Dog Mountain, Dog Chapel
4.9(125)google
4.6(49)yelp
Pet-FriendlyQuirkyFolk ArtPhoto SpotFamilyOutdoor
Overview
A ratter is any dog used for catching and killing rats and similar vermin. Specialized rat-catching breeds are found in many countries. A typical ratter is small to medium-sized and has a short and smooth coat; however, a wide range of dog breeds and landraces may be used.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeA deeply moving, globally unique 150-acre mountain private sanctuary and dog-themed wood-built historic chapel designed by artist Stephen Huneck, open free year-round. A clear afternoon visit between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM is highly advised; natural sun rays filter through custom stained-glass windows featuring labradors and terriers, casting brilliant geometric light accents across walls covered in thousands of sticky-note pet memorials.
Getting ThereNestled beautifully atop a rolling scenic ridge northeast of St. Johnsbury at 143 Parks Rd. Driving is your only transit standard due to its rural alpine coordinates: take Interstate 91 N to exit 20, travel east onto US-2 E straight through town, and turn left north following the hand-painted canine markers onto Parks Rd. The mountaintop property offers a broad, free gravel lot out front.
Travel Tips
- The grounds and the Dog Chapel are open 24/7 year-round with 100% free admission and zero reservation requirements. While entry is free, consider purchasing goods from the gallery or placing cash in on-site donation boxes to fund property maintenance.
- This is a rare sanctuary where dogs are permitted entirely off-leash to run, play, and enter the chapel interiors. However, owners must ensure their dogs are non-aggressive, maintain close supervision, and strictly pick up and dispose of all pet waste.
- The interior walls of the chapel are covered with memorial notes and pet photos. To add your departed pet's memorial, pre-print a photo (3x5 inches recommended) and bring your own double-sided tape or pushpins, as on-site supplies frequently run out.
Reviews
Positive
- This is a sacred haven for pet lovers; the chapel walls are covered in notes left by visitors worldwide for their departed dogs, delivering a powerful visual and emotional impact.
- An authentic, non-commercial pet paradise where dogs can run off-leash across expansive grassy fields, offering unparalleled fun and freedom.
- The grounds are completely free and open to the public; with no admission fees, it features clean dog watering stations and waste bag bins, showing thoughtful management.
- The art gallery and directional signs throughout the grounds are creatively and beautifully designed, perfectly aligning with the core artistic value of Stephen Huneck.
Heads up
- The location is highly remote, situated along country backroads in St. Johnsbury, making it unsuitable for independent travelers without a rental car.
- Due to maintaining a raw, pet-friendly natural space, the grassy and dirt pathways become extremely muddy and difficult to walk on during heavy rain.
- The indoor exhibition and chapel spaces are relatively small; during peak weekend travel hours, an influx of visitors and dogs can make it feel crowded and noisy.
- There are virtually no proper dining spots or convenience stores nearby, and the lone souvenir shop is quite pricy, carrying clear markups on secondary spending.