Little River State Park Campground near Waterbury allows pets at its wooded sites with good separation between campers. The park features 70 tent/RV sites and 20 lean-to sites plus five cabins on Waterbury Reservoir, with clean bathrooms and showers available. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground also welcomes pets at its sites. Sites at Little River are freshly raked before arrival with leftover firewood stacked next to fire pits. Picnic tables easily seat eight people. Both established campgrounds require pets to be leashed and under control at all times. The campgrounds provide access to water activities, with Little River situated directly on Waterbury Reservoir where dogs can cool off after hiking.
Green Mountain National Forest offers several dispersed camping options for those seeking more primitive experiences with their pets. FR207 and FR25 both allow pets in free, undeveloped sites with minimal amenities. The Waterbury Reservoir has remote sites accessible only by boat where pets are welcome. Little River features multiple hiking trails where dogs can explore old foundations and historical sites hidden along the paths. The trails range from easy to moderately steep. Some campers mention leaving kayaks at the beach area since most sites are up on hills overlooking the lake. Wildlife is present in the area, so keeping pets leashed protects both local animals and your dog. Waterbury and Stowe are nearby towns with veterinary services and pet supply options for emergency needs.
$19 - $28 / night
"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."
$20 / 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."
"All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!"
"This area is right next to FireRoad 25 rd. We did not camp here we camped on FR25."
"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."
"It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road."
"Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended."
$24 / night
"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."
"Also the spot where you set up tent at this site was on a slope, others sites might be better.. still 10/10 will return, these sites are all prime locations!"
"All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there"
$49 - $100 / night
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.
GuideI have a 24’ RV towing a 30 foot trailer for perspective. I easily fit in site 107 and lots of other sites would have worked. They have a place to drop trailers if you don’t fit.
Sites 90 to 108 are best. Spaced out under trees.
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. Clean easy to use dump with water.
Tent sites looked nice.
Short walk to nice beach or you can drive a car. Short tunnel so no campers or bikes on the roof.
Right next to rails to trails path that goes onto a causeway over the lake. There is a bike ferry to keep going. Nice ride.
Nice dog park 3/4 miles to the South on the trail.
Far away from noise. Can’t comment on loud campers.
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.
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.
GuideThis campground is drive in and never touch the car again. Two huge sites that can be rented in tandem as a group site. Each site has a prep table, picnic table, fire pit, 5 gallons of fresh water, a raised platform for tents, and a porta potty. Very spacious sites. Easily two camoer vans and two tents on each site. Site is at the bottom of Kitchel and Herbs trails, atop the exit/entrance trails into the village of East Burke. Showers are a short walk away at Mike's Tiki Bar, in the Kingdom parking lot. The sites can be reserved, and usually are up to a year in advance. So call ahead! Sites are pet friendly and there's lots of space for big dogs to run around. Sites are super private from the outside world. This place is truly a hidden gem that can make your trip.
LegendThis is a small family-owned and operated campground just a few miles outside of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The campground abuts the Moose River which makes for a pretty backdrop and wonderful place to dip your toes in the water. The shallow river is a clear flowing rocky river.
The campground is a mix of seasonal and transient campers with sites large enough to fit big rigs. There is also a rental camper and cabin available. There were tent sites but the owner mentioned they may fade those out. We stayed in a large pull thru (well over 125’), full hook-up site in the center section of the campground. (Site 27 @ $47/night). The electric worked fine and the sewer was easily reached with my 20’ sewer hose. The pad was gravel (as were the roads) and the patio was nice grass. Cable television is available and produced 32 stations. Our Verizon hotspot and phone worked well.
There are lots of activities at this park. It seems like every week there was a community bonfire where lots of palettes were set ablaze. During our stay, there was a potluck dinner in which the owners supplied roast beef and hosted us in a large covered pavilion. One evening they drove around the campground offering free ice cream sandwiches or drum sticks. Some mornings they supplied free bagels or donuts and always had free coffee. And, there were people always on the porch playing cards. Amenities include river access, a decent size dog park, large covered pavilion, bathhouse and laundry. When you arrive, you are given a swag bag with printed information about the surrounding area and businesses. This is a really nice touch because the reusable bag can be used in the grocery store as plastic bags have been banned in Vermont.
If you can score a riverfront site those are nice to sit outside and enjoy a fire. The pull thru sites are very close on one side as each RV pulls in the opposite direction; however, the sites are so long that if you pull up far enough you are not looking at your neighbor. Your patio opens to a neighbor but the sites are far enough away that it’s not a bother and you don’t feel like you are on top of them. Probably the nicest site in the park is #23 which is a back-in site with your patio facing the river.
The campground is in a good location, just a few miles from downtown St. Johnsbury, just a mile or so from “Dog Mountain,” and about 15 miles from Littleton, New Hampshire. There is a town forest just a few miles away that has some nice hiking trails. The campground is pretty small so we were happy to find places to hike with our dog.
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.
ScoutI've camped on Valcour all my life since I was 7. It was amazing. So beautiful. Now it's covered in cockroaches and the water is murky and everything is covered in Zebra muscles. Other campers are rude and have no respect for your property. Has been all Canadians from my experience. They let their pets on the island to defecate and we've had one let their two large dogs swim ashore from their yacht and urinate on all our tents and destroyed our campsite and stole our food off from the picnic table all while the owners watched and laughed it off from their boat. The dogs then swam back and boarded the boat and they left. It's not like it used to be. We were yelling at them the whole time, trying to get the dogs away from our campsite and the owners didn't even apologize. One of the dogs defecated on my son's clothing that has fallen off the line.
The Waterbury Reservoir area sits at around 870 feet elevation with surrounding mountains reaching over 3,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the region. South Duxbury serves as a gateway to numerous camping options in the Green Mountains where overnight temperatures can drop into the 40s even during summer months. The dense forest canopy provides natural shelter at many campsites.
Trail exploration with dogs: Little River State Park Campground features historic hiking trails where campers can discover remnants of the area's past. "The hiking trails are really good--actually pretty steep. There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," notes Rita M. The park offers multi-use trails ranging from easy walking paths to more challenging terrain.
Paddle remote locations: Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites provide secluded boat-in camping spots ideal for dogs and owners seeking quiet. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27... It was about 30 minutes from the cotton brook launch to the site," advises Julia S., highlighting the importance of proper launch planning.
Winter exploration: Green Mountain National Forest FR207 offers year-round camping with pets. "My first time winter camping and had the entire area to myself. Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful. Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving," reports Phil J. Winter camping requires proper equipment and preparation for snow conditions.
River access: Austin Brook camping areas provide pet-friendly spots near water. "This is a beautiful little pull off the road right on the river with tables & fire rings," notes Sigrid O. The brook offers natural cooling spots for dogs after hikes, with multiple fire rings available.
Mountain views: The dispersed sites in Green Mountain National Forest feature panoramic scenery. "In the first large meadow, multiple fire rings/sites. Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests," shares Tim M. These meadow sites accommodate tents and vehicles with proper clearance.
Reservoir recreation: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground provides a base for waterfront activities with pets. "You are minutes from some amazing hiking, which is great when you don't feel like driving long distances after a day hike," writes Ben C. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables with reasonable separation between campers.
Road conditions: Access to some dispersed camping areas requires vehicles with clearance. "This is not a place to go without at least 9" of ground clearance. Views are spectacular, choose either sunrise or sunset and you should be able to get a site to fit your needs," warns Miccal M. about FR207.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping in the national forest lacks amenities. "They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. Staff are friendly and respectful of privacy. Great deal on wood," explains Michael V. about camping near South Duxbury.
Seasonal considerations: Camping periods vary by location, with state parks typically operating May through October. "Silent and starry nights, just make sure you have the gear/experience and a warm sleeping bag," advises Ed M. about winter camping at Smugglers Notch during off-season when facilities close.
Base camps for activities: When camping with pets and kids near South Duxbury, consider proximity to attractions. "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!" recommends Alison O.
Site selection for water access: Gold Brook Campground provides pet-friendly camping with water features. "The sites along the brook are treated to the babbling brook sites and sounds. While most sites are relatively wide open, they are well spaced out with tons of room," notes IAN P. This spacing helps when managing pets and children.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer recreation areas for kids. "The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," shares Rita M. about family amenities available at certain locations.
Site leveling: RVers with pets should check site conditions before setup. "Gravel roads and relatively level gravel sites. The FHUs were in good order. Slightly low water pressure," reports JOHN T. about Lazy Lions Campground, noting the importance of checking hookups.
Accessibility considerations: Brookside RV Camping offers limited electric-only sites with river proximity. "This is a great spot to stop for a night with your RV and enjoy the river for a night. Easy to get to, just off of a one-way paved road," describes Miccal M., highlighting the straightforward access for RVs traveling with pets.
Limited large rig options: Most pet-friendly camping near South Duxbury isn't suitable for large RVs. "This campground is great. Nice and quiet. Campsites are well spaced. Some of the campsites on the outside ring you need to walk into (a very short distance)," explains Jess O., describing the access limitations for certain sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near South Duxbury, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near South Duxbury, VT is Little River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 24 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 142 dog-friendly camping locations near South Duxbury, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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