4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Shelburne Camping Area accommodates pets at all sites with full hookups for RVs and tent camping options. Located at 4385 Shelburne Road, this year-round campground maintains two separate dog park areas—one for large dogs and another for smaller breeds. Campers note the grounds are well-kept with clean bathroom facilities, though the campground sits relatively close to a major roadway which may affect dogs sensitive to traffic noise. The campground provides water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site, with most pet owners congregating in the spacious corner sites that offer more room for dogs to relax on-leash.
Mount Philo State Park Campground permits dogs at all camping areas with minimal restrictions, requiring only standard leashing in public areas. The park features composting toilets and coin-operated hot showers (50 cents for 5 minutes) that remain accessible to campers with pets. Sites 1, 6, and 8 offer the most seclusion for campers with vocal dogs, while sites closer to the bathrooms experience more foot traffic. The surrounding area includes several hiking trails suitable for leashed dogs, though nearby Lake Champlain beaches generally prohibit dogs. North Beach Campground in Burlington (7 miles north) provides another pet-friendly option with a dog park approximately 3/4 mile south of the campground along the adjacent bike path. Button Bay State Park Campground allows dogs in designated areas including a specific dog trail and beach area, making it particularly suitable for pets that enjoy swimming.
"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
"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."
"Loved town of Shelburne. Awesome little shops and great, well stocked little local grocery store. Authentic Italian restaurant in grocery store parking lot...picked up delicious strombolis."
"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
"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 first is where you'll find the lean-tos and the dog trail/beach. This area is super quiet, offers a bit of shade, and plenty of privacy."
"We selected it because it was nearby for our second outing with our new (used) R-Pod camper. Turns out it's a wonderful park."
"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
"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."
"This camp ground is a short drive to Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Vermont State and so much more. The Chasm has their own store and cafe"
"Sites were a medium distance apart but still spacious enough to not be close to neighbors."
"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
"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.
Vermont's Champlain Valley camping options near Shelburne accommodate various camping styles from 95 to 300 feet above sea level. Campsites in this region typically operate from mid-May through mid-October, with summer high temperatures averaging 75-80°F. Winter camping is limited to year-round facilities, primarily at Shelburne Camping Area.
Hiking on Mount Philo: Climb the short trail to the summit for panoramic views at Mount Philo State Park Campground. "Great little park, not many sites but I come here for the short hike and the amazing views. You can't beat them in the Summer, Spring, Fall, or even snowshoeing in the winter," notes Meag F.
Cycling the Lake Champlain Byway: Rent bikes or bring your own to explore the extensive trail network. "Nice, clean, friendly park. Not a lot of trees for privacy, or for that wilderness feel, but the sites are spacious and the park has swimming pool with life guard. Nice park for cycling the Lake Champlain Byway," says M.A.D. P. about Button Bay State Park.
Boating and water activities: Launch kayaks and paddleboards at North Beach Campground for lake access. "Burlington is my favorite city by far, and this campground is right on the beach! Take your kayaks paddle boards or whatever you have and enjoy the lake! A gorgeous bike trail also runs right through the campground," shares Brittany R.
Proximity to local attractions: Many campers appreciate how Shelburne Camping Area serves as a hub for regional exploration. "We used to live in shelburne and recommended the campground to family staying in the area to visit. it's very close to museums, the town, and farm areas," explains Mackenzie B.
Lake views and water access: Waterfront sites are highly sought after. "This state park is so fun to camp at! It has a great playground for kids and a nice swimming pool! You can hike on the trail and Lake Champlain is right there!" says Debbie S. about Button Bay State Park Campground.
Peaceful, secluded sites: For those seeking quiet, certain campgrounds offer more isolation. "Only 8 campsites, dispersed in the trees. $23/night. Picnic table and fire pit. Moderate cell service. Nice hikes and cool views of the area!" notes Kaelin P. about Mount Philo State Park.
Seasonal variations: Weather conditions can change quickly. "We love being able to walk down to the beach, as well as having full hookups. We also met the nicest people here. You can purchase firewood at the office, and there are also propane options. It was peaceful here yet also a fun place," says Laura L. about North Beach Campground.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront options. "Great waterfront park, the waterfront sites are fantastic, they are wide so smaller units can be parked parallel to the lake. Book early for the best sites," advises IAN P. about Button Bay State Park Campground.
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise. "The only downside is that the campsites are pretty small and close together so noise can be an issue. Also, the site is close to the highway which is convenient but it also means you hear the traffic all night," mentions Eli C. about Shelburne Camping Area.
Playground accessibility: Choose sites near recreational facilities for easier supervision. At Apple Island Resort, "We travel coast to coast with 3 kids and 2 huge dogs in a SuperC. Apple Island is now in our top 5 of even our luxury list of resorts. You will not be disappointed. Great staff, and amenities," shares David A.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer different swimming experiences. "Burlington, VT is one of my favorite towns on the east coast. Camping at North Beach is a great experience if you want quick access to the water, and do not mind the close proximity of others," notes Tarah W.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds have nature programs for children. "Vermont's oldest state park has just 10 campsites (7 tent sites and 3 lean-tos). My favorite part about camping here is getting up early and hiking the short trail to the top for a spectacular sunrise," recommends Tara S. about Mount Philo State Park.
Site selection for views: Premium sites often cost more but provide better scenery. At Apple Island Resort, "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; whereas, our site was three rows back," explains Nancy W.
Hookup locations: RVers should note the arrangement of utilities. "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," notes Ron H. about Apple Island Resort.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal needs at Little River State Park Campground. "Very nice campground, great location! The reservoir was beautiful. Took the kayak, only issue I had was getting to the lake. Most sites up on hill looking over lake, not easily assessable from camp site," advises Cindy L.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Shelburne, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Shelburne, VT is North Beach Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Shelburne, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 149 dog-friendly camping locations near Shelburne, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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