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Shallow Ford Natural Area permits pets on its primitive campsites located along the Haw River in Elon. These hike-in and boat-in sites require campers to bring their own water and pack out all trash, as the area has no drinking water, toilets, or trash receptacles. Cedarock Park, just 4 miles from Elon, offers tent camping with pet-friendly sites scattered along Rock Creek. The park features 6 miles of hiking trails where dogs can explore alongside their owners, plus an additional 6 miles of equestrian trails. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard leash policies, typically requiring dogs to be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Hagan-Stone Park and Lake Reidsville Recreation Park both welcome pets at their established campgrounds with full hookup options. The sites at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area are heavily wooded and provide privacy, making them ideal for camping with pets that might be reactive to other animals or people.
Dogs particularly enjoy the water access available at many area campgrounds. Jordan Lake's multiple recreation areas offer designated swimming areas where some pet owners allow their dogs to cool off, especially during North Carolina's hot summer months. Hiking trails throughout these parks provide excellent exercise opportunities for both campers and their four-legged companions. Eno River State Park's trails follow alongside the river, creating perfect spots for dogs to wade and drink. Campers should be aware that wildlife encounters are possible in these natural settings, so keeping pets leashed is essential for their safety. Most campgrounds require proof of current rabies vaccination, and some limit the number of pets per site. The heavily wooded forest at Poplar Point Campground delivers privacy and solitude, making it easier to manage pets that may bark at passersby. Veterinary services are available in nearby Burlington and Greensboro for emergency situations.
"Stayed in the woods, the staff suggested how to park because of the location of power and water. It was a good suggestion. The grounds are beautiful. The pavilions are great."
"Great location, many trails to walk, shelters to rent, and you can kayak on the pond. Lots of wildlife. There is a gate at the entrance too. A very safe, nice location."
from $15 - $60 / night
Check Availability"We stayed at this rv campground while visiting the many things to see and do in Greensboro North Carolina. visitgreensboronc.com The rv sites are all pull thru nearly level, big gravel sites."
"Nice place to camp for a few days - we had a campervan and were surrounded by huge, but quiet, RVs."
"Trash cans, fire pits, level spots, picnic tables were at every location. Easy access to the water, playgrounds & hiking trails were just moments away from the camper."
"We've stayed at Reidsville Lake Campground twice this year so far. There are eight lakefront sites. The sites closer to the water are provided with power and water."
from $60 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Cedarock Park, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for all sorts of outdoor activities. The park offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek."
"The park is almost 500 acres in size and offers:
- 6 miles of hiking trails
- 6 miles of equestrian trails
- 2 disc golf courses with a total of 36 holes for play
- A historical farm restored"
from $10 / night
Check Availability"This campsite is on the Mountains to Sea Trail for those that are doing that. There’s lots of shade and it is very peaceful. It is pretty flat for your tent and there are fire rings."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Our site (17) was on the opposite side of the real lake access and right across from the annual spots so we never really had too much privacy but most of the neighbors were very curteous and friendly."
"Located close to nothing else, this campground was so peaceful at night. During the day, it’s beautiful. It’s got showers with hot water and accessible facilities. Great camping!"
"Tuck in next to the river or park it near the sheep. This place is so peaceful and the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the animals. Book your stay and leave your review here!"
"I only needed to stay at this site for a few hours with my dog for dinner and a quick nap before heading on my way!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Super Walmart 5 miles away along with Dollar Tree, Chick-fil-A, Zaxbys, Arbys, McDonald’s and various other restaurants Easy access to/from Interstate 40
CON
Our itinerary only permitted us an"
from $45 - $50 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite camping spots in the North Carolina triangle area. There is a tremendous amount of hiking and trails to do around here. "
"Love hiking here with the family and friends plenty of beautiful family and pet friendly trails."
from $17 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina!"
"Poplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area."
from $27 - $37 / night
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TravelerThis is one of my favorite camping spots in the North Carolina triangle area. There is a tremendous amount of hiking and trails to do around here. The Eno River is more than safe to swim or paddle in. Dogs are welcome here! If you can camp close to the river, I recommend, it's great to fall asleep to the sounds of the river. Bring bug spray!
LegendPoplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina! Yes, I know, that’s quite a statement to make, considering all of the amazing places in the great state of North Carolina. So let me explain why I reached this conclusion:
• Some of the most outstanding hiking trails
• Heavily wooded forest paradise that delivers privacy and solitude
• Perfectly maintained amenities such as picnic tables, fold-up fire ring and grills
• Bathroom facilities are some of the best I’ve experienced with state-run facilities
• Direct access to a fantastic lakeside experience, complete with boat launches
• Designated swimming area complete with life vests
• On-site park staff were nothing short of amazing, helpful and incredibly friendly
• Close access to purchase anything that might be needed
Insider’s tip? Be sure to get down to the lake from wherever your campsite is just after sunset and bring a couple of folding chairs and a telescope (pre-planning here is needed!) to catch a glimpse of one of the most amazing star-studded night skies you’ve ever seen in your life!
Happy Camping!
TravelerThis quiet gem was just what I needed. It’s close enough to shoppes, diners, and other activities. It’s also close to the NC Zoo. With dedicated and mixed spots, it’s perfect for tents and RVs. Did I mention the staff? They’re friendly and helpful.
Zooland is a great place for solo, family, or group. The campground offers a pool, activities, walking trails, as well as laundry facilities and 2 bath houses. There’s also a dog park for your K9 family member(s).
Most sites have water and electrical hook ups. But one word of caution; you may or may not have cell service. But there is wi-fi throughout the property.
LegendI’m not sure if this campground is correctly named Holly Point Campground, which after my experience, I would rename it HOLY Point Campground, as this outdoor nature preserve is truly a slice of heaven carved out in the middle of North Carolina’s finest camping paradise. If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm peace & quiet that only nature can offer, then make your way here to Holly Point Campground@ Falls Lake SRA, where you will not be disappointed.
All of the basics are provided in spades – from picnic table, fold-up fire ring / BBQ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice small pebble-strewn flat patch of well-maintained nature that offers pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer North Carolina sunshine from the tall matchstick-like long leave needle pines. While there’s not a terrible amount of brush between the campsites, you will have semi-privacy unlike many other nearby campgrounds.
The on-site facilities (bathrooms& showers) are just slightly north of passable and only a smidge better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this campground gets its only mediocre marks on this front. But that said, there’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time, but the best amenity on this property is the access to Falls Lake itself, where there is a perfectly sectioned off swimming area, as well as boat launching areas for those that want to fish or simply drop a kayak or canoe in the water and take enjoy a lakeside cruise.
Insider's tips? Here's a handful: (1) While IMHO there is no bad spot here in all of Holly Point Campground, there are obviously some that are better than others. Given this, I would highly rank Loops 4 (#118-119, #121-123) & 5 (#141-147; #149, #150, #152-155) as well as the southern and eastern side of Loop 2 (#36-39; #55-71; #73, #75), given their proximity to and views of Falls Lake itself. Of course, the sites that are located closer to the water are those more preferred; (2) If you're an angler, you'll be looking to catch some large-mouthed bass, yellow perch, blue gill, channel and flathead catfish and I recommend the areas that are heaviest shadowed around the lake edges; (3) When you grow weary of having to fix up that next campsite meal and simply want to error on the side of ease and comfort, then check out nearby Buffalo Bros who serve up some pretty might wings and amazing pies (there's also burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and other basic Americana foodstuffs) or Nantucket Grill for some pretty outstanding Jambalaya and seafood diablo pasta; and (4) If you love extreme outdoors adventures, then check out Xtreme Park Adventures for indoor and outdoor courses for paintball and laser tag.
Happy Camping!
RangerCedarock Park, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a hidden gem for all sorts of outdoor activities. The park offers hike-in camping with a handful of sites scattered along Rock Creek. The sites are well spaced and can accommodate large groups (you only pay $1 for each additional person for groups larger than 10). The park is also home to 6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails. There are two fantastic disc golf courses (I personally enjoy the Wellspring course) and even a historical farm that sheds light on what life was like as a farmer in 19th century North Carolina.
LegendThis area is such a short drive from the triangle area of North Carolina, yet this park feels quite remote. Like many state parks, this one excels in the services department.
Bathrooms and showers were clean and comfortable, as were the campsites.
Each camping loop felt tucked away into its own little neighborhood, and the large campsites offered space so that you aren’t stacked right next to your neighbor. We camped in the nonelectric loop (we always bring our solar panel) for 3 nights in mid-February and there were very few campers around, but the neighboring loop with electrical hook-up sites were 3/4 full with large rigs.
Hiking, biking, paddling, are all great things to do during your stay. There is also a boat launch within the park in case power boating or fishing is your thing, but kayaks and canoes can easily launch from the lakeside campsites. It was a bit too chilly to get on the water in February, so we opted for hiking and biking.
The closest services for gas or a few extra snacks are within 5 minutes of the park.
RangerHanging Rock is one of the best state parks in North Carolina. With breathtaking views from the cliffs, miles of hiking trails, a lake, and 5 waterfalls, it can keep you busy for a few days, or just over a weekend. I have been to the park throughout the year, in sunshine, rain, and snow, and always enjoyed it. I stayed at the family campground a few times. I usually book sites 3, 4 or 6 - they are spacious and conveniently located close to the bathroom as well as the hiking trail and the little stream behind the campground.
The sites are bigger than you would expect from a typical state park campground. The bathrooms and showers are clean and nice. The host is very nice.
GuideThe North Carolina State Park campgrounds are typically very nice, and this one is no exception. My site is adjacent to a large, clean, working bathhouse and a 2 minute walk from a swim beach.
My cell reception outside the camper is excellent, and of if I had a cell booster it would be adequate for streaming inside the camper. I don’t have one as I depend on Starlink for internet access when traveling. Unfortunately Starlink isn’t going to work in my specific site or in most of the others. This is a wooded campground and all the sites are completely shaded
My site has water and electric. About half of the available RV sites have water and electric, it there is no sewer. There is a dump station in the campground. Unusual for NC State facilities, there are no trash bins placed around the campground, but there is a large dumpster station co-located with the dump station.
It’s about a 15-20 minute drive to shopping, but there are several convenience stores a few minutes away.
The campground is clean and well maintained. It meanders around a very large lake, with several beaches and boat launch areas.
TravelerPoplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area has several campgrounds with plenty of lakeside sites, if you make your reservation early. We happened to camp in Poplar Point during the busiest time Labor Day weekend. Even then it was surprisingly quiet, because campsites are generously separated among the pine forest. And after the weekend we were practically alone. So, If you love to be alone in nature, this is a great place for that experience. We have a video about this campground on our YouTube Summertime RV Rovers channel- 4 Great Campgrounds in North Carolina. We stayed there in our Super C Dynamax DX3. We camped at Poplar Point Campground- Jordan Lake SRA in a Motorhome.
Camping near Elon, North Carolina offers diverse terrain with elevation ranging from 500 to 700 feet and moderate humidity levels typical of the Piedmont region. The area experiences mild winters with occasional frost and hot summers where temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though facilities may be limited during winter months.
Disc golf adventures: Cedarock Park offers two full disc golf courses with 36 total holes just 4 miles from Elon. "There are 6 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails. There are two disc golf courses (I personally enjoy the Wellspring course) and even a historical farm that sheds light on what life was like as a farmer in 19th century North Carolina," notes Kelsey L. from Cedarock Park.
Lake activities: Lake Reidsville Recreation Park provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayak rentals 30 minutes from Elon. "Kayak rental, disc golf course, playground, picnic area and nature trail. Sites are a bit close, go for a lakefront site or one on the side of the campground," recommends Leigh R. from Lake Reidsville Recreation Park.
Trail hiking: The Mountains to Sea Trail passes through Shallow Ford Natural Area with river access points. "There's lots of shade and it is very peaceful. It is pretty flat for your tent and there are fire rings. I hear the river in the background and lots of birds and squirrels," shares Linda from Shallow Ford.
Privacy and shade: Poplar Point Campground at Jordan Lake offers secluded sites under mature forest canopy. "Like the way the campsites take advantage of the rolling terrain. Campsites are roomy. Lots of shade. We had a substantial deluge while there, and the water drained just fine," reports Stuart O. from Poplar Point Campground.
Farm animal encounters: Brookhaven Mill Farm provides a unique camping experience with animals on site. "Tuck in next to the river or park it near the sheep. This place is peaceful and the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the animals," writes Ashley F. from Brookhaven Mill Farm. Another camper noted, "I setup right near the picnic table with a view of the mini horses."
Easy water access: Multiple campsites offer direct water access for cooling off. "The sites at Jordan Lake are situated so the awning side of the camper has a direct, unobstructed view of the water," mentions Stuart O. about sites F36 and F40 specifically. Another camper described their experience as "sitting by a fire watching the sunset across the lake."
Site characteristics: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that may require preparation. At Hagan-Stone Park, "Our site (B20) was reaaally uneven but we made it work for 2 tents!" reports Morgan A. from Hagan-Stone Park.
Reservation requirements: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Elon require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons. Cedarock Park requires reservations for all sites, with a 3-night maximum stay limit. Sites cost $10/night for groups under 10 people and $1 for each additional person.
Noise considerations: Highway noise can affect some camping experiences. At Greensboro KOA, "Right off the highway, and by that I mean you see, and HEAR the traffic. The billboard in front of the trailer is an interesting touch. Nothing ear plugs and a long day can't fix," notes Greg H.
Playground access: Several pet-friendly camping options near Elon feature playgrounds for kids. "Great campground for my family. We hiked down with our stuff and set up at campsite 4. The kids played in the creek. While staying at the park we went on hikes, fished, and played disc golf," shares Tara T. about Cedarock Park.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "The historical farm restored to the late 1800s time period" at Cedarock Park offers children hands-on history lessons about regional farming practices.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have gate policies that may affect family plans. "The downside is they lock the gate at night and no one else is there so if you have an emergency or just need to leave you can't, you're literally stuck," warns Summer C. about Cedarock Park.
Site selection: Larger rigs should carefully consider campground layout before booking. At Hagan-Stone Park, "Loop B is heavily wooded with 30amp and water every-other site. You may need as much as 50' water hose. If you're longer than 30' you may find Loop B tough to navigate," advises Rick S.
Utility hookups: Water connections vary between campgrounds. At Hagan-Stone Park, "There is one water connection for each two sites so would advise bringing a splitter," notes Marshall P. This campground also offers separate camping loops with varying levels of service.
Cell coverage: For those needing to stay connected, signal strength varies by location. One camper at Jordan Lake reported, "For those that care about working on laptop or streaming TV while camping, our cellphone hotspots worked great. We got anywhere from 30-55mbps with our Verizon cell coverage."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elon, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elon, NC is Hagan-Stone Park with a 4.2-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elon, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 53 dog-friendly camping locations near Elon, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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