Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Montpelier, VT

Little River State Park Campground welcomes pets at all accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots, cabins and glamping areas. Smugglers Notch State Park, Ricker Pond State Park, and other campgrounds near Montpelier maintain pet-friendly policies with clean facilities and designated pet areas. Leashed pets must be supervised at all times, and waste disposal stations are available throughout most campgrounds. Lazy Lions Campground, an adults-only facility with level grassy sites, provides Adirondack chairs at each fire pit and maintains a peaceful environment for campers and their pets. Brookside RV Camping offers electric hookup sites along a scenic river, providing easy access for overnight stays with pets. Sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and drinking water access. The campground facilities are generally clean and well-maintained with pet waste disposal areas.

Waterbury Reservoir's remote sites provide exceptional pet-friendly paddle-in camping experiences approximately 30 minutes from the Cotton Brook launch point. These secluded locations allow dogs to enjoy the water while maintaining distance from crowded areas. Trails throughout Groton State Forest connect multiple pet-friendly campgrounds including Big Deer State Park, Ricker Pond, and Kettle Pond. Most campgrounds feature hiking trails with old foundations hidden along the paths that are enjoyable to discover with pets. Weather conditions can change rapidly in Vermont's mountains, so proper shelter for pets is essential during camping trips. Visitors note the small beaches can become crowded with children, so early morning or evening walks with dogs are recommended for a more peaceful experience. Campgrounds typically enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disruptions, and nearby Waterbury and Stowe provide veterinary services if needed.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Montpelier, Vermont (160)

    1. Little River State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Waterbury Center, VT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 244-7103

    $19 - $28 / 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."

    2. Ricker Pond State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Groton, VT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 584-3821

    $19 - $110 / night

    "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."

    3. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Stowe, VT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 253-4014

    $20 / 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."

    4. Kettle Pond State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Marshfield, VT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 426-3042

    "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."

    5. Lazy Lions Campground

    6 Reviews
    Graniteville, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 479-2823

    $49 - $100 / night

    6. Gold Brook Campground

    9 Reviews
    Moscow, VT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 253-7683

    "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."

    7. Onion River Campground

    6 Reviews
    Plainfield, VT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 426-3233

    $30 - $55 / night

    8. Brookside RV Camping (Electric hookup only)

    2 Reviews
    Berlin, VT
    6 miles
    +1 (214) 789-3822

    $24 / night

    9. Big Deer State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Peacham, VT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 584-3822

    "Check-in happens at Stillwater, purchase your firewood and drive the 2 min down to Big Deer. For Vermont, these sites felt close, but we could still get privacy."

    "Very nice sites, most have good privacy and are rather large - many of them also have large boulders around them! Access to Boulder Beach is included, which is a short walk or drive down the road."

    10. New Discovery State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Marshfield, VT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 426-3042

    $20 - $38 / night

    "Easy access to a lake and a picnic pavilion. Noticed more than a few sites that I could hang at."

    "There are hiking trails right from the campground, which we always appreciate. You can also go down to the water and rent a kayak or canoe from the rangers."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Montpelier, VT

854 Reviews of 160 Montpelier Campgrounds


  • Shawn B.
    Sep. 25, 2018

    Silver Lake Campground

    This is a great place for the whole family

    This 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.

  • D
    Oct. 3, 2021

    North Beach Campground

    Great Campground “On The Water”

    I 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.

  • Christopher  S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2023

    Lake Champagne Resort Vermont, Inc.

    Great Campsite

    Very 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.

  • D
    Aug. 9, 2019

    Littleton / Franconia Notch KOA Holiday

    Top Notch

    We 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.

  • Dawn S.
    May. 30, 2020

    Quechee-Pine Valley KOA

    Everything

    We 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.

  • T
    Sep. 1, 2018

    Camp Kiki

    A hidden gem in the heart of the Kingdom Trails.

    This 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.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Moose River Campground

    Great People, Nice Campground

    This 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.

  • Jen B.
    Jul. 14, 2018

    Quechee State Park Campground

    Great kid friendly campground near it all

    Clean 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.

  • Carley D.
    Jul. 10, 2023

    Stillwater State Park Campground

    Amazing

    This campground was fantastic! Tucked away in a beautiful part of Vermont, the campground is right on Groton Lake with a swimming area and designated boat launch. There's also an access path to the Montpelier & Wells River Rail Trail. 

    The campsites are really nice with tent sites and leanto options. The overall facility was really well kept. What stood out the most at this campground was the staff! I was having car issues and the staff was extremely helpful in helping me fix the problem! They kept checking in and asking if I needed anything, helped me research solutions, and even on their own time tried to tinker with my car to figure it out. It was above and beyond expectations! I really enjoyed my stay here and will make a point to come back.


Guide to Montpelier

Little River State Park Campground allows pets with several sites located along Waterbury Reservoir, offering both tent and RV camping options. Ricker Pond State Park and Smugglers Notch State Park also welcome pets with fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Campsites throughout the region maintain clean facilities with access to drinking water and trash disposal. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed and under control at all times, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. Brookside RV Camping provides electric hookups only along a scenic riverfront location, ideal for RV campers with pets seeking a peaceful overnight spot just off a paved road.

Hiking trails near these pet-friendly campgrounds connect to extensive networks in Groton State Forest and the Green Mountains. The remote sites at Waterbury Reservoir are particularly peaceful for campers with dogs, accessible by a 30-minute paddle from the Cotton Brook Road launch area. Waterbury Center State Park features composting toilets at remote sites, though campers should be prepared for fishing spiders. Winter conditions limit camping seasons, with most parks operating from May through mid-October. Lazy Lions Campground maintains well-groomed grass sites with complementary Adirondack chairs at each fire pit. The campground is primarily geared toward adults, offering a quieter experience for those traveling with well-behaved pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Montpelier, VT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Montpelier, VT is Little River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 24 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Montpelier, VT?

TheDyrt.com has all 160 dog-friendly camping locations near Montpelier, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.