29 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping permits leashed pets throughout its primitive campsites, offering free camping options along both the western section of NC 128 and near Old NC 105. The gorge area features multiple pull-offs with established fire rings where campers and their dogs can enjoy spectacular mountain views. Tent sites accommodate various sizes, though many are positioned close to access roads with limited privacy between neighbors. Most dispersed camping spots require proper waste management as no designated pet waste stations or trash services exist in these areas. Campers report the road conditions can be challenging, with some washouts and bumpy sections making 4WD or AWD vehicles recommended but not necessarily required when traveling with pets.
Nearby established options like Linville Falls Campground provide more amenities for pet owners, including clean bathroom facilities and maintained campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground's proximity to dog-friendly hiking trails makes it popular for pet owners, with the Falls Trail (1.6 miles round trip) and Plunge Basin Trail (1 mile round trip) both permitting leashed dogs. Several primitive sites along the Linville River allow hammock camping with pets, though hikers should be prepared for the strenuous climb back up through switchbacks when camping with dogs in the gorge. Wildlife considerations are important - food storage protocols should be followed to protect both pets and local bear populations, with campers using provided bear lockers at established campgrounds or proper hanging techniques at dispersed sites.
"The campground is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains...so beautiful! Quiet campground with hiking trails, small fishing lake, playgrounds, an arcade room, and camp store."
"Located directly off Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 324.8 Spruce Pine N.C. Site are level well shaded with a little separation from neighboring sites."
from $24 - $999 / night
"Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center."
"Don't miss Linville Falls, but especially don't miss the drive up to an amazing lookout over Linville Falls Gorge if your vehicle can handle a pretty bumpy drive up the mountainside."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $45 / night
"I camped here over the weekend with a friend and our dogs. We were in campsite 62. Our loop was very private and shaded. The only negative point was the street light right across from us."
"Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."
Available this weekend
"This was our first stop on our first trip to North Carolina and now we don’t want to leave!"
"Headed up the road from Lake James to find this stunning view down into the gorge from our site. Technically, the GPS coordinates for this site will take you a little further up the road."
"Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied."
"Some RV sites are on the edge of the road. Clean restrooms and showers. Great hiking trails nearby beginning in the campground. Dog friendly. If you have a National park pass you get a discount."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"We often camp in and around the Linville Gorge area, mostly in the primitive campsites down in the Gorge on Linville River. We stayed before Hurricane Helene but haven't been back since then."
"Take 221 to linville falls, right on 183, and right onto kistler memorial highway. It’s a dirt road but no issues with my Subaru Forester. I camped here in December 2020 and didn’t see anyone else."
"Love this family owned campground tucked away by the Toe River near Spruce Pine NC and the BRP. Linville Falls. Eat at Famous Louise’s."
"These prices are steep for tent camping, but include 2 adults, kids and pets. Additional adults come with a fee, but we were happy the kids were included. "
"The campsite is always clean and friendly staff are there ready to answer questions on where to hike, eat and about the wildlife that's in this area of Western North Carolina."
"The positives: Location: very close to Grandfather Mountain entrance and BRP. There are plenty of stores, restaurants, antiques nearby too."
from $35 - $42 / night
"My photos are from the Linville Falls side of the old highway that goes past the falls parking lot. Spaces are first come, first served dispersed camping. Leave no trace!"
"Be sure to have 4WD (preferably a off-roading vehicle) to make it up some parts of the road.
The spot was massive and could easily fit 5+ vehicles and sleep 20 comfortably."
"The close proximity to Linville Falls, Blowing Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway was perfect. We will definitely be back to explore the area more."
"Plenty of room in spots for pets and children. We had a blast with out 3 year old daughter and our standard poodle."
ScoutNobody was here on Sat. Had gard time finding site. Site reserved did not have 30 amp and could not reach staff. Moved to other site hoping it would not be a problem. We were able to finally reach staff on Mon. Also no pcknick tables or fire rings.
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
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!
ScoutLet me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
Traveler3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
ScoutLovely spot on the river. Freeway was loud but not too bad.
ScoutMy husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
GuideSeems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
ScoutWe brought our whole family out and rented almost every cabin on the property, plus the event center, for the weekend— we gave this place a lot of business. And honestly, the stay itself was great— nice place, no complaints about the cabins. The owner is the problem. He came flying in in his blue F-150 doing 20–30 mph where the posted speed limit is 5, and started screaming at us over something that could've been handled with a simple conversation. His exact words:"Where are your parents? This is a family establishment. I will not have hooligans running around here." Every single one of us is over 21 and family. All we were doing was playing hide and seek— which isn't against any of the property's rules— and there were no other guests to disturb, since we had the entire area rented. He still threatened to call the police, even though it wasn't even quiet hours. Before anyone could get a word in, he peeled out so fast the gravel sprayed up at us and our cars. Then on his way out he drove the wrong way down the property's one-way road, so apparently the rules only apply to guests. It's sad, because the property itself is great, and we were never anything but nice to the owners the whole weekend. To be treated in such an unprofessional manner— screamed at, threatened, and never given so much as an apology afterward— put a real dent in the weekend. We won't be back
Linville Gorge Wilderness area sits in Pisgah National Forest at elevations ranging from 1,300 feet at the river to 4,000 feet along the rim. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing even when surrounding areas remain mild, and summer thunderstorms develop quickly in this mountainous terrain. Most dispersed sites require vehicles with higher clearance due to washouts that form after heavy rainfall events.
Fishing the Toe River: 5 miles from Newland. Mountain River Family Campground offers direct river access for fishing. "There is a small pond to go swimming and fishing in, and several hiking trails," notes Emily B., who adds that the campground is "surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains."
Table Rock Mountain hike: 8 miles round-trip. The trail from Table Rock Campsites offers sunrise views worth the early wake-up. "The night we spent at the campsite, we were caught unprepared in more ways than one. We had spent most of the day hiking and taking photos and were caught in a thunderstorm," shares Myron C., highlighting the need to pack rain gear year-round.
Tubing: 1-3 hour floats. Rent tubes directly at Steele Creek Park for self-guided floats. "Tubed down the river, just plenty to do for a weekend trip," says Wayne Q., who visited on a spontaneous camping trip.
Creek-side camping spots: Usually $5-10 more. The water access at Steele Creek Park & Campground makes it popular for summer visits. "Our site backed up to the creek which was amazing! We went in the fall so all the activities were done for the year. We will definitely be back in the summer time!" shares Brian W.
Secluded sites: Look for spots 100+ yards from parking. The quieter camping areas at Linville Gorge Wilderness Dispersed Camping provide more seclusion but require more effort. "Lots of pull offs off a dirt road. Beware if you're coming from the south google tries to take you through private property. Take 221 to Linville Falls, right on 183, and right onto Kistler Memorial Highway," advises Justin L.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and dusk. Deer sightings are common near Julian Price Park. "While we were in this area, we saw several small deer, including one that came through our campsite," notes Myron C.
Weather changes rapidly: Pack layers year-round. The temperature difference between the gorge bottom and rim can be 15°F. "The night we stayed at Table Rock, the winds were extremely high that night and it felt like some of the sites a little way down the hill closer to the parking lot had less wind," shares Kevin G.
Limited cell service: Download maps offline. Most areas have spotty coverage, with Old NC 105 Dispersed Camping having virtually none. "We trust the app and went to the coordinates listed and it led us right to a campsite with a view and enough room to fit the truck and teardrop trailer we were pulling," says Sam C.
Holiday weekends fill quickly: Reserve 2+ months ahead. Even dispersed sites fill by Friday noon on summer holidays. "This campground was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024 and they have already built back a beautiful fully functioning campground," notes Cassondra P. about Mountain River Family Campground's quick recovery.
Scout dog-friendly trails: Elevation gains vary. Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Linville Falls offer dedicated pet areas. Spacious Skies Bear Den features excellent facilities for families with pets. "My two teenage boys and I stayed in a 'Cozy Cabin'. They are bigger than they look in the picture... I was impressed with how clean the cabins and bathrooms were," shares Timothy H.
Campground playgrounds: Great for rainy days. Look for sites near play areas but not too close to prevent noise issues. "We camped at C13 which was right across from the large playground in November. No noise issues, but it was dark by 6:30pm. May be different in the Summer," notes Charles S.
Swimming holes: Test water temperature first. Water temperatures stay cool even in summer months. "We hiked down to the gorge and also enjoyed the dispersed camping available right along the riverside, which was pretty cool but... that hike back up is a DOOZY especially with a pack on," warns Julie L.
Bridge crossings: Check weight limits. Some access roads to pet-friendly camping areas have narrow bridges with strict weight limits. "When you turn into the campground, you will cross a narrow 1-lane bridge across Watagua Creek," notes Erin S. at Grandfather Campground, adding, "We stayed here 10 days in our 34-foot travel trailer and were very happy with our stay."
Dump station availability: Limited options. Plan ahead for waste management at dog-friendly campgrounds near Linville Falls. "I visited in July 2024. This is a great older campground. It has been well taken care of over the years. There are no showers on site, but there are flushable toilets," reports Robert D. about Linville Falls Campground.
Site leveling: Bring extra blocks. Many mountain sites require significant leveling. "The site was quite un-level side to side, and we couldn't get our trailer completely level side to side," shares Tracy H. about Grandfather Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Linville Falls, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Linville Falls, NC is Spacious Skies Bear Den with a 4.7-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Linville Falls, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 253 dog-friendly camping locations near Linville Falls, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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