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Little River State Park Campground welcomes pets throughout its 70 tent/RV sites and 20 lean-to sites on Waterbury Reservoir. Dogs must be leashed in all areas of the campground, including trails and beaches. Smugglers Notch State Park Campground, located along scenic Route 108, also permits pets at its 20 tent sites and 14 lean-tos dispersed throughout the grounds. The sites at both parks provide ample space for campers with dogs, featuring picnic tables and fire rings. Gold Brook Campground in nearby Stowe offers full hookup RV sites where pets are welcome, with a creek running through the property that dogs enjoy swimming in. Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites allow pets at their boat-in tent camping locations. Sites are generally spacious with good separation, providing privacy for campers with potentially vocal dogs.
Hiking trails accessible from Little River State Park provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, including the Dalley Loop Trail which features historical sites along the route. The Waterbury Reservoir offers swimming access where many dogs enjoy cooling off after hikes. North Beach Campground, though slightly farther in Burlington, features a dog park just 3/4 mile south on the rails-to-trails path. Most campgrounds in the area enforce standard pet policies requiring current vaccinations, proper waste disposal, and dogs to be under control at all times. The campgrounds remain quiet even when at capacity, making them suitable for campers with pets that may be sensitive to noise. Vermont's state parks typically do not charge additional pet fees, though private campgrounds may have different policies. The nearby town of Waterbury provides veterinary services and pet supply options for campers needing emergency assistance or forgotten supplies.
"Little River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures!"
"Very nice campground, great location! The reservoir was beautiful. Took the kayak, only issue I had was getting to the lake."
from $19 - $28 / night
Check Availability"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"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."
"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."
"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
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."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Large sporting field car park suitable for big dogs. No 'no camping' signs. There was a portaloo on site."
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.
TravelerLittle River State Park is located just outside of Waterbury Vermont so it’s an ideal location for jumping off on other adventures! There are so many great stores and restaurants nearby if you want something else do to! The park is on the shoreline of Waterbury reservoir so there is boating (rentals available) and plenty of fishing. There is also ALOT OF HIKING!
GuideThis campground is drive in and never touch the car again. Two huge sites that can be rented in tandem as a group site. Each site has a prep table, picnic table, fire pit, 5 gallons of fresh water, a raised platform for tents, and a porta potty. Very spacious sites. Easily two camoer vans and two tents on each site. Site is at the bottom of Kitchel and Herbs trails, atop the exit/entrance trails into the village of East Burke. Showers are a short walk away at Mike's Tiki Bar, in the Kingdom parking lot. The sites can be reserved, and usually are up to a year in advance. So call ahead! Sites are pet friendly and there's lots of space for big dogs to run around. Sites are super private from the outside world. This place is truly a hidden gem that can make your trip.
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.
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!
Camping areas near Waterbury, Vermont sit at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,800 feet in the Green Mountains, with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during day and 55-60°F at night. Most sites require reservations from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend. The region receives significant rainfall in summer, making waterproof shelter essential for comfortable camping.
Tube the Lamoille River: Mountain View Campground offers river access with tube rentals for exploring the water. "The river was beautiful to walk by and our group had a great stay!" notes Lindsay W., highlighting the water recreation available.
Discover historic foundations: Little River State Park features unique hiking with remnants of old settlements. "There are lots of old foundations hidden on the trails that are fun to discover," explains Rita M., who camped there with her family.
Winter backcountry camping: 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," shares Ed M.
Kayak the reservoir: Remote camping by boat allows access to secluded shorelines. "These remote sites are so peaceful. Be sure to launch from cotton brook road if your site r11-27," advises Julia S. about the Waterbury Reservoir Remote Sites.
Accessible wilderness feeling: Many campers appreciate the balance of seclusion and convenience. "Clean, quiet campground that feels like wilderness, but is accessible!" states Brenna T. about Little River State Park.
Proximity to attractions: Little River State Park serves as an excellent base for regional exploration. "I would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking to visit the Stowe/Waterbury area. We had easy access to hikes in Stowe, plus the Ben and Jerry's shop is about 20 minutes down the road!" shares Alison O.
Quiet evenings: The campgrounds maintain peaceful atmospheres even during busy periods. "The staff was helpful and very good about controlling excessive noise from other sites," notes Ben C. about his stay at Smugglers Notch State Park.
Fire tower views: Multiple campers mention hiking to fire towers as a highlight. "A beautiful campground just a short walk to the lake. The Elmore Store just down the road has everything you need including AMAZING pizza (Fire Tower) and a great deli," reports Shelley T. from Elmore State Park.
Waterfront access varies: Different campgrounds offer distinct water experiences. "Most sites up on hill looking over lake, not easily assessable from camp site, but still had a great time. Left kayak down at beach," explains Cindy L. about Little River State Park.
Primitive site conditions: Some locations have minimal facilities. "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," explains Michael V. about Smugglers Notch.
Seasonal facilities: Bathroom availability depends on season. "No facilities off season…Carry out all trash/waste," warns Ed M. about winter camping at Smugglers Notch State Park.
Site selection impacts privacy: Underhill State Park requires planning for the best experience. "This is the best of car camping - you get the feel of really being out in the woods, with your car a short distance away. They provide wheelbarrows for easy moving of your stuff," explains Ali T.
Hiking difficulty awareness: Trails vary in steepness throughout the region. "The hiking trails are really good--the actually pretty steep," notes Rita M. who visited Little River State Park with five children.
Multiple water options: Some parks provide both lake and stream access for kids. "The small playground was great, and the small boat launch and beach kept us in the water," describes Rita M., highlighting family-friendly features at Little River.
Book ahead for lean-tos: These popular shelters provide weather protection. "Elmore state park is perfect for all types of campers. The lean-tos are on a sunny open hill. Bathrooms are clean, staff is friendly. Great hiking trails from easy to difficult," recommends Gail C. from Elmore State Park Campground.
Minimize driving during stay: Some parks discourage vehicle traffic within campgrounds. "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," advises Molly G. about Underhill State Park.
Limited hookups at state parks: Most state parks near Waterbury lack full hookups. For complete services, consider private campgrounds. "The sites are gravel and seem pretty level," notes Michelle C. about Mountain View Campground.
Generator restrictions: State parks typically limit or prohibit generator use. Mountain View Campground offers full hookups without this concern. "Despite the really hot weather and need to run three air conditioners, we did not have any power issues," reports Nancy W.
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds require unhooking regardless of stay length. "The campground is located near the interstate for easy in and out but there are no pull-thrus so you will have to unhook no matter how long you are staying," explains Nancy W. about Mountain View Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Waterbury, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Waterbury, VT is Little River State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.
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