Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Raleigh, NC

Falls Lake State Recreation Area campgrounds welcome pets at all their locations, including Holly Point, Rolling View, B.W. Wells, and Shinleaf. Each campground offers full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections for RV campers, while also accommodating tent camping. William B. Umstead State Park Campground permits pets at their sites but maintains a strict leash policy, with dogs required to be on leads no longer than 6 feet at all times. North Carolina State Fairgrounds provides pet-friendly RV camping with full hookups just minutes from downtown Raleigh, though they do not allow tent camping. Most campgrounds require pet owners to clean up after their animals, with waste stations available throughout the grounds. The fairgrounds can accommodate any size RV with level, gravel sites. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Raleigh, North Carolina.

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area provides multiple pet-friendly campgrounds including Poplar Point and Crosswinds, both offering hiking trails where leashed dogs can explore alongside their owners. North Carolina State Fairgrounds serves as a convenient base for travelers with pets, located near several dog-friendly parks and trails in the Raleigh area. Security regularly patrols the grounds, creating a safe environment for campers and their pets. While airplane noise can be noticeable at William B. Umstead State Park due to its proximity to RDU International Airport, the extensive trail network gives dog owners plenty of options for exercise. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to be attended at all times and not left alone at campsites. Veterinary services are available in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Durham for emergency pet care during camping trips. Temperature considerations are important when camping with pets, as summer months can bring significant heat and humidity.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Raleigh, North Carolina (57)

    1. Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    36 Reviews
    Creedmoor, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $77 / night

    "If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm peace & quiet that"

    "The North Carolina State Park campgrounds are typically very nice, and this one is no exception. My site is adjacent to a large, clean, working bathhouse and a 2 minute walk from a swim beach."

    2. Rolling View — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    31 Reviews
    Creedmoor, NC
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $77 / night

    "Raleigh is a great city, and Falls Lake St. Rec Area contributes to its awesomeness. Got to love the lakes at a state park"

    "OTA TV is ok, but not as good as one would expect being this close to Raleigh-Durham."

    3. North Carolina State Fairgrounds

    19 Reviews
    Raleigh, NC
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 612-6767

    $35 / night

    "Pets are welcome, but as everywhere, dogs must be on a leash (not more than 6' long). If you put the address into your GPS, it will take you to the main fairgrounds."

    "Restaurants and downtown Raleigh are within short driving distance. Public bathrooms and showers (cold water) are a 2 minute walk to Horse Complex H6, Barn B Very little tree cover."

    4. William B. Umstead State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Morrisville, NC
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 571-4170

    $27 / night

    "Umstead is conveniently located in the heart of Raleigh, NC. It seems to be an outdoor oasis as you can get lost in the woods with the hustle and bustle of the city all around you."

    "This park offers miles of hiking within Raleigh. You would never realize you were in Raleigh. It’s a great escape from traffic and noise a city can bring."

    5. Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    52 Reviews
    New Hill, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 362-0586

    $27 - $37 / night

    "Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina!"

    "Poplar Point is located on the banks of the lake in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area."

    6. B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Wake Forest, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $72 / night

    "Located on a semi rural area, the sites are very wooded and quiet. There was a lake nearby with an open sky where you could see hundreds of stars at night."

    "There are tons of hiking trails all around and plenty of bike trails too! Conveniently located north of Raleigh, NC and close to many major highways."

    7. Crosswinds Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    New Hill, NC
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 362-0586

    $27 - $77 / night

    "This area is such a short drive from the triangle area of North Carolina, yet this park feels quite remote. Like many state parks, this one excels in the services department. "

    "Located just 30 miles west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake provides 7 different access points throughout this amazing natural preserve. "

    8. Shinleaf — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Wake Forest, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (984) 867-8000

    $27 - $72 / night

    "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"

    "Falls Lake State Recreation area is an interesting area in that it is made up of a number of non-connecting areas. The camping is at Shinleaf and is walk up only."

    9. Eno River State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Hillsborough, NC
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 383-1686

    $17 - $47 / night

    "This is one of my favorite camping spots in the North Carolina triangle area.  There is a tremendous amount of hiking and trails to do around here.  "

    "Love hiking here with the family and friends plenty of beautiful family and pet friendly trails."

    10. Coopers RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Clayton, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (919) 359-8060

    "Just minutes from downtown Raleigh. All of their sites have both 30 and 50 amp service. They all also have both water and sewer. They offer both weekend and extended rental."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Raleigh, NC

416 Reviews of 57 Raleigh Campgrounds


  • T
    Jun. 27, 2021

    Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages

    Great Mix of Long & Short Term Campers at this Resort!

    This resort is very community oriented with activities throughout the week and a free waffle breakfast every Saturday. There two beautiful green lawns, two pools, two shower houses, and two laundry facilities. Made for Trailers and RVs of all sizes with full hook-ups and utilities. Tent camping is not allowed. Management tries to accommodate all your needs; propane, firewood, quarters (for laundry), well equipped gym, and mail delivery are all available at the resort. Food trucks come in once or twice a week.  

    The resort is a 15m drive from Fort Bragg, 20m from Fayetteville, and the Fayetteville Airport, and 1h away from Raleigh and the Raleigh Airport.

  • M
    Feb. 18, 2024

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Lakeside North Carolina state park campground.

    Popular Point campground is one of my favorite places to pitch a tent in the Jordan Lake area.  It's often not as crowded as the others at Jordan Lake are, esp., during the week and outside of holidays or summertime.  The views are nice, with sites next to the water.  Tents and RVs can camp in the same areas.  We normally camp in a tent here, but never in the hottest part of summer, which is most of the summer in the Piedmont area of the state.  You gotta go up to 3000 feet, as in the mountains of NC, for a cool weather experience in summertime, but for a night to get away from your regular routine or a weekend when the weather is nice, this is a suitable place.  Locals like it because the drive isn't far from Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham or Pittsboro.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2021

    Bullocksville Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    Camping Oasis with Fantastic Lake Views!

    Tucked away in the lush, verdant forests north of Raleigh, here at Bullocksville Park, you’ll discover camping and cabin grounds that are just a short hike from the nearby Lake Kerr, but far enough away from any roadside noisy traffic. 

    This is a complete natural respite that is incredibly quiet(save the roar of noise from nature!). The grounds themselves are laid out superbly, from 3-4 independent campground sites(in fact, some are across the road from whence you arrived) with blended options for both RV’s and real campers who use tents. 

    There are a number of amenities and diversions, such as boat ramps for motored-boats, kayaking, canoeing, as well as playgrounds for the kiddos, a big gathering hall that can be rented, several picnic areas and shelters along with countless hiking trails. For anyone visiting North Carolina or for nearby residents who just want to get away from the concrete jungle, then Bullocksville Park is definitely worth a look. 

    I will end on this point - I have not come across any such amazing camping gem in all of North Carolina than this splendid campground at Bullocksville.  You'll be lucky (and hopefully very grateful) for getting a piece of land here in front of this gorgeous lake if you book well in advance.

    Happy Camping!

  • Never Sitting S.
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Happy Trails RV Park

    Excellent grounds

    Very clean and well maintained. Best bathrooms we’ve ever seen in a resort/campground. Staff is great, even though they are still no contact check in as of July 2021. We pulled up at 1 and our paper was waiting. Very easy in and out, large long spots, with great yard for each spot. Three dogs parks, two pools, and much more. Lots of long term sees but very very clean and welcoming. Would highly recommend. We stayed here visiting Raleigh, about a 30 Mind drive away. This campground is far enough away from interstate there is no road noise, yet close to outlets and city for dinning. A+!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2021

    Goodwins RV Campground

    Needle In The Hay Stack

    You'll have to look hard to find Goodwin's RV Campground.  From Raleigh-Durham, you'll head west past Holly Springs then dip a bit north before getting off the main highway (Rt 1) near Moncure.  I have to admit, we drove up and down Moncure School Road looking for this place and had to actually pull off at another RV campground to enquire as to the actual location (which just happened to be a single block away).  The sign to Goodwin's is low on the ground and sets back a bit from the road, so not the easiest to find.  But when you do find it, you'll be kind of impressed by how low-key and seemingly hidden from civilization this place is.  

    The proprietor who runs this small place has the area spilt basically into 2 areas (high and low), where you'll find space for about 15 RV's on the upper level, and perhaps 5-7 on the lower level.  There's the standard 30 / 50 electrical amp, water and sewage hook-ups.  Apart from just being completed surrounded by nature, there's not much more about this place - it pretty much feels like you're camping on someone's big 40 acre ranch (except there's no farm animals that I came across). 

    Insider's tip?  I'll give you 4.  #1) Book early - everyone I met there had been coming to Goodwin's for years (for some reason that I did not quite discover).  #2)  There's not a lot around these parts, but there is a decent corner store called Ray's that has just about everything you might be looking for (but sadly did not have any kiwi Sauvignon Blanc!). #3) Best access to the nearby Lake Jordan is Poe's Ridge Boat Ramp.  #4) The nearest town that has restaurant options is Pittsboro - I recommend Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen where you order your food and can hang out anywhere on their 17 acre property to enjoy the meal (I highly recommend the quiche and fresh baked bread).

    All in all, the community that I found at Goodwin's was very welcoming, friendly and offered up beers and BBQ to everyone in the vicinity.  Nice and quiet - it's hard to believe that you can be so close to a city and find this level of solitude in the middle of nature. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2023

    Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    Paradise Found @ Holly Point Campground

    I’m not sure if this campground is correctly named Holly Point Campground, which after my experience, I would rename it HOLY Point Campground, as this outdoor nature preserve is truly a slice of heaven carved out in the middle of North Carolina’s finest camping paradise. If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and 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 Holly Point Campground@ Falls Lake SRA, where you will not be disappointed. 

    All of the basics are provided in spades – from picnic table, fold-up fire ring / BBQ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice small pebble-strewn flat patch of well-maintained nature that offers pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer North Carolina sunshine from the tall matchstick-like long leave needle pines. While there’s not a terrible amount of brush between the campsites, you will have semi-privacy unlike many other nearby campgrounds. 

    The on-site facilities (bathrooms& showers) are just slightly north of passable and only a smidge better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this campground gets its only mediocre marks on this front. But that said, 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, but the best amenity on this property is the access to Falls Lake itself, where there is a perfectly sectioned off swimming area, as well as boat launching areas for those that want to fish or simply drop a kayak or canoe in the water and take enjoy a lakeside cruise. 

    Insider's tips?  Here's a handful: (1) While IMHO there is no bad spot here in all of Holly Point Campground, there are obviously some that are better than others.  Given this, I would highly rank Loops 4 (#118-119, #121-123) & 5 (#141-147; #149, #150, #152-155) as well as the southern and eastern side of Loop 2 (#36-39; #55-71; #73, #75), given their proximity to and views of Falls Lake itself.  Of course, the sites that are located closer to the water are those more preferred; (2) If you're an angler, you'll be looking to catch some large-mouthed bass, yellow perch, blue gill, channel and flathead catfish and I recommend the areas that are heaviest shadowed around the lake edges; (3) When you grow weary of having to fix up that next campsite meal and simply want to error on the side of ease and comfort, then check out nearby Buffalo Bros who serve up some pretty might wings and amazing pies (there's also burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and other basic Americana foodstuffs) or Nantucket Grill for some pretty outstanding Jambalaya and seafood diablo pasta; and (4) If you love extreme outdoors adventures, then check out Xtreme Park Adventures for indoor and outdoor courses for paintball and laser tag.

    Happy Camping!

  • Samantha P.
    May. 11, 2020

    Eno River State Park Campground

    So green! Gorgeous River!

    This is one of my favorite camping spots in the North Carolina triangle area.  There is a tremendous amount of hiking and trails to do around here.  The Eno River is more than safe to swim or paddle in.  Dogs are welcome here! If you can camp close to the river, I recommend, it's great to fall asleep to the sounds of the river.  Bring bug spray!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Poplar Point Campground — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

    Outdoor Perfection @ Jordan Lake SRA Poplar Point Campground

    Poplar Point Campground could quite possibly be the best campground in all of North Carolina! Yes, I know, that’s quite a statement to make, considering all of the amazing places in the great state of North Carolina. So let me explain why I reached this conclusion:

    • Some of the most outstanding hiking trails

    • Heavily wooded forest paradise that delivers privacy and solitude

    • Perfectly maintained amenities such as picnic tables, fold-up fire ring and grills

    • Bathroom facilities are some of the best I’ve experienced with state-run facilities

    • Direct access to a fantastic lakeside experience, complete with boat launches

    • Designated swimming area complete with life vests

    • On-site park staff were nothing short of amazing, helpful and incredibly friendly

    • Close access to purchase anything that might be needed 

    Insider’s tip? Be sure to get down to the lake from wherever your campsite is just after sunset and bring a couple of folding chairs and a telescope (pre-planning here is needed!) to catch a glimpse of one of the most amazing star-studded night skies you’ve ever seen in your life! 

    Happy Camping!

  • Linda H.
    Mar. 21, 2022

    North Pointe RV Resort

    Convenient to I-95

    We stopped for an overnight. Resort was undergoing renovation at the time. But there is propane available; laundry , pool, and dump station. Also catch and release fishing and a dog park.


Guide to Raleigh

If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Raleigh, North Carolina, there are several great spots where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and essential amenities

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Raleigh

Pet owners like the welcoming atmosphere and community

  • Coopers RV Park is a well-maintained park that fosters a friendly environment, perfect for meeting other pet owners during your stay.
  • 70 East RV Park offers a clean and quiet setting, making it easy for you and your pet to unwind after a day of exploring the nearby attractions.
  • Vista Point — Jordan Lake State Recreation Area features a welcoming community feel, where pets are not just allowed but embraced, ensuring a pleasant camping experience for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Raleigh, NC is Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 36 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 57 dog-friendly camping locations near Raleigh, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.