Grand Isle State Park Campground allows pets throughout its expansive grounds on Lake Champlain near North Hero. Several waterfront campsites and cabins accommodate dogs, with a dedicated swimming area where pets can cool off during summer months. Burton Island State Park Campground, accessible only by boat or ferry from St. Albans, features a designated off-leash dog beach where pets can swim freely. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard leash requirements outside designated areas. Both parks offer picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails suitable for dog walking. Tent sites, RV spots with hookups, and pet-friendly cabins provide varied accommodation options for campers traveling with animals. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near North Hero, Vermont.
Knight Island State Park provides remote pet-friendly camping accessible only by private boat, featuring waterside sites where dogs can swim directly from campsites. The island's perimeter trails offer scenic dog-walking routes with fewer insects than interior paths. Campers should pack sufficient pet food and supplies as no stores exist on the island. Most area campgrounds require vaccination records for pets, and some implement quiet hours that include barking restrictions. During summer months, shaded camping spots become essential for pet comfort given the limited tree cover at some waterfront sites. Wildlife encounters require keeping dogs leashed and supervised, especially during early morning and evening hours. Winter camping permits allow for year-round pet access at several parks, with Knight Island offering special lean-to accommodations during colder months.
"Rained quite a bit, but took advantage of the libraries in North Hero and Worthen on those days. Also has a boat launch and beach area for swimming or nice sunset views."
"Beautifully set on Lake Champlain in Vermont! This is a relatively large campground but is well laid out and doesn't feel small even when it's packed to the gills."
from $6 - $28 / night
"We were able to spend some time around Lake Champlain, explore nearby areas and even make a trip toward the border without having to move the RV."
"We chose Kings Bay because we wanted to spend most of our trip outdoors and close to Lake Champlain."
from $58 - $95 / night
"I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite!"
"Burton Island is a 2.5 mile long island state park off of the shoreline of Lake Champlain."
"This campground is located in a central area between Burlington and north hero. The views of lake Champlain are amazing. Ex check in and plenty of amenities."
"Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."
from $55 - $105 / night
"Kayaking is probably one of my favorite things to do, and the lake is perfect for this. The park itself is located on Lake Champlain."
"The grounds: This place looks like the place to be, great facilities (with real flush toilets near the beach), and great grassy sites which met of are in the shade!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $24 / night
"This campground is a gem in the Lakes Region of Northern Vermont. It sits right on Lake Champlain and has the most amazing sunsets."
"Our camp spot had an amazing view of the lake which we didn’t ask for specifically which made it even better."
"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."
"We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike."
from $37 - $100 / night
"We 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."
"We wanted to visit Lake Placid but preferred bringing our RV instead of booking a hotel for the whole trip."
"There are some nice leantos on the east side of the island that give you access to the lake and some good fishing. Deer, .turkey, fox and smaller animals can be seen throughout the island"
"It doesn't host a ton of amenities other than outdoor toilets, but it doesn't need to because every remote campsite is waterside, with fabulous access to amazing swimming, gorgeous sunsets, and fantastic"
"Great location right near lake Champlain, and only about a 20 minute drive from Canada. The ferry to Burlington VT is also a very short distance away!"
"Very close to Burlington VT and Canada there are many different hiking and adventuring options. It did seem that many of the sites were seasonal. Clean, and well kept."
from $30 - $56 / night
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.
ScoutIf youre traveling through northern NY, this is a really convenient place to base yourself. We were able to spend some time around Lake Champlain, explore nearby areas and even make a trip toward the border without having to move the RV. Coming back to a waterfront campground every evening was a pretty nice bonus.
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.
ScoutWhat started as a quick weekend ended up being one of our favorite stops this summer. We spent one day around the campground and another exploring the area. The beach and water were a huge plus for us.
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.
ScoutWe decided to stay for the summer and so far it has been a really fun experience. There is always something going on and the lake gives everyone plenty to do. The kids have already made friends and we are getting to know the other campers too.
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.
ScoutOur site had everything we needed and getting set up was easy. We also appreciated having wifi since we had a few things to take care of during the trip.
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
Lake Champlain dominates the camping experience near North Hero, Vermont, with shorelines that stretch across multiple islands. The region maintains an average summer temperature of 70-80°F during peak camping season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Most pet friendly camping near North Hero offers water access, though boat-only island campsites require additional planning for visitors bringing animals.
Beach activities: At Grand Isle State Park Campground, visitors access a small beach area with swimming opportunities. "The beach is nice even though rocky, the lean to sites are a great way to help keep things dry," notes Season D. Several waterfront sites allow for easy lake access throughout the day.
Biking: The Island Line Trail connects to Grand Isle State Park, making it ideal for cyclists. "We biked to this park from Burlington via the Island Line Trail. It was a super trip," shares John L. Many campers bring bikes specifically to explore the interconnected islands without needing their vehicles.
Paddling excursions: Knight Island State Park Campground requires personal watercraft to access its remote campsites. "Not for the faint of heart, Knight Island is only accessible by private boat, though there are a few unregulated boat taxis that will agree to take the boat-less out there," explains Ruby L. The island's perimeter offers excellent paddling routes with less insect activity than interior pathways.
Waterfront lean-tos: Burton Island State Park Campground features shoreline accommodations popular with long-term planners. "Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance), but if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the four primitive sites, which are secluded and waterfront," advises Tara S.
Car-free environment: Burton Island offers a unique camping experience without vehicles. "It's like going to a tropical island without leaving Vermont. There are no cars on the island. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans," explains one reviewer. This creates a quieter atmosphere especially appreciated by pet owners seeking calmer settings.
Seasonal activities: Apple Island Resort provides year-round engagement opportunities. "Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory," recommends Susan & Kevin W. The park features a par-3 golf course and boat docks for seasonal water activities.
Island transportation: North Beach Campground connects to the Burlington bike path system, offering alternative transportation. "You can bike directly from here all the way to Burlington, without ever getting back in your car! Take the bike ferry across a small section of Lake Champlain and keep on riding," explains Sarah C.
Shower facilities: Most campgrounds offer pay showers requiring coins. "Showers are coin-operated, but $0.50 will get you 5 minutes of hot water," notes Tucker B. at Grand Isle State Park. Some primitive island sites have no shower facilities, requiring planning for longer stays.
Winter camping options: Knight Island allows off-season camping with proper permits. "Knight Island is a summer camping oasis but you can obtain a permit from the Vt. State Parks to winter camp. There are some nice lean-tos on the east side of the island that give you access to the lake and some good fishing," notes a reviewer identified as M.A.D. P.
Beach conditions: Cumberland Bay State Park Campground offers family beach facilities. "This is a great place for the family. The playground is great. New bath house. Some sites with electric," reports Sheri C. Beaches throughout the region generally feature rocky shorelines requiring water shoes for comfortable swimming.
Activity planning: North Beach campground provides city access balanced with natural settings. "We spent a long weekend here to enjoy some mid-summer bike riding along the many bike-paths Vermont has to offer. There is lake access for kayaking, sailing, swimming and fishing," shares one camper.
Island exploration: Burton Island features nature programs for children. "It's super family friendly - maybe it's because there aren't cars all over the place, but the island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast," observes Tara S. Families should account for ferry schedules when planning island camping trips.
Site orientation: Apple Island Resort uses unconventional hookup arrangements. "One thing is that their hook ups are on the passenger side. You have to pull straight in with the truck and camper. This is because a lot of class A prefer this way," explains Ron H. RVers should confirm site configurations when booking.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant temperature variations. "Weather was cool and rainy the first two days. Friday was beautiful. Lots of things to do around here with dogs and kids," notes a reviewer at Apple Island Resort. RVers should prepare for rain even during peak summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near North Hero, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near North Hero, VT is Grand Isle State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near North Hero, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near North Hero, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
