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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
Check Availability"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."
"This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole. Great place."
"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
Check Availability"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."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
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.
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.
RangerI’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!
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 25 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 144 dog-friendly camping locations near Waitsfield, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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