Go Leaf-Peeping With Your Pup: The Fall Dog Party Returns to Dog Mountain on October 3rd

It’s the prettiest stretch of the year up in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, when the hills around St. Johnsbury turn red and gold, and the air smells like woodsmoke.

It’s also time for one of the region’s happiest traditions: Dog Mountain’s annual Fall Dog Party, set for Saturday, October 3, from 12 to 4 pm.

Grab your camera, load the dog into the car, and point yourself toward a beautiful mountaintop full of leaf-romping, four-legged friends. Your dog will thank you.

At-A-Glance: Fall Dog Party at Dog Mountain

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 12to 4 pm
Where: Dog Mountain, 143 Parks Road, St. Johnsbury, VT
Cost: Free and open to the public
Weather: Held rain or shine
Dogs: Not just welcome, cherished (leashes optional on the mountain)

What’s Happening on the Mountain

The whole afternoon is built around dogs and the people who love them, so plan to wander, snack, and let your pup socialize. The lineup includes:

Live music by Chickweed
Eats from the San Song Kitchens and Tacos Del Reino food trucks
Hot dogs and chili dogs from Rocky’s New York Style Hotdog Cart, a NEK favorite
Sweet treats from Makin’ Maple and other local vendors
A Doggie Walk of Fame, complete with Pup-arazzi
A Pup Pie Eating Race and Ball Toss
Dog contests
A bounce house
Lawn games, a doggie agility course, and more
A raffle with prizes (you can buy raffle tickets here)

Getting there: Park once, Ride Free

Limited parking is available right at Dog Mountain if you’d rather drive in, but there’s also a free shuttle. If you take the shuttle, park in the municipal lot next to the Star Theater at the intersection of Pearl Street and Eastern Avenue.

The first pickup leaves the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center at 11:30 am, and the shuttle runs every 30 minutes after that. The last ride up departs the Welcome Center at 4 pm, and the final return trip leaves Dog Mountain at 4:15 pm. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible, and dogs ride free too. Just keep them leashed for the trip.

About Dog Mountain

Fall foliage at Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury

Dog Mountain sits on 150 acres of private mountaintop in St. Johnsbury, and the grounds are open to people and their dogs year-round.

Artist Stephen Huneck and his wife, Gwen, bought the property in 1995 and turned the barn into studio space. The Dog Chapel followed, opening its doors over Memorial Day weekend in 2000.

Today, the chapel and the Stephen Huneck Gallery draw visitors from around the world, and the trails and dog ponds keep local regulars coming back. Wildflowers take over in summer, and the trails are great for snowshoeing in the winter.

In 2015, Stephen and Gwen’s family and friends established the nonprofit Friends of Dog Mountain, which became the owner and manager of the property in late 2017. Leashes are optional up here, so dogs can run, play, swim, and, best of all, make new friends.

The Fall Dog Party is free, but keeping the mountain open is not. If you love the place, you can donate here.

A Bit About St. Johnsbury

Back in 1787, a Rhode Island settler named Jonathan Arnold built a house at what is now the north end of Main Street, where Arnold Park sits today. St. Johnsbury was officially organized in 1790. Today, this Northeast Kingdom historic downtown is a hub for art, culture, and recreation, and the perfect home base for your dog-centric getaway. Check out Discover St. Johnsbury to plan your adventure.