from Littleton, New Hampshire. There is a town forest just a few miles away that has some nice hiking trails. The campground is pretty small so we were happy to find places to hike with our dog.
TravelerClean and quiet, good for kids and pets are welcome. There are 2 bathrooms with coin operated showers. There are sites for campers, tents, and a handful of lean tos. It’s a short hike down to Quechee Gorge, where you can cool off in the shallow water.
It’s very close to Quechee village and Woodstock so there are plenty of other activities, shopping, and dining options near by.
Rangers also run fun programs for children- my children churned butter and made popcorn over the campfire one night, and made tie dyed T-shirts the next (for no fee.)
Pets are welcome.
ScoutI've camped on Valcour all my life since I was 7. It was amazing. So beautiful. Now it's covered in cockroaches and the water is murky and everything is covered in Zebra muscles. Other campers are rude and have no respect for your property. Has been all Canadians from my experience. They let their pets on the island to defecate and we've had one let their two large dogs swim ashore from their yacht and urinate on all our tents and destroyed our campsite and stole our food off from the picnic table all while the owners watched and laughed it off from their boat. The dogs then swam back and boarded the boat and they left. It's not like it used to be. We were yelling at them the whole time, trying to get the dogs away from our campsite and the owners didn't even apologize. One of the dogs defecated on my son's clothing that has fallen off the line.
Middlesex camping opportunities span across Green Mountain National Forest and state parks situated between 600 and 3,000 feet elevation, creating diverse microclimates even within short distances. Winter temperatures can drop to -20°F, while summer days typically reach the mid-70s. The area receives approximately 43 inches of annual precipitation with heaviest rainfall in July.
Explore historic trails: At Little River State Park Campground, campers can discover unique historic elements while hiking. "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. The park maintains well-marked paths to these historical sites.
Winter recreation: The Smugglers Notch State Park Campground area transforms completely during winter months. "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. Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing," reports Ed M.
Paddling opportunities: The numerous ponds and reservoirs provide excellent flat-water paddling. "There are many beautiful backcountry campsites right on the water only accessible via the water. Great local overnight spot with flat tenting, privies, and picnic tables," explains Caitlin M. about remote sites. Most paddling routes require 30 minutes or less from launch points.
Quiet mid-week stays: For those seeking solitude at Ricker Pond State Park Campground, timing matters. "I stayed in October and it was really quiet and relaxing. There is absolutely no cell service for miles, so plan accordingly," advises Michele S. Mid-week bookings, particularly in spring and fall, offer the most peaceful experience.
Remote camping access: Kettle Pond State Park Campground offers exceptional remoteness with boat-in sites. "My wife and I spent 10 days at this remote tent site. Our site was on the far western end of Kettle Pond and the only tent site in the remote camping area. A trail that goes around the pond is easily accessed from site 10. We were able to watch the Loons teaching its chicks to hunt for food," shares M.A.D. P.
Creek-side camping: Dog friendly campgrounds near Middlesex include sites with water features. "The sites along the brook are treated to the babbling brook sites and sounds. While most sites are relatively wide open, they are well spaced out with tons of room. The tent only section is really nice too," notes Ian P. about Gold Brook Campground's layout.
Free dispersed options: Austin Brook in Green Mountain National Forest provides free primitive camping alternatives. "Smaller area roughly 1-6 sites. When driving in on the right there's a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space," explains Thomas and James S.
Boat-in logistics: Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites require careful planning. "Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27. We made the mistake of parking at little River rd the first time and the paddle to r14 from there was way too long. It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site and was much more doable for all the trips we took bringing our gear in," advises Julia S.
Water management: Some parks lack running water. "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 so you can pick up plenty of water, or bring a water filtration system," reports Rita M. about Kettle Pond State Park.
Shallow pond swimming: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Middlesex offer child-friendly swimming. "A quiet camp ground on Ricker Pond, a motor free pond, is a wonderful place to spend the weekend. The pond is serene and a great place to swim, paddle, explore, and fish," writes Hannah H. The shallow, rock-bottom ponds warm up by mid-June.
Check for playground access: For families needing structured play areas, Kettle Pond lacks facilities while Ricker Pond provides them. "The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," Rita M. notes about Little River State Park.
Consider lean-to options: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground offers structural advantages for family camping. "This campground is great. Nice and quiet. Campsites are well spaced. Some of the campsites on the outside ring you need to walk into (a very short distance), but it makes it feel very secluded and less like car camping," explains Jess O. Lean-tos provide shelter from unexpected weather.
Limited hookup options: Full-hookup sites near Middlesex are limited to a few campgrounds. "Our site was level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit. There is a nice playground in the center and a creek that follows the tent sites. The campground also has a small pool, one washer and one dryer, and decent showers/restrooms," shares Kara W. about Gold Brook Campground.
Bridge and access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry points. "Lovely river running through the property but you need to go over a bridge in order to get to the campground which is ridiculously narrow and there are terrible potholes. Our 42 foot fifth wheel barely made it in," warns Cyn D. about Onion River Campground. Call ahead to verify access for larger rigs.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds close from October through May. "Little river st park wide flat camp sites no hookups limited gen. Use hours 8am/10am and 4pm/6pm. Rough road coming to campground. Very quite. cell phone t mobile works fine. Site could hold big rig we have a 28ft 5th wheel plenty of room for 35/40," notes Nicholas G.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Middlesex, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Middlesex, VT is Little River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
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