35 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort accommodates pets at campsites and cabins near Lake Toxaway, with daily 5 PM social gatherings where campers and their dogs can meet. Davidson River Campground and Gorges State Park also welcome pets throughout their facilities. All sites maintain standard leash requirements for dogs, typically 6 feet or less, with designated pet waste disposal stations throughout the grounds. Campground hosts are particularly helpful with pet-specific information, including nearby veterinary services in Brevard and Rosman. Owners particularly appreciate the large, level sites that provide ample space between camping neighbors, creating a more comfortable experience for dogs that may be reactive to other animals or people.
The hiking trail system connecting to Gorges State Park and Panthertown Valley offers numerous pet-friendly campsite options where dogs can join their owners exploring the region's waterfalls. Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls trails permit leashed dogs, though owners should exercise caution near steep sections and water features. Bear activity in the area necessitates proper food storage and pet management, especially at primitive campsites. When temperatures rise in summer months, the numerous streams and waterfalls provide cooling opportunities for pets, though owners should check water conditions before allowing dogs to swim. The surrounding Pisgah National Forest permits dispersed camping with pets, requiring registration at trailheads or visitor centers before setting up camp.
"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 this weekend
from $37 - $84 / night
"We had reserved a walk-in tent sight and absoulty loved it."
"This hidden gem is a few miles off a major highway but well worth the journey. I would consider it among my top ten 'near a lake' spots in the entire US."
Available this weekend
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when available"We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River."
"We were looking for a place that was wooded and near a river or stream and lucked up at Lazy J. The staff answered our call right away and were both friendly and informative."
from $20 / night
"This is a small campground near Lake Toxaway. The people were great. They had happy hour everyday at five."
"We were greeted by Jojo and escorted to our spot by Daegan who helped us get our camper situated. The campground was clean and tidy, and had firewood and ice available for purchase."
from $65 / night
"This is one of North Carolina’s best waterfall parks. Rainbow Falls, Turtel Back Falls and Bust your Ass Falls."
"There are six designated backpack sites along the Foothills Trail near the southern boundary of the park."
from $27 - $75 / night
"There 2 lakes with easy trails around both. A swimming area , putt putt course and a park store. Many adventure in the area to be had, waterfalls , hiking, history, and other state parks."
"Dog friendly. Clean bathhouses. Garbage pick up. Close to Walhalla, if you need supplies. It's crowded. Reserve way in advance."
Available this weekend
"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 this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"The first campsite we stayed at was on the Green Valley Trail, the second one was on the Panthertown Valley Trail right near the Schoolhouse Falls Trail, and the third was on Mac's Gap right past the Granny"
"The sites near the middle of Macs Gap trail are huge and there is easy access to a couple streams. Bring a good map and stick to the trails that your map covers."
"So, I prefer fall :) Seems great for kids and pets. Not a lot of space or privacy between campsites, but the views are worth the less private sites. Water and electric at each site."
"Mike creek is one of several parks located on Lake Keowee. We were really disappointed that they had closed off the primitive campsites to build new cabins, but the new cabins are very nice!"
Available this weekend
from $15 - $116 / night
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.
GuideSites are not level. Thousand trails is currently not investing. Any money in improving the sites. Half of the sites in the park are going back to nature. The roads are falling apart and the inclines are not big rig friendly.
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.
ScoutWhatever person or group of persons designed the campground were clueless as to how to develop a campground. Sites are packed in the most preposterous configuration to have tents, trailers motorhomes all jammed together nearly touching each other with zero privacy. Come for the hikes and views of the gorge but come with the lowest expectations for the campground and you’ll be fine
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.
GuideA sign on the gate says that the area has been closed "due to vandalism and unauthorized activity".
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.
ScoutWalk to trail sites, clean bathrooms, sites close together…water and electric at site. Sites are sloped gravel.
GuideVery nice spot! I imagine it gets full in the summer and on weekends, but just two groups today. Wish we could stay longer. People left a lot of trash at the day use areas sadly but sites were clean. No T-Mobile service.
Dispersed camping options exist within Pisgah National Forest near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet. The area features steep terrain with numerous waterfalls and dense hardwood forests that provide natural privacy between campsites. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing even in early spring, requiring proper cold-weather gear for off-season visits.
Waterfall hiking trails: Access multiple waterfalls from Gorges State Park Campground where trails offer varying difficulty levels. "The park has a great visitors center, lots of trails for hiking and seeing waterfalls, campground is pristine, and non-tent sites have full hookups. The park covers 7,000+ acres and hosts the start of the trail into Pisgah National Forest to the famous Rainbow Falls," notes Darlene R.
Mountain biking: Ride technical trails near Davidson River Campground which connects to an extensive trail network. "Located right inside Pisgah National forest this campground is perfectly set for all adventures. If you're looking to see the sights of the forest and take a drive the scenic parkway then youve come to the right campground. On the other hand if you're thinking of riding the mtb trails you're in luck. They start literally across the davidson river from the campground," shares Travis S.
Primitive camping: Experience backcountry solitude at Panthertown Valley Backcountry Area where dispersed sites require preparation. "Beautiful camp site at Tranquility Point in Panthertown Valley. Approximately 0.4 miles up from Schoolhouse Falls, it can accommodate around 4 tents. Huge rock face to walk on and observe stars or overlook the valley below," reports Kevin G., who adds "Bring a map an electronics map and a paper backup as well."
Direct river access: Sites along waterways at Lazy J Campground provide cooling options during summer heat. "We did a spontaneous trip to the mountains and we found this nice camp site along the North Fork French Broad River and we camped right along the river. It felt like we were camping deep in the woods and the Fall leaves were still clinging to the trees and made it absolutely beautiful. We fished right next to our camp site and then relaxed with a camp fire listening to the sound of the River," describes Ricky J.
Clean facilities: The well-maintained bathhouses at dog friendly campgrounds near Lake Toxaway receive consistent praise. "Extremely clean. It is a bit of a hike from the tent sites to the bathhouse, which is ¼ mile from Site 6. The shower was one of the best campground showers we've experienced– nicely tiled, long bench, several hooks, immediate warm water, and nice water pressure," reports Lee D. about Gorges State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening offer prime opportunities to see local fauna. "The sunset and sunrise are beyond any," notes Brian M. about Panthertown Valley. Visitors should maintain proper wildlife distance and follow food storage protocols at all pet-friendly camping areas near Lake Toxaway.
Bear activity: Bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper precautions. "Just spent the weekend at Panthertown Valley and loved it! However - be aware that the bears here are extremely bad. I actually had an encounter with a very large bear who charged my group and destroyed at tent, and heard similar stories from other campers," warns Phoebe A. All dog-friendly campgrounds near Lake Toxaway recommend bear vaults or hanging food away from sleeping areas.
Water conditions: Stream levels fluctuate significantly based on recent rainfall, affecting both crossing safety and swimming areas. "If you want to go swimming there are only a couple of locations that you can hang out for the day and swim. If you want one of these make sure to get there early," advises Brandon D. about Keowee-Toxaway State Park.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep entrance roads that require caution. "This campground would've gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down," reports Lisa M. about accessing Gorges State Park.
Playground amenities: Lazy J Campground offers kid-friendly areas within sight of campsites. "They have a playground which is cool and the staff is very friendly," notes Tony E., making it suitable for families with young children who need outdoor play space.
Swimming holes: Accessible water spots provide natural recreation for children. "So much for family's to do here. We stopped by to check it out on our way to another site and wished they had a spot available. We will be booking this for another time. Water is so clear. Site is so clean," shares Marlene V. about Devils Fork State Park Campground.
Level campsites: Look for sites without significant grade for easier setup with kids. "Campsites vary from primitive to group sites with restrooms and pavilions. No showers or services in Pisgah National Forest. Known for trout fishing and hiking trails for all levels. Mountain streams offer fun for kids and kid-wannabes," recommends Meridith M. about Davidson River Campground.
Site selection: Choose sites carefully at mountain campgrounds where leveling can be challenging. "All sites have a paved camper pad, a large gravel tent pad, a very generous-sized picnic table, and a fire ring. The tent site camper pads can easily accommodate two cars. Be aware, however, that camper pads on the odd-numbered tent sites (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15) are not level," warns Lee D. about Gorges State Park.
Power reliability: Electrical infrastructure varies between parks, affecting RV camping comfort. "This is a decent campground with a small RV loop and a handful of sites with water and electric.....well if the electric actually worked. Twice in one week this campground experienced a complete and total power outage each of which lasted for hours," reports Daniel G. about Keowee-Toxaway State Park.
Social opportunities: Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort offers organized gatherings for campers. "New owners and they are changing the name to Blue Ridge Falls RV Resort. Beautiful park, lots of mature landscaping and large private, level sites. Gatherings by the pavilion every night at 5. Great community feel," mentions Melissa D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lake Toxaway, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lake Toxaway, 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 Lake Toxaway, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 412 dog-friendly camping locations near Lake Toxaway, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
