38 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Davidson River Campground sits along a scenic riverside in Pisgah National Forest, providing spacious campsites that welcome pets throughout all loops. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, and offers cabin options for those traveling with dogs. North Mills River Campground features pet-friendly sites with electric hookups and access to hiking trails where leashed dogs can explore. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times, properly supervised, and waste properly disposed of. Several campers note that the Davidson River area offers excellent opportunities for dogs to cool off in the shallow river waters during summer months, making it particularly appealing for active breeds.
Hiking trails throughout Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest welcome leashed dogs, with the Art Loeb trail accessible directly from Davidson River Campground. Lake Powhatan provides water access where pets can swim in designated areas. The nearby town of Brevard, just minutes from most campgrounds, offers veterinary services and pet supply stores for any camping necessities. Campers should be aware of wildlife in the area and keep dogs secure, especially at night. Several campgrounds provide designated pet exercise areas, though Davidson River can become crowded during peak summer months, with some visitors noting that people occasionally walk through campsites. Winter camping offers more privacy and space for dogs to explore, with fewer crowds but cooler temperatures requiring additional pet comfort considerations.
"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."
Available next weekend
from $37 - $84 / night
"The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."
"PROS Discounted camp fee with senior pass
Reserved 169 days prior to arriving
Friendly and helpful gate attendant
Nearly 100% shade at each site
Excellent dark sky viewing
Private sites with"
from $37 - $135 / 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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"This location can’t be beat. Nestled between Asheville and Brevard, close to Pisgah NF and Sierra Nevada brewing! We loved the access to fishing here, even though we didn’t catch anything."
"Small campground, but there are free off road sites not too far down the road. Cell service disappears but I love that kind of disconnect."
Available next weekend
from $31 - $62 / night
"Easy off the highway but far enough to be quiet. Lots of dining options close by"
"campground was decent Fishing pond has a lot of ducks and seaweed
Laundry room was nice and large - easy and quick to get 3 loads done
Waterfront site was fairly level and loved being able to walk"
"The alternatives #5 and #6 were close to the entrance and therefore exposed to the road, and #49 was next to the restrooms, but similar to #60, so stayed with #60."
"Stayed in tent saturday night with wife and 2 kids and a dog. Tons to do for everyone. Safe, clean and quiet."
Available next weekend
"Bathrooms were quite a walk from our site, so we drove to it when needed. The campground is pet friendly!! Dump station on site was convenient!"
"Dog friendly"
"On-site ****LOCATION
The location is incredible!"
"A little close to neighbors but not too bad. Some sites in Riverbend offer more privacy. Can’t beat location, mountain bike trails easily rideable from campground."
from $32 - $71 / night
"It’s accessibility to Asheville is great, but the site itself is clean, with tidy grounds and a spotless bathroom (didn’t use showers). Plenty of places to walk and pet friendly."
"It’s close to downtown Asheville and Black Mountain. Great place to bring kids and dogs!"
from $50 / night
"If what you are looking for is a great place to get out in nature and get away from the crowds you’re in the right spot."
"The trail system is awesome. It’s super nice being able to bike straight from your camp and go ride. The out door showers are bad ass as well! Such a cool environment."
from $24 - $110 / night
TravelerWe have stayed here several times over the years. It's nothing fancy but it is on the creek, sites are level and spaced fairly good. Kids have a pretty good play area and like to feed the goats. Love the tubing access!
GuideThis location can’t be beat. Nestled between Asheville and Brevard, close to Pisgah NF and Sierra Nevada brewing! We loved the access to fishing here, even though we didn’t catch anything. The streams were pristine, the campground very well kept and the hosts were kind. And our dog obviously loved it!
LegendThis is almost a perfect park. Sites are a little tight, pond is nice, but geese were on another level. So loud at 3-5am it woke us up and kept us up. Our neighbors were also inconsiderately loud at 4-6am. We thought they were pulling out the first time and gave a pass, but it was 4 straight days. This was only place at the time time that had sites. Definitely pretty more scenic parks. We book 2 days out. Staff is super friendly and price wasn’t bad last minute.
TravelerWe were probably lucky, but we drove in on a Monday and found a nice site with the creek/stream burbling in the background. Yes, there is dirt entrance/road and traffic, but not much and way quieter than family campgrounds. This site is my perfect idea of an amazing free off grid camping spot.
ScoutWe stayed for a week in late October. Quiet and secluded but right outside of Franklin. Very. Nicely decorated. Has small campstore, very nice laundryroom, and a guest event center. Rick, the campsite host, helped me get backed in and asked if I needed any more help. Some pull-throughs. Some sites are a little tight but others really nice. We will definitely come back.
ScoutNice camp and staff friendly. We drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy which was a bit of drive but the ride up to Mt Mitchell was beautiful. Only negative was the laundry rooms were small for a large camp like this but I made it work. Probably a bit more challenging during busy season but all that said this is a nice campground
TravelerMy son, daughter-in-law, and twin grandchildren, and I camped here to watch the full solar eclipse in 2017. We had a beautiful tent site. There was a little playground that the kids really enjoyed and abundant shade at the camping site. Bathrooms were clean, wood for campfires was available, and we had a wonderful time.
TravelerAbsolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
TravelerThis place is a nice campground, quiet and the guests (during our stay) respect others by keeping the noise down. The spaces are set up to maximize privacy between sites. There is no cell phone service (to do this report we are in a picnic area by a small lake and I can get cell as well as internet on my travelfi device) sos is the only access. I normally listen to audio books but not while here. On my computer I could see three others with low signals; they might have had a better device/provider. The spots tend to the small back in typically found in campsites built before RVs got really big, type. There is another camping area I haven’t been to yet and I did see a large over lander (looks indestructible and tall/long) towable head that way and the campground attendant didn’t predict any problems so perhaps there are larger spots elsewhere. This place has single person shower rooms and nice flush toilets. The whole place is set in woodland so it isn’t like a commercial RV place that was more concerned with volume over aesthetics. This is a lovely spot with ample amenities (my space had no hookups) for our type of camping (toilets, trash, quiet neighbors, semi private spaces) just zero phone or internet.
Several campgrounds near Etowah offer accommodations for canine companions, situated within the Appalachian foothills between 2,000-3,000 feet elevation. The region experiences mild springs and falls with cool summer nights, creating comfortable camping conditions even during peak seasons. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can dip below freezing, especially at higher elevations.
Fishing in mountain streams: North Mills River Campground provides access to premier trout fishing areas. "We've enjoyed this campground mainly for the fly-fishing. The local Trout Unlimited group has also spent many hours upgrading the walkways and fence lines to protect the river," notes Shannon K. The campground serves as a gateway to excellent fishing spots.
Mountain biking from your site: Pisgah National Forest Davidson River Campground connects directly to popular trails. "I went mountain biking from the campground and had an awesome stay. The river was nice to have close to the site and it was a fun spot to stay," shares Erik G. The Art Loeb trailhead sits just outside the campground entrance.
Swimming in natural waters: Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina offers a small swimming area. "A great beach and lots of hiking and mountain bike trails. Its part of the National Forest system so its super cheap. Downtown Asheville is only 15 mins away," explains Phil L. The lake provides a refreshing option for cooling off during summer months.
Spacious sites with privacy: Mount Pisgah Campground features well-separated camping areas. "Spacious sites arranged for privacy. Over 5000 ft in elevation which means cool nights in Summer. Trees all around for privacy," explains Ulrich M. Sites include bear boxes for food storage and protection.
Off-season tranquility: Winter camping at North Mills River brings solitude. "We were the only campers there. It was very quiet. The stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful," reports Julie T. Reduced crowds provide a different camping experience than summer months.
Clean facilities: Jones Gap State Park Campground maintains high standards for its primitive sites. "The spots are clean and well maintained. As you're in a state park, you have the added benefit of a fire ring and tent pad. Each spot is about a quart mile from the next, so you feel like you have the mountain to yourself," shares Emily S.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "This place is packed most all of the summer now so you don't want to show up without a spot," warns Anna R. about Davidson River Campground. Making reservations 3-6 months in advance ensures availability.
Wildlife awareness: Bears occasionally enter camping areas. "Rangers patrol often so have always felt secure. Keep all food secure in bear box provided at each site," advises Ulrich M. about Mount Pisgah Campground. Proper food storage prevents unwanted wildlife encounters.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. "There is no Cell Reception at the campground but they have WiFi. The WiFi can only be accessed from a few places," notes Chris Y. about Black Forest Family Camping Resort. Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.
Water play options: Multiple streams provide safe areas for children. "Mountain streams offer fun for kids and kid-wannabes," mentions Meridith M. about Davidson River. These natural water features create entertainment without requiring additional equipment.
Campground activities: Table Rock State Park Campground offers organized events. "We stayed here over New Year's and did a ranger-led First Day Hike," shares CJ C. Seasonal programming enhances the camping experience for children.
Short hiking distances: Jones Gap provides accessible trails from campsites. "We did a short day hike to check out the camp sites and look at the waterfalls. The trails and the park are so very well kept up," explains Melissa R. These shorter trails accommodate different ability levels within families.
Site selection considerations: Rutledge Lake RV Resort offers waterfront options. "We had spot #10 water front. It had plenty of space for the 5 of us and 2 dogs. Nice gravel level sites," shares Donna H. Requesting specific sites when booking improves the camping experience.
Winter camping preparation: Limited hookups during cold months impacts comfort. "We came into this campground during a very bad storm, actually hurricane. Our stay was cold, very windy and wet! It was a very nice place and campsite was fairly secluded. No electricity," notes Jodie K. about Mount Pisgah. RVs require alternative heating sources during winter.
Access considerations: Some dog friendly campgrounds near Etowah have tight access roads. "Roads are tight and twisty, I had a tough time backing in my 10' utility trailer into spot 220," warns Adam V. about Black Forest Family Camping Resort. Larger rigs should research specific site dimensions before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Etowah, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Etowah, NC is Davidson River Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 82 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Etowah, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 356 dog-friendly camping locations near Etowah, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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