20 Vermont Adventures That Make Having An Outdoorsy Dog Even More Fun

Somewhere in northern Vermont sits a 150-acre mountaintop where leashes are optional and every dog is treated like the guest of honor. That is just one stop on a state packed with waterfalls, rail trails, alpine ridges and quiet ponds that welcome muddy paws.

Vermont has a way of turning an ordinary walk into a story worth retelling. Here are twenty spots where your dog gets to be the co-pilot, not the one left home.

1. Hike and Swim at Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury

Picture 150 acres of hilltop where the leash is entirely your call. Dog Mountain sits at 143 Parks Road in St. Johnsbury, and dogs run, roll and paddle in the designated ponds.

Wildflower meadows and hiking trails cover the property, open dawn to dusk year-round.

Admission is free, though donations help keep the grounds groomed. Bring a towel.

Your dog will absolutely need it.

2. Snowshoe Dog Mountain’s Winter Trails

Snow changes everything up here. Once winter settles over St. Johnsbury, those same 150 acres turn into a powdery playground made for snowshoes and zoomies.

Dogs stay off-leash in the cold months too, which means deep-snow leaping and joyful faceplants.

Strap on snowshoes, follow the packed tracks, and let the meadows work their quiet magic. Pack extra warmth for short-coated pups, plus a dry blanket for the ride home.

3. Day Hike a Stretch of the Long Trail

Stretching 272 miles from border to border, the Long Trail is America’s oldest long-distance footpath. Dogs are welcome along it, and day-hikers can nibble off a section at a time.

Some stretches get rugged, with ladders and rock scrambles.

Be ready to boost your dog over short obstacles. Leashing near wildlife and other hikers keeps the whole trail friendly.

Start with a mellow segment before tackling anything steep.

4. Explore a Section of the Appalachian Trail

Roughly 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail share the same footpath as Vermont’s Long Trail. Dogs are permitted throughout, so your hiking buddy gets AT bragging rights.

Terrain shifts fast here, from smooth dirt to root-tangled climbs.

Gifford Woods State Park Campground in Killington makes a handy launch point, and leashed pets are welcome there. Pack extra water.

Vermont springs are lovely but not always where you need them.

5. Sunset Ridge Trail on Mount Mansfield

Vermont’s highest peak saves its best views for the open ridge. The Sunset Ridge Trail near Stowe climbs past waterfalls before breaking out onto exposed rock with enormous sightlines.

A few scrambly spots may require lifting a smaller dog.

Leashes matter enormously up top, since the alpine tundra holds rare, fragile plants that bruise easily underfoot. Stay on bare rock, snap a summit photo, then head down happy.

6. Climb Camel’s Hump With a Leash in Hand

That famous double-humped silhouette shows up on the Vermont state quarter. Camel’s Hump State Park spans Huntington, Duxbury, Bolton, Fayston and Buels Gore, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Above the tree line, leashes are required to shield fragile alpine plants.

The Burrows Trail runs 2.1 moderately tough miles, while the Monroe Trail covers 3.1. Either way, expect a worthy climb and one very satisfied dog.

7. Take the Dog Up Mount Philo

Big views, modest effort: that is the Mount Philo bargain. Vermont’s oldest state park sits at 5425 Mt.

Philo Road in Charlotte, topping out at 968 feet.

From the summit you look across the Lake Champlain Valley toward New York’s Adirondacks.

Choose the steep three-quarter-mile trail or the gentler old carriage road. Pets are welcome parkwide, leashed from 10 AM to sunset in season.

Tent and lean-to camping available too.

8. Mount Ascutney’s Twelve Miles of Trails

Not every summit requires a full-day slog. Mount Ascutney State Park, at 1826 Back Mountain Road in Windsor, lets you drive the 3.7-mile parkway to 2,800 feet.

From there, a walk of nearly a mile reaches the summit and its observation tower.

Ambitious teams can pick from more than 12 miles of trails instead. Leashes are required throughout the park, and dogs are welcome across it.

9. Peer Into Quechee Gorge

Locals call it Vermont’s Grand Canyon, and standing at the rim you understand why. Quechee Gorge and the trails of Quechee State Park sit at 5800 Woodstock Road in Hartford.

Dogs are welcome, though leashes stay on at all times near those steep overlooks.

Short paths wind down toward the river, making it a great stop when you want scenery without a mountain-sized commitment.

10. Chase the Cascade at Lye Brook Falls

A 125-foot ribbon of water waits at the end of this one. The Lye Brook Falls hike leaves from Glen Road in Manchester and runs 4.6 miles round trip inside Green Mountain National Forest.

Old logging railroad grades make the grade steady rather than brutal.

Dogs are welcome on leash. Rocks near the base get slick, so keep paws on stable ground and enjoy the mist.

11. Camp and Ramble Around Grout Pond

Quiet water, tall pines and campsites you can paddle to: Grout Pond Recreation Area near West Wardsboro delivers all three. Leashed dogs are welcome for camping and hiking.

Drive-up spots suit easy weekends, while secluded waterfront sites reward a short hike or paddle.

Dispersed camping is allowed across Green Mountain National Forest with leashed dogs, provided you set up at least 200 feet from trails and water.

12. Walk to Silver Lake Past the Falls of Lana

Two attractions, one loop. The 5.4-mile Silver Lake Trail loop starts off Route 53 near Salisbury and rolls past the Falls of Lana while tracing Sucker Brook.

Brookside pools give a hot dog somewhere to cool off mid-hike.

Leashed dogs are fine on national forest trails and picnic areas here. Skip the sandy state park swimming beach, though, since dogs are not permitted on that stretch.

13. Wander the Chittenden Brook Trail Network

Tucked between the Rochester and Middlebury Ranger Districts, the Chittenden Brook area hides 7.5 miles of trail reached from VT 73. Paths follow burbling water beneath towering trees and link up with the Long Trail.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails and inside Chittenden Brook Campground.

Trailer length limits mean this one leans toward tent campers. Fewer crowds, more birdsong, and plenty of sniffing opportunities.

14. Roam the Moosalamoo Forest Trails

Seventy-plus miles of trail spread across Goshen, Hancock, Leicester, Ripton and Salisbury. Moosalamoo National Recreation Area handles hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing, and leashed dogs are welcome throughout.

Variety is the draw here: ridge walks, brook crossings and shady hardwood stretches.

Moosalamoo Campground sits right at the base of Mount Moosalamoo with two trails leaving from camp. Roll out of the tent and start walking.

15. Loop the Hapgood Pond Nature Trail

An easy mile around a pretty pond suits senior dogs, puppies and anyone wanting a mellow afternoon. Hapgood Pond Recreation Area in Peru sits off National Forest Highway with a flat nature trail circling the water.

Leashed dogs are welcome the whole way.

Fishing, picnicking, camping and swimming round out the visit, with no lifeguard on duty. A day-use fee applies, so bring a few dollars.

16. Stroll the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

Ninety-three miles of former railway now run from St. Johnsbury clear across to Swanton, threading through 18 communities. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail offers a 10-foot-wide crushed stone surface that is kind to paws.

Dogs are welcome on leash, with owners handling cleanup.

Open year-round, it hosts walkers and cyclists in summer, plus snowshoers and dog sledders once the flakes fly. Pick any trailhead and go.

17. Village Trails at Kingdom Trails, East Burke

Kingdom Trails in East Burke is famous with riders, and dogs get their own designated corner of the network. The Village Trail section is the one that permits pups.

Leashes are required, and cleaning up after your dog is expected.

Rolling meadow views and easy footing make it a relaxed outing. Stick to the permitted section so this privilege sticks around for everyone.

18. Snowshoe the Dashney Nordic Trails

Winter opens a second door at Kingdom Trails. Dashney Nordic Center, at 838 Dashney Road in East Burke, welcomes dogs on all of its groomed Nordic trails during the snow season.

Sixteen kilometers serve cross-country skiers and snowshoers across a range of abilities.

Snowshoers can explore nearly everything, with Sugarwoods and Shortcut being the two exceptions. Crisp air, quiet woods and a dog who sleeps beautifully afterward.

19. Lakeside Afternoon at Lake Elmore

Elmore State Park wraps around a calm lake in the town of Elmore, and leashed dogs fit right in. Pets skip the main swimming beach and park buildings, but they can splash at the boat launch area.

Paddling and fishing fill lazy hours.

Feeling energetic? The trail to the summit of Elmore Mountain rewards you with a fire tower view across the valley.

20. Camp and Hike at Little River State Park

Waterbury Reservoir anchors one of Vermont’s most popular camping spots. Little River State Park, at 3444 Little River Road in Waterbury, welcomes leashed, attended dogs in day-use and campground areas.

Beaches and buildings are off limits, but the boat launch doubles as a swim spot.

Miles of trails wind past old hill farm foundations. Choose tent, RV, lean-to or a remote boat-access site for the full escape.