Looking for the best options for camping with dogs near Sanford? Finding a place to camp in North Carolina with your dog is easier than ever. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect pet-friendly campsites that are scenic and easy to access.
The Moccasin Branch campground is located at 814 Moccasin Branch Road, just prior to the main entrance to the park.
Raven Rock State Park's newest campground includes 9 RV sites, 15 drive-to tent sites, 6 cabins, and a bathhouse. All sites are now open seven days a week. Cabins require a two-night minimum. NO PETS allowed in the cabins.
The campground has a bathhouse with toilets and hot showers available to all campers. There are also potable water spigots and trash and recycling bins around the campground loop for campers to use. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground (cash only).
Nine RV sites (sites 11 to 18 and 22) offer full hookups with 50-amp, 30-amp, and a 20-amp outlet for all RV needs, as well as full water and sewer. Long driveways can accommodate RVs of all sizes. Each site has a tent pad, a campfire ring with a grill, a picnic table, and a lantern hook.
Site 22 is accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Fifteen additional sites (sites 1 to 10; 19 to 21; and 23 to 24) provide a "drive-to" experience for tent and trailer campers. These sites each have a tent pad (25 feet by 25 feet) that includes space for two large tents, along with a fire ring, a picnic table, and a lantern hook. These sites do not have RV hookups.
Six rustic camper cabins offer the opportunity to get away from it all.
Each cabin can accommodate up to six people; one bedroom has a queen bed (sleeps two) and the other room sleeps four with two sets of twin-sized bunk beds.
Campers must bring their own pillows and sleeping bags or linens, as these are not provided. The cabins have electric outlets and a heating and air-conditioning unit. There are no restrooms inside the cabin, and campers must use the nearby bathhouse and water spigots. A tent pad with a picnic table, a fire ring, a charcoal grill, two Adirondack chairs, and a lantern hook is provided at each cabin.
Cabin 3 is accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please do not reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Smoking, cooking, and open flames are not permitted inside any of the cabins. Pets are not allowed in the cabins, with the exception of service animals. Each cabin has parking space for two vehicles only.
There is a two-night minimum for a camper cabin rental.
$23 - $78 / night
Raven Rock State Park's newest campground includes 9 RV sites, 15 drive-to tent sites, 6 cabins, and a bathhouse. All sites are now open seven days a week. Cabins require a two-night minimum. NO PETS allowed in the cabins.
The bathhouse has separate men's and women's restrooms and showers. It also has a family restroom/shower room which is ADA accessible.
Sites are meant for tent/pop-up camping only. No RV or Trailer is accessible.
Located in Wake County 10 miles northwest of downtown Raleigh, William B. Umstead State Park is a cherished retreat from bustling urban life. The park features an extensive network of hiking and multiuse trails, as well as three manmade lakes and their tributaries that are perfect for fishing. Both park entrances offer picnic shelters, and Crabtree Creek offers camping areas. Group camps and the historic Maple Hill Lodge let visitors experience a rustic overnight experience without typical modern camping amenities.
From website:
Cool, secluded, traditional camping is the style here. The peace and quiet of the outdoors is enhanced by the tranquil sounds of the stream behind your campsite, deck, or weather shelter. We offer a variety of campsites and rental cabins to accommodate all types of campers, from the rustic adventurers to the relaxing escapists.
Moonshine Creek is a low impact campground where guests enjoy nature’s beauty with family & friends. We are designed to give our guests a traditional camping experience while enjoying resort level facilities and services throughout your stay. Immaculate heated restrooms, a country store, cable TV, and Limited WIFI are all available to make your stay more comfortable.
Enjoy activities such as relaxing in the cool and crisp climate, seasonal wildflower & bird watching, lawn games, cookouts, sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows, and listening to the creek. As well as hiking trails and waterfalls close by.
We are an excellent base camp to see all the local attractions the "Smokies" have to offer. Nearby find river rafting, tubing, gem mining, golf, trout fishing, and antique and craft shopping. We are an easy drive to Asheville, Cherokee, Franklin, or Maggie Valley and are only 2 1/2 miles to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway!
$54 - $1250 / night
Please note: Campground closes for the N.C. State Fair in October.
Limited camping access is available during the month of October and certain event weekends. Call immediately prior to trip departure to inquire about availability. (919) 612-6767.
Avoid the commute, relax and enjoy the North Carolina State Fairgrounds' campgrounds. With 100 full-service sites and an additional 200 sites on the grounds, we are equipped for all your RV camping needs. Rental cost for a 24-hour period is $30. The campground is closed to the public for the month of October for the N.C. State Fair. Spaces are first come, first served with no advance reservations taken. Check in upon arrival by calling 919-612-6767.
$35 / night
Holly Point offers 158 campsites total, 89 with water and 50/30-amp electric hookups. Both Holly Point and Rolling View have a dump station.
$10 - $32 / night
We are proud to present our Raleigh and Charlotte unique Sycamore Lodge Resort & Campground offering the perfect combination of amenities and rustic camping. As a member-based campground, neighbors become friends and friends become family. We are so excited to show you all we have to offer and invite you to become part of the Travel Resorts Family!
At our luxury and private camping and RV resort, Sycamore Lodge Resort is located just 70 miles south of Raleigh and 90 miles east of Charlotte North Carolina. It is close to many area attractions including the nations legendary and historic Pinehurst Golf Course. The beautiful North Carolina Sycamore Lodge Resort, rests on 194 acres of land with beautiful pine, sycamore, dogwood, oak and magnificent magnolia trees, sprawling the lodges campgrounds! Come experience the beauty of it all with us today! We can’t wait to see you.
$50 - $100 / night
San-Lee Park is a 177+ acre park, located at 572 Pumping Station Road, that offers hiking trails, a mountain bike trail, a Nature Center with a multipurpose room that is available for rent, playground, picnic facilities, campgrounds, and two stocked lakes for fishing. Paddle boat rentals are available seasonally.
Campsite rentals are available during park operational hours. A driver’s license or similar identification is required for registration. Sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations are not taken. For additional information, please call 919-776-6221 Ext. 4.
Program Date:
April – October Exceptions for weather & burning bans
Fee:
$15.00 per night
Register:
At park office during park hours Must be 18 years or older or accompanied by an adult
Tent Camping
The park provides tent sites, tables, charcoal grills, water, and a shower house. Campsites are located in a private section of the park close to the lake.
$15 / night
Escape to Spacious Skies Sandy Run, a rustic oasis conveniently nestled off I-95. Unwind amidst longleaf pines, cast a line in our catch-and-release pond, or simply relax at this top-rated RV park. Whether you’re visiting Fort Bragg, exploring cultural trails, seeking river adventures, or discovering Fayetteville’s charms, Spacious Skies is your perfect home base. Enjoy full hook-ups, a refreshing pool, free WiFi, and family-friendly amenities for an unforgettable stay.
$34 - $114 / night
Traveler
I absolutely love this spot! I’ve been here a few times now and it was absolutely incredible! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a chill hike and a nice campsite!
Legend
Shooting up or down I-95 (exit 44) to make it to your ultimate destination and simply need a spot to layover for a night … but tired of all those nondescript roadside concrete RV parking lots and still want to enjoy a bit of nature? Well then, look no further than Spacious Skies Sandy Run Campground (formerly Lazy Acres) surrounded by an endless amount of native longleaf pines located in the heart of Cumberland County. Here, you’ll almost feel like you’ve exited the concrete jungle for a slice of nature just a smidge off of I-95. Of course, the additional upside here is that you don't have to drive clear out in the wilderness in order to enjoy a small slice of heaven with a good helping of nature.
With 2-3 dozen or so elongated long-leaf pine shaded drive-through parking lanes with packed white sand parking pads (some were concrete) for your parking pleasure, all of the pull-thru sites come equipped with the typical 30 / 50 amp electrical hook-ups, waste disposal and water connections. While the campground’s website attempts to fool you with generic stock photography that is not representative of their actual site (why don’t sites simply invest in some really great photography when they actually have a fantastic site to showcase is beyond me), this campground really is quite attractive for being a highway roadside RV campground.
That said, while their imagery suggests cabins and tents, there were none while we visited, so do take note. That said, the restroom / shower / laundry facilities are exceptional (albeit a bit on the small side - this campground should definitely invest in a second or even third bathroom / shower facility) and, of course, there’s the standard picnic table, fire ring / grill, garbage receptacles, dog park, basic kid’s playground, WiFi, cable and even a community BBQ that are interspersed throughout the property. I was surprised to discover a pretty amazing pool (opened in the Summer between Memorial and Labor Day weekends) that the kids enjoyed during the day – nothing too over-the-top, but a cool spot to drop into during the midday NC heat is definitely an advantage! Oh, and the laundry facilities, camp store and other amenities like fresh cut wood for fires and s’more roasting was a huge bonus. Cathy at the front desk was very warm and inviting.
The hosts are incredibly nice and offer pricing by the night, week and month. Overall, I found the community to be quite inviting and as nearly everyone there is in-transit, there’s a really nice sojourner vibe to be had, where everyone is welcoming and also curious as to where you’re coming from and where you’re headed to, but in a non-invasive manner. Near this RV parking lot, you do have access to Fayetteville Motor Speedway, Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, Clark Park Nature Center and a good number of state and county parks bursting with outdoors adventures for the family.
Insider’s tips? Here's a few: (1) There’s a great little pathway on this property that encircles a small pond that is perfect for a short meandering through the area that you’re in called Sandy Run. Here, we discovered squirrels, all sorts of endemic birds, a few stray turtles, a couple deer and a group of industrious beavers who had built quite the dam. The pond itself isn’t too well-stocked and so you will note the ‘catch & release’ warning signs around this watering hole; (2) There's a hint of 'Coming Soon' and 'Under Development' signs on both the website as well as on-property that would suggest that the campground is in the midst of some upcoming enhancements. Apparently, from the owners, there’s plans for a dog park and even a camp store, which will add substantially to the bolstering amenities already being provided; (3) If you'd like to get off property and head somewhere nearby to stretch your legs and get a decent hike in, then I would recommend checking out nearby Clark Park & Nature Center, which has some pretty great trailheads and other wonderful nature trails to explore; (4) If you are into outdoor adventure and looking to zip amongst the treelines, then check out Zipquest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure; (5) When you grow tired of roasting franks & beans fireside and are looking for some local fare, then head outside camp, cross I95 and make your way over to Go Chew Grill, which is one part morning cafe with jumbo cinnamon roll and perfectly poured Americano as well as afternoon continental eatery, where this spot serves up some pretty amazing freshly made gourmet sandwiches, which I would recommend the turkey, bacon, creamy brie and orange chutney wrap.
Happy Camping!
Scout
We stayed at Jordan Dam RV Park for a year while waiting for our house to be built. The campground is a great, quiet place. There are not a lot of recreational amenities, but there is pond for fishing. The site maintenance man, Earl, will direct you into your site, which was a bit tricky in the site we were in.
The RV Park has on-site propane filling, and if you leave your tank on your picnic table, Earl will come and fill it. This was extremely convenient during the winter months, when we were filling one of our tanks every few days.
If you are looking for someplace close to Jordan Dam boat launch, or are looking for a long term site, this is for you.
Scout
Plenty of places to tent camp or RV camp! Places to fish things for kids to play on and of course places to shower after! One of my family’s favorite places to camp!
Traveler
Very nice park and clean bathrooms.
Scout
My dog Indy and I spent a night here just to try it out and it was the perfect spot. The site is #64 and there's water access right next to the pad. We will definitely be back.
Traveler
I was there alone and had the whole campsite to myself. The camp host was so kind. He always made sure me, my horses and my grandson were comfortable and safe!
TravelerWell Maintained, Nice workers and good weather. 20ish minutes from Greensboro. Camping spots are great.
Traveler
Camp Ground is quiet and well laid out. Facilitaies are clean and maintained. Lake was open and fun to play in.
Camp ground is next to airfield, you might get Helicopter nosies from time to time.
Scout
We’ve stayed at Jones Station many times since it opened 10 years ago. Kay, the owner, is just wonderful and Dave and April are both friendly and helpful.
This is absolutely the nicest privately owned RV Park we’ve visited anywhere in the country. It’s immaculately maintained, the spaces are large, and many of them are shaded.
If you’re visiting the Triad or Triangle areas of NC, this park is a great place to stay.
ScoutBeautiful space with nice facilities!
Just be sure to avoid the crotchety old dweeb riding around in his golf cart. I assume he’s the owner, but that doesn’t excuse his cringe and rude behavior to people patronizing his business.
Guide
The campground is neatly taken care of. The staff was awesome and friendly. The store is awesome and they had guest food trucks that rocked!
Traveler
The sites are level, not much shade. Garbage cans everywhere. Convenient to get into and out of with full hookup. There are no amenities at all but security drives around. Felt safe. Across from stadium. Price is worth the value.
TravelerThe state park has excellent hiking trails and the RV park is located in an excellent location to use them.
The sites are huge, level, and clean. The bathhouse is clean and modern. While there aren’t many recreational amenities besides the hiking, the price makes this park an excellent value.
Legend
If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and are looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm, peace& quiet that only nature can offer, then make your way here to Shinleaf@ Falls Lake SRA. You’ll discover all of the basics are provided– from picnic table, fold-up fire ring/ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice pebble-strewn patch of well-maintained flat pitch, perfect for striking camp for the night in your tent amongst the best of what nature has to offer along with pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer North Carolina sunshine.
The only real down-side I could find to Shinleaf is that there’s not a whole lot of brush between the campsites so you will be exposed to neighboring sites, which wasn’t a problem when we visited as the place was fairly vacant, but during high season, I could see how this would be a bit of a turn-off. The on-site facilities(limited to just bathrooms& showers) are typically better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this spot gets high marks versus some others– and there’s even a designated‘pot wash’ spigot that is near the campsites making for EZ clean up after any meal. There’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time.
Insider's tips? Here's a few: (1) If you like to fish, there's tons of different varieties here to catch, including: walleye, crappie, white bass, large- and small-mouth bass, blue gill, striped bass as well as catfish; (2) There is no need to go anywhere else to look for a boat launch as Shinleaf has its very own kayak/ canoe launch that is fantastic and located on the eastern side of the property; (3) If you are looking for some really cool outdoors adventures while in these parts, check out Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park that offers treetop rope trails and adventure courses - our kiddos loved it!; (4) When you grow tired of attempting to conjure up your next meal from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler and want to try out some local fare, then I highly recommend nearby Carolina Ale House in Wake Forest or Buffalo Brothers Restaurant & Bar - both have fantastic local cuisine and nice iced area craft beers to pair with; and (5) IMHO, the best campsites here at Shinleaf are: #6, #14, #16-17; #30-33; #37-39; #40; #42-43; #45-47.
Happy Camping!
ScoutWell taken care of. Pool was in good shape. Grounds are clean and hookups are spaced well. Lots of things for kids to do. Nice camp store with ice cream, drinks etc.
Scout
Site was clean and lots spacious. Dual hookups for sewer connections. Nice water pressure.
ScoutNice campsite and nice folks. Had food trucks and site was clean.
GuideIt’s ok. Semi secluded and has necessary hookups. Quit packed for what it is. I would not stay here for weeks. Just a stop and go kinda deal. But price is very good.
Guide
Very nice campground. Lots of trees for shade and the park is very quiet. I would recommend staying here. The spots are big and not right up on each other. No laundry facility.
TravelerWe frequent this campground very often. Very nice play grounds. Does cost and long waiting line at pool, but one of the best to just get away and relax.
Traveler
My family planned a trip here, including our camper and 2 others. (3 sites total). Our camper needed work done and due to an unexpected sudden death in the family, taking the camper to be worked on 2 weeks prior to our planned visit was our only option. We called and explained the situation we were in and was spoken to VERY rudely. And was not able to get any of our money back. If there’s a possibility that you may have an unplanned death in the family that may complicate your trip, don’t book with them! We will NEVER plan another trip here!!
GuideWe camped out the first night the campground was open for the season. They were performing controlled burns but nothing bothered us. Sure, we heard the planes overhead but it didn’t keep us up. We tent camped at an RV site just for some extra comfort with the water and power. Bathhouses were super clean. And we were a short walk to the lake to fish and hang out near the water. Absolutely will come back
Guide
Found this place (barely) on Google. The owner, Deborah, is the sweetest lady ever!! The campground is quite and wooded. Does need some work but she's in the process of doin that. Help this lady out by staying here. U won't regret it!!
TravelerThis is our favorite campground in the area. It is clean and quite with easy back in sites. The bathhouse is well maintained as is the camp road. We have stayed here during all four seasons and there isn't a bad time to stay. I can't say enough good things about this campground
ScoutWe were so excited to find a campground for the weekend, close to our son’s wrestling tournament location. Unfortunately the pictures definitely depict a campground way nicer with more amenities than we seen or were available for use to us. Although we picked a pull through site with a concrete patio, picnic table and nice blocked fire pit (on the website), it had no fire pit at all, not even a fire ring. When brought to the attention of the front office we were told “we don’t run the website” & “if you would have let us know we would have found you a fire ring”. We assumed since check in was 3pm the campsites were checked to make sure they were left clean and had everything mentioned. There was tons of other spots open with the blocked fire pit and other with fire rings only. When you pick and pay for a nicer site that’s what you expect to get. We checked in within the last hour they were open due to the tournament and the next morning we left again for the tournament so we really had no time to bring it to their attention until the day we checked out. There was no dog park that we seen, whatsoever and our “nice view by the wood line” was literally a few scattered trees with a view of “keep out” signs and equipment for upkeep behind it. I will mention this is January so everything is dead but I can’t imagine even in summer with the small amount of trees, fully bloomed, it would hide the equipment back there and make for a nice view. I seen no signs for a walking trail nor a catch and release pond. Maybe there was such but I didn’t notice anything on our walk to or from the jump pillow/camp store. The camp store hardly had any supplies.. again this could have been due to the time of year. This campground is riddled with obvious long timers/year round campers, which is cool but at least put them in separate areas from your short timers. Although they have a small book worth of rules/terms to abide by while there,, the quiet hours are not abided by at least not in the area we were in,, it was football games, drinking and pot smoking until well after quiet hours. We’ll search elsewhere next month/time.
TravelerThe campground is very cramped and the owner is very unfriendly and was unwilling to work with me after I asked not to park my fifth wheel under a hickory tree that was rubbing the top of my recently recoated roof. She refused. Roughly 7weeks into my 13 week stay a large storm rolled through and a hickory nut busted the top of my ac unit on my roof and the nut broke the blades of my fan off. She refused to acknowledge the damage. I tried to compromise with taking the price of the service of the monthly payment. The owner refused then stated she was going to need the next month payment or she would have my fifth towed. She is very unreasonable and very rude
If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Sanford, North Carolina, there are several great spots where you can enjoy the outdoors with your furry friends. These campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and activities to ensure a fun experience for both you and your pets.
Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park: This campground allows pets and features spacious, clean sites with modern bathhouses, making it a comfortable choice for you and your dog.
Canoe Camp — Raven Rock State Park: Enjoy a scenic hike to this pet-friendly site, where you can relax by the river and take in the beautiful surroundings with your pet.
Moonshine Creek Campground: Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, this campground welcomes pets and offers a peaceful creekside setting for a relaxing getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sanford, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sanford, NC is Moccasin Branch Campground — Raven Rock State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sanford, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 69 dog-friendly camping locations near Sanford, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
