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Michigan Brook in the Green Mountain National Forest offers primitive camping opportunities for those traveling with pets. Located near Pittsfield, this free dispersed camping area features several sites along a dirt road with some spots situated right next to the river. The road extends approximately one mile past the parking lot with three main camping sites—one before a bridge crossing and two after. Higher clearance vehicles are recommended as parts of the road can be muddy and rough, especially during spring thaw. Michigan Brook Road remains accessible for most of the year except winter months when the road is not plowed.
Chittenden Brook Campground, located a short drive from Pittsfield, provides another pet-friendly option with more amenities than the dispersed sites. This wooded campground features well-spaced sites offering good privacy, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to vault toilets. The constant sound of running water from the nearby brook creates a relaxing camping environment. The campground provides access to multiple hiking trails, including connections to the Appalachian Trail, making it ideal for outdoor exploration with dogs. Sites at Chittenden Brook are suitable for tents and small RVs, though larger recreational vehicles might find access challenging due to the 2.5-mile dirt road with steady incline leading to the campground. Campers should be aware there is no cell service in the area, so downloading maps in advance is essential.
"Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."
"The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Nice hiking trails close to long trail, really tucked away a few miles off 73. Great if you’re looking for some solitude."
"Well maintained, and nice access to trails right from the campground."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"I stayed at this campsite located at the end of upper Michigan road. It is winter and there is a lot of snow. The main road to the parking lot is plowed and sanded."
"Few nice ones near the creek. I stayed at one on top of a lots of space at mine."
"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."
"If you're considering a spot in Vermont to camp, come here! Also, make sure your car has a bit of clearance as some sports have dips in the ground."
"Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."
"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."
"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"Drive in about a mile after the parking lot!! Can use car to get in! There’s 3 camping spots. 1 before the bridge and 2 after the bridge!"
"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."
"Lovely place, free camping, fire pits at the campsite, and access to the water. We camped in the off season, but in the on season there are pit toilets and campground stewards."
from $10 / night
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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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
We'll definitely be returning!
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.
LegendThis dispersed camping area is down Upper Michigan Road in Pittsfield Vermont. Drive through the residential neighborhood until you hit a dirt road and see National Forest signs.
This area is open for camping year-round but probably only accessible in Spring through early Fall because the dirt road is not plowed. Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted, I would not recommend driving down there with a car that is low to the ground.
I liked this camping area for it's accessibility to Killington, VT and it was of course free! We camped near the beginning of the road but would recommend driving down if you can because you can camp next to the river after you cross the bridge. The area is big enough to bring an RV if you can get it down the dirt road. It is frequently camped in so fire rings exist. As with many free campsites, there was some trash (please practice LNT fellow campers!!!).
All in all great stop-over spot but not really a destination.
ScoutWe travelled as a group with family (4 sites). When we booked all our sites were right next to each other. When we arrived not a single one of us were even on the same road. The biggest issue with this, is that there were plenty of sites available next to each other. My parents paid for 50 amp electric and the site next to them was using it instead of the 30amp they were meant to have. Also, while the campground is pet friendly, a warning about free roaming chickens would have been nice. I would not have brought my (prey driven) dogs if I had known there were free roaming chickens.
Michigan Brook Road offers multiple primitive camping spots along a dirt road extending about one mile past the parking lot. This free dispersed camping area sits within Green Mountain National Forest at approximately 1,300 feet elevation. The road can become muddy during spring thaw, requiring higher clearance vehicles, while summer offers drier, easier access conditions with temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak season.
Hiking nearby trails: From Gifford Woods State Park Campground, access both the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail systems. "The Appalachian Trail runs directly through this park. While on a 4 state section hike I traveled by foot through this park," shares Sarah K. Another camper adds, "For a shorter or less-intensive hike, walk about 2.5 miles to the Deer Leap Overlook for some incredible views of the mountain ranges nearby."
Mountain biking: The Moosalamoo Campground area offers extensive biking opportunities. "Moosalamoo campground has awesome bike trails with smooth trail beds and nice rolling bumps," notes Jill B. The terrain features a mix of forest roads and single-track options suitable for intermediate riders.
Swimming and fishing: Silver Lake provides swimming and fishing options during summer months. "Lake at the top is very nice for swimming and cooling off. Quite a few places to set up a tent too, as well as a picnic area with little grills," reports Emma B. The lake remains a popular spot for anglers targeting trout species.
Privacy between sites: Chittenden Brook Campground receives praise for its site layout. "This was a great site that feels secluded but isn't. There's quite a bit of space between each site so you can't really see your neighbors which is excellent," says Jessica C. The constant sound of running water from the brook creates natural white noise between campsites.
Mountain views: Coolidge State Park Campground offers impressive vistas. "They have some of the most amazing views right from your campsite," explains Michael L. The campground sits on a hillside with select sites providing panoramic views. Another camper notes, "High up on a hillside. The prime lean tos have great views."
Night sky viewing: The open meadows at FR207 provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful," reports Phil J. The elevation and distance from town lights create minimal light pollution conditions ideal for astronomical observation.
Limited services: Most dispersed camping areas around Pittsfield have no amenities. "This dispersed camping area is down Upper Michigan Road in Pittsfield Vermont. Drive through the residential neighborhood until you hit a dirt road and see National Forest signs," explains Maggie F. from Michigan Brook.
Road conditions matter: Access to many sites requires navigating unpaved roads. "Beware that in Spring the road gets muddy and quite rutted, I would not recommend driving down there with a car that is low to the ground," warns a Michigan Brook camper. Another camper at FR207 notes, "This is not a place to go without at least 9" of ground clearance."
Cell service gaps: Connectivity remains limited throughout the region. One camper at Moosalamoo mentions finding "2 bars USCellular LTE," but most areas have no service. Download maps in advance and inform others of your camping location before departure.
Kid-friendly activities: Quechee State Park Campground offers programming for children. "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. The park includes open fields for games and easy access to water features.
Pet considerations: Most campgrounds welcome dogs but require leashes. Check individual site rules regarding pet restrictions. "We have stayed at this campground twice and have been so happy with it every time. Pets are welcome," confirms Alyssa C. about Gifford Woods.
Pack weather gear: Mountain weather can change rapidly, even in summer. Temperatures often drop into the 40s overnight. One camper at Coolidge State Park recommends "packing layers and rain gear regardless of the forecast," particularly for higher elevation campgrounds.
Size restrictions: Most forest service roads have limited clearance for large RVs. "We stayed at site 15 in the lower campground for a few nights and it was level and spacious," notes a camper at Gifford Woods, one of the more accessible options for smaller recreational vehicles.
Parking logistics: Some sites require creativity for larger vehicles. At Coolidge State Park, a camper shares: "We moved to lean to ELM in the upper campground and it was a nice private site. It was perched on a hill but we were still able to park and sleep in our van next to the lean to."
Waste disposal: Plan for self-contained camping. "Campers should be aware there is no cell service in the area, so downloading maps in advance is essential," notes a Quechee camper. The campground does offer a "spacious dump site if needed" for those requiring waste disposal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Pittsfield, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Pittsfield, VT is Gifford Woods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Pittsfield, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 149 dog-friendly camping locations near Pittsfield, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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