[pelican369]

I am looking to go camping with the wife and dog next week and I am wondering if anyone knows of some out of the way campsite near any water (river, pond, or lake), that the dog could be off the leash and not be bothering anybody. and having a campfire would also be a big bonus.

I know these particular places may be few and far between but any help would be greatly appriciated!

We are open to pretty much anywhere in VT, but would prefer the southern 2/3rds.

Thank you in advance!

Chad-

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by pelican369

I am looking to go camping with the wife and dog next week and I am wondering if anyone knows of some out of the way campsite near any water (river, pond, or lake), that the dog could be off the leash and not be bothering anybody. and having a campfire would also be a big bonus.

Try this site:
DogFriendly.com - Vermont RV Park and Campground Guide for Dog Owners
If you can look past all the ads, there's a listing of towns down the left-hand side. The hyperlinks list dog-friendly sites.

You can also search for camping sites here:
Go Camping America | Find A Park
Choose the tab that says "Atmospheres" or "View All" and check the "Pets Welcome" box.

[MistyVT]

You could try some of the camping areas on the Long Trail! I know that I've seen campers near the swinging bridge in North Clarendon alongside the river there. The access area is on Rte 103

[pelican369]

Someone in a prior post has mentioned a placew and I am trying to narrow it down. Are you framiliar? I am by no means disregaurding your suggestion, this just sounds a little more solitary and dog friendly. "Unfortunately and surprisingly there are no camping places in the MRV. I havn't been by the Duxbury campground all summer due to the construction hassle on Rt 100. That might be the reason it's closed. I will check with the local chamber, the director is a good friend, to what's up with the place. If your not in need of amenities here is a alternative not too far from the valley. Great local, easy access, within reason not too popular. 16 miles south of the access road, just after the granville gulf, is Forest Road 55 (USFS-55). Turn right on this road and drive up it until you cross the Clark Brook and a very cool stone bridge. You can camp anywhere in here, either along the river (if you walk a bit from the stone bridge (before you cross it) you will find a great spot off a little side trail. This will be primative camping, but will work great. It is in the National Forest, so camping is allowed. The beauty of this camping spot is that you can have the car right there, so there isn't a major hauling of gear. Check it out, Clark Brook is a great river, with a super swimming hole near the stone bridge." Thanks Chad-

[flu189]

The US Forest Service has numerous options for primitive camping along it's network of forest and logging roads. Many also are near good sized streams and brooks and despite easy access offer opportunities for seclusion. Best to inquire with the USFS at their offices in Manchester, Rutland, Rochester, or Middlebury. The actual forest maps they can provide show the numbered forest roads which are not the same as you would get on a regular highway map. The Green Mountain National Forest lands actually cover the southern and central portions of the state. By visiting them directly you can get the most current and complete information as the website for USDA/USFS is somewhat limited. You will also find out once exploring that many of the routes are not on the master map, hence, your opportunities are pretty good you will find good camping options in a variety of settings.

[arctichomesteader]

Try someplace in the national forest. You might run into an issue in some of the developed campgrounds with an unleashed dog (Silver Lake campground is a rather primitive campground but requires pets to be on leashes, and the picnic area seems fairly popular), but elsewhere (just anyplace in the forest), you should be okay. You might consider one of the designated wilderness areas, like Big Branch or such, they get less traffic usually because of the more difficult access. And I've only very rarely ever run into a forest ranger there too, they're stretched thin and focus more on the more popular places.

That said, I really do not recommend unleashed dogs, mostly for the safety of the dog and in case you run into someone uncomfortable with dogs...consider too it's still turkey season through May 31.

As for campfires...use caution. Some places, no problem, others, while there's no rules against it, I wouldn't to be safe...the forests are often so brushy with dried leaves, etc. around, you really need to be careful. Small fires are safer than big fires.

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by pelican369

Someone in a prior post has mentioned a placew and I am trying to narrow it down. Are you framiliar? I am by no means disregaurding your suggestion, this just sounds a little more solitary and dog friendly. "Unfortunately and surprisingly there are no camping places in the MRV. I havn't been by the Duxbury campground all summer due to the construction hassle on Rt 100. That might be the reason it's closed. I will check with the local chamber, the director is a good friend, to what's up with the place. If your not in need of amenities here is a alternative not too far from the valley. Great local, easy access, within reason not too popular. 16 miles south of the access road, just after the granville gulf, is Forest Road 55 (USFS-55). Turn right on this road and drive up it until you cross the Clark Brook and a very cool stone bridge. You can camp anywhere in here, either along the river (if you walk a bit from the stone bridge (before you cross it) you will find a great spot off a little side trail. This will be primative camping, but will work great. It is in the National Forest, so camping is allowed. The beauty of this camping spot is that you can have the car right there, so there isn't a major hauling of gear. Check it out, Clark Brook is a great river, with a super swimming hole near the stone bridge." Thanks Chad-

Here is a map to the camping spot on FS 55 in Granville. I have never been up this road but it sounds like it would be worth checking out. Definately check with the Rochester GMNF office/visitors center as this camping area is only a few miles up the road from there.

[flu189]

USFS 55 is a neat road with many side off shoots. It's a great area to explore with good examples of forest management practices as well as remote trails. The Clark Brook Trail also leads from this road up to the Long Trail which makes a nice day hike.

[ex-springfielder]

Try the long trail along Peru Mountain, it goes by Griffith Lake. A very nice area.

[pelican369]

Thank you everyone for being so helpful!