Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Swanton, VT

I 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.

We stayed last year during the fall and the views were breathtaking. 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. The staff was friendly and the bathroom facilities were kept nice and clean.

Smugglers notch was not only beautiful but the campground was one of the best ones I’ve stayed at. We stayed in cherry (leanto) site which was fairly private and big enough for us to set up our 8 person tent. They were pet friendly which is always a plus. The bathrooms were the cleanest ones yet. The staff was friendly and helpful. They make nightly rounds to check on the campers and make sure no one has any questions or concerns. There were trails leading from campgrounds and beautiful views. We had an unforgettable weekend. Would 100% camp there again in the future!

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! Leaf peepers were in full force and the grounds were absolutely spectacular- I really picked the perfect time of year to go. Nights got pretty brisk, but the foliage was breathtaking.

The Park, located along scenic Rte108, has about 20 tent sites and 14 lean-to’s well dispersed throughout the grounds. A couple spots were drive-in sites, accessible to those with disabilities; most had small pathways and/or stairwells leading to their platforms. There was not a bad site within the entire vicinity. All were fully shaded and extremely private. Although, I’d be curious about checking out Sites 1 or 16 next time around!

Bathrooms were clean and the main office sold firewood at the entrance. Facilities are also pet friendly. Plus, there are so many hiking trails and recreational opportunities in and around the Park-from Stowe Mountain Resort to the quaint shops in town and local craft breweries. And even with the Park seeming “full”, the grounds were perfectly quiet, without the incessant sound of generators you find at larger state parks.

Without a doubt, Smugglers Notch State Park is a favorite of mine!

I've been exploring Vermont State Parks since before I could walk, and Burton Island State Park is my all time favorite! There's a million reasons to love camping here, and if you are visiting Vermont in the summer, I think it's one of those must-visit destinations. Here's why it's my favorite place to camp in the whole state.

1. It's like going to to a tropical island without leaving Vermont.
2. There are no cars on the island. You have to paddle yourself out or take the VT State Park passenger ferry from St. Albans.
3. It's super family friendly - maybe it's because there aren't cars all over the place, but the island is full of free range kids, and they're having a blast.
4. There's a camping bistro where you can buy pancakes, coffee, local beer, and fine wines
5. Sunsets are magical - if you can, get a lean-to right on the water. If not, hike to the western shore for the main event.
6. You can bring your dog - there's even an off-leash dog beach!
7. You can stay in a cabin! If you don't want to rough it, you don't have to.
8. There are lots of trails to explore, and almost all of them lead to the water where you can cool off in Lake Champlain.
9. There are kayaks and canoes to rent.
10. There's a marina (with WiFi), and you can rent slips for the night.

Waterfront sites book very quickly (like 11 months in advance), but if you don't mind being farther from the main campground and running water, you can almost always rent one of the four primitive sites, which are secluded and waterfront. You can paddle out to Burton Island on your own from Kamp Killcare State Park, where you'll leave your car. It's a very short paddle and shouldn't take more than 10 minutes. The passenger ferry runs throughout the day, if you don't have a boat of your own.

Once you're on the island, you can borrow a cart to bring your gear to your site, or you can pay one of the park rangers to haul it in one of their golf carts. We have stayed in a few different sites over the years -- we aren't picky, because we usually get one of the last sites available. We've never been disappointed a site. They're all great, and within easy walking distance of the beach.

This campground is a gem in the Lakes Region of Northern Vermont. It sits right on Lake Champlain and has the most amazing sunsets. It is a small adult only campground so it is pretty quiet which is exactly what we like. The campground is kind of off the beaten path but that makes for a nice, quiet place to stay. It is a no-frills campground in total contrast from the big “resort” campgrounds– no pool, no Wi-Fi, events, store, etc. 

The park has just a few big rig-friendly sites. About half the campers were seasons but their sites were very tidy and not cluttered up like many they are at other places we’ve stayed. The roads are narrow and dirt/gravel but the able to navigate if you go slow. The owners are extremely helpful and friendly and they really take pride in their campground. They lead you to your site so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. The campground doesn’t have a defined layout, instead, campsites are scattered about which is nice because there is more privacy. Some sites are right along the water with great views while others have partial. The grounds are amazing with lush grass that is kept mowed. Not a speck of trash anywhere in this park and all the dog owners were really good about picking up after their dogs. Apple trees provide nice shade. Bring your cash or checkbook as they don’t take credit cards. There is beach access but keep in mind it is rocky so it can be slippery walking in the water. The campground is located near a local ferry dock which does provide a bit of noise when the boat comes and goes. There is no cable or Wi-Fi. Our Verizon phone and hotspot worked fine and we used our portable satellite dish for television (you might be able to pick up Burlington stations using an over-the-air antenna). 

If you are looking for a quiet get-away in a beautiful part of Vermont, this would be a wonderful place to come. Just down the road is a nice local brewery and there are a few places to eat in South Hero. Definitely recommend going to Burlington which has nice shopping and restaurants. Grand Isle State Park is nearby and has some hiking trails and there is a great biking trail nearby.

Came here in the fall with some friends. Dog friendly, cool trails to walk on. The sites were very private. Would love to come back! The sites and bathrooms were also VERY clean. Friendly staff!

Great place. We have been coming here for over 20 years. Right on Lake Champlain. The only downside is the beach is rocky, so bring water shoes! Dog friendly, and you have the choice between wooded areas and grassy. Close to great road biking and hiking.

We camped here with our dog. It was wonderful minus the noise of other campers. If you come here to camp and plan to stay out late go to the office prior to leaving so you can get a pass to avoid a long trek to your campsite.

My first night there the staff was able to accomadate my request to stay one night on the lake front and the next day I had to move to another site farther back. The campground felt very safe and everyone was very friendly to me and my dog. They had a playground with lots of children running around too.

If you want a place to nomadic camp that is near Stowe, but away from the hustle and bustle, then this place is for you.  It is a private landowners land, and she has up to  5-6 campers at any point in time.  Sites are set up with picnic or other small tables, and randomly spread out across the field.  There is good distance between sites, but all other sites are within view.  There is a porta potty at the entrance to the field.  Dogs are allowed.  The landowner is very responsive and helpful with questions.   Across the street from the camping field is another field with access to water via a hose, and a very large flower garden.  There is also a small store that sells honey

The sites in the field are generally un-level, and we had to really work to level our trailer.  While we were there, there were car campers, tent campers, and a class C rv, in addition to us in our travel trailer.  Dogs are allowed on the property.

In addition to being 20 minutes to downtown Stowe, you can gravel bike right from the field.  We built a number or rides with Ride with GPS, leaving from there site.  There are never ending hiking options, from easy to advanced, in the general area.  

We would gladly return to this camp, even though we had challenges leveling.

We enjoyed ourselves at this campground very much. The sites are spacious although in the area where we stayed the vegetation was pretty sparse between sites. The bathrooms are clean and have showers. We were able to let our dogs swim at the boat ramp which was a definite plus. We also caught some fish from the shore here. The rangers were super friendly and we picked up a new VT State Park hat from them during our visit. We would definitely visit again. There are other parks to visit nearby and the farmers market is a must.

-Campground review- What can i say about this lovely state park campground? Totally beautiful, private spots, pit toilets and a night sky to die for! The rangers are extremely helpful and very friendly. The sites are pretty well priced- all they had left for us were Lean-to sites which were 27/night. No complaints here! We set our tent right up in the Lean-to and enjoyed the quiet. We stayed in the group site because everything else was packed. 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. A 40 minute drive brings you to Stowe, which has breweries, places to grab food and some awesome rock climbing spots! A short walk from the group campsite takes you straight to various (amazing!) hiking trails.

This place had everything we could have wanted for our weekend spent in Vermont. Highly recommend it!!

-MOUNTAIN HOUSE RANGER REVIEW- So, as with all my Gear reviews, I have a disclaimer.

I don’t like weird food. I just recently stopped ordering “chicken fingers” from restaurants my husband and I visit. I like predictable camp food- hot dogs, burgers, frito pie. So getting “turkey casserole” in a ziplock bag wasn’t exactly something I was thrilled about.

However- we do a lot of backpacking. And honestly, I’m tired of eating snicker bars for dinner, so I though this review might broaden my horizons for some delicious, lightweight, easy to make backpacking food.

Correct.

THANK YOU mountain house for making this oddly delicious space food that with a cup to boiling water (and about 7 minutes) turns into thanksgiving dinner!! The process is so easy and quick, the food itself is virtually weightless (so perfect for lightweight backpacking) and I would never be able to tell it had been rehydrated. The stuffing was delicious, the turkey was moist... just wow.

Backpackers and campers— get your hands on this magic stuff here:

https://www.mountainhouse.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjws8vaBRBFEiwAQfhs-AmTitjnMfLcWTqCcTNxiMmaWDyTm9FcIr8hCL1eo8rqI6R6m-iI5RoC3oAQAvD_BwE

We enjoyed everything about Grand Isle and only wish it hadn't rained. Every. Day!

Oh well, our grassy site (#80) was a fine refuge for three nights in a tent. It was level, free of roots and stones and far enough/close enough to the bathroom. 

Bring quarters for the showers (and pay it forward).

Bring your bike - lots of safe, local (flat) roads both on and off the campsite. Make sure you explore all the islands. (There are two nearby breweries.)

There's a so-called beach on Lake Champlain, but you probably wouldn't spend much time there. I like that they have a Dog Beach.

There are lots of signs warning against late-night noise. But the only thing I heard was a couple coyotes (I think).

Our first time in Vermont, we were coming from Montreal, Quebec. And while there are many nice campsites to visit in Quebec... we've done them all, within a 2-hour radius. Well, guess what? Lake Carmi in Franklin (Enosburg?) Vermont, is less than 1 1/2 hours from Montreal! I think it must be the closest campsite to Quebec, in Vermont. The drive there was really pleasant too. It wasn't all highway. It took us mostly through very scenic routes in both Quebec, and Vermont.

After booking, I had read some bad reviews about the place - which gave me second thoughts. About the staff being very unpleasant, etc. Well I'm happy to say, that turned out to be absolutely untrue! To say that Kathy, Daniel and really, the entire staff that we met, was very friendly to us, is an understatement. They literally saved our bacon!

It's a long story, but in short... our car broke down at one point, and we had to get it towed. Our phone wouldn't work, and it was by the good graces of the Lake Carmi rangers and staff, and the use of their wireless, that we were eventually able to return back home to Canada.  I don't know what we would have done, if they weren't there to help us! So - big thanks to the amazing staffers at Lake Carmi.

We had reserved a site by the lake, and saw that the campground itself was quite nice. Just acres and acres of lush green forestation. Clean grounds and washrooms. A beautiful sunset over the lake. No electrical 'pollution'. No noise pollution - except for crickets, in the field. Other than the car trouble - quite a pleasant stay! We'll be returning next year.

 At the location shown on the map s the Vermont Gas Company parking lot which is across the street from a correctional facility.

It's exactly what you look for in a vacation, peace and tranquility, breath taking views of Vermont with a perfect lake at your feet! We will definitely stay here again our family loved it!

Sites 1, 6 and 8 and the best if you're only camping with those at your site as they're the most secluded and private. Sites 2 and 3 are more open, to both each other, and to those en route to the bathrooms.

Bathrooms were very clean. Coin-op shower with hot water is 50 cents for 5 minutes, 75 cents for 7:30, etc.

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 outhouse situations I've used).

There's not much to do at the park itself, other than a nice scenic overlook and some short hiking/walking. But there's plenty to do in the surrounding area: hikes, beaches on Lake Champlain (although dog unfriendly), fiddlehead brewery and a vineyard across the street, and everything in Burlington.

Since this park is close to where we live, it has become our go to for a quick camping fix. Our family has camped here often. Our latest visit to camp was in July of 2021. July is a busy time of the year for them and most of the sites were taken. We managed to get a handicapped accessible site on the water. Our dog Mia loved the handicapped ramp. 

The park is large with 2 loops that can accommodate campers and tents. They have many leanto sites and a couple of cabins. Sites are spaced out for privacy and seclusion. The large lake is being revitalized by an aeration system which has brought back the use of the 2 nice beaches. The main beach is more for day use but there is a campers beach in loop B. There are 2 boat launches which makes for convenient access to the lake for varied recreation. Walleye fishing has always been good here. Sunsets aren't too bad either.

Since it is a large and busy park, it has been known to get a little rowdy at times. Law enforcement now patrols the park which has helped considerably.