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Quechee State Park Campground accommodates campers with pets in a range of sites from tent-only areas to RV spaces, with many private, wooded locations available. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park, which includes access to hiking trails directly connecting to the scenic Quechee Gorge. The campground maintains clean facilities with pet waste stations and enforces quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances. Most sites are large and private, offering adequate space for pets to rest comfortably at camp. The park's policy requires pets to be supervised at all times, and campers report positive experiences bringing their dogs along. Nearby Quechee-Pine Valley KOA provides a fenced dog park where dogs can exercise off-leash, a particularly valuable amenity for RV travelers with energetic pets.
Dog-friendly hiking opportunities extend from the campgrounds to Quechee Gorge, where pets can join their owners on the trail descending to the water. During summer months, dogs can cool off in the shallow water areas of the gorge while staying leashed and supervised. The gorge trail is easily accessible from both campgrounds, making morning or evening pet walks convenient before crowds arrive. For campers staying multiple days, the surrounding area offers additional pet-friendly activities including sections of the Appalachian Trail and various Vermont state parks. Storrs Pond Recreation Area across the New Hampshire border also allows pets and features a brook running alongside some campsites, providing natural water access for dogs. Weekend campers should note that the gorge area becomes significantly more crowded during fall weekends, which may be challenging for dogs sensitive to crowds or noise.
"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."
"The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc."
"Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance."
"I had site 1 which is near office but away from all other sites so it was very quiet. It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides."
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $99 / night
Check Availability"Only one of the sites is located along the brook (45), but there's an easy path down a hill. "
"Off the beaten path so its peaceful. Sites are a little small but great if you're camping with a group so your close together. Plenty of sites/types to choose from."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Vermont parks are just some the most lush you’ve ever seen."
"Surrounded by breathtaking mountain-scapes. Facilities are nice and the lake is lovely with some great fishing. You can swim, walk around it or rent a vessel to cruise around in."
"Enjoy the serenity of the forest surrounding you, while you glimpse stars, and warm your innards beside a fire."
"Plenty of walking for dogs with a natural pool for them to swim in and the large pool with pirate ship is perfect for little kids with the beach entry. easy location to get to with a travel trailer too"
"Both times were very different experiences, but overall very positive. Just because there are a few, I will mention the cons first."
from $49 - $129 / night
Check Availability"This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont. Especially true if you're lucky enough to get one of the few sites on the outside of A loop that has a Lean-to with a view."
"My wife and I along with our dog Wyatt make an annual trip to CC. There is a great secluded site off the road into the park."
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.
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.
TravelerLarge campsites, clean amenities, nice dog park, great store with everything you need and located near like Winni.
LegendThis tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos. Some of the lean-tos are situated right on the West River, but they are well-loved and coveted so we've never actually stayed in one.
For our July trip, we stayed in the Juniper lean-to, which is incredibly quiet and near the overlook hiking trail. The park is small enough to walk to the swimming area from your campsite, as well as into town. Note that you will not get cell service here, but if you walk into the village of Jamaica, you will find Wi-Fi hotspots at the library or the grocery store.Â
Here are all the awesome things to do in Jamaica State Park:
Learn about the first peoples who lived here: The area along the West River was an important trade route for the Abenaki tribe. Throughout the park, there are interpretive signs with lots of information about the Abenaki, as well as the archaeological dig that was conducted here in 2010.
2. Cool off in the West River:Â The main swimming area is at Salmon Hole, right in the campground, but you can swim anywhere in the West River. It's awesome!
Ride your bike to the Ball Mountain Dam: There's a bike trail that leads from the campground all the way to the federally-owned Ball Mountain Dam, which provides great views of Ball Mountain Lake and the surrounding mountains. It's a 5-mile ride from the campground, round-trip.
Learn about Jamaica's railroad history: It's crazy that the rail trail was really a railroad at the turn of the century. It's a narrow, mountainous route. As you ride along the trail, stop and read the signs. No wonder it was called 36 miles of trouble!
5. Hike the Overlook Trail: It's a 2.5-mile loop that brings you up on a ridge with great views.
Hike to Hamilton Falls: It's actually easier to bike part of the way on the rail trail and then hike the 1.1 miles to the falls. Otherwise, it's a 6-mile hike round-trip. Hamilton falls is 125 feet tall, and one of the loveliest waterfalls in Vermont.
Walk into the village of Jamaica for donuts: Seriously! Head to D&K Grocery for the best donuts ever, or stock up on camping provisions.
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.
LegendWilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year. While it's still pretty cold for camping in Vermont in early May, you can get a jump start on the season by renting one of the four camping cabins. I'll admit that I haven't stayed in one of the Wilgus cabins, but they are pretty much the same all over Vermont - nothing fancy - just four solid walls, bunk beds, and a small table.
Usually when we stay at Wilgus State Park, we rent a lean-to or stay in site #16, which is the very last tent site, and the most private. All sites have a great view of the river, but I won't go so far as to call them waterfront as there is a bank covered with lush foliage between the sites and the water. There is also a short trail that runs between the campsites and the water - a great place to watch the sunrise!
The best part about camping here is getting out on the water. You can rent kayaks and canoes, and the river moves slowly enough to paddle up stream. There is also a shuttle service run by Great River Outfitters upstream in Windsor. If you make reservations, the come to the park (I think on Wednesdays and Fridays), and they will pick you up in the morning, drive you up river to Windsor, outfit you with a canoe or kayak, and let you paddle back to the park. Later in the evening they will come back and pick up the boats. If you choose this option, be sure to stop at Artisan Park, right on the river and have lunch at Harpoon Brewery.
The campground is really small (under 25 sites) and super quiet. Restrooms are clean. There is a short hiking trail, which is just okay - no views or anything. The ranger has been there for years and is an expert fisherman. He's got lots of tips if you ask. For good hiking, be sure to check out Mt. Ascutney, which is just a few miles away.
ScoutWe are pleasantly surprised! The adage "you get what you pay for" just isn't true here. This campground is my new favorite. The owners, Liz and Ben, are super friendly, easy-going, and welcoming. The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private. The wifi is pretty darn good. There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included; and fabulous hiking trails with lots to see, including a pond, waterfalls, and streams.Â
We'll definitely be returning!
GuideThis campground overall is very nice. The camp store has most everything you could need, and the campground is gated so you have to make sure you keep your key card with you whenever leaving in order to get back in. Most of the sites are out in the open though, or very close together. Not so bad if you're camping in trailers or RVs, but if tent camping you won't really have any privacy in those locations. I recommend the sites back in Breezy Knolls (K01-K17 I think?) and then I believe sites 203 and 205 were nice and tucked away in the trees as well. There is a zip line course and a metal "slide" or coaster behind the Breezy Knolls area which can get kind of noisy between the sounds of the gear and the kids screaming. Lol. But it didn't really bother me personally. The wooded area back there is beautiful though so the sites definitely made up for it. Campground has a fenced in dog park, playground, showers, clean bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Would definitely camp here again. I just prefer the wooded/shaded tent sites...which are limited at this place.
Quechee State Park Campground sites range from basic tent-only areas to RV-compatible spaces with varying levels of privacy. The campground layout has two main loops with numbered sites, many featuring natural buffers of trees and vegetation. Most distant sites (40s and higher) have reduced road noise and increased seclusion. Vermont's camping season typically runs May through mid-October with Quechee's peak season running July through early September when water temperatures in the gorge reach comfortable swimming levels.
Picnic by the brook: At Storrs Pond Recreation Area, site 1 offers unique water access. "It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides" and "away from all other sites so it was very quiet," notes Amy G.
Swim in the pond: Silver Lake State Park offers swimming beyond the gorge area. "There is a beach with wading depth, sand for playing, buoys to mark the shallow area, a large dock to jump from with a ladder for climbing out," explains Hannah H., who adds the park has "a great snackbar" and rentals for "rowboats, paddleboats, cannoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards."
Visit historic sites: Near Mount Ascutney State Park Campground, campers can explore regional history. "The campground is close to good shopping, and also the Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock, which is an awesome destination for families," recommends Tara S., who appreciates finding quieter moments at popular sites by "waking up early to explore the gorge without the crowds."
Clean facilities: Quechee State Park Campground consistently receives praise for maintenance. "Bathroom were clean and the grounds were quite at night," notes Douglas L., while Kate R. simply states "Nice sites. Clean bathrooms." This attention to cleanliness extends to shower facilities, with Chris A. mentioning "Bathrooms are immaculate with coin (quarters) operated showers."
Private campsites: Coolidge State Park Campground offers secluded sites away from crowds. "Very wooded and private sites. Many have lean-tos and brick ovens," reports Michele S. The campground's layout provides natural spacing between neighbors, with Tim K. noting his site was "a nice open space with a private outhouse."
Evening activities: Campgrounds host seasonal programming for families. "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)," shares Jen B. about Quechee State Park, highlighting the value-added activities beyond standard camping.
Road noise varies: Highway sounds affect some campgrounds more than others. At Mount Ascutney, "the road nearby is noisy. Because of its location, you can hear both the local highway and I91," warns Rita M. Similarly, Chris A. advises about Quechee State Park: "It looks like the state has spread out RCA on the sites, which probably could have spread out better and made more level. Also tough to drive a stake into."
Water access is limited: Not all campgrounds offer swimming options. "The weird thing is that there just isn't much here. The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont... Prepared to be whelmed," notes reviewer B., adding that "you can access some slow semi-rapids at the bottom."
Connectivity is minimal: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Norwich have limited cell service and internet. At Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, Nancy W. reports: "No WiFi or cell service except by the pool which can be hard if you need to be contacted. Cable TV at sites was available and intermittent quality."
Playground access: Multiple pet-friendly campgrounds offer play structures. At Moose Hillock Camping Resort, Melissa L. appreciates that it has a "playground" and notes it's "a good balance between what my husband and I enjoy about camping and what the kids will enjoy," though she cautions "it can be difficult especially for little legs going up and down" due to hilly terrain.
Water recreation options: Water features beyond Quechee Gorge provide family entertainment. At Rest N Nest Campground, Jen C. highlights its "Swimming pond and pool. Small Playground." The options for water play vary by campground, with multiple reviewers noting shallow water areas suitable for younger children.
Bathroom proximity: Consider site location relative to facilities with young children. At Jacobs Brook Campground, Jean C. notes "Sites vary in size. The ones on the 50s have a sloped approach. The lower numbers offer pull-through access," adding that during her visit "Bathrooms are clean; in 2020 their use is restricted to use by short term tent/pop-up/teardrop campers."
Hookup variations: RV sites differ significantly across campgrounds. Jan B. reports that at Quechee State Park, "There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in a RV," while Nancy W. notes that at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, "Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost."
Site leveling challenges: Many campground reviews mention terrain issues. "Some of the sites were not really level," warns Sara D. about Moose Hillock, while Don L. appreciates that Quechee-Pine Valley KOA provided a "nice pull through site" that accommodated their needs during a quick overnight stay.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the Norwich area operate May through October. "We go every year and love it!" shares Rhonda B. about Quechee-Pine Valley KOA, specifically recommending their "hot air balloon festival" and noting it's a "safe, quiet family friendly campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Norwich, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Norwich, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
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