The Blue Ridge mountains around Blowing Rock, North Carolina sit at elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet, creating significantly cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowland areas. Fall temperatures in the region can drop below freezing overnight even when daytime highs reach the 70s. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in this area provide designated hiking trails where leashed dogs are permitted, though specific regulations vary by location.
What to do
Tackle challenging hikes: At Grandfather Mountain State Park, experienced hikers can attempt the three peaks trail featuring cables and ladders with substantial elevation gain. "This is a tough hike but well worth it! Make sure you factor in every mile may take up to 1 hr so bring plenty of water," notes Laura Z.
Fish in stocked waters: The small fishing pond at Bear Den Family Campground offers easily accessible angling opportunities with consistent catches reported. "The lake is hatchery supported, and I did witness someone catching a fish as we walked along the lake trail," reports a camper who visited the area.
Explore waterfalls: Multiple falls are accessible within a short drive from most Blowing Rock campgrounds. "One of the hiking trails leads to a waterfall. Close to an apple orchid, which is so cool to visit (they're dog friendly) and not too far of a drive from the Linville Falls," reports Emily B.
Visit local breweries: After hiking or mountain biking, sample craft beers in nearby towns. "We really enjoyed the Booneshine brewery after our hikes and mountain biking," shares Joe B., who stayed at Boone KOA.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Honey Bear Campground offers sites with good separation between neighbors. "The sites vary from small and close together, to medium size with established plumeria shrubs separating sites for some privacy," notes a visitor. Others appreciate the thoughtful layout: "The campsites are very spaced out. The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," says Kristen J. about Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Creek access: Many campers value the sound of running water at their sites. "We stayed up the hill, where there are three lanes of diagonal pull thru sites sloping up the hill... However, there is a large field to the east of the rows that is great for play with a fantastic view of the mountains," reports Erin S. who visited Grandfather Campground.
Clean facilities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Blowing Rock maintain excellent standards. "This is by far the cleanest bathhouse I have ever seen. They show great attention to this campground and make sure all their campers are happy," shares Mandy R. about her experience at Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Escape from summer heat: The elevation provides natural air conditioning. "Temperature was very comfortable, didn't need the A/C in June!" notes Joe B. about his summer stay at Boone KOA.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for sloped terrain at many campgrounds. "The sites are a little sloped, so have leveling equipment ready," advises a camper about Honey Bear Campground. Similarly, at Flintlock Campground, "The site was quite un-level side to side, and we couldn't get our trailer completely level side to side."
Road noise varies: Some campgrounds have proximity to major roads. "The worst part I discovered about sites in the A loop is that you can hear traffic from the Blue Ridge Parkway all day long except for two to three hours in the middle of the night," reports Myron C.
Reservation requirements: The most desirable sites at popular campgrounds book quickly. "Sites in Loop A at Julian Price provide lake access where some campers can launch kayaks directly from their campsite, though these premium locations require advance reservations, especially during summer months."
Limited or no hookups: Many campgrounds have rustic facilities. "They do not have water hookups - you fill your camper tank with water at the office area. They have spots with electric hookups," explains a visitor to Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with amenities: Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers trails and recreation options ideal for families. "The constant light breeze and lack of mosquitoes is a treat. The bathhouse is nice and includes showers and drinking water," notes Raven B.
Playground proximity: Some sites offer direct views of play areas. "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer. My daughter had a blast and we could keep an eye on her while we worked/played at the site," shares Charles S.
Creek exploration opportunities: Children often enjoy natural water features. "There is a beautiful mini river running through the campground with a lot of rocks to jump on. My children spent hours every day exploring," shares Robyn C. about Flintlock Campground.
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain weather changes rapidly, especially in shoulder seasons. "In late July it was cool in the evenings. Some of the fire rings have 'flip over' grills which were super convenient," notes Nicole L., who camped at Grandfather Campground with her family.
Tips from RVers
Approach routes matter: Avoid steep mountain roads when possible. "Hint here if pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain," advises an RVer who visited Bear Den Campground.
Site selection for privacy: Research specific site locations and features. "We stayed at site B12 again this year as we find it private, well shaded, and close to a small creek that provided background water noise when it's flowing good," shares Steve V., though he notes: "This site does have a good slope to it and we had to use a stack of 3 leveling blocks to get level."
Fill water tanks before parking: At Thousand Trails Green Mountain, arrival planning is essential. "Very large campground. Has a lot of hiking trails. Some has waterfalls, ponds. Easy to get to grocery store, has shopping, restaurants, places for children to go... Nestled back in the woods campground," notes Tammy V.
Expect tight turns: Many campgrounds have narrow roads and challenging access. "The drive into/out of the campground is on a main drive and on a hill which makes it difficult leaving," reports a camper about navigating with their RV.
