Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Franklin, NC

Site is in an ideal location, only about 30 minutes from Helen and 45 from Franklin. The water is almost crystal clear, and most sites are on the lake. It's also only about 20 minutes from Bell mountain, which is a must see for the views of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains.

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.

Standing Indian is located at 4000+ feet , 20 minutes from Franklin,NC. It’s a hikers dream with the Appalachian Trail skirting the campground and several other trails crossing through the campground. The campground can accommodate a pup tent or a 45ft motor home. No electricity or water is available per site, but each loop does have 2 community water faucets and a bathhouse with flush toilets and push button showers, bathhouses are clean and modern. Each site has a concrete picnic table and combination fire ring/grill. Loops 1-2 & 3 have a mix of sites , wooded and open that can accommodate tents or motor homes. Loop 4 is wooded, offering lots of privacy but is more suitable to tents or small (

 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.

Everything is new. We stayed by the dog park and it was convenient. We missed the lazy river due to them closing it for landscaping. However the circle of the lazy river appeared small. They also opened a deli by the fishing pond.

This campground has a beautiful mountain view behind the lake. There is also a beautiful waterfall to hike to. They offer paddle boards, kayaks, peddleboats, and aqua cycles to rent for the lake. They also offer bike rentals and putt putt course. There is a general store in the visitor center. There are hiking trails for the extreme hikers too that go into the mountains on the Appalachian trail. The campsites are pretty close together, but we had a premier spot that was larger and a pull-through. The bathrooms were clean, but old and dated. This is one of the oldest campgrounds in the state. They offer cottages and cabins for rent. There was a dog parking loud constantly that was so annoying. We have dogs and many people camping there did, but our dogs don’t bark constantly. I would say this isn’t the campgrounds fault, but this irresponsible pet owner was literally between two campground hosts. Had it continued late at night past 10pm we would have had to call someone. It’s hard to relax by the fire with a dog barking constantly. The campground needs to add more signage. People are driving around looking lost. Here’s the problem ... if you have an RV or camper and park in the RV spaces when you pull out on the far end to the right you cannot see the directional signs. We pulled to the right and it was a dead end at the cottages. It was very stressful trying to the turn around hauling a camper. People in the cottages told us we weren’t the only ones to pull down there and have to turn around. Lots of cars were turning around down there, but with a camper it’s a nightmare. I paid extra for a pullthrough only to deal with that nonsense at the start. I suggest adding a sign at the far right exit of parking lot that has directions. Add another sign that says “Cabins only - Dead End”. If our camper had been an inch longer we couldn’t have turned around. Not impressed by the swimming area at the beach.

we stayed during spring break . no fire rings but they will bring a fir pit to your site. pool was still closed due to it still being chilly. sites were really close. they do have a small store. cabins and full hook up sites are available. new owners said a dog park was in the plans in the future. grounds were well kept a dog bath and clean bathrooms and showers. good base for day trips to water falls, Cherokee, or Maggie Valley

Considering the actual square footage of this KOA, there was a lot of unused space. Which for a KOA was strange. There were two open fields so maybe they plan to expand. There was a trail that meandered through the park which was nice, though steep and slippery in a few places, be careful.

This is a very “strategically” located KOA. SO much to do in this area. Bring your mountain bike, hiking boots and drinking cup. Bakeries, Orchards, breweries, mountains, waterfalls and bike trails just to name a few things ;)

The campground is near I-40 but I didn’t even notice it when I was in my van, sorta white noise. I was in the back loop so maybe the front area gets more noise from the interstate.

There is a dog park and maybe I’m dog fickle but it’s a smaller park in a huge grass field....why not make the dog park bigger??

The sites in a straight line are close, the ones in the curve have more room. There’s a shower house in the back loop which is new and well maintained. Strange too was the dump site in the back loop, I didn’t see one in the front area.

We booked for a week here simply because we couldn’t find anywhere for a weekend at the beginning of May of 2024. Then we extended 3 days, then 3 more, then 5 more…you get the idea. Upon arrival I was disappointed. Simply because I booked a spot I thought would A. Not be directly across from the dumpster and be able to see the horses from our campsite. We are directly behind the dumpster and there’s no enclosure. Then the horses were in a different pasture the first 2 weeks we were here. The spots are close together but most people aren’t even here. If it were full, and you don’t like your neighbors, you’re screwed. BUT, that’s not the case here. Many things that are available aren’t listed on the website. Here’s all the positives: The horses are friendly, walk over, I’ve pet them all and even fed fresh fruit, (not too much!) it’s the best part of my day! Verizon, when connected to campsite wifi is full bars and at times 5g. Take advantage of mapping out your mountain drives because you will not have reception “up there!” No complaints! The owners are absolutely hospitable. If you need anything, they live onsite and will accommodate. We were able to order from Amazon and simply go pick up in open office when no one is there. They are able to see who goes in and out, so no worries about the security of your stuff. The walk around the road is cool. If you don’t walk, you’ll miss the creek that travels the backside of the property. It’s cold and rocky, but I just put on water shoes (big lots in town $9.99). It’s gorgeous!!! The evening lightning bug show has been unreal. They light up the back side (by dumpster) for hours! BIRDS GALORE!!! Song sparrows, chipping sparrows, chickadees, northern parulas, ravens, house finches and swallows with babies in bird houses-awesome nature! Shaded spots but still sun! Also only one amber light by shower house. If you want to stargaze, book away from it. Showers and bathrooms are good. 3/3 excellent water pressure. I played my music and enjoyed a roomy shower! Bugs are around but nothing too crazy. Weather dependent for sure. I simply use eucalyptus oil mixed with lotion and the biters don’t come near me. Otherwise just gnats. Mosquitoes love my husband and the 3 weeks we have been here, no bites. And he doesn’t use anything. Firewood available if you get it yourself, charge for bringing it to you. We were missing a fire ring and I had messaged the owner and by the time we got back, a brand new one was all put together at our site for us! Laundry is super convenient because they aren’t monetarily operated. It’s an honor system. 2 washers 2 dryers. One is an HE washer, so if you have that detergent, you’ll be happy! Now, the rest. You’re in Franklin. About 7 miles from downtown, easy to get to Walmart, restaurants, gas, ice, groceries (INGLES) including liquor. Not open on Sundays. You are centrally located to Asheville, Knoxville and Atlanta. The trails, rafting, gem mining, rock hounding, hiking, the drives to the balds and gaps are absolutely stunning, if you aren’t athletic. The waterfall loop from Franklin is Google searchable and highly recommended. Just drive around and get lost. It’s beautiful. Drove to a town west, (Murphy) and it was also incredible! Just come, relax, go have appetizers at Gracious Plates on Main Street, walk the area, the garden club of Franklin has done some beautiful gardens and the history is cool. Graff’s has great food (burgers, fried shrimp)as well, so while you feel far from things, you really aren’t. There is some road noise but you can’t really see the vehicles much since you’re low and covered by trees. Perhaps because our site is closer to the bend in the road above and no one is here. With everything else, not a complaint. I would stay here again without a doubt. The locals are awesome, the fellow residents that own property that I originally thought was part of the campground but is not, are as nice as could be. We even hung out and bought the dogs treats for their daily walks! Good community. Lovely area!

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.

Great mountain Thanksgiving vacay! Lots of area attractions and lots of activities at the KOA for our granddaughter! 2 playgrounds, mini golf, pillow pad, paddle boats, game room. Nice little dog park with mutt mitts, and staff friendly and helpful. Picnic table at each site, we were by the lake, but would have chosen near pillow-pad if available as those spots were better spaced. Nice store and clean facilities even though we didn’t use.

This place was amazing! Other than the keys this is my second favorite. 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. The ducks flew in and out all day. It really was beautiful! Everyone was super friendly. The staff was great about guiding guest into their spot. I will definitely be returning to the campground!

The Kampground is kept clean, the bathrooms are clean and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. There is a nice hiking trial that goes around the perimeter of the Kamp.

A nice size dog park is located between the 2 sections of the kamp.

I knock off 1/2 star for the noise from I-40 and  1/2 star for small area allocated to each site.

All in all, I would stay again if it fits into our travel plans.

This campground is now named Pigeon Forge RV park. Everything looks brand new. Very nice facilities and campground. Onsite laundry, showers, heater saltwater pool with slide, dog park, store, pizza place, daily trash pickup, very stable wifi you can stream with. Spots are a little tight to back into, but the staff will help you get backed in if needed. Very friendly people. Highly recommend if your traveling to the Pigeon Forge area. Only a few minute drive off the main strip of Pigeon Forge

We just completed our 4th of July stay. This was the quietest campground we have stayed at. It is small and very well maintained. Management was very helpful and welcoming. Level gravel sites. Flowers and nice landscaping through out. Perfect for adults who want a quiet, clean place to stay. They are putting in a dog park which will enhance your experience. We would recommend that you plan a stay here. Deb wants me to mention that she enjoyed watching the cows at the neighboring farm cool off in the river.