Quechee State Park Campground welcomes pets at all tent, RV, and cabin sites with clean facilities and direct access to Quechee Gorge. Dogs must be kept on leash throughout the park grounds. Nearby, Quechee-Pine Valley KOA offers pet-friendly accommodations including cabins and RV sites with full hookups, plus a dedicated fenced dog park where dogs can exercise off-leash. The KOA campground maintains pristine conditions with staff delivering firewood directly to campsites upon request. Pets are permitted at all Vermont state parks in the area including Silver Lake State Park, Coolidge State Park, and Gifford Woods State Park, making the region particularly accommodating for travelers with dogs.
The trail connecting Quechee State Park to the gorge provides an excellent walking opportunity for dogs and their owners. Leashed pets can accompany campers along the short hike down to the bottom of Quechee Gorge where shallow water access provides cooling opportunities during summer months. The campground's large open field offers additional space for exercising pets while respecting quiet hours and other campers. For RV travelers with pets, Rest N Nest Campground in East Thetford and Storrs Pond Recreation Area in Hanover both offer pet-friendly sites with electric hookups. Mount Ascutney State Park Campground, located about 30 minutes south, features pet-friendly walk-in and drive-in sites with hiking trails suitable for dogs on leash.
$38 / night
"Clean 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."
"The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont.. which is kind of like saying the best bagel or most populous city in Vermont."
"This place was very clean and loaded with amenities: pool, dog park, events, open fields, deer, store, etc."
"Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance."
"Surrounded by breathtaking mountain-scapes. Facilities are nice and the lake is lovely with some great fishing. You can swim, walk around it or rent a vessel to cruise around in."
"Enjoy the serenity of the forest surrounding you, while you glimpse stars, and warm your innards beside a fire."
"This place gets my vote for best campground in Vermont. Especially true if you're lucky enough to get one of the few sites on the outside of A loop that has a Lean-to with a view."
"My wife and I along with our dog Wyatt make an annual trip to CC. There is a great secluded site off the road into the park."
"Decent bathroom situation--I've seen better and I've seen worse in Vermont."
"The park is amazingly clean, well run, located just of RT 4 and very near to Killington, Vermont. It has multiple lean-to sites which are in wooded areas."
$30 - $40 / night
"I had site 1 which is near office but away from all other sites so it was very quiet. It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides."
"The state park had everything we were looking for: close proximity to mountain bike trails, beautiful hiking trails, available leantos, and less than two hours from our home."
"Vermont parks are just some the most lush you’ve ever seen."
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.
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.
LegendThis 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. Some of the lean-tos are situated right on the West River, but they are well-loved and coveted so we've never actually stayed in one.
For our July trip, we stayed in the Juniper lean-to, which is incredibly quiet and near the overlook hiking trail. The park is small enough to walk to the swimming area from your campsite, as well as into town. Note that you will not get cell service here, but if you walk into the village of Jamaica, you will find Wi-Fi hotspots at the library or the grocery store.
Here are all the awesome things to do in Jamaica State Park:
Learn about the first peoples who lived here: The area along the West River was an important trade route for the Abenaki tribe. Throughout the park, there are interpretive signs with lots of information about the Abenaki, as well as the archaeological dig that was conducted here in 2010.
2. Cool off in the West River: The main swimming area is at Salmon Hole, right in the campground, but you can swim anywhere in the West River. It's awesome!
Ride your bike to the Ball Mountain Dam: There's a bike trail that leads from the campground all the way to the federally-owned Ball Mountain Dam, which provides great views of Ball Mountain Lake and the surrounding mountains. It's a 5-mile ride from the campground, round-trip.
Learn about Jamaica's railroad history: It's crazy that the rail trail was really a railroad at the turn of the century. It's a narrow, mountainous route. As you ride along the trail, stop and read the signs. No wonder it was called 36 miles of trouble!
5. Hike the Overlook Trail: It's a 2.5-mile loop that brings you up on a ridge with great views.
Hike to Hamilton Falls: It's actually easier to bike part of the way on the rail trail and then hike the 1.1 miles to the falls. Otherwise, it's a 6-mile hike round-trip. Hamilton falls is 125 feet tall, and one of the loveliest waterfalls in Vermont.
Walk into the village of Jamaica for donuts: Seriously! Head to D&K Grocery for the best donuts ever, or stock up on camping provisions.
LegendWilgus State Park is the first Vermont state park to open each spring, well before Memorial Day each year. While it's still pretty cold for camping in Vermont in early May, you can get a jump start on the season by renting one of the four camping cabins. I'll admit that I haven't stayed in one of the Wilgus cabins, but they are pretty much the same all over Vermont - nothing fancy - just four solid walls, bunk beds, and a small table.
Usually when we stay at Wilgus State Park, we rent a lean-to or stay in site #16, which is the very last tent site, and the most private. All sites have a great view of the river, but I won't go so far as to call them waterfront as there is a bank covered with lush foliage between the sites and the water. There is also a short trail that runs between the campsites and the water - a great place to watch the sunrise!
The best part about camping here is getting out on the water. You can rent kayaks and canoes, and the river moves slowly enough to paddle up stream. There is also a shuttle service run by Great River Outfitters upstream in Windsor. If you make reservations, the come to the park (I think on Wednesdays and Fridays), and they will pick you up in the morning, drive you up river to Windsor, outfit you with a canoe or kayak, and let you paddle back to the park. Later in the evening they will come back and pick up the boats. If you choose this option, be sure to stop at Artisan Park, right on the river and have lunch at Harpoon Brewery.
The campground is really small (under 25 sites) and super quiet. Restrooms are clean. There is a short hiking trail, which is just okay - no views or anything. The ranger has been there for years and is an expert fisherman. He's got lots of tips if you ask. For good hiking, be sure to check out Mt. Ascutney, which is just a few miles away.
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.
ScoutWe are pleasantly surprised! The adage "you get what you pay for" just isn't true here. This campground is my new favorite. The owners, Liz and Ben, are super friendly, easy-going, and welcoming. The campground is clean and quiet, with sites that are spacious and private. The wifi is pretty darn good. There's a cozy lounge room to hang out in with games, books, crayons, and puzzles; a dog park with toys included; and fabulous hiking trails with lots to see, including a pond, waterfalls, and streams.
We'll definitely be returning!
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.
ScoutWe travelled as a group with family (4 sites). When we booked all our sites were right next to each other. When we arrived not a single one of us were even on the same road. The biggest issue with this, is that there were plenty of sites available next to each other. My parents paid for 50 amp electric and the site next to them was using it instead of the 30amp they were meant to have. Also, while the campground is pet friendly, a warning about free roaming chickens would have been nice. I would not have brought my (prey driven) dogs if I had known there were free roaming chickens.
Mount Ascutney State Park Campground sits at 1,400 feet elevation within the Connecticut River Valley, providing a central location for exploring both western New Hampshire and eastern Vermont. The region features numerous state parks connected by the Appalachian Trail which traverses through Gifford Woods State Park. Winter temperatures can drop below zero, while summer camping temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, with cooler nights at higher elevations.
Hiking at Mount Ascutney: The park offers four different trail options to the summit with varying difficulty levels. "There is a 3.7 mile road that is extremely steep but paved, and goes to the summit of the mountain. Less than 1 mile hike from there to the observation tower. Great views. Lots of hiking trail trails," notes Marc D. about Mount Ascutney State Park Campground.
Swimming in Kent Pond: The small lake near Gifford Woods provides a cooling option during summer months. "The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park and you can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground," according to a review from Tara S. at Gifford Woods State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: Coolidge State Park maintains beginner-friendly trails accessible from the campground. "The state park maintains its own mountain biking trail loop, which is accessible directly from the campground. It is a 3 mile beginner friendly loop, with some nice rollers and moderate terrain," explains a visitor about the riding options.
Spacious, wooded sites: Silver Lake campsites offer privacy between neighbors. "The sites are spaced nicely and the bathhouses are convenient and clean. The beach is great with a fun dock to jump off of. It is a great lake for kayaking and paddleboarding," writes Lynn D. about Silver Lake State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive high marks for maintenance. "Quechee State Park campground offers so much, even for people who don't like to camp. There are campgrounds for all types of camping and they have Cabins for people who act like they enjoy camping but would rather be in a cabin then on the ground," mentions Donna C. from Quechee-Pine Valley KOA.
Recreation options: Campgrounds in the region provide diverse activity choices. "In addition to fishing from the dock, there are great picnic spots located off to the side all along the water front with more fishing opportunities. Back by these picnic spots are horseshoe pits, additional bathrooms, and more lawn space to play on," describes Hannah H. about Silver Lake State Park.
Seasonal access: Most state parks in the area operate from late May through mid-October. "Mount Ascutney is a monadnock, which means it's a mountain all on its own and not actually part of the Green Mountains. The campground is nestled into the base of the mountain. It's definitely a hiking destination," explains Tara S.
Road noise: Some campgrounds have highway proximity. "The weird thing is that there just isn't much here. The Quechee Gorge, best accessed from the back of the lawn behind the bathhouse, is the deepest in Vermont... Prepared to be whelmed," writes B about Quechee State Park Campground.
Weather considerations: Pack for temperature fluctuations. "The biggest Con - It looks like the state has spread out RCA on the sites, which probably could have spread out better and made more level. Also tough to drive a stake into. No Electric or hookups," warns Chris A. about the terrain at Quechee State Park.
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities. "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)," shares Jen B. about family programming.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with water features. "There is a beach with wading depth, sand for playing, buoys to mark the shallow area, a large dock to jump from with a ladder for climbing out. Located at the beach area is also lawn space for games, a volleyball court, a fantastic playground," describes Hannah H.
Kid-friendly sites: Request sites away from roads. "Our site was beautiful, very generously sized, relatively private and nicely shaded. Also just a short distance to the bathroom, which while a bit of the rustic side, had its cute, endearing qualities," notes Rachel P. about Coolidge State Park Campground.
Limited hookup options: Many state parks lack electric service. "Our site, was located in the back of the park in a quieter section because it was away from most of the activities and park entrance. The site was a pull-in which was kind of nice because the view out of our front windshield was of a wooded area," explains Nancy W. about campsite layout.
Dump stations available: State parks provide disposal facilities. "I had site 1 which is near office but away from all other sites so it was very quiet. It's a large site with a nearby brook on 2 sides. I was there in Sept after pool closed, otherwise you might get noise from pool area nearby," shares Amy G. from Storrs Pond Recreation Area.
Pet-friendly camping near West Hartford: All area campgrounds welcome leashed dogs. "We 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. There were plenty of sites for all size RV's with hook-ups," says Dawn S. about the pet accommodation options at Quechee-Pine Valley KOA.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near West Hartford, VT is Quechee State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.
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