Best Pet-Friendly Camping near Purlear, NC

Fort Hamby Park campground features spacious, wooded sites that comfortably accommodate pets with owners. The Army Corps of Engineers facility maintains clean grounds with water and electric hookups at each pet-friendly campsite. Bathhouses remain extremely clean according to multiple camper experiences, and the campground host is known for exceptional service. Most sites are well-separated with substantial tree coverage, creating private camping experiences where pets can relax without being directly visible to neighboring campers. While dogs must remain leashed throughout the campground, the surrounding area offers plenty of space for walking pets along the shoreline of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir.

The extensive trail system around W. Kerr Scott Reservoir provides excellent exercise opportunities for dogs and their owners at both Fort Hamby and nearby Bandits Roost Campground. Dogs particularly enjoy the swimming beach areas during summer months when temperatures rise. Campgrounds in the area typically restrict pets to a maximum of two per site, though exceptions may be made at management discretion. For campers planning longer stays, Wilkesboro is conveniently located nearby with veterinary services and pet supply stores. Stone Mountain State Park Campground, approximately 20 miles east, offers additional pet-friendly accommodations including cabins where dogs are permitted with advance reservation and payment of a cleaning fee. The terrain throughout these campgrounds includes both level sites and some hillier sections, with most providing ample space for setting up pet containment systems near RVs or tents.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Purlear, North Carolina (198)

    1. COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground

    18 Reviews
    Wilkesboro, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 921-3190

    $20 - $85 / night

    "My wife and I biked/ ran the trails nearby. Our dogs loved walking around the campground. Some nice wooded tent sites that a very large areas. Our spot was a two level site."

    "Swimming, kayaking, boat launch, small hiking trail. Sites have a fire pit, picnic table (it’s really heavy!) and a grill. I loved how each site is fairly unique."

    2. Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Roaring Gap, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 957-8185

    $17 - $72 / night

    "But, ya know North Carolina summers."

    "The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog."

    3. Fort Hamby Park

    9 Reviews
    Purlear, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 973-0104

    $30 - $125 / night

    "Lake was gorgeous! Absolutely the easiest and cleanest dump station we have ever used! Well designed! Close to Willesboro!"

    "There is a dumpsite near the front office. A short drive from campsite is a man-made beach with lake swimming area… very nice."

    4. Warrior Creek

    11 Reviews
    Purlear, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 921-2177

    $22 - $85 / night

    "Warrior Creek Campground is located on the Kerr Scott Reservoir. It's beautiful and peaceful, at least Monday through Friday."

    "Super mt bike trails that have been built and maintained by volunteers who really care and ride the trails often."

    5. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    49 Reviews
    Blowing Rock, NC
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 963-5911

    $30 / night

    "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."

    6. Wagoner — New River State Park

    16 Reviews
    Jefferson, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 982-2587

    $27 - $72 / night

    "We camped at the Wagoner access with our dogs over the weekend. The campground is very beautiful. You have to walk in but the park provides little carts and wheelbarrows."

    "Beautiful days hiking nearby, cold nights. Pet friendly. Pretty clean bath house. Visitors center nearby. Sites were mostly level, with gravel, fire pit, picnic table."

    7. Moravian Falls Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Moravian Falls, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 667-6150

    8. Blue Bear Mountain Camp

    27 Reviews
    Todd, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 406-4226

    $25 - $136 / night

    "It offers RV, drive in and hike in tent sites and also teepee camping."

    "There is a place to wash dishes outside as well. Fantastic walking trails - some parts quite steep but we got a good workout through the woods on the property."

    9. Stoney Fork Campground

    3 Reviews
    Purlear, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 973-5299

    "It's right on a creek and it was lovely to drink morning coffee next to the water."

    10. Thousand Trails Green Mountain

    18 Reviews
    Lenoir, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Purlear, NC

1277 Reviews of 198 Purlear Campgrounds


  • Kirsten J.
    Jun. 4, 2019

    Mountain River Family Campground

    Pristine, friendly, communal, peaceful campground on the river!

    This campground was pristine - from the moment we turned the corner, until the moment we left!  

    We met Kimberly within seconds of pulling on the property.  She was incredibly kind and made us feel at home immediately.  As tent campers, she told us our best choices were a 30 amp site on the river ($50) or a 30-amp site off the river ($44).  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.  Not only were the pets included, but they have a dog park area that they can run free and stretch their legs!  

    We came into the cute little office where Kimberly gave us a campground map (which was painted by a resident camper glass blower) and told us about her property. Several items were on sale inside the store, including many shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc. They also sell kids fishing poles, stickers and even a fresh coffee cup machine.  They have recently renovated the bathhouse (wait until you see it!) they have a library with books and games, an outdoor sink to wash dishes etc. and even a laundry room that operates on the honor system.  How great is that!  I thought it was wonderful that we could wash a wet sleeping bag or a quick load of stinky hiking clothes if necessary!  Kimberly explained that they have a pretty good mix of short and long term campers (primarily RV's) and even a cute little cabin that can be rented.  

    Kimberly said that they choose not to allow on-line bookings to maintain the atmosphere that they desire.  You can call, or submit a request, but they want to have a conversation with you before booking.  The campground was calm, friendly and so so clean.  Campers were friendly, the campground host was as kind as could be, and so proud about her new bathrooms.  (See below).  This is the kind of campground we would feel good about our kids biking around in the evening as they chase fire flies and meet new friends!  

    The campground was located on the river, but the slope was challenging from several sites.  With kiddos, I may prefer a site closer to the road because it was nearly a flat walk out to the river.  We will surely be back!

  • Katrin M.
    Aug. 26, 2018

    Wagoner — New River State Park

    Beautiful campground.

    We camped at the Wagoner access with our dogs over the weekend. The campground is very beautiful. You have to walk in but the park provides little carts and wheelbarrows. The sites and the bathhouse are very well maintained. The park host, Tom Keller, was just fantastic. Really helpful and super nice. There are also 2 beautiful hiking trails starting at the campground. I would definitely camp here again even if I have to say there are much more scenic places in this part of North Carolina.

  • Riley R.
    May. 29, 2019

    Down by the River Campground - 55+

    Everything you need in a campground

    I’m not even sure you can call this a campground! A majority of those staying here were in top of the line campers. It truly felt like a community. There are two bath houses, a dog park, an activity center, and a river flowing behind the sites. It was beautiful and had a cheery atmosphere. They even had WiFi! I was definitely spoiled here.

  • Jennifer  J.
    Aug. 17, 2020

    Linville Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Loved it!

    Great campground! We are tent campers and loved our time here! There are A LOT of spots in a small area. That would be my only complaint if you want to call it that. The campgrounds clean and the owners are super nice and helpful. We have a dog and love the dog park! The bathrooms are very clean and nice! I would definitely recommend this campground!

  • Megan B.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    Nice Place, hard to navigate

    We stayed here for vacation last year. There’s a nice dog park, and the facilities are clean. My only negative was that they had us camp up on the top of the hill and it was difficult to navigate back down, with some very sharp turns for our fifth wheel. They seemed to have some nice amenities, and the staff was very friendly.

  • Ariel F.
    Mar. 25, 2022

    Lake Myers RV Resort

    Packed but quiet off season

    We had a nice time visiting Mocksville. There are a lot of cute restaurants near by.

    We stayed here as part of our thousand trails membership.

    The campground is mostly annual people with permanent lots. We don’t mind that at all. Those types always seem to be laid back and quiet. The spots are really close together. And the roads are sooo narrow.

    The dog park was nice and walking the park was relaxing.

    Unfortunately a lot of the activity type things (arcade, mini-golf, horseshoes, etc) weren’t available because we visited in the off season. Bummer but to be expected even though we had super nice weather.

    Not really the campgrounds fault I don’t think, but there were SO MANY FLIES. I spent the weeks killing the ones that snuck in. So annoying.

    We visited with our 33’ travel trailer. Site D64 is plenty long but has the y of the road surrounding you. Verizon service has 2 bars. Occasionally got a little spotty while working, but our hotspot worked enough. Streaming did get dicey.

  • A
    Sep. 27, 2021

    Grassy Ridge Bald - Dispersed BackCountry

    Mountain Views

    Beautiful 6000’ bald off the AT and along the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee, plenty of places to pitch a tent. Firewood is scarce so bring a lantern and cook stove.

  • Kirsten J.
    Aug. 5, 2018

    Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    Wooded, shady campground near a lake!

    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. Reservations can be made on-line or walk up to the small building in the front of the loop. The campsites are separated into several loops. One loop is closer to the lake, the other loop has more availability and quite a range of campsites.

    Bathrooms are available here (upgrades coming soon!) as well as drinking water.


Guide to Purlear

Campgrounds near Purlear, North Carolina offer access to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and surrounding mountains at elevations ranging from 1,030 to 3,600 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F while fall brings cooler 50-70°F days with colorful foliage. Several campgrounds in this area remain open year-round, with most tent and RV sites available from April through October.

What to do

Creek fishing opportunities: Stoney Fork Campground provides direct creek access from many sites. "We stayed here 4 nights and it was GREAT! Full hookup, and back in sites right on the creek," reports Brian B.

Mountain biking trails: Warrior Creek is known for exceptional mountain biking. "Super mt bike trails that have been built and maintained by volunteers who really care and ride the trails often," says Kim L., who notes they're "even better than you would imagine."

Waterfront activities: The lake at Julian Price Park Campground offers rental equipment for water activities. "There is a spot within the park to rent kayaks which was great. There is a hiking trail that goes around the lake," explains Danielle L.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently praise the separation between sites at Bandits Roost Campground. "This campground has large sites that are well spaced so you're not right on top of fellow campers. Very quiet and peaceful," notes Joy B.

Clean facilities: The maintenance standards at many campgrounds receive positive comments. According to Brenda F., "Bathhouse was extremely clean. Hosts were very friendly and helpful... Absolutely the easiest and cleanest dump station we have ever used! Well designed!"

Elevation and temperature: Blue Bear Mountain Camp sits at higher elevation, providing relief during summer months. "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," says Kristen J., while another camper notes temperatures of "70-80 in July!"

What you should know

Seasonal closure information: Several campgrounds close during winter months. "We camped there toward the end of October 2018... We did not take advantage of the swimming area, but I would not hesitate to use it," says a camper at Fort Hamby Park, mentioning that swimming areas are seasonal.

Advanced reservations needed: Popular sites book quickly, especially during peak seasons. "The campsites in the A loop are reservable, and they have been reserved for several weeks (maybe months) in advance. They are the best sites as far as seeing the lake," explains Myron C.

Trail difficulty levels: When planning hikes, consider that difficulty varies significantly. At New River State Park, "The hiking at Wagoner Access was easy, but 221 and Elk Shoals were more strenuous," reports Chelsea B.

Tips for camping with families

Best swimming locations: Families with children should consider Chelsea B.'s recommendation: "I highly recommend spending an afternoon on the beach at the Elk Shoals access. Beautiful spot with awesome swimming hole!"

Kid-friendly campground layouts: Some campgrounds are more appropriate for children than others. "It's a little hilly for kids to ride bikes, but the 6 kids with us managed to have a great time on theirs!" shares Brenda F., highlighting that terrain can impact activities.

Educational opportunities: Visit nature centers for family learning. "The nature center was very interactive and great for kids," says Lisa T. about New River State Park, providing an activity option for rainy days or breaks from outdoor adventures.

Tips for RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: Choose campgrounds with appropriate access for your vehicle size. "The sites are spacious and plenty long enough," notes Brenda F., while others warn about challenging access: "Getting a rig up there would be a challenge to say the least."

Hookup limitations: Know what utilities are available before arriving. "Would give 5 stars but this park isn't full hookup. It's still a beautiful place," mentions Connie M. about Bandits Roost, highlighting that many campgrounds in the area offer only partial hookups.

Dog friendly campgrounds near Purlear: For RVers traveling with pets, most sites have requirements about containment. "Nice sites with privacy, backed up to the creek," reports Brian B. about the pet-friendly sites at Stoney Fork, where each site provides sufficient room for pets to relax comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Purlear, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Purlear, NC is COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Purlear, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 198 dog-friendly camping locations near Purlear, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.