2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Molly Stark State Park Campground permits pets throughout its camping areas, offering clean facilities and well-maintained sites for outdoor enthusiasts traveling with animals. The campground features both tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings where dogs are welcome. Located minutes from the town of Wilmington, this Vermont state park maintains pristine grounds with spotless bathrooms and shower facilities. All sites are fairly level and provide adequate privacy through natural vegetation. The park's grounds are pristine and in full bloom during summer months, creating pleasant surroundings for walking dogs.
Somerset Airfield provides primitive camping options for those seeking a pet-friendly alternative with fewer amenities. This free camping area consists of a strip of land with several established sites and fire pits plus basic pit toilets. Though sites are close together with minimal shade, dogs can access the stream that flows behind the park for cooling off. Nearby Somerset Reservoir offers excellent fishing, paddling and hiking opportunities where dogs can join their owners. Gus's Gardens Camping provides a peaceful private option with pond-side tent sites where dogs can enjoy watching wildlife like ducks, frogs and herons. The hiking trails surrounding these campgrounds connect to additional recreation areas, allowing extended walks with leashed pets through Vermont's scenic woodlands.
"Woodford State Park is situated between Wilmington and Bennington VT in the southern part of the Green Mountain National Forest."
"Most park activities are based around a small, 25-acre lake. You can rent canoes or kayaks, fish for trout, or hike the loop trail around the lake."
"This park is close to my house in southern Vermont. We usually visit during the day to hike to the top of the Mt. Olga firetower."
"There are no hookups at any Vermont state parks (Molly Stark included). We stayed at site T16. It's a pull through RV site with a fire ring & picnic table."
"This tops our list for camping in Vermont. There is so much to do here, and yet the campground feels very private and quiet. There are 41 tent/RV sites to choose from and 18 lean-tos."
"This was our second stay at this Vermont State Park. It was a great three days. The park rangers were tremendous in ensuring we had a delightful visit. They worked with us to get the right site."
from $20 - $42 / night
"We stopped on our way through to Stowe Vermont."
"The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."
"Great location near Somerset Reservoir. Weekend was interrupted by a domestic violence situation a few sites downbeat resulted in fights and someone shooting off a handgun."
"Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road."
"My friend and I were desperately looking for a place to spend the weekend, and with Covid making it a little more difficult to rely on walking in and finding a campsite, we made a blind reservation for"
"We were the only campers along the waterfront, but there were a few car campers in the sites near the road."
from $16 / night
"Site 16 had a path to the river and was slightly tucked away. Sites 13 and 14 were cool spots too, I’d imagine in the summer you may have less privacy because it’s near the swimming area."
"Our first time in Vermont and we picked an awesome campground. This place has a great layout with lots of great sites to choose from. There are several sites right on the river!
Clean bath houses."
from $45 - $57 / night
"This property is situated on 9 acres, with nice & level sites. Yard games, fire-pit & picnic table are all provided. Pull through site for your RV or pitch a tent."
"It is behind his home by a lake with creek nearby. There is also a hiking trail. We had no problems. If we are in the area again, we would camp here again. Thanks"
Campground full this weekend
from $27 - $35 / night
"A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
"I got in around the afternoon and there were already a few camp sites taken. Which is to be expected on the fourth."
"The campground is located where Winhall River meets the West River."
"There is a small group of camp sides with electricity and water but most sites have none. The bathrooms are clean. Where the two rivers intersect is a nice sport to put your feet in the water."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $30 / night
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
ScoutThe recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
ScoutWe came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
ScoutWe have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
ScoutNothing beats sitting by the river after a long day of exploring. We visited a few places around the Lake Sunapee area and this was a really convenient home base.
ScoutWe brought the kids and they found plenty to do. Between the pool, river and recreation area, they were pretty much entertained the entire trip.
ScoutWe rented a cabin and honestly it was perfect for what we needed. Spent the days exploring around Lake Sunapee and came back here to relax at night.
ScoutFirst time camping in this area and we really liked it. The pool kept the kids busy and we spent the evenings around the fire.
ScoutThe Sugar River was our favorite part. We spent a good amount of time down by the water and the kids loved cooling off there.
Camping options near West Dover, Vermont offer access to the Green Mountain National Forest at elevations between 1,800-2,400 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures ranging from 65-80°F during day and 45-55°F at night. Most campgrounds in this area close after Columbus Day weekend due to Vermont's early frost conditions.
Hiking trails with river views: Jamaica State Park Campground connects directly to the West River Trail, a gravel path that follows the river upstream. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail," explains camper Chris D.
Kayaking at Somerset Reservoir: The large reservoir near Somerset Airfield provides excellent paddling opportunities with mountain backdrops. "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities," notes M.A.D. P.
Swimming in mountain streams: Natural water features provide cooling options during summer months. "My dog had an absolute blast swimming and playing catch at the site," shares Molly G. about Grout Pond Campground, where waterfront sites offer direct pond access.
Winter recreation: Some campgrounds remain accessible for winter activities. "Great spot for a little winter camping. The trails are great for hiking, and the pond and the reservoir are beautiful when frozen over," reports Erik C.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain high cleanliness standards, particularly for bathroom facilities. "THE BATHROOM was the best I've seen camping very clean and updated and honestly gorgeous," notes Beck P. about their stay at Molly Stark State Park Campground.
Private wooded sites: Many campsites offer natural separation from neighbors. "The sites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice. They also have cabins you can rent which is nice," explains Jenny A. about Woodford State Park.
Water access: Riverside or pondside sites are particularly valued. "Beautiful grounds, super clean, nice staff. A great escape from the world right now," writes Dakota B. about their riverside experience.
Quiet atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful environment at most campgrounds. "Everyone else there was super nice and quiet. Quiet hours start at 10 but it was silent after about 9 which was so amazing," shares Beck P.
Limited services: Most campgrounds have basic amenities but lack full hookups. "There are about 18 sites in total. 7 near the road for car camping or RVs, 5 that are hike-in (the farthest is about a mile from the parking lot), and 6 waterfront sites that you can either hike or paddle to," reports Tara S. about Grout Pond.
Seasonal limitations: Most sites operate from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. "We unexpectedly had a free Saturday afternoon and night and 2 borrowed kayaks. This was our first visit to Woodford," explains Melissa S. about their last-minute Woodford State Park Campground trip.
Advance reservations needed: Popular sites book quickly, especially for weekends. "We booked last last month and stayed in the middle of the campground. The outer ring sites on the map have the most seclusion," advises Tim K.
Varying levels of privacy: Site locations significantly impact privacy levels. "Sites and lean-to's are well maintained and facilitates are clean. However trees have been cleared a bit so there is not as much privacy between sites," notes Jaime R. about Fort Dummer State Park.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Some sites specifically cater to families with children. "Perfect for families! there are tons of different types of campsites with either tent spots, lean tus, and a few (hard to get) cabins," states Sambath T. about Woodford State Park.
Water activities for children: Many campgrounds offer safe swimming areas. "There's a small reservoir with a little beach that you can swim or kayak/canoe in. There's a bunch of fish and other little creatures so it's fun to explore," shares Jenny A.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas. "Nice playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," explains Fransheska A. about Jamaica State Park Campground.
Safety considerations: Parents should note potential hazards at natural attractions. "People have lost their lives at these falls so be extra cautious with children around the falls," warns Chris D. about Hamilton Falls near Jamaica State Park.
Limited hookup options: RV sites with full amenities are scarce in the region. "There are a few sites with hookups but since we like to be near the river, we opted for other areas," advises Gail P. about Winhall Brook Camping Area.
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "Campsites 15 & 16 offer pull-out space to turn around truck campers. Over hanging trees would make it difficult for larger equipment, plus saw posting that excludes trailers from certain roads," reports alicianlv about Grout Pond.
Rustic camping options: Some pet-friendly locations offer primitive sites with more flexibility. "Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit," shares Tam E. about George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping area.
Access road conditions: Unpaved roads may present challenges for some vehicles. "Getting to the campground alone was crazy- dirt roads and very deep potholes that you can just barely avoid," warns Molly G. about her experience at Grout Pond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near West Dover, VT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near West Dover, VT is Woodford State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near West Dover, VT?
TheDyrt.com has all 126 dog-friendly camping locations near West Dover, VT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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