Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Balsam, NC

Moonshine Creek Campground accommodates pets throughout its beautifully maintained property where a mountain stream flows through the center of the grounds. Pet owners can set up at tent sites with shelters, full hookup RV spaces, or pet-friendly camping cabins. Stonebridge RV Resort and Hillbilly Campground also welcome dogs, with Stonebridge featuring a dedicated dog park separated for large and small dogs. The campground is clean with doggie bags conveniently located for easy clean-up. Most campgrounds in the Balsam area require pets to be leashed at all times, and many limit pets to two per site. Bathhouses and facilities are meticulously maintained, allowing campers to enjoy the amenities while keeping their pets comfortable.

The Blue Ridge Parkway's numerous trails provide excellent hiking opportunities with leashed dogs just minutes from most Balsam area campgrounds. Waterrock Knob, approximately 15 minutes from Moonshine Creek, offers pet-friendly hiking with spectacular mountain views. Campgrounds situated along creeks give dogs places to splash and cool off, though owners should supervise pets near water. Campbell Creek at Hillbilly Campground provides soothing background sounds while pets enjoy the outdoors. Local veterinary services are available in nearby Sylva and Waynesville, approximately 10-15 minutes from most campgrounds. Pet owners should note that summer temperatures can fluctuate significantly in the mountains, and wildlife encounters are possible, so keeping dogs leashed and supervised is essential for their safety.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Balsam, North Carolina (443)

    1. Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    53 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    16 miles
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "Smokemont is a great campground in the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains. It is a perfect base camp to enjoy this amazing national park."

    "We only stayed for 1 night but really enjoyed the campgrounds proximity to activities on the North Carolina side of the park."

    2. Balsam Mountain Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    26 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "There are little worn paths between site, so you can easily visit your neighbors if you're camping with friends."

    "If you want to put some distance between you and the masses at Great Smoky NP than head to Balsam Mountain Campground. Quieter and greater chance of seeing bears and other wild life."

    3. Indian Creek Campground

    24 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-4361

    $26 - $37 / night

    "Indian Creek offers the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina.

    Every campsite is lush with greenery, private and well maintained after each occupancy."

    "If you want to step back in time, before cell phones, the rushing water to sooth you all day from anywhere on the campground, this is the place. The sites are spacious and well kept."

    4. Moonshine Creek Campground

    16 Reviews
    Balsam, NC
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 586-6666

    "Minutes from the parkway for hiking, 2 miles away from a creek on the WNC fly fishing trail, and plenty of space to get out and walk around the grounds."

    "My site was right next to the stream and little covered bridge. It sounded like it was always raining. We used the pavilion for get togethers, it has a nice kitchen area with a grill."

    5. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $37 - $84 / night

    "Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."

    "We had a quick nights stay in Davidson River Campground after picking up our new SylvanSport GO tent trailer in nearby Brevard, North Carolina."

    6. Cataloochee Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    31 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9270

    $30 / night

    "The North Carolina part has a slightly different feel. Less of a circus and less crowded and more laid back. Loving it! Beautiful. Just wish there were showers here....lol."

    "This:

    Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."

    7. Stonebridge RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Maggie Valley, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 926-1904

    $60 - $90 / night

    "They have a lot of amenities such as and arcade, playground, dog park, laundry room, camp store. We came from Florida to see the fall leaves. Our 35 ft RV was right on the stream."

    "It’s close to everything. It is well run and organized. The grounds are kept very neatly."

    8. Cherokee-Great Smokies KOA

    25 Reviews
    Cherokee, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 497-9711

    "The campground has many amenities including an indoor pool and hot tub (unfortunately not open while we were there), a playground, a dog park, laundry facilities, a nice general store, on-site bike and"

    "A nice pool, games, paths, pet play areas, etc. Once you get set up here, there really is no reason to go off-site,it is a really nice KOA."

    9. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $30 / night

    "We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."

    "Very well kept, clean and quiet (except for a couple of dogs that kept going at it). Site was semi-secluded and perfect for our truck tent. Nice restrooms and showers close by."

    10. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "Cosby is great if you want to explore the eastern section of North Carolina sections of the park."

    "Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute.

    A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Balsam, NC

3143 Reviews of 443 Balsam Campgrounds


  • Erin D.
    Aug. 8, 2019

    Indian Creek Campground

    Creekside Camping

    Indian Creek offers the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina.

    Every campsite is lush with greenery, private and well maintained after each occupancy. The bathhouse is the cleanest I have found and the campsite store carries all of your forgotten necessities, and more!

    My husband and I love coming back to this campground, because how of well we and our kids sleep! The sound of the creek at night melts all of your worries away and takes you off to peaceful slumber.

    This campground is always in rotation for a visit.

  • Jason F.
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Asheville West KOA

    Far enough away to feel like camping and still close to the city

    The Asheville KOA is very pet and RV friendly. There are a number of walking trails of easy to moderate difficulty that run throughout the property. The dog park is a great place to let the pups off of the leashes for a bit. Staff pickup trash daily between 10-11AM at your site, but dumpsters are easily accessible.

    We camped here in our 22' travel trailer. The back in sites are mostly level with a mix of dirt and gravel. If you're looking for a sunny spot, request one of the even-numbered back-ins. If you would prefer to be mostly in the shade, go for an odd-numbered spot. 20/30/50 amp electric, cable, water and sewer were easily accessible at each site. Camp sites are not very large, so be mindful of volume and lights with respect to your neighbors.

  • Nate H.
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Greenbrier Campground

    Best Around

     Greenbriar campground is located in Pittman Center, west of Gatlinburg, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains. The campground is certainly one of the nicest camping spots I’ve n the area. The campground is very large, and has multiple camping options. They have tent and rv spots, as well as cabins, but I also saw some teepee style tent cabins. The campground is very wooded, so you feel like you are getting a legitimate Smoky Mountain camping experience. The pigeon river runs through the campground, and is great for fishing, or swimming/tubing in summer. There is a dog park also, and the campground is pet friendly. This campground has so many things to do, and it is very popular, so if you want to camp here, I would suggest booking early, because spots are booked months in advance. The campground is very quiet at night, with just the sounds of nature. There is a camp store, with firewood, and you’ll want to enjoy a campfire, even in the middle of summer. I Highly recommend Greenbriar Campground for camping in the Smokies.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Willow Valley RV Resort

    Raybun Gap, GA….Going on our fav list!!

    Very very nice campground. Good signage and off 441 N. Not any places to eat without going into Clayton. Beautiful park with large sites, some paved. Laundry to was clean. Reasonable size dog park, dog walk and outside dog bath. Lots of trees, very clean and trash pickup at your site. Office lady was very nice and check in was efficient, even though we made the reservations at the last minute. It’s not cheap by any means but you get a lot of bang for your buck.

  • l
    Sep. 8, 2023

    Bent River Equestrian

    Great camping near mountain biking and hiking

    Great place to spend a couple of nights. Went over Labor Day weekend with 5 or 6 other groups and still felt like we had full privacy. Fire pits, an outdoor shower, and a porta-potty. Cute horses and barn cats to pet and watch

  • Anne H.
    May. 31, 2018

    Asheville West KOA

    Nice stay.

    Other than rain almost every day, we enjoyed this spot while checking out Asheville and Biltmore Estate. The campground is very wooded, allowing for shady space. The showers were decently clean. Garbage is picked up at your site, or you can recycle next to the shower house which is not located far for the back section, which we were in, with full hookups. We enjoyed the trail through the woods that circles the whole campground. Our dog enjoyed the dog park. There is a pool and camp store.

  • P
    Dec. 23, 2020

    Asheville West KOA

    Great home base for a week

    We stayed here for a week to visit the Asheville area. The location is amazing very short drive into town, hiking spots, and I highly recommend you take a walk around Lake Junaluska . We booked this spot for the location and it delivered. Yes, that came with a lot of highway noise... but again we wanted an easy jumping off point. So we got exactly what we booked. What was the biggest difference maker was the staff. So lovely, so kind! Trash pick up from our site and each night they delivered firewood to us. Even would refill your propane tank and deliver it back to you. Spots were a little squeezed but not too bad. Dog park was awesome for our two pups.

  • Mandy M.
    Sep. 10, 2022

    Rose Creek Campground and Cabins Franklin, NC

    Rose creek didn’t disappoint 😊

    We loved the host jerry he brought us wood and picked our trash up and was a pleasure . The campground itself is taken great Care of with nice bathhouses . It also has a cool little dog park my dogs loved !

  • Pat B.
    Aug. 5, 2021

    Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground

    Not quite great for a senior

    Great and clean unless you have a very active dog and you're sorta out of shape. Their dog park extremely small and hilly and has holes you need to watch. The yellow jackets were terrible and I got stung while just sitting at our site. Also a hike to take garbage to their dumpster. Some sort of pickup or maybe bear proof cans half way point, also more flat area for dog walks. If they would take in some of the area around the horse shoe area that would help too .


Guide to Balsam

If you're looking for a pet-friendly camping experience near Balsam, North Carolina, you're in luck. Several campgrounds in the area welcome furry companions, making it easy to enjoy the great outdoors together.

Tips for camping with dogs near Balsam

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Balsam

Pet-friendly campgrounds include

  • Mount Pisgah Campground, which offers a rustic experience along the Blue Ridge Parkway, perfect for those who enjoy nature with their pets.
  • North Mills River is a well-reviewed spot that provides ample space for your dog to roam and explore the nearby trails.
  • Indian Creek Campground features a creek running through it, making it an ideal location for pets to enjoy the water while you relax nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Balsam, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Balsam, NC is Smokemont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 53 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Balsam, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 443 dog-friendly camping locations near Balsam, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.