I'm looking to take a trip with my dog and I want to summit something and camp near water. My dog is a 90lb lab and can handle almost any terrain. I've been on trails before and people I have said " hope your dog likes rock climbing." As it turns out, he does. In addition, I hate to get really sweaty without a quick swim. So, I would like to summit a mountain in New York, Vermont, Mass or New Hampshire and relax for a day near a lake, pond or river.

If anybody has a suggestion, I would love to hear it.

Most of New York and New England would fit those criteria. I think the limiting factor is finding a campsite where your dog will be welcome.

If I were based in Oneonta, I'd start looking at a map of the Adirondacks. ( The Berkshires just aren't very impressive. The Catskills either, though they have some challenging trails if you're into tree roots. ) You're about three hours from Keene, gateway to the Great Range. (Note: no dogs on Ausable Club land.)

Thanks for the suggestion. I found a pond in the ADK called Duck Hole. After looking it up online, I think that this is where I'll go. Looks like it is pretty secluded so nobody should give me a hard time about the dog.

Duck Hole is no longer a viable swimming spot, though the ponds upstream (Preston Ponds) look OK.

http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes ... -draining/