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Quechee State Park Campground's wooded campsites welcome pets throughout its established grounds. This Vermont state park provides tent sites, RV spots without hookups, and cabin options with pet-friendly policies. Silver Lake State Park Campground also allows pets with spacious, nicely spaced sites surrounding a scenic lake. Both parks maintain clean facilities with coin-operated showers that cost 25-50 cents for several minutes of hot water. Sites at Quechee include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to sanitary dump stations for RVs, though no electric hookups are available. The bathhouses are immaculate and the sites are generally large with plenty of privacy between neighbors, especially in the back areas which tend to be quieter.
A half-mile trail from Quechee State Park leads directly to Quechee Gorge where dogs can accompany owners exploring the river below. Leashed pets can cool off in shallow water areas during summer months. Many sites back up to a large field perfect for exercising dogs. Nearby Gifford Woods State Park and Mount Ascutney State Park maintain similar pet policies. While hiking with dogs, be aware of occasional wildlife including bears that have been reported in the area. Park staff regularly patrol in carts to alert campers about any wildlife concerns. For supplies, several markets operate near the campgrounds, and the town of Woodstock is a short drive away with additional pet-friendly amenities. Sites are typically well-shaded with plenty of room for pets to rest comfortably while camping.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $59 - $99 / 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."
"Easy to drive into the campground and into the site. We had no issues at all. Hosts were very friendly and helpful. Campground was very clean and well manicured."
"Wilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year."
"Wilgus state park has amazing campsites, very friendly staff, and great access to the Connecticut River. This campground was beautiful and very quiet even though it was full."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $64 / 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.
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.
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.
LegendThis KOA is what you expect from a KOA– lots of amenities, sites of all sizes and levels of cost, tons of activities, and in a vacation destination area. We spent five nights at the campground and found lots to do in the area and that we had an enjoyable and pleasant stay.
The park is a large park that is terraced since it is in a pretty hilly area. There is the range of sites from pull-thrus, pull-ins and back-in sites and can accommodate RVs of any size. Some sites are full hookup while others are not and that is reflected in the cost. We paid $57/nigh for our full hookup site which is pretty costly especially since we did not use any of the amenities. Most sites are gravel with gravel patios but there are deluxe sites with paved patios, patio furniture, umbrella, and gas bbq grill. There are also camping cabins, some of which have kitchenettes and bathrooms that sleep six people.
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. The site was a pull-in which was kind of nice because the view out of our front windshield was of a wooded area. Our fire pit was in the front of our site so there was a nice amount of privacy when we sat outside by a campfire and didn’t feel like we were on the side of the road. Despite the hilliness of the park and all the trees, we did not have any trouble navigating our 45’ RV to our site. The trees at our site would prevent satellite television reception but our site had cable and we got about 20 or so channels. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Like many KOAs there are tons of amenities and things for kids to do – swimming pool, fishing ponds, bike rental, scheduled activities, propane sales, camp store, fire wood delivery, and more. There is a fenced dog park which was a fairly good size and our lab was happy to chase a ball.
As a whole, the park was very clean and manicured. No trash laying around and the gravel roads were free of potholes. The campground is located near the Queechee Gorge, covered bridges, hiking trails (including sections of the Appalachian Trail), good dining, maple syrup/cheese farm, the Marsh Billings- Rockefeller National Historic Park.
Vermont state parks near South Pomfret offer camping at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet with varying terrain through the White River Valley and surrounding mountains. Most campgrounds in this region maintain operational seasons from mid-May through mid-October, with limited winter access. The summer camping season peaks in July and August when temperatures average 70-85°F during the day and 50-65°F at night.
Hiking to viewpoints: Access the Appalachian Trail directly from Gifford Woods State Park Campground, where a 2.5-mile moderate trail leads to Deer Leap Overlook. "The campsite lies directly on the Appalachian trail, so 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," notes Kyle R.
Mountain biking trails: Mt. Ascutney State Park maintains dedicated biking routes for various skill levels. "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which is accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain," reports Rita M.
Water activities: Silver Lake State Park offers multiple paddle craft rentals during summer months. "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... Rowboats, paddleboats, cannoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards are all available for rent during the day," explains Hannah H.
Privacy between sites: Coolidge State Park Campground offers secluded camping spots with natural separation. "The sites are large. If you stay in the back it's quieter. They also have several lean tos that you can rent," mentions Jan B. about another nearby campground with similar features.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at area campgrounds. "Might be the nicest bathrooms I've seen in decades of camping," reports B at Quechee State Park, while at Gifford Woods, Jonathan L. confirms "The bathrooms were clean and the coin-operated showers were great. Each site was neatly maintained."
Lean-to options: Several campgrounds provide lean-to shelters for alternative accommodations. "I stayed at the Basswood lean to site. Private and well kept sites, clean bathrooms, friendly service, gorgeous Mountain View, gave me the real feel of camping outdoors," shares Melanie P. from Coolidge State Park.
Limited hookups: Most state parks in the region don't offer electrical connections. "There are no hookups but they do have a dump station if you are in a RV," notes a reviewer about camping facilities.
Hot showers require quarters: Wilgus State Park Campground and other area facilities maintain coin-operated shower systems. "Restrooms are clean. There is a short hiking trail, which is just okay - no views or anything," states Tara S. about this Connecticut River camping location.
Advanced reservations recommended: Popular sites with views book quickly during peak season. "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," advises Cliff M. about Coolidge State Park.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds. "The road nearby is noisy. Because of its location, you can hear both the local highway and I91. If being in the quiet wilderness is important to you, than this campground might not work out," warns Rita M.
Playground access: Silver Lake State Park Campground features family-friendly amenities. "Located at the beach area is also lawn space for games, a volleyball court, a fantastic playground. There is a bathroom and changing room, ice for sale and a great snackbar," reports Hannah H.
Ranger-led activities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near South Pomfret offer scheduled programs. "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.
Swimming options: Consider campgrounds with swimming facilities for hot days. At Wilgus State Park, Kaileigh K. found "a great local pond for swimming that had dive docks, diving boards and lifeguards on duty that was less than 10 minutes away."
Length restrictions: Mount Ascutney State Park Campground accommodates larger vehicles but requires careful navigation. "Despite the hilliness of the park and all the trees, we did not have any trouble navigating our 45' RV to our site," shares Nancy W. about a similarly laid-out KOA in the area.
Dump station availability: Most state parks provide waste disposal facilities but no sewer hookups. "There are plenty of fresh water spigots and a spacious dump site if needed," notes Chris A.
Non-level pads: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. "The RCA [gravel] on the sites, which probably could have spread out better and made more level. Also tough to drive a stake into," advises Chris A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near South Pomfret, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near South Pomfret, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near South Pomfret, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 142 dog-friendly camping locations near South Pomfret, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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