37 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Breaks Interstate Park Campground welcomes pets across its diverse camping options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping accommodations. The campground maintains clean facilities with well-stocked bathhouses, picnic tables at each site, and fire rings for evening campfires. Thunder River Campground and Backwoods Camping & RV Park also accommodate pets with water and electric hookups for RV campers. Campers should prepare for bear activity in the area, particularly at Breaks Interstate Park where wildlife is not fearful of dogs. The park features numerous hiking trails, though some require better signage especially where trails merge.
Pound River Campground offers pet-friendly camping along the river, creating a peaceful atmosphere for dogs and owners to enjoy fishing and kayaking. Jenny Wiley State Park Campground provides seasonal camping from April through October with laundry facilities and boat access. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to remain leashed when outside, with many sites offering shaded areas ideal for keeping animals comfortable during summer months. The campground bathrooms throughout the region are generally clean and well-maintained, though amenities vary significantly between parks. Multiple hiking trails throughout the area accommodate dogs, though several are rated as strenuous with steep switchbacks and challenging terrain.
"We 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."
"This is just an amazing park, full of history, great trails, friendly staff (with the exception of the manager at the Lodge!!) The climb up the mountain to get here is worth it."
from $20 - $38 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $24 / night
Check Availability"There is no bath house, just a couple of porta potties surround by a structure with a handwashing station. The host informed us that a new bath house was in the works and coukd be open in November."
"Locating directly in the river makes it a very serene atmosphere. We enjoyed fishing and kayaking during our stay."
from $20 - $26 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $24 / night
Check Availability"The park’s along the lake and has hiking, birding, a restaurant, and a nice surprise: an open air theatre with shows outside all summer."
"I lived in the Dewey Lake-JWSP area with family members, until 2002. Currently, I live about 10-15 minutes away from JWSP and visit the park at least once a month, depending on the weather."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The staff are very easy to work with - they will sell and chop the wood you need, let you put your tent in any of the open grass areas around the lot and they are flexible on arrival."
from $10 - $160 / night
Check Availability"Small beach area, clear water for swimming, but have quite a few steps to walk down to the lake. Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings."
"The beach is nice but a lot of steps to get down to it. Overall the campground is clean and staff is extremely helpful. The bathhouses are a bit run down and updated or something."
from $33 / night
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ScoutBeautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains, hiking, fishing and boating, amazing staff, very clean shower houses and laundry facility! Very family oriented and pet friendly!
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.
GuideThe views are spectacular, Camping with electric, water and showers was just a bonus to all the beauty around us and pet friendly. Great people all around and we felt so welcomed.
ScoutOverall; nice place, bathrooms get gross quickly when campground is at full capacity. Not handicap friendly. Good cell service, 4G. Small beach area, clear water for swimming, but have quite a few steps to walk down to the lake. Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings. All sites have electric and water, picnic table, two poles to hang garbage or lantern, also fire rings with grates for cooking on Pets allowed on leash. Firewood and ice available.
Attendant on site, not a ranger, maybe a "workamper?" Bathrooms cleaned only once in the midmorning. The commodes have a button to flush which is difficult to push. I think young children couldn't push it, so the toilets got nasty and full. Toilet paper ran out by early evening. There was no commode in the handicap stall in the women's room. Hot showers with regular handle for continual flow (as opposed to some places that only run a couple of minutes before you have to push the button again.
Most sites are shaded and grassy areas. Sites 7, 8, 26, 28, 31 are washed out, not good for putting up a tent. Lake surrounds campground but not visible through the trees. A few very steep trails from some sites down to the lake.
Beach is about 100 yds long. Water was clean and clear. It might be a slight challenge walking back up the steps to the parking lot if you're not in good shape. If you plan on hanging out at the beach area for awhile, I suggest bringing a beach tent, it gets hot. There is a drive way down to the beach for handicap access, but the gate was locked. There is a marina on the other side of the road. I believe you can rent a pontoon there.
While we were there, somebody with a super loud speed boat was racing around, so be aware that if you're wanting peace and quiet, there is boating noise. There was also a group of campers that had speakers set up and played their music Sat night that was annoying. Not super loud, but we just didn't care for their style of music. We tolerated it, but don't know why they weren't asked to turn it down. To me, music shouldn't be heard much past your own site.
It's about 5+/- miles in either direction for a store. There is an ice cream place about 2 miles away that also sells basic prep fried food and breakfast.
Our electric didn't work (site 33) but we were with another couple and plugged into theirs next to us. We usually primitive camp, but because of the Aug heat, it's nice to have a fan at night.
We might camp there again. The main thing is that the bath house needs to be updated and attended to more than once a day. It's better than nothing, but I'd rather go in an outhouse than see an overflowing toilet.
GuideKingdom Come State Park is a little jewel in southeastern Kentucky! There are 6 tent sites (7 if they allow you to reserve the one next to the duck pond), each with a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table. The nearby shelter house provides restrooms and trash cans. The local ranger was most helpful in providing firewood (free!) and offering to bring us water to wash up with or for drinking (there is a water fountain across from the CG, but it wasn't turned on and there is running water in the restrooms). The area is known for bear activity, but we saw none. The surrounding mountains provide many short hikes that can be easily strung together to make for a longer trek if desired. We look forward to camping there again!
LegendThis campground is minutes from Asheville, offering all urban amenities like nearby grocery, Starbucks, etc for last minute errands.
You share the campground with permanent residents, RV's, and primitive campers. Campsites are relatively flat but a little gravely. Sites are pretty close together but each one has a fire ring and picnic table.
You can't get any close to the water, being right on the French Broad River. Sling up a hammock for serious relaxation.
We enjoyed this campground as a large group and rented out 4 adjacent sites. Dogs are welcome. Firewood can be purchased, but we never saw anyone in the office so I would suggest bringing your own.
Bathrooms are at the front of the park, a 10-minute walk from the primitive sites. Bathrooms are not spotless, but they do the trick.
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.
TravelerWe tent camped at one of the hike-in (it's a well maintained gravel path) sites at PLSP, #33. This is the first site on your way in. I was by myself with my son and dog so I felt more comfortable being here near the bathhouse. There are raccoons who like to eat so be sure to put your food up at night. The lake is really calm. There are boats coming in and out but not "traffic" per se, no issues at all kayaking and we went out several times. Fishing was good with rooster tails and panther martin spinners (silver), 1/8 and 1/16 oz. The water was down so there were a lot of places to paddle onto the shore and wade fish. There is some access right at the campground for littles to get in the water. I really recommend water shoes as there are some hooks/lures in the water. We never left the campground during the weekend, so I can't comment on the proximity to restaurants but it was only 5-8 min or so back to town. I had terrible phone service with Sprint here. We did have one new camper come in at 3am on Saturday morning to set up their tent and being so close to the entrance of the hike-in spots, I woke up. That was tough. When we go back, I'll pick a site further back up the hiking path and bring a wagon to tote our stuff. The staff at the gate are amazing and so friendly. The restrooms are clean. Three showers. NO ONE other than the tent campers seemed to use the bath house so I never waited for a shower or anything and there were several families tent camping and the rv sites were completely full. It's a really nice and safe place. I really recommend it and look forward to going back. One thing, the actual tent pad was 11x13 and seemed a bit small but worked fine for us.
RangerThis small park is located across the street from an exhibition coal mine, portal 31. It is in the former train depots former switch yard. Small, with electric hookups and a communal water spout.
If you want to see the history of coal production in southeast Kentucky, this is the place. If you (like me) are a highpointer, this site is like 4 miles from KY highpoint, Black Mountain. If you want a more “natural” site, check out Kindom Come state park in nearby Cumberland.
Breaks Interstate Park straddles the Virginia-Kentucky border at elevations between 1,650-1,900 feet with Appalachian terrain featuring sandstone cliffs and mature forest. The Russell Fork River runs through the park's deep canyon, known as the "Grand Canyon of the South." Camping near Elkhorn City experiences a moderate mountain climate with cooler summer nights than surrounding lowlands.
Water activities on Dewey Lake: Jenny Wiley State Park Campground offers fishing opportunities on the 1,100-acre reservoir. "The fishing on Dewy Lake is awesome. The water is muddy a lot. But if you like catfishing, this is your Lake," notes camper David O. Boat rentals are available at the marina.
Geocaching adventures: Explore hidden caches throughout the region's parks. Campers report this adds dimension to regular hiking. "Geocached here. If you don't Geocache, never heard of it, your in for a treat. It's like treasure hunting and you get to see some sights/facts/history you may have missed otherwise," shares Shelly S.
Kayaking the Russell Fork: Thunder River Campground provides direct river access for paddlers. "Beautiful setting along the river at the base of the mountains," states Laura E. The campground sits near the Lord of the Fork whitewater race route, which features Class II-V rapids depending on seasonal releases.
Beach swimming: During summer months, Carr Creek State Park offers a 100-yard beach area with clear water. "Great place for families! Love that the beach wasn't far from our site," reports Martha. The beach requires navigating stairs to access from the main parking area.
Spacious campsites: Carr Creek State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "Good size sites, especially the outer part of the loop," notes Todd C. Sites feature electric and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings with cooking grates.
Clean facilities: Breaks Interstate Park maintains well-kept bathroom buildings. "The campground was extremely clean including bathrooms and showers that are immaculate," reports Paul C. The park also offers a camp store with firewood and propane refill services.
Wooded campsites: Most campgrounds in the region feature tree cover for shade. "Most sites are shaded and grassy areas," notes Gisela C. about Carr Creek. This natural shade helps moderate summer temperatures that can reach the high 80s.
River access: Several campgrounds provide direct water access. "Very clean and well maintained. Locating directly in the river makes it a very serene atmosphere," shares Angie about Pound River Campground.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. "Limited cell coverage for ATT," warns Eric W. about Breaks Interstate Park. Some campgrounds like Carr Creek report "Good cell service, 4G," while others have no service.
Remote location: Many campgrounds require planning ahead for supplies. "Be sure to bring all necessary supplies BEFORE you get here, nearest stores are a 20 minute drive away on crooked mountain roads," advises Robert L.
Mountain driving challenges: Backwoods Camping & RV Park is accessible via winding roads typical of the region. "The roads to this amazing State Park are two lane and twisting," notes one reviewer about nearby parks. Larger RVs should plan routes carefully.
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility upkeep differs between parks. "Bathrooms are disgusting. Half don't work and handicap doesn't have lock. Only 1 shower worked," reports Polly J. about one location, while others receive positive reviews.
Pool alternatives: When seeking pet friendly camping near Elkhorn City, Kentucky, note that swimming options exist beyond pools. "Water was clean and clear. It might be a slight challenge walking back up the steps to the parking lot if you're not in good shape," shares Gisela C. about Carr Creek's beach area.
Bring beach shade: Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F. "If you plan on hanging out at the beach area for awhile, I suggest bringing a beach tent, it gets hot," advises Gisela C.
Check playground status: Jenny Wiley State Park and other parks may have limited play equipment. "Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings," reports one camper. Call ahead to confirm current amenities.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate April through October. "The park features an open air theatre with shows outside all summer," notes Kim B. about Jenny Wiley State Park's summer programming.
Hookup configurations: Water connections at some sites require planning. "What's odd is that you share a water spigot with a neighbor so you have to have a long hose to go across your whole section," reports Pamela S.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at several campgrounds. "Prepare for some levelling. We lucked out in the B loop," advises Bob M. about Breaks Interstate Park. Bring leveling blocks and check site specifications before booking.
Off-season travel: For quieter pet friendly camping experiences near Elkhorn City, Kentucky, consider shoulder seasons. "Off season, so some of the amenities were closed (pool looks awesome)," notes Bob M., highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of visiting during less crowded periods.
Site selection matters: Choose carefully when booking. "Be careful when choosing a site as some are challenging to get into with larger units," warns Robert L. Many campgrounds post site dimensions and terrain details online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elkhorn City, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elkhorn City, KY is Breaks Interstate Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elkhorn City, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 37 dog-friendly camping locations near Elkhorn City, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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