Dog Days of Summer in Vermont

Everyone loves dogs (well almost everyone!), and luckily our Green Mountain State is bursting with opportunities for adventure and fun in the sun with your furry friends. Wherever you are and whatever you like to do, there’s something for every dog (and their human) in Vermont. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite things to do with our pups so you can take a break from the same old, same old (AKA fetch in the backyard).

Visit Dog Mountain

Settled on 150 acres of private mountaintop land in St. Johnsbury, Dog Mountain is owned by Friends of Dog Mountain, a non-profit organization. FODM was established in the spring of 2015 by friends and family of the late American artists Stephen & Gwen Huneck, who originally owned the mountaintop and wonderful community that cherishes and stewards all that Dog Mountain has to offer. With the beautiful Dog Chapel, the Stephen Huneck Gallery, and tons of gorgeous land to explore (leash-free!), Dog Mountain is the perfect retreat for any pup and their humans.

Grab a pupcup (or cone) at a local creemee stand

The joy of a fresh creemee shouldn’t just be reserved for humans – most creemee spots in Vermont will give you a pup-sized portion of vanilla to make your dog’s day. Burlington favorite Little Gordo Creemee Stand has a pupcup already on the menu, and if you’re dairy-free, Winooski’s Offbeat Creemee has the perfect coconut- and oat-based vanilla for humans and pups alike. Check out our blog on some of Vermont’s best creemees here!

Stop by a brewery

Just because dogs can’t enjoy beer doesn’t mean they can’t accompany you during one of Vermont’s most beloved activities: brewery-hopping! Take a trip down Vermont’s dog-friendly beer trail, featuring some of VT’s best beers all across the state! From Hermit Thrush’s lip-puckering sours in Brattleboro to Prohibition Pig’s “roasty toasty” brown ale in Waterbury, there’s a brew you’ll love no matter your tastes or location.

Check out a Vermont State Park

With 55 gorgeous state parks to choose from, you can visit a new one every weekend! Whether you and your pup love hiking, playing fetch, or just kicking back and soaking up some sun, there’s tons of fun to be had at one of Vermont’s beautiful parks. While some picnic areas and beaches are human-only, you can find all the spots you can both enjoy here!

Hike a dog-friendly trail

One of Vermonters’ favorite pastimes is easily accessible to our furry friends, too! No matter your location or athleticism, there’s a wide variety of trails statewide and across all difficulty levels for every pet owner (and, of course, their pet) to enjoy VT’s great outdoors. For beginners, the Bennington Museum Nature Walk is a fun way to learn some historical information on the plants featured in George Aiken’s Pioneering with Wildflowers while getting some light aerobics in. For more advanced hikers, check out the views from the Northeast Kingdom’s third highest peak at Bald Mountain Trails. 

Take a dip 

If you’ve got a dog who was born to swim, there are plenty of spots around Vermont to let them splash around in! Don’t forget your pup’s life jacket in case they get tired in the water, and make sure to pack some sunscreen for any human swimmers. If you like to get active, first enjoy the lush forest of the Trails Around Middlebury, then cool off in the nearby streams. If you’re looking for a more lowkey, sandy beach, try Saint Albans’ Burton Island State Park Beach to soak up some rays.

Make some friends at the dog park

Enjoy some time off-leash and meet some new furry friends at one of Vermont’s many dog parks! Pack a few extra tennis balls and a frisbee or two, and tire out even the highest-energy pups with a long romp around the park.

We’re lucky to live in a place with so many opportunities to make memories with our four-legged family. If you’re ready to make some Vermont memories of your own, check out our blog about moving with a pet to help make the transition as seamless as possible for everyone!