4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Little River State Park Campground welcomes pets at all 70 tent/RV sites and 20 lean-to sites on Waterbury Reservoir, a 30-minute drive from Richmond. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, Mount Philo State Park, and North Beach Campground also permit dogs throughout their facilities. Most sites require pets to remain on leash at all times and limit the number of animals per campsite. Trails within these parks offer dogs ample hiking opportunities, though the historical Dalley Loop Trail at Little River requires extra attention to keep pets away from old foundations and settlement remains. The campground features freshly raked sites with fire pits, picnic tables, and access to clean bathrooms with hot showers.
Waterbury Reservoir provides excellent pet recreation opportunities with designated swimming areas where dogs can cool off during summer months. Dogs should be kept away from wildlife and hiking trails may require special consideration during muddy seasons. The proximity to Stowe and Waterbury allows for quick access to veterinary services if needed. Brook Run Dog Retreat offers a specialized glamping experience specifically designed for dog owners, featuring extensive trail systems for off-leash exploration when appropriate. Gold Brook Campground and Apple Island Resort provide pet-friendly accommodations with hookups for RVs, while Shelburne Camping Area remains open year-round for those camping with pets outside peak season. Weather conditions should be monitored as temperature variations can affect pets, particularly in spring and fall.
"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
"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
"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
"This is a nice little private campground in Shelburne, just outside of Burlington. Close to Lake Champlain. Good place to spend the night and good access to activities."
"Lastly, the location was perfect, just outside of Burlington made access to the area ideal."
"We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."
"Our boys had fun riding their bikes around, playing basketball, and playing a round of mini golf."
from $8 - $12 / night
"The toilets are composing toilets, but from the user experience, it's very close to a regular toilet in that it's in a stall in a nice, well maintained proper bathroom (unlike some composting toilets in"
"the best part is every night its only a ten minute hike to the summit from where the sites are and you get to watch the sunset over Vermont and lake champlain as the sun falls behind the adirondack mountains"
from $23 / night
"They ask that you limit your driving on the path to the site- so we were sure to go into town to get all we needed before we settled into camp- which wasnt hard to do."
"Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
Facilities were accessible and clean."
"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."
"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."
"Since the park is on a island in Lake Champlain in Vermont there is water all around. Good places to walk and ride."
from $6 - $28 / night
"Visit this campground in the fall and experience quintessential Vermont in all its glory. The campground is nice. The people are friendly."
"Lots of things to do around here with dogs and kids. Breweries near by for the so inclined. Should have brought my roadbike, this is a bicyclers heaven."
from $55 - $105 / 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.
GuideThere was a few sites 5-6 we didn’t get to the eastern loop. But the sites we saw were very secluded. All had fire pits ours had a picnic table. And was right next to the creek. Would highly recommend if you want to get away from city lights. All sites are not maintained. We had a small off road camper it was easy In and out some sites could be hard with larger pull behinds. Some sites might need 4wd to get in and out we had lots of mud after a lot of rain.
Campers seeking dog friendly options near Richmond, Vermont can access several state parks within a 30-mile radius. The region sits in the foothills of the Green Mountains with elevations ranging from 200-4,000 feet, creating diverse terrain for hiking and exploration. Winter camping options remain limited with most campgrounds closing by mid-October, though Shelburne Camping Area stays open year-round for cold-weather adventurers.
Paddle the reservoir: At Little River State Park Campground, the reservoir provides excellent water recreation opportunities. "Great campground for hanging out and a place to bring your boat. The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat!" notes Hannah H. Several water-accessible backcountry sites allow for secluded overnight trips.
Explore Burlington by bike: The North Beach Campground connects directly to Burlington's extensive bike path network. "Biking into Burlington takes 5-10 minutes and you're also right on the beach of Lake Champlain. Take your kayaks paddle boards or whatever you have and enjoy the lake! A gorgeous bike trail also runs right through the campground," says Brittany R. The path extends 7.6 miles along Lake Champlain.
Winter camping adventure: For experienced cold-weather campers, Smugglers Notch State Park offers free off-season camping. "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," notes Ed M. No facilities operate during winter months.
Remote lake access: The backcountry sites at Little River State Park provide water-only access camping opportunities. Caitlin M. explains, "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." These remote sites offer significantly more privacy than the main campground area.
Private wooded sites: Mount Philo State Park Campground offers secluded camping with only 10 total sites. "Sites 1, 6 and 8 are the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private," recommends Drew Q. The limited number of campsites prevents overcrowding even during peak season.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained facilities at dog-friendly campgrounds. A visitor to Smugglers Notch noted, "Pristine facilities, private camp sites and a beautiful area. Smuggler's Notch is close enough to Stowe to not be a hassle to drive to, but far enough away that it's quiet and remote." Most Vermont state parks offer coin-operated showers (typically 50¢ for 5 minutes).
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from mid-May through mid-October. At Grand Isle State Park Campground, the season runs "May 12 to October 16." Shelburne Camping Area remains the primary exception, operating year-round for campers needing late fall or winter accommodation.
Limited lakefront: Despite proximity to water bodies, direct waterfront access can be limited. Regarding Grand Isle State Park, one camper noted, "Very rocky beach with little to no sand to play in, a bit of a walk to the water." At other parks, vegetation may block views from waterfront sites.
Quiet environment enforced: State parks maintain strict quiet hours and noise regulations. A Smugglers Notch visitor mentioned, "The staff was helpful and very good about controlling excessive noise from other sites." Expect family-friendly, peaceful camping environments at most state park locations.
Historical exploration: Little River State Park offers unique historical sites for kids. Rita M. shares, "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover." The park was once home to a settlement abandoned in the early 1900s.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Erin S. describes Lone Pine Campsites: "The sites were long and spacious. We had one right next to the playground so our daughter could walk straight to it without having to cross a road. And speaking of playground, it was large and very nice."
Consider shoulder seasons: For families seeking quieter experiences, camping outside peak summer months offers advantages. At Apple Island Resort, one visitor noted, "We stayed there the last week of the season so things were very quiet." Spring and early fall weekdays typically see lower occupancy rates at most campgrounds.
Full hookup options: Apple Island Resort offers complete services for larger RVs with premium waterfront sites. One camper explains, "The sites with the best views are the Platinum Plus which are also the most expensive. Some Platinum Plus sites are in the first row with unobstructed views." Sites include water, electric (including 50 amp), and sewer connections.
Advance planning required: The limited number of RV-suitable sites with hookups makes advance reservations essential. At Gold Brook Campground, "Our site was level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit." Most state parks have fewer electric sites available compared to private campgrounds.
Site orientation considerations: Some campgrounds have unique site layouts. Nancy W. observed at Apple Island Resort, "The hook-ups at our site were well-placed but the sewer pipe was high off the ground which did not let it drain even with a 'slinky.' Most of the waterfront sites are nose-in and suited well for motorhomes."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Richmond, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Richmond, VT is Little River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Richmond, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 143 dog-friendly camping locations near Richmond, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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