Looking for the ultimate pet-friendly camping experience near Ashcamp? Finding a place to camp in Kentucky with your dog is easier than ever. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect pet-friendly campsites that are scenic and easy to access.
$20 - $30 / night
$22 / night
Due to flooding, the campground will be closed for the 2023 season
Thunder River Outdoor Recreation and Campground is located along the Russell Fork River in what is known locally as the “Splashdam” area in Haysi, VA. The property was once home to a thriving coal community until a flood in 1957. After that it served as the site for a Clinchfield Coal Company “tipple” for several years. More recently the property was abandoned and had become overgrown and pretty much uninhabitable. The site, now owned by the Hill family has undergone a transformation to become a destination for camping and outdoor recreation. The location beside the river offers access for fishing, kayaking/canoeing/tubing, swimming and picnicking in a private setting. During the month of October, with the release of water from the John Flannagan Dam, Dickenson County and the Russell Fork become a destination for white water rafters. The property is also on an ATV route with access to the Haysi Ridgeview Trailhead approximately one mile away. The Haysi Ridgeview Trail is part of the Spearhead Trail system which in connection with the Coal Canyon trail offers approximately 200 miles of trails (connects to the town of Grundy and the Breaks Park).
$20 / night
Littcarr Campground is located on the shores of Carr Creek Lake in southeastern Kentucky's mountainous region. The area provides an excellent atmosphere for camping, fishing, boating and enjoying the natural setting.
The lake offers boating, water skiing and swimming. Anglers can fish for crappie, bass, bluegill and walleye. A short nature trail for hiking is located in the Dam/Tailwater area. For a bit more adventure, the six-mile Sugar Branch Trail begins at the dam and ends at Sugar Lake Road.
Carr Creek Lake is situated in a scenic sloping landscape heavily forested with a wide variety of hardwood and pine trees. An array of songbirds and waterfowl inhabit the area's marshlands.
Nearby attractions include Daniel Boone National Forest, Lilley Cornett Woods, Bad Branch Falls Nature Preserve, Red River Gorge Natural Scenic Area, Natural Bridge State Park and Buckhorn Lake.
The Littcarr Campground will be closed from April 1 - May 11 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
$24 / night
$14 / night
Guide
Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek. Flat field area for camping on way. Several spots by creek for van or tent camping.
Scout
The place is crawling with Venemous Copperheads. Do not recommend tent camping here.
Guide
Chief Logan has a lot of interesting things to see, including an outdoor animal exhibit, a lodge, a pool, a theatre, and a museum all close together.
Our site was full hook up and very level. There was creek nearby and walking paths all over. We went over to the lodge and was able to swim in the pool and hot tub as part of the price of our campsite. There was solar event with super rare aurora light show for this part of the world while we were there.
Guide
Stayed 4 nights in section D. Our site was ok. There were a lot better sites to stay though. Staff was helpful and friendly. We had full hookups. Lots of shade.
ScoutCamp next to a quiet bumbling creek with beautiful scenery.
Guide
Great camping and cabins perched on top of them out. Near the town of Gilbert. Great access to avt trails
Guide
A “secret spot” that holds a special place in my heart.
I spend on average 10 days at a time camping in the primitive grounds (April/May, Aug/Sep & end of October 2023 ) all five spaces are nicely kept and a large communal fire pit is wonderful. Even when all sites are full. There’s plenty of space. Porter Johns on site as well (and nicely maintained for what that’s worth! )
By far - the best camp ground I’ve visited in terms of Hosts, rangers, amenities if needed, scenery and solitude.
Take bear and coyote warnings SERIOUSLY my friends. I’ve seen plenty out there but never had a problem taking proper precautions. Also the crows - smarter than normal haha they WILL wake you up earlier than the other birds demanding you make breakfast and leave so they can then hop around your camp.
Your cell service will be spotty / non existent on trails around the area… even when you see a road running parallel to your hike .. plan accordingly. (And bear spray people. Please. Just take it)
Plenty of wood split ($4 a bundle. Ice $2 a bag) and hosts will graciously bring wood to your camp site <3
The “trail” off the primitive site doesn’t seem to be on a map - and I heard many different variations of where it went. So I hiked the whole thing just for y’all! It’s an in and out(maybe a mile give or take total) that dead ends to PRIVATE property. (So obviously don’t proceed past gate) Lots of beautiful growth, cool in the summer with shade - nice quiet trail for dogs - half way is definitely less of a beaten path. Use caution.
HIGHLY recommend getting in before last light. Especially if you’re towing anything, roads are steep and winding getting to and from camp/cabins. And lotssss of deer / rabbits at dawn and dusk jumping around.
In a nutshell - this park gets a 10/10 from a solo female camper. Everyone is mindful of one another’s space and solitude - however in true Appalachian fashion everyone also looks out for you and always ready to lend a helping hand.
GuideBeautiful, quiet spot. The staff was very easy to work with and very friendly. The wildlife exhibit is a fun detour ($2/person). We saw a water slide, putt-putt, and enjoyed the restaurant at the lodge. They have tours for the local elk there too. The town itself is cute and we enjoyed a date night at the local steakhouse. Great spot, perfect getaway!
Scout
Plenty of space with short grass. Small rock fire pit and log bench. Excellent views and lots of deer and birds about.
Traveler
We drove up a twisty road with a few hairpin turns, wondering if there is really a campground. We got to the top and there were two loops of campsites wuth electric, and we were the only ones there. We were surprised to find clean flush toilets and hot showers.
It's an old style campground where you put $20 in an envelope. Continuing on there is a short walk to a lovely overlook. There are very nice picnic shelters.
Our only complaint was the place had a number of lampoles with lights that were on all night. I realize people like to be able to see the roads and bathrooms, it was just a bit strange to be so remote and not have it darker.
Scout
Great experience, the lady who took my booking was super helpful and friendly. Campground is quiet and feels very safe. Nestled nicely in the hills in the Pennington gap . Lots to do within easy driving distance. Overall a great experience
Scout
The staff was awesome. They were kind and helpful. We tent camped and there were only a couple rvs in the park so it was quiet besides the motorcycles and rvs up and down the main road. They have showers and bathrooms. Fire pits and picnic tables.
Legend
We camped here for 2 nights. We reserved a spot at the Lovers Leap Campground. The sites are very spacious and private. It comes with the usual amenities like a fire ring, picnic table, and a lantern pole. There was even an extra little wooden table on every site. The campground is very well maintained. Everybody from rangers to volunteers was super nice and helpful. The bathhouse is extremely clean. The showers are separate from the restrooms. The other campground, Cove View, is not as private and spacious. We also drove by the cabins and the primitive campsites. The cabins look fantastic from the outside. For more adventures you can also rent a yurt. There is also a little campstore that has firewood and some essentials. The area is very scenic. There are not many trails but there is still a lot to see. The tunnel is spectacular. Make sure you ride the chairlift (dogs allowed to ride with you) down to see the tunnel and creek. Also plan a quick trip to see the blockhouse and learn about the history. The park has a lot of activities for all ages. Check out the calender and see what you like. We would definitely visit again.
Scout
Great area, no service or wifi
Traveler
We stayed one night in Spruce Creek Campground at Cabwaylingo SF in April of 2023. The campground is small, tucked into a side hollow just off the main road through the State Forest with tiny Spruce Creek flowing right through it. Be advised: heavy rains can cause the creek to partially flood the campground and the moderate rains we experienced turned some of the sites into a soggy mess. Site #1 is a paved, level pull-through that easily accommodated our 21' campervan, and that site has electric and water hookups. It's a short walk from any of the sites to the nice playground and the older but completely serviceable showerhouse. Firewood was available from the camp store/office, which has limited hours as of this writing. The wood was okay, cut & split but a touch damp to truly burn well.
There are multi-use trails and hiking-only trails that run right through the Spruce Creek campground, and we saw light ORV/ATV traffic driving through in the late afternoon of our stay. This is a real bonus if you're wishing to drive those trails during your stay, I'm sure! Our goal was fishing, which was a bust. We only discovered after our arrival that Twelvepole Creek - while described as a stocked trout stream - has nearly all of the trout caught & removed by overzealous anglers within a few days of each stocking, according to the rangers. Additionally, the streams and creeks in the State Forest were all pretty heavily littered with refuse, a real shame considering the potential natural beauty to be had.
All of the staff with whom we interacted were courteous, polite and extremely helpful - really wonderful people work at Cabwaylingo! The cabins looked nice from the outside and the other facilities seemed pleasant but rather dated. There are no good gas stations or markets in the immediate vicinity so definitely plan accordingly!
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt, extending a warm welcome to Roaring Shoals Farm. Nearby waterfall and natural rock formations to explore. Schedule a tour to see the cows. This is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature, while still being close to amenities. Book your stay today and leave them some love.
Scout
Back in the woods very close to city but very quiet shade for most of the day has Wi-Fi and cable only down fall is theirs not water at every site bath house is dated but clean
GuideLovers Leap Campground is best and newer. No sewer but dump station. Sites have water and electricity and a very nice bathhouse. A hike to the tunnel is a must. Towns of Big Stone Gap and Norton VA visit for sure.
GuideThe campground was nice, the staff friendly. Apparently there is a lot of bear activity, although we did not encounter one. The sunsets are to die for!
ScoutThis campsite is more suited for r.v’s and trailer’s. Really nice staff and very clean. Very well taken care of park Unfortunately if you are a tent camper. There’s no privacy between site’s. I understand it’s a small site. But would be nice if the tent sites were further away from the trailers and rv camper’s. Kinda felt like I set my tent up in the backyard. But still a really nicely kept and clean facility.
TravelerNot too much space for RV’s. Ground not always levelled. But beautifully sited in the woods. Great for high temperatures. And realy inexpensive (we payed $ 20 per night).
GuideThis was my third visit to the NTSP - I really enjoy the camping, and the pool and Natural Tunnel are great fun. Each time I've camped in Lover's Leap, and all the sites are well spaced. Have stayed in #3 and #5, and #12 which is even more private. The restrooms and showers are always clean, and there is a nice laundry area as well. This trip we took a car ride to Big Stone Gap, a thriving little town about 30 minutes north of the park - it's a nice quiet but interesting town, with a nice dog park. Took a car ride to Gate City, south of the park - wouldn't recommend it. It's a city on it's way down. The short ride to the Blockhouse in the park is interesting, with nice views of the mountains. The ride and hike up and down to the tunnel is always fun. In the summers they light the tunnel one Saturday night each month, so it's worth trying to plan for that.
Traveler
Love that the beach wasn’t far from our site. People was friendly!
ScoutIn nature, not to close together spots, affordable (20/night).
Im in a 25ft class c, always looking for a more nature forward spot, trees out my door. There’s phone service and Wi-Fi in some spots. A few will fit a larger rig, many will fit my size. A few are flat already and some will need leveling. Tons of sites, fewer ‘ideal’ ones but there will be something.
Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise.
Water available but not at your site(mostly, if you have an extension you you make some work) Electric at most sites.
Close to abingdon and Virginia creeper trail. Also close to a Target, makes a convenient stop.
ScoutYou can't beat the price and your secluded but yet close to Sam's and Walmart and even a Chick-fil-A 10-day maximum
Scout
A great RV park& Campground with plenty of access. Many pull through sites. Grass between each site. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Very nice owner, very friendly. The bath house was clean and decorated very nice. Looks like it has been freshly painted. A wonderful covered pavilion with lots of tables and gas grills. They even had season firewood available for a couple dollars. They even have a draw bridge to walk across the powell river to access the Big Stone Gap town's walking trail. It is truly a hidden gem.
LegendWe camped here for 3 nights with our dogs. Our site was in the B loop and had no water or electricity. It was surrounded by a lot of trees, so it had shade. It was a short walk to the bathhouse which was very clean with nice showers.
The campground has 4 different loops. I personally liked the B loop the best because everything was very close to it like hiking trails, laundry facility, basketball court, and a little camp store which has ice and firewood available.
The state park also has a lodge, cabins, and a beautiful lake. There is a restaurant in the park. We tried it for lunch and it was good. The landscape in the park was just beautiful. The overlooks, especially the tower overlook, are gorgeous. There are several hiking trails. Be aware that the loop is extremely strenuous and takes 4 to 5 ours. I really liked that the trails are not heavily trafficked.
We would definitely camp here again. All the park staff, hosts and volunteers were super nice and very helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ashcamp, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ashcamp, KY is Breaks Interstate Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ashcamp, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 34 dog-friendly camping locations near Ashcamp, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
