2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Little River State Park Campground permits pets throughout its wooded campsites and cabin accommodations near the Waterbury Reservoir. The park features tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options where dogs can stay with their owners. Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites at Waterbury Center State Park also welcome pets at their boat-in tent camping areas, providing a more secluded experience for campers with dogs. Most sites are well-maintained with good separation between campsites, offering privacy for pet owners concerned about proximity to other campers. Sites around Little River are freshly raked before arrival with leftover firewood stacked near fire pits. The campground maintains clean facilities, though bathroom buildings lack dedicated dishwashing stations.
Hiking trails throughout Little River State Park accommodate leashed dogs with options ranging from easy historical walks to more challenging mountain paths. Dogs can join their owners exploring the abandoned town foundations scattered throughout the trail system. The Waterbury Reservoir provides water access where pets can cool off after hiking, though owners should supervise pets near the water. Beach areas for swimming are available, with the B beach offering a grassy shoreline and sandy bottom that many dogs enjoy. Campers with boats can access remote shoreline sites where pets have more room to explore. Little River's location also offers convenient access to nearby attractions, placing pet owners within 20 minutes of Stowe's hiking trails and the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury. The campground typically operates from mid-May through October, with most sites requiring advance reservations during summer weekends and holidays.
"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
"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
"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 not as remote as some other locations, mainly because you are in Waterbury, VT and Waterbury can be quite busy with visitors. "
"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!"
"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."
"Camp spots were far enough away from one another, trees helped with privacy, and the tent site had a great area to setup the tent.
Facilities were accessible and clean."
"Our lean-to, Hickory is situated in a lovely meadow, but quite close to other campers and a view that overlooks the campground road. There is very little shade and no privacy."
"Great hiking trails from easy to difficult. Early and late seasons are quiet. It's quite busy during the summer months as the lake is great for families and swimming."
from $19 - $28 / night
"It can get a bit noisy due to the proximity to the highway, but it's still a good option for car camping in this part of Vermont."
"Nice grass site with a large field behind, and Just a short walk to the river. Clean facilities and proximity for exploring Stowe and surrounding areas. Would love to camp here again."
"Large sporting field car park suitable for big dogs. No 'no camping' signs. There was a portaloo on site."
"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."
"We stay every year for the Vermont City Marathon. It is a convenient bike ride down the bike path to the waterside park. Easy access to all of Burlington by bike."
from $37 - $100 / night
"So close to Stowe and a lot to do…and then you come back “home” to relax and do nothing but enjoy the time away from everyday life. Truly the only time I totally relax. "
"Very close to Smuggs and only a short but beautiful ride to Stowe. I look forward to watching this campground grow as they continue to expand and will be camping here several times each season."
from $50 - $79 / night
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 !!
GuideWe had the upper sites all drive in or small camper. And or Tent. Amazing rolling brook beautiful sites we had site 32. The lower ones are rv. The owner gave us free wood as it was end of season. We were there Oct 10 I’m not sure but think they close the 13
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.
Waterbury Center offers extensive camping options in Vermont's Green Mountain range, situated between 700 and 2,500 feet elevation. The area experiences warm summers with average highs of 75-80°F while nights can drop to the 50s even in July. Most campgrounds maintain seasonal operations from mid-May through mid-October with limited availability during shoulder seasons.
Bike the Cross Vermont Trail: Access this multi-use path directly from Kettle Pond State Park Campground via connecting trails. "We took a half day bike trip on it one day to go to the town of Marshfield to visit Rainbow Sweets, home of some of the best French pastries in Vermont. We biked through marshland, seeing Great Blue Herons and other wildlife" (Rita M.).
Winter camping options: For adventurous campers, Smugglers Notch State Park offers off-season camping opportunities. "Free of charge during off season, you just have to call a couple weeks ahead to reserve and make sure you park in the allotted area. Hike/snowshoe in to your site as the gate is closed and the area is not plowed. No facilities off season…Carry out all trash/waste" (Ed M.).
River activities: The Lamoille River offers recreation opportunities at several dog friendly campgrounds near Waterbury Center. At Mountain View Campground, "You can rent kayaks and tubes from the store or bring your own and float down the river. There are multiple spots where you can put in and float down a little ways before reaching the other access point" (Nancy W.).
Remote waterfront sites: For privacy at pet-friendly campgrounds around Waterbury Center, Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites provide secluded options. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27. We made the mistake of parking at Little River rd the first time and the paddle to r14 from there was way too long" (Julia S.).
Lake swimming access: Elmore State Park offers excellent water activities. "The beach on the shores of Lake Elmore and a hiking trail to the fire tower atop Elmore Mountain" provide recreational options. Campers note that "45 spacious tent/RV sites" make this location feel "extremely private" when not at capacity (Trip Over Life).
Night sky viewing: Some campsites offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Elmore State Park Campground, "Because our lean-to was in a meadow with no tree coverage, we were treated to the most awesome night sky we've ever seen at a Vermont state park. It was mesmerizing!" (Tara S.).
Campsite reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, visitors advise to "Reserve early, as this place doesn't have a ton of sites and it folds up quickly!" (Ben C.).
Water availability varies: Some campgrounds have limited water access. Kettle Pond State Park "is primitive. There is not ANY running water. The running water is accessed by going to New Discovery Campground, which is about 3 miles down the road" (Rita M.).
Elevation considerations: Many campgrounds feature significant elevation changes. At Underhill State Park, visitors note that hiking trails are "actually pretty steep" with "old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover" (Rita M.).
Kid-friendly activities: Gold Brook Campground offers family amenities close to Waterbury Center. "The campground features a nice pool and spacious level camp sites. This campground is the perfect location to setup base camp to see all that Stowe has to offer!" (Jeff W.).
Multi-generational camping: For groups with varying camping preferences, Little River State Park has diverse accommodation types. "Great campground for hanging out and a place to bring your boat. The reservoir is a fun place to explore via kayak and cannoe as well as by motorboat!" (Hannah H.).
Educational opportunities: Kettle Pond provides wildlife viewing opportunities for children. During evening paddles, families can observe loons teaching chicks to hunt for food. Campers report that "Wild life abounds here, including fish, beavers, and loons" (Rita M.).
Site selection: For RV camping near Waterbury Center, Gold Brook Campground offers "level and extremely spacious" full hookup sites featuring fire pits. "The campground also has a small pool, one washer and one dryer, and decent showers/restrooms. Wifi was great over the week" though it becomes congested on weekends (Kara W.).
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At North Beach Campground, RVers appreciate having "easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road" while still maintaining "full hookups" for comfort (Laura L.).
Off-season stays: Mountain View Campground operates from May 1 to October 15, providing extended seasonal access compared to state parks. Campers note it's "Super conveniently located to all of the hiking and biking Stowe has to offer" with "friendly hosts" and "primitive camp sites" that are "spacious and located along a quaint brook and sprawling meadow" (Shannon L.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Waterbury Center, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Waterbury Center, 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 Waterbury Center, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 144 dog-friendly camping locations near Waterbury Center, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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