Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Old Fort, NC
Curtis Creek Campground's quiet, creekside tent sites accommodate pets at a budget-friendly $10 per night with no additional pet fees. Dogs must be kept on leash throughout the campground, but can cool off in the boulder-strewn creek that runs alongside many of the campsites. Catawba Falls Campground, temporarily closed until 2025, previously offered pet-friendly camping with tent sites, RV spots, and cabins where pets were welcome. Most campgrounds in the Old Fort area provide basic pet amenities including trash receptacles for waste disposal and access to water. The camp hosts at Curtis Creek are known to be helpful with providing maps of nearby pet-friendly hiking trails. Campground reviews indicate sites near water are particularly popular with dog owners as the stream noise creates a peaceful atmosphere and provides natural cooling for pets during warmer months.
Several hiking trails in the Pisgah National Forest surrounding Old Fort allow leashed dogs, providing excellent opportunities for exercise and exploration with pets. Curtis Creek's primitive dispersed camping area offers more secluded sites for campers seeking privacy with their dogs, available first-come-first-served with no reservations needed. Wildlife is abundant in the area, so campers should keep pets secured, particularly at night. The town of Old Fort is approximately 30 minutes from Asheville, where emergency veterinary services are available. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended to prevent paw pad burns on hot surfaces. Pets should never be left unattended at campsites due to wildlife concerns and temperature fluctuations. Many campers note the crystal clear Curtis Creek provides a refreshing spot for dogs to cool off after hikes, though owners should supervise pets around water at all times.
