Are pets allowed in Vermont's state parks? It depends.

It's summer in the Green Mountain State, and many Vermonters are seeking outdoor activities to do with their pets.

If you're one of those people, a trip to Vermont's pet-friendly state parks may be the perfect solution.

Most of Vermont's 55 developed, staff-operated state parks allow pets with some restrictions. For instance, pets must be on a lease less than 10 feet in length or be otherwise safely confined. Additionally, pets must be up to date on their rabies vaccinations, and pet owners must pick up after their animals and prevent barking as much as possible.

The Free Press has sorted Vermont's state parks into groups below based on whether the parks are completely pet-friendly, allow animals in some areas or prohibit furry friends entirely.

Pet-friendly parks:

• Gifford Woods State Park – Pets are also allowed in the Moose, Coyote and Whitetail cabins.
• Mount Ascutney State Park – Pets are also allowed in Cascadnack, Dudley and Ogden cabins.
• New Discovery State Park – Visitors may bring no more than 2 horses per horse site.
• Wilgus State Park – Pets are also allowed in Mink, Osprey and Otter cabins.

Pets permitted with exceptions:

• Bomoseen State Park – Allowed everywhere except the sandy beach and the designated day use swimming area.
• Branbury State Park – Allowed everywhere except the sandy beach, designated swimming area and the cottage.
• Brighton State Park – Allowed everywhere except in day use areas, on beaches, in designated swimming areas or in most cabins. Only the Raven cabin is pet-friendly right now.
• Burton Island State Park – Allowed everywhere except in the designated swimming area or in the marina.
• Button Bay State Park – Allowed everywhere except for the fenced-in pool area, shelter and most cabins. Only the Sedge cabin is pet-friendly currently.
• Camp Plymouth State Park – Allowed in the park on leash and on grass, but not on the beach or the sand. Pets can only swim at cartop boat launch.
• Elmore State Park – Allowed everywhere except the beach.
• Emerald Lake State Park – Allowed everywhere except on the sandy beach or in the day use area.
• Grand Isle State Park – Allowed everywhere except the designated swimming area or in most cabins. Only the Mansfield cabin is pet-friendly right now.
• Half Moon Pond State Park – Allowed everywhere except most cabins or the cottage. Only the Dragonfly cabin is currently pet-friendly.
• Jamaica State Park – Allowed everywhere except the Salmon Hole swimming area.
• Kettle Pond State Park – Allowed everywhere except the beach.
• Knight Point State Park – Allowed everywhere except the sandy beach.
• Lake Carmi State Park – Allowed everywhere – including inside the cabins – except for designated swimming areas.
• Lake St Catherine State Park – Allowed everywhere – including the grassy area around the campers’ beach – except for the sandy beaches or designated swimming areas.
• Little River State Park – Allowed everywhere except for beaches, designated swim areas or in most cabins. Pets may swim at the boat launch area in Section A. Currently only Bear cabin is pet-friendly.
• Maidstone State Park – Allowed everywhere – including in the campground and on the trails – except for the day use area, beaches or designated swimming areas.
• Molly’s Falls Pond – Allowed everywhere, but pets need to be leashed at the boat launch.
• Niquette Bay State Park – Pets allowed on-leash except for the sandy beach. Pets may swim off-leash at Calm Cove area.
• Ricker Pond State Park – Allowed everywhere except on beaches, in most cabins or the cottages. Only the Knox Mountain cabin is pet-friendly currently.
• Silver Lake State Park – Allowed everywhere except the sandy beach or designated swimming area.
• Stillwater State Park – Allowed everywhere except the designated swimming area or the beach.
• Woodford State Park – Allowed everywhere – including the campers’ beach – except for the sandy beach or in most cabins. Currently only the Lady Slipper cabin is pet-friendly.

Pets prohibited:

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.