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Dog-Friendly Camping near Valley Head, AL

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    DeSoto State Park Campground's pet-friendly accommodations include tent camping, RV sites, and cabins with full hookups. Located near Fort Payne, this highly-rated park offers clean facilities with showers, toilets, and access to numerous hiking trails where dogs can explore alongside their owners. The primitive camping area features tent platforms and lean-tos with nearby water access. Tranquility Campground in Mentone also welcomes pets with lakefront campsites providing water and power hookups for $30 per night. Dogs are welcome on leash throughout both campgrounds. Bathhouses remain clean and well-maintained at both locations, with hot water available at the facilities. The sites can be somewhat close together during peak seasons.

    Hiking trails connect directly to DeSoto's campground, allowing convenient access for dog walks without driving. The campground is situated at nearly 1700 feet elevation, providing cooler summer temperatures compared to lower-lying areas in Alabama. Little River Canyon National River offers additional nearby pet-friendly hiking opportunities. Most sites feature stone fire rings and picnic tables where pets can relax alongside campers. Tranquility Campground has a 6-acre catch-and-release lake and is located just minutes from downtown Mentone, with DeSoto Falls approximately 0.85 miles away by foot. The surrounding wooded areas provide ample shade for pets during warmer months. Weather considerations include occasional severe storms, with campground staff monitoring conditions and alerting campers when necessary.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Valley Head (123)

      1. DeSoto State Park Campground

      4.8(76)4mi from Valley Head120 sitesTents, Cabins

      "If you have a large group you want to take camping in Alabama I highly recommend this site. There is great hiking nearby and the sites are large enough for a lot of people."

      "This part of Alabama is absolutely stunning, at close to 1700 feet in elevation, this area provides some of the most elevation in the state with absolutely stunning natural beauty."

      from $36 / night

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      2. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

      4.8(189)20mi from Valley Head136 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Hiked 13 miles trails are clean and taken care of. Staff helpful and friendly. My dog loved it. Pet friendly. Very nice camp ground for camping in tent."

      "Most sites are a reasonable distance from the bathroom and parking lot. Sites further from both are more private."

      from $10 - $270 / night

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      3. Little River RV Park & Campground

      3.7(19)10mi from Valley Head3 sitesRVs

      "Pet friendly with beautifulTrails to walk. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a friendly, peaceful and simply beautiful get away."

      "This is my go to campground in fort Payne Alabama. The owners are super nice!! There is a pond with cute ducks!! You can buy a bundle of fire wood for $5."

      from $45 - $55 / night

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      4. James H 'Sloppy' Floyd State Park Campground

      4.6(29)18mi from Valley Head33 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "There are double sites to pick from and a nice handicap site next to the showerhouse. At the far end there is a playground and one site right behind it."

      "Easy access to campground. Swing wide to get centered between the fence post and the culvert. Then you are home free. Getting into the sites was easier."

      from $15 - $180 / night

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      5. Tranquility Campground

      4.6(7)2mi from Valley HeadRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This review is for Tranquility RV and Campgrounds in Mentone Alabama. I really enjoyed camping here."

      "A beautiful and peaceful space for tent or RV camping very close to downtown Mentone as well as Desoto State Park."

      from $25 - $35 / night

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      6. 1776 RV And Campground

      5.0(6)4mi from Valley HeadRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Nice quiet small campground just outside downtown Mentone. Friendly helpful camp host, clean bathhouse, full hook ups and great wifi access so husband could work from camper."

      "It's located right off the main highway, and has pull-through spots with full hookups. But the best part is the screaming fast internet!"

      7. Little River Adventure Company

      4.7(9)10mi from Valley Head2 sitesTents

      "I tent camped on a drive-in deluxe site in September with my dog. The host, Giorgio, was pleasant and helpful. He had firewood for sale on the property at a reasonable price."

      "I had seen postings for the Little River Adventure Company over the last few moths and while looking at the map, I realized it was close to the TAT as it dips into AL (Sam's route), which I would be riding"

      from $25 - $30 / night

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      8. Wills Creek RV Park

      4.5(8)9mi from Valley HeadRVs, Tents

      "Quiet RV park close to Ft Payne and surrounding parks such as Desoto state Park. Close to Little River Canyon waterfall among others. (A must see)."

      "Gravel roads and pads (thankfully, as everything around was standing in water from the recent downpour) The facility is dated, but clean and an easy on and off on the way through."

      9. Desoto Falls State Park

      5.0(1)4mi from Valley HeadRVs, Tents, Cabins

      10. Cherokee Rock Village

      4.8(34)28mi from Valley HeadRVs, Tents

      "We attended North Alabama trails and recreation’s Rock and Rig event here. The park is beautiful with amazing views."

      "the locals) since 2011, starting back when it was still largely undeveloped and free…totally worth paying for these days - they’ve made it such a great place: showers, bathrooms, dumpsters, plenty of walk-in"

      from $0 - $35 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Valley Head, AL

    973 Reviews of 123 Valley Head Campgrounds


    • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 29, 2016

      DeSoto State Park Campground

      Great Group Sites

      If you have a large group you want to take camping in Alabama I highly recommend this site. There is great hiking nearby and the sites are large enough for a lot of people. Make sure to take a hike to the beautiful waterfall and you can even check out the nearby hiking and caves. The caves are a weird experience but if you haven't gone before it's worth checking out.

    • Missy C.
      Apr. 22, 2023

      Hawkins Pointe RV Park

      Close to highway

      Close to everything. Racing just down the street. That’s a positive or negative. On the nights they are racing you hear I’m the cars at the track. There are no amenities but they do have a fenced dog park. The sites aren’t bad there’s just no shrubs or trees or anything. It’s just really good gravel and some grass and a picnic table. The people in the office are really nice and helpful. If you need work on your rig, there are lots of places real close by as well as camping world. 

    • Carolin C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 30, 2024

      Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA

      Great place!

      Quiet campground tucked away on Lookout Mountain, with super friendly and helpful staff. The campground is very well maintained, has a large pool, playground and giant in-ground bounce ballon for the kids, and a fenced in dog park complete with slides and playground equipment for dogs! There is a walking trails around the campground. The bathroom\shower house was impressive to say the least, very clean and renovated.

    • Anthony I.
      May. 5, 2022

      DeSoto State Park Campground

      Truly perfect

      Due to some poor planning on my part, we had a free night in-between Tennessee and Georgia, we found this place here on the Dyrt, and it was absolutely spectacular. This part of Alabama is absolutely stunning, at close to 1700 feet in elevation, this area provides some of the most elevation in the state with absolutely stunning natural beauty. From the nearby waterfalls, which are a short drive from the campground to Little River Canyon national river, also a short drive, this area has so much to offer. The campground itself is perfectly maintained, beautiful, spacious, and wooded sites with functioning hookups, clean restrooms, and beautiful natural surroundings. Initially, we stayed here just to tag the base and say we’ve camped in Alabama, but after spending the night, we will absolutely go back to this facility!

    • Jaime W.
      Nov. 30, 2019

      Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground

      Nice campground

      We enjoyed our stay at Raccoon Mountain. Sites were a good size. Not right on top of each other. The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus. We would definitely stay here again.

    • Malaney H.
      Aug. 29, 2018

      Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground

      Beautiful Park in the Mountains

      This campground is beautiful in the middle of the mountains. It is unique as well, in that there is a cavern entrance right on site. You are able to do a quick 45 minute knowledge tour or you can do a muddy tour, which is longer and takes you further into the cavern.

      There are RV and tent sites available as well as large group sites. The bathhouse a nice size and very well kept. There is also a laundry facility on site, which is nice for those the want to go in the mud rooms on the long tour. There are two different stores, one is for the camping reservations, and the other is for the caverns. They are doing renovations, so the cavern store is in a little trailer right now (August 2018).

      The people were very nice and helpful. We stayed during the rainy season, so the lady in charge that day, made sure to drive around and warn us that in an emergency situation, we would either go in the cave for shelter, or the bathhouse, which is made of brick. It was nice to know she cared so much to drive to each site and warn us. Luckily, we only got a small shower the next morning, so we had no weather issues.

      Lastly, and very important to us, was the on site dog park. My dog was very happy to run and chase her ball off of a leash. Its large and well maintained with a small dog ramp inside.

      Side note, there are about 12 cats that roam the facility. The are very friendly and will not hesitate to jump in your car or trailer so keep an eye out for them!!

    • C
      Mar. 17, 2022

      Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground

      Nice camp site, very convenient to Chattanooga

      Nice site, great staff, bathrooms were clean. Spaces were a little tight, but not terrible. Dog park was great for our dog to run around off leash for a while.

    • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 30, 2020

      Holiday Travel Park

      Sunny and Open RV Park

      Located just barely on the Georgia side of the GA/TN border, Holiday Travel Park has a community feel with its many full hook-up sites, most of which are extremely close together. 

      We are tent campers and there is not much here if you are not in an RV--they are nestled into the back of the campground, and have the benefit of a large grassy area so kids can run and stretch their legs, but quiet and privacy are still lacking. There is also a dog park located at the campground entrance so the four legged kids can run freely, and a playground next to the dog park, however it is in full sun so will be hot during the summer months--which is the perfect time to use the pool! Unfortunately due to COVID-19 both the pool and playground are closed at the time of this review, but it is good to know they are there once public spaces can open again.

      This campground has two sides; to the right of the main entrance is decidedly more shady while the side to the left gets more sun, and it seemed as though the shady side hosted many campers who were there long term. We even saw one set-up where it looked like someone had a couple of tomato plants growing in containers! These sites are all very close together but still had a peaceful vibe under the shady trees. The sunnier side (sites in the 100s) is where the playground, tent sites, and large grassy field are, so while the sites are still very close together there is a little bit more public space for larger groups or families. 

      There are three camping cabins that rent to groups of 2 people, and two camping cottages; a loft for groups of 4, or a one bedroom for groups of 6. Cabins and cottages have beds (you must bring your own linens), electricity, running water, grills, picnic tables, and the loft has a small kitchen. 

      This is a great stop for campers who want to see the Chattanooga/Chicakmauga area, and it has great amenities for families. However this is not a campground for those looking for a relaxing experience in nature due to proximity to the interstate and surrounding neighborhoods, and the small sites and lack of privacy from fellow campers.

    • Robin R.
      Jul. 7, 2020

      Pineview RV & Park

      We come back

      Mr Patterson  is very courteous and helpful. He is always looking to improve our stay and grounds. 

      He has a volleyball Are small dog park pavilions around for use.  I feel safe and welcome here


    Guide to Valley Head

    Campgrounds near Valley Head sit at elevations around 1,700 feet in northeast Alabama's Lookout Mountain region. The higher altitude creates cooler temperatures, with summer averages 5-10 degrees below surrounding lowlands. Fall brings dramatic color changes from mid-October through early November, while winter camping requires preparation for occasional freezing temperatures and snow.

    What to do

    Hiking to waterfalls: Little River Canyon National Preserve offers accessible waterfall views with short hikes. "We went to Little River canyon. It's beautiful and features many waterfalls and hiking!" notes a visitor to Little River RV Park & Campground.

    Cave exploration: Nearby commercial cave tours provide underground adventure. "The Cave tour is a must, but prepare to get dirty," advises a visitor at Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground.

    Rock climbing: Seasoned climbers find excellent routes at multiple sites. "There's so many climbing routes that I love. There's near by water falls and cliff jumping called High Falls," explains a camper from Cherokee Rock Village.

    Swimming holes: Multiple creeks offer natural swimming spots during warmer months. A visitor at Tranquility Campground mentioned, "There is a 6 acre lake for fishing but it's catch & release. And no swimming or kayaks allowed."

    What campers like

    Private campsites: Several campgrounds offer secluded spots away from crowds. "My wife and I love coming to this campground, the host is fantastic and very accommodating. It's completely different than any other campground we've been to in the sense that the campsites are secluded and private," shares a visitor at Little River Adventure Company.

    Camp-to-trail access: Direct trail connections eliminate driving. "Easy access to the West Rim trail which was a terrific hike. Waterfalls were dry, which was disappointing but the hike to them from the West Rim Trail was quite pretty," reports a camper at Cherokee Rock Village.

    Seasonal events: Some campgrounds host special holiday activities. "Every fall break James H. 'Sloppy' Floyd SP puts on a stellar Halloween haunted campground. The decorations are worth the short drive from Chattanooga, TN," notes a visitor to James H 'Sloppy' Floyd State Park Campground.

    Reliable connectivity: Several locations offer good WiFi for remote workers. "The best part is the screaming fast internet! We work from home and the internet was so fast, people were amazed when I told them I was at a campground. We didn't even try to use our 5G system," reports a camper at 1776 RV And Campground.

    What you should know

    Mountain driving: Some access roads require caution. "First, be careful to take Desoto Parkway up. Google tried to send us on an alternate road that had a big sign saying ABSOLUTELY no trucks - and from other reviews we gather that's the more trecherous one," warns a camper at DeSoto State Park Campground.

    Site selection: Campsite terrain varies significantly across the area. "The West Rim camping loop has a total of 48 tent/RV sites with 30 or 50A hookups, water, gravel tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. This loop is far more wooded and offers a greater variety of site size and privacy," explains a visitor at Cloudland Canyon.

    Variable cell service: Connectivity varies by location. "It is absolutely beautiful! The most beautiful I've stayed. There are not a lot of amenities but the beautiful site of those mountains. Be warned... There is no cell service and no Wi-Fi. Off the grid," advises a camper at Mountain Cove Resort.

    Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect facility access. "Weather considerations include occasional severe storms, with campground staff monitoring conditions and alerting campers when necessary."

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas. "The park has 2 easily accessible nice lakes, good trails & plenty of mountain scenery. The campground has good pull through sites with plenty of trees & varying elevation to help with privacy. The bath house & playground are nice," notes a visitor at James H 'Sloppy' Floyd State Park.

    Junior Ranger programs: Educational opportunities for kids. "If you're looking for a spot to carry your kids on one of their first trips, this would be the perfect place. They have scout activities, a Junior Ranger program, playgrounds, swimming pools, and plenty of trails to hike," recommends a visitor at DeSoto State Park.

    Entertainment options: Nearby attractions offer rainy day alternatives. "There's so many climbing routes that I love. There's near by water falls and cliff jumping called High Falls. I love going to the drive-in movie theatre near by only $15 per vehicle to watch 2 movies!" shares a camper at Cherokee Rock Village.

    Pet friendly options: Multiple campgrounds accommodate dogs. "We stayed for 4 nights in walk in site 21. It was bit interesting to get all our stuff to the site, and thank goodness we had 2 wagons and teens to help carry. It was a great private site, allowing for a good size tent and 3 hammocks," reports a family at Cherokee Rock Village.

    Tips from RVers

    Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain. "Also we found our second site 25 especially challenging to back into. There are drop off gulleys at the end of sites and maybe experienced RVers think nothing of it, but we thought it was tricky," advises an RVer at DeSoto State Park.

    Utilities placement: Some sites have unusual hookup configurations. "We were placed in the new addition of the park, where the sites were very tight and the utility hookups where in a strange position (the neighbors' utilities actually were under our awning when extended)," notes a visitor at Wills Creek RV Park.

    Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have tight turns. "The turn at the end of the new sights was a bit sharp if you have a long rig," warns another RVer at Wills Creek RV Park.

    Pet friendly camping amenities: For those seeking pet friendly camping near Valley Head, Alabama, several campgrounds offer designated pet areas. "Enjoyed a 1 night stay with our two dogs after hiking at Little River Canyon. Entire grounds clean. We were greeted by the friendly host and felt welcome. Great selection of private or more open sites to pick from," shares a visitor at Little River Adventure Company.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Valley Head, AL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Valley Head, AL is DeSoto State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 76 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Valley Head, AL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 123 dog-friendly camping locations near Valley Head, AL, with real photos and reviews from campers.