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Pettigrew State Park Campground accommodates tent, RV camping, and allows pets at all 13 campsites surrounding Lake Phelps. The park maintains basic amenities with fire rings, picnic tables, and access to clean bathrooms with showers. North River Campground provides full-hookup sites for RVs with pets, spacious tent areas, and pet-friendly cabin options. Both campgrounds enforce standard leash policies, requiring dogs to remain under owner control at all times. Campers report minimal pet restrictions beyond standard leash requirements, though some note the importance of proper waste disposal. The wooded sites at Pettigrew offer excellent shade for pets during summer months, with site #3 highlighted by campers as particularly spacious and well-shaded for families camping with dogs.
Nearby hiking options include the Moccasin Trail along Lake Phelps, which provides a 3-mile round trip path suitable for leashed dogs. Campers should exercise caution on this trail as wildlife encounters are possible—multiple visitors have reported seeing water moccasins and bears in the area. Lake Phelps offers swimming access where some dogs can cool off in the clear, shallow water, though no designated dog swimming areas exist. The campground location allows day trips to the Outer Banks, where additional pet-friendly beaches can be found. Weather considerations are important when camping with pets in this area, as summer temperatures can be hot and humid with significant mosquito activity requiring proper repellent for both humans and animals.
"We usually overnight there on the way to the NPS campgrounds on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, though it is nice enough to justify a stay if you find yourself in the area."
"The deepest part of the lake is 9’ so you are able to walk around most of the lake. My kids loved this."
from $27 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Though we were caught camping in what seemed to be a very dramatic North Carolina storm we made the best of it. Good location all around, close to the ocean and cool towns nearby."
"The walk through the dunes to the beach is negligible but be careful with kids and pets as it is accessable to vehicles and moderately trafficked."
from $28 - $70 / night
Check Availability"The tennis, put put, shuffleboard, dog park, and playground were all fun. The only downside was the equipment for the sports area was not in good condition."
"They offer themed activities, multiple pools, playground, dog park area, bath houses with laundry, arcade/game room, mini golf, basketball, tennis courts, and amazing sunset views from the sound front"
from $32 - $130 / night
Check Availability"Goose Creek State Park campground is one of the newer state parks in North Carolina. The RV part of the park has a great layout with large sites."
"This campground is nestled in the tall North Carolina pines. There isn’t much shade though because the branches are mainly at the top."
from $17 - $75 / night
Check Availability"OBX is very close driving to public beach accesses (2 miles), close to so much, around the corner from the Wright Memorial."
"Lots of open area to walk the dog and there were lots of other dogs here. Grounds are kept very clean and mowed. Very conveniently located near the Wright brothers' site."
from $50 - $90 / night
Check Availability"There is a little tiny beach nearby & it provides a beautiful view in during sunrise/sunset. There is not much else to do in the area but it is about an hour drive to the OBX so not too bad."
from $10 - $20 / night
"I was expecting in the Dogs Day of August to be buggy, but place was wonder and I want to return again the fall when it is cooler."
"Well cared for landscaping, nice lake, level parking spot with concrete patio. WiFi is fast and cable tv is available. I would recommend this camp ground."
"Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park. They were having problems with cable.went in and out."
"The first thing that captured my heart was the drive in!! It is AMAZING!!"
"This property has many perks: dog friendly and has space to exercise your furbabies, boat ramp to explore the surrounding waterways, golfing, screened gazebo, laundry, David's Red Barn which did not have"
from $25 - $45 / night
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GuideWent in November which is off season. Very quiet. People were super friendly. Steps from beach. Beautiful pool and huge hit tub. Bar and cafe were closed for season. Great dog park. They were having problems with cable.went in and out. I wouldn't book an end site.....very small and too close to the road.
GuideWe came for a weeklong working trip. I brought my laptop to work from home and this place was perfect. The view was beautiful and the weather was great at night to just sit outside and enjoy the view. It was a very quiet camp with a great dog park. I look forward to visiting again soon.
LegendComing to North Carolina, coastal camping is something which has to be on your bucket list. I traveled down the highway looking to get closer to Kitty Hawk where I wanted to see some of the many first in flight stops and this place jumped out at me and welcomed me in from the highway.
I stopped and. a local store and they raved about its location and proximity to the water so I simply had to stop and see for myself. I was not disappointed.
If you are looking for waterfront camping and activities I cannot see any location being more serene especially around sunrise and sunset. The water front stretches for miles and is so peaceful. Despite being located near the town of Bells itself you feel removed from civilization and next to your new close friend at the campground, where everyone seemed very nice.
As a tent camper I found the only downfall to be that the facility only had one shower area for the entire camp, and on a busy weekend like when I was there on a holiday that could be a bit of a juggling act for everyone. The bathrooms themselves were nice, though a bit dated and the entire camp was quaint.
They had a dock and launch which made for perfect water activities and when I was there they had many outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy.
When you think of one of those cute communities nestled right on the east coast you see in your mind something that looks just like this place. It was ideal!
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GuideThough we were caught camping in what seemed to be a very dramatic North Carolina storm we made the best of it. Good location all around, close to the ocean and cool towns nearby. Showers could use some updating but I guess that’s what we get for winter camping on the coast! Also another down side... close to the highway so it was a bit loud at night
ScoutWe loved this no-frills campground. Upon arrival, we were greates by the camp host, Glenn who was incredibly helpful throughout our stay. We stayed at Beechland for 6 days and really enjoyed our stay. The hook ups all looked new and this may have been the cleanest camp ground I've ever stayed at. The bathrooms, showers and pool were pristine. We saw a staff member cleaning them every day at 9am. We brought our dogs with us. There was plenty of grass for them, a dog park, and several bag stations. Beechland is conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Manteo and is only a 10- 15 minute drive to Nags Head Beach.
Beechland doesn't have a laundry room or campstore but there is a grocery store, laundromat and coffee shop just down the road.
GuideThis KOA is actually still under construction. As with everything else Covid-19 has set it back. But there are many sites available. A lot of the amenities are already available. Dog park, shower house, store, children's play area and they can fill your propane tanks for you. Full hookups with WiFi and cable. Drive through and back in sites with water views all around. We spent a week there and it was so relaxing. They also rent campers and little trailers. Check out their website.
GuideWe spent 2 separate weeks here. The 1st one was planned, the second was because we loved it so much there.
The first thing that captured my heart was the drive in!! It is AMAZING!! The bridges, beach views, sand dunes, inland water views, it is something so pretty it’s hard to describe and be able to capture all the beauty! It truly is something you have to see and experience.
The campground is cute and has a beach vibe. There is a pirate ship playground, a huge pool and hot tub, jumping pillow, basket ball court, your kids will defiantly keep busy! They have my dogs favorite dog parks of all dog parks. They love running free in the sand! The store is cute and. If and has anything and everything you would ever need for an epic beach day.
Speaking of beach…this beach is captivating. The big waves are dreamy. On sunny days you’ll watch surfers and pelicans. Windy days you’ll see kite boarders and pelicans.
We went during the winter and the sea was so amazing. Everyday was a new beach. One day there was a 3’ drop off, the next day it vanished without a trace. The sea birds are adorable. And there are always fishermen being in something exciting be it a fish, shark, or sting ray.
One down side of winter was most of the stores and attractions are closed, but the upside is a quiet campground for beachy dreams and soul filling peace.
ScoutThis was a great campsite! We came in after dark, but they are open late to still check us in. The parking spot for the trailers are paved and that was an easy set up. The beach area has close parking, and beach area was very clean, spacious, and beautiful. The tennis, put put, shuffleboard, dog park, and playground were all fun. The only downside was the equipment for the sports area was not in good condition. Bathrooms were always very clean, so glad for that. Overall, will return for another visit!
RangerOur absolute favorite place. This is the reason we got a camper....to make this vacation possible every year. They have concrete pads, full hook up sites on both the ocean and sound side of Rt 12. They offer themed activities, multiple pools, playground, dog park area, bath houses with laundry, arcade/game room, mini golf, basketball, tennis courts, and amazing sunset views from the sound front sites and viewing area. They also have a marina on site to rent jet skis or drop in your kayaks and paddle boards in the sound. Not far from restaurants, the Rodanthe Pier and family activities.
Pettigrew State Park Campground provides 13 well-spaced sites with fire rings, picnic tables and bathroom facilities. The park sits on the shores of Lake Phelps, the second largest natural lake in North Carolina at 16,600 acres. Most sites have moderate tree coverage making them semi-private, though sites 10-13 receive full sun throughout the day. The lake itself averages only 4.5 feet deep, creating unique swimming and fishing conditions during warm months.
Kayaking Lake Phelps: The shallow, clear water of Lake Phelps creates ideal paddling conditions. Pettigrew State Park Campground offers direct access to the lake where visitors can explore its 16,600-acre expanse. "The water in Lake Phelps is perfectly clear. We didn't get to explore it much without a boat but there are fish. Also, this lake is close to the outer banks so you can plan to go there as well," notes Justin C.
Historical exploration: Visit Somerset Place State Historic Site via the 3-mile round-trip Moccasin Trail. "The walk passes through the swamp with many large cypress and sycamore trees. At the end of the trail is a walkway to the lake along an irrigation canal," explains Stirling C. from Pettigrew State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Take a drive along Newlands Road bordering the wildlife refuge near Goose Creek State Park Campground. "We traveled through there on the way back from a grocery run and saw a lot of wildlife including a baby black bear," reports a camper. Goose Creek also offers hiking trails where deer frequently pass through the campsites.
Natural swimming areas: Lake Phelps provides easy, shallow-water swimming opportunities. "The water is amazing! The deepest part of the lake is 9' so you are able to walk around most of the lake. My kids loved this," writes Justin C. about Pettigrew State Park.
Spacious, level sites: North River Campground receives high marks for well-maintained sites. "Level spot, pave and gravel... our site is close to Lake, nice view of it," notes Nelma S. The campground also features a 5-acre lake for fishing and biking opportunities throughout the grounds.
Boardwalk access: Several parks in the area feature boardwalks through wetland areas. "There are boardwalks that meander through the swampy forest," writes Justin C. about Pettigrew State Park, while another camper notes, "Great lake. Good sites. Has a nice trail and boardwalk."
Limited supplies nearby: Stock up on necessities before arriving. The closest full grocery options to many campgrounds require significant driving. "Columbia is the closest town that has groceries or anything to eat," notes one Pettigrew camper, while another mentions "Getting groceries is difficult. There aren't many options. Bring supplies if you can."
Seasonal insect considerations: Bug protection is essential in these wetland environments. "Bring bug spray. We had some citronella and mosquito coils but we still had to spray some off," advises a visitor to Pettigrew State Park. Sites 2-9 at Pettigrew have full shade which helps minimize mosquito exposure.
Potential wildlife encounters: Goose Creek State Park campers frequently report wildlife sightings directly in camping areas. "Wildlife walks right by, several deer on our trip," writes Charles G. Exercise caution on trails, particularly in warm weather when snakes may be active.
Bike-friendly options: Oregon Inlet Campground provides excellent biking opportunities. "Multiple different sites for tents and campers. It's right next to a drive on beach access plus there are paths to walk to the beach. Each site has plenty of space between them and all are fairly close to bathroom and showers," writes David B.
Kid-friendly water access: Lake swimming areas offer safer alternatives to ocean swimming for younger children. "The lake was beautiful. We make a point of just checking trail lengths and camp sites before we come out," notes a visitor to Pettigrew State Park, while another adds "The swampy trip did not disappoint with wildlife or fishing."
Playground facilities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Columbia feature dedicated play areas. North River Campground offers "small playground and pool" according to reviews, making it suitable for families with both children and pets.
Full hookup availability: Rocky Hock Campground provides spacious sites with complete services. "The sites are level and very well designed for optimal privacy," notes Barbara W. Another reviewer adds, "It is just north of town and has large mostly pull through sites with full hookups."
Beach-access campgrounds: For RVers wanting ocean access, several options exist within driving distance. "Nice campground away from civilization but within a short 5min (not even) walk to the beach," writes a camper about Oregon Inlet Campground. These campgrounds typically require advance reservations during peak seasons.
Dump station locations: While some campgrounds like North River offer on-site dump facilities, others require planning. At Oregon Inlet, "There is a dump station and a potable water fill station, but they are outside the campground and easy to miss as there is no signage at the entrance. If you go over the bridge heading south, you have missed it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Columbia, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Columbia, NC is Pettigrew State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Columbia, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 dog-friendly camping locations near Columbia, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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