4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Green Mountain National Forest's dispersed camping areas near Waitsfield permit pets at multiple locations, including Austin Brook and Forest Road 25. Both sites feature riverside camping with established fire rings but minimal amenities. Austin Brook offers 4-6 primitive sites along a stream with good river access, while FR25 provides 6-8 scattered camping spots where pets can enjoy the natural setting. Dispersed camping follows standard National Forest pet regulations requiring dogs to be leashed or under voice control. Little River State Park Campground and Smugglers Notch State Park also welcome pets while providing more amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilets. Some visitors report the FR25 sites have faced issues with campers leaving litter and human waste, prompting Forest Service notices about potential closure if conditions don't improve.
The Mad River corridor provides excellent opportunities for dogs to cool off in summer months, with multiple swimming spots accessible from both Austin Brook and FR25 dispersed areas. Recent visitors note that while the FR25 sites feel secluded, they fill quickly on summer weekends. Winter access requires four-wheel drive vehicles with good ground clearance as entrance roads become steep and slippery. The small picnic area near Route 100, sometimes mistakenly used for camping, displays "No Camping" signs though enforcement appears inconsistent. Brook Run Dog Retreat offers a dedicated glamping option specifically designed for dog owners. Campers should secure valuables when at dispersed sites, as one visitor reported having equipment stolen during their stay at FR25.
"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
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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"
"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
"there are no amenities other than cascading waterfalls, mountain views, incredible swimming hole, a nearby lake, a picnic table and a fire ring. the easiest access to sites one and two is the Silver Lake"
"Access to campground is on a gravel road but my van did okay. It is small and primitive and there is a camp host who is very nice."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 / night
"A great peaceful spot right next to the river."
"Loved camping next to the water and hearing the river as we slept. There are fire rings. No bugs."
from $24 / night
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
GuideMost sites are secluded. There is a creepy old cemetery in walking distance. Nice showers on site !!
ScoutCampground was clean and quiet. We arrived late but information was taped to the window at the office. Will was very helpful also and checked to make sure we arrived.
ScoutWe were looking for somewhere to stay while checking out Ausable Chasm and this worked out really well. Easy drive over, then back to the camper in the afternoon. Made the whole trip alot easier.
ScoutWe only planned on staying a few nights but ended up adding another week. Once we got settled in, it was hard to leave.
Green Mountain National Forest dispersed camping areas near Waitsfield offer sites along rivers, near trailheads, and in secluded meadows. The forest encompasses over 400,000 acres across central and southern Vermont, with elevations ranging from 900 to 4,000 feet. Most dispersed camping areas remain accessible from late May through mid-October, though specific sites vary based on seasonal road conditions.
Reservoir paddling: Little River State Park Campground provides excellent access to water activities. According to Brenna T., the park offers a "clean, quiet campground that feels like wilderness, but is accessible!" Hannah H. adds it's a "great place to bring your boat. The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat!"
Mountain hiking: Smugglers Notch State Park Campground serves as an ideal base for accessing nearby trails. Michael V. notes, "They don't have all the usual amenities its more of a primitive set up. has great clean sites with multiple ways to access mount mansfields trail system which is the highest mountain in the state of Vermont." Ed M. confirms it's perfect for winter activities: "Right in the middle of great nordic and alpine backcountry skiing and snowshoeing."
Forest exploration: The trail systems surrounding Moosalamoo Campground offer diverse hiking options. Nancy M. explains: "Lots of great hiking accessible from the campground, or within a short drive. Silver Lake and Lake Dunmore are nearby. Both have beaches: Silver Lake is accessible only by foot, down a .6 mile trail from the parking area."
Riverfront camping: Dispersed sites at Forest Road 25 provide proximity to water. Thomas and James S. note that "There's a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!" Another camper adds these sites feature "river access" and the "road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space."
Scenic views: Green Mountain National Forest FR207 offers outstanding mountain vistas. Miccal M. describes it as having "wonderful views from these Primative sites" and explains you can "choose either sunrise or sunset and you should be able to get a site to fit your needs." Phil J. confirms: "Great mountain views, some sites right on the road, some in fields and some tucked away out of view."
Swimming opportunities: White River & Gulf Brook provides natural water features. One camper shares: "A great peaceful spot right next to the river." Another visitor, Lena, adds: "Loved camping next to the water and hearing the river as we slept. There are fire rings."
Seasonal access: Access to many dispersed sites requires appropriate vehicles during certain seasons. Joann&WellsThePup I. advises: "Make sure to have a backup plan during the mud season and treat your skin and clothes during black fly season." Phil J. notes FR207 has "a few mud pits and may require some ground clearance from rocks."
Site availability: Austin Brook fills quickly during peak times. Miccal M. reports: "I didn't get the chance to camp here, it was full when I drove through looking for a place." Tim M. mentions "There are a handful of sites down Austin Brook road, I had trouble finding a level spot."
Campsite conditions: Route 100 Dispersed Camping areas have varying status. Murf V. cautions: "This is a picnic area that people insist on camping there and because of this kind of stuff is why we keep loosing free camping sites." Helen P. confirms: "This site was lovely, but signs say No Camping. There were a few spots with fire rings and picnic tables."
Playground access: Little River State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. Rita M. shares: "We visited here with our 5 kiddos for 2 nights late July 2016. The facilities were clean, the small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water. The hiking trails are really good--the actually pretty steep."
Educational opportunities: Moosalamoo Campground provides learning experiences in nature. Jill B. reports: "The kind campground hosts can tell you all about the hiking and biking trails within Mossalamoo National Forest. When you are in the Moosalamoo area, beautiful trees and wildness surrounds you!"
Dog friendly sites: Gold Brook Campground welcomes pets in a controlled setting. Shannon L. notes this dog friendly campground near Waitsfield has "primitive camp sites are spacious and located along a quaint brook and sprawling meadow. Dogs allowed on leashes."
Hookup availability: Gold Brook Campground provides full RV services. Kara W. explains their site was "level and extremely spacious, FHUs, and featuring a fire pit." They add: "Wifi was great over the week (was able to work without a problem), but collapsed when more people showed up on Friday."
Road conditions: Seasonal dispersed camping requires vehicle assessment. Chris D. warns about Route 100 access: "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."
Camp security: Take precautions at remote sites. Melissa M. cautions about FR25: "Make sure to lock you valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Waitsfield, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Waitsfield, 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 Waitsfield, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 144 dog-friendly camping locations near Waitsfield, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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