29 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Spacious Skies Bear Den Campground and Cabins features pet-friendly accommodations for campers traveling with dogs in the Morganton area. Tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabins all welcome pets with proper leash control. South Mountains State Park Family Campground maintains a strict pets-allowed policy while offering electric hookups and picnic tables at each site. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Morganton, North Carolina. Steele Creek Park & Campground provides riverside camping with designated pet areas, clean facilities, and staff that regularly maintains the grounds. Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites offers free camping with pets but provides minimal amenities, making it suitable for more self-sufficient campers with animals.
Old NC 105 Dispersed Camping permits dogs in undeveloped camping areas with no reservation requirements, giving pet owners flexibility for spontaneous trips. The nearby trails surrounding these campgrounds provide excellent walking opportunities for dogs, though some sites report issues with pet waste management. Campers note the importance of keeping dogs leashed, especially around wildlife areas and other camping parties. Steele Creek's proximity to water makes it particularly popular for dogs that enjoy swimming during summer months. Brown Mountain's roadside sites occasionally experience heavy traffic from OHV enthusiasts, something to consider when camping with noise-sensitive pets. Local veterinary services are available in Morganton and nearby Marion for emergencies, with the closest full-service clinic approximately 15 minutes from most campgrounds.
"Spacious Skies Bear Den in North Carolina offers an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure for families."
"Many hiking trails. Pets are allowed here also which is a great plus. Friendly staff who can't do enough for you if needed & small camp store on property."
from $24 - $999 / night
"This is a beautiful state park located outside of Morganton, NC - definitely off the beaten path. The family campground is heavily invested in, and you can tell, it's very nice."
"The family campground is a short distance further inside the park on the left side(approx 2 miles) marked by a small brown sign...and is situated at 1400 ft elevation. "
Available this weekend
from $27 - $32 / night
"This was our first stop on our first trip to North Carolina and now we don’t want to leave!"
"The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am)."
"Plenty of room in spots for pets and children. We had a blast with out 3 year old daughter and our standard poodle."
"There are primitive campsites for those who only want to “rough it”, sites indicated for tent or pop-up with water and electricity, 30 amp and 50 amp sites. a large portion of the sites are located directly"
"I would return with our pup and not stay in a cabin again. 6/10 pet friendly"
"Hidden Creek not only has a nice creek running through the campground within 20 feet of my site, but also the nature trail is off the beaten path from the very active campground along a small river."
Available this weekend
from $29 - $149 / night
"Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center."
"There are cabins, RV spots and tent sites all with access to newly renovated restrooms and coin operated laundry."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $45 / night
"Some walk in and some drive in. The spots are well spaced out so you do not see other campers. Though the spots are large, there is not room for a large trailer."
"We stayed at the second spot along the road on the left, then further back along the trail. It was only the two of us with our dogs but there was definitely enough room for a group."
"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.""We had the last drive up site towards the top of the mountain facing Morganton, which was gorgeous. Not very secluded and not much flat ground but a great view."
"A very friendly place for people and pets. A storm was coming in and they called to check our ETA to let us know set up might be critical. Plenty of hiking trails."
"The campsites are at the base of a mountain with tons of great hiking trails within the park."
"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
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
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
ScoutOur group of about 20 rented nearly every cabin at Doe River Landing for my friend's wedding weekend, with the reception held on site. The cabins were nice and well-equipped, and the only other guests were in a cabin half a mile away through the woods. Unfortunately, the hosts ruined the stay. One night, some of us were playing hide and seek in an area that wasn't blocked off or against any rule. The host's husband came speeding in at roughly 30 mph(the posted limit is 5), jumped out of his truck screaming that he"will not have child hooligans running around the campground," told us to"go back to the motel we crawled out of," and demanded to see our parents— despite all of us being adults in our twenties. He then peeled out so aggressively he sprayed gravel at us and our cars. It wasn't even quiet hours, and we weren't disturbing anyone. Afterward, the host called us again, passive-aggressive, and questioned our ages— even though you have to be 21 just to rent a cabin there. The property is lovely, but the hosts' behavior put a real damper on what should have been a joyful wedding celebration. It's a shame they treat people paying good money this way. We won't be back.
Dispersed camping sites near Morganton, North Carolina provide direct access to Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway at elevations between 1,200-3,000 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Fall camping (September-November) offers color displays from oak, hickory, and maple trees while avoiding summer humidity.
Waterfall hikes: At South Mountains State Park Family Campground, multiple trails lead to scenic water features. "The trail is not easy, and the rocky cliffs can be dangerous. However, the hike is well worth it because of the natural beauty," notes one visitor to Table Rock Campsites. Another camper reports, "To get to the waterfall, you have to hike on the Raven Rock Trail to the High Shoals Falls Trail, which, depending on your level of fitness could be deemed a moderate to strenuous 2.35 mile climb."
Lake activities: Price Memorial Park offers non-motorized boating options during warm months. "The lake was fantastic! Lots of good fishing for the kids... The pool was so nice and a life saver because it was pretty warm during the day," reports a camper from Spacious Skies Hidden Creek. Fishing licenses are required for anglers 16 and older, available at local sporting goods stores or online through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Blue Ridge Parkway exploration: Access points near Morganton connect to this 469-mile scenic drive. "Close proximity to Linville Falls, Blowing Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway was perfect. We will definitely be back to explore the area more," shares a visitor to Steele Creek Park. The parkway features numerous overlooks and historical exhibits that don't require entrance fees.
Secluded mountain sites: Dispersed options along forest roads provide more solitude than developed campgrounds. "We had the last drive up site towards the top of the mountain facing Morganton, which was gorgeous. Not very secluded and not much flat ground but a great view," notes a camper about Table Rock Campsites. Sites along Old NC 105 don't require reservations, functioning on a first-come basis.
Creek-side camping: Many sites feature water access for cooling off during summer months. A visitor to Brown Mountain Roadside Campsites shares, "We had a picnic table, a designated fire area, a creek about 20 feet from our camp, and the toilet just steps away." Creek water levels vary seasonally, with some shallow enough for wading during summer months.
Night sky viewing: The mountain location offers better stargazing than urban areas. "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," recalls a camper from Table Rock. Another notes, "The stars were incredible but a man tried to steal from our car with us inside."
Road conditions: Forest service roads require careful driving, particularly after rain. "The road is gravel and dirt. No major potholes and easily navigable. Two cars/trucks and most likely two small to mid-sized RVs can squeeze by at the same time," explains a visitor to Brown Mountain. Another notes, "If you go further up the road from the south, I think this is the way that many people go and review that it is very rough."
Weather preparedness: Mountain elevations mean rapid weather changes even in summer. A camper at Linville Falls Campground advises, "We camped in mid-September and had a great time. These are the cleanest bathrooms we've ever seen." Pack layers for nighttime temperatures that can drop 20°F below daytime highs.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or no connectivity. "No cell service, and gates to the park are locked up at 9pm so there's no getting in or out late at night," warns a South Mountains State Park visitor. Several campgrounds post emergency contact information at entrance kiosks for visitors needing assistance.
Kid-friendly activities: Structured recreation options keep children engaged. "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," reports a visitor to Spacious Skies Bear Den. Multiple campgrounds offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Bathroom facilities: Comfort stations vary widely between campgrounds. "Bath facilities are new and kept clean. Very quiet with NO cell service which is a big draw for us," notes a South Mountains camper. Another visitor shares, "Our site was spacious, and it had a concrete picnic table, a fire ring, a lantern pole, and a tent pad."
Safety considerations: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. "We woke up in the morning to hunting dogs barking and a few gunshots. This didn't bother us however but it's something to note," reports a camper at Old NC 105. Bear-resistant containers are recommended at backcountry sites, while developed campgrounds typically have animal-proof dumpsters.
Site access limitations: Many forest roads have restrictions for larger vehicles. "You DO NOT need an SUV or 4wd to do this route. You do need patience however. There are some spots where rocks are sticking up and if you don't have tires designed for SUV's, you could risk a puncture," advises a visitor to Table Rock. Sites at Brown Mountain can accommodate "Small RVs in most sites, possibly by backing them in."
Hookup availability: Electric and water options vary by campground. "We stayed for five days in June. Just be aware that there is no tv reception (not one channel) and cell reception is nonexistent due to being in a valley," notes a visitor to Spacious Skies Hidden Creek. Call ahead to verify current hookup status, as some facilities undergo seasonal maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Morganton, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Morganton, 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 Morganton, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 231 dog-friendly camping locations near Morganton, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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