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Dog-Friendly Camping near Southmont, NC

5 campgrounds with availability this weekend

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    Dan Nicholas Park features spacious, pet-friendly campsites with water and electric hookups for tent campers, RV travelers, and cabin guests. All sites include a picnic table and fire ring where dogs are welcome to relax with their owners. The campground maintains clean, well-kept grounds with short walking paths around a small lake where many campers walk their leashed dogs. High Rock Lake Marina and Campground also welcomes pets throughout their lakefront property, providing easy water access for dogs who enjoy swimming. Both campgrounds require pets to remain on leash at all times while outside the camper or tent. Campgrounds near Southmont, North Carolina are listed with photos on The Dyrt.

    Morrow Mountain State Park Campground offers several dog-friendly hiking trails connecting directly to the camping areas, allowing convenient exercise opportunities without leaving the park. The surrounding Uwharrie National Forest provides additional pet-friendly recreation options with miles of trails suitable for dogs of all sizes. Most campgrounds in the region maintain standard pet policies requiring current vaccinations, proper cleanup, and responsible ownership. Visitors note the spacious sites provide ample room for pet setups including portable pens or tie-outs. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended to avoid hot pavement and midday heat, particularly at more exposed campsites.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Southmont (68)

      1. Dan Nicholas Park

      4.3(20)5mi from SouthmontRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Nice lake to walk around, but paddle boats and center were closed. Lots of ducks that were used to human presence and feeding. Located in a nice sized park. Would definitely go back."

      "Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue."

      2. Badin Lake Campground

      4.7(28)18mi from Southmont34 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Lots to do.... hiking, ride bicycle, fishing and off road or just relax and take in the beautiful surroundings! P.s. Dogs are welcome!"

      "Awesome location, very remote and the sites are Huge so no need to worry about a neighbor being close. I stayed at site 11 easy access to the water and great views."

      Campground full this weekend

      Get a text when available

      from $20 - $40 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Cross Winds Family Campground

      5.0(9)8mi from SouthmontRVs

      "Large camper sites, walking trails, pool, playground, laundry facilities, store, and showers. Everything was very clean. Literally 5 minutes off the interstate, but very peaceful and quiet!"

      "We booked it online last minute, while driving & let ourselves in that evening (everything is clearly marked). The laundry & bathrooms are immaculate!!"

      from $50 - $53 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Morrow Mountain State Park Campground

      4.4(38)22mi from Southmont121 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "C loop, felt like the smallest loop and really close to the entry hiking trail. We've stayed in both A and C. C loop, site 48, is where we stayed this trip. Its a good site."

      "In addition to the nearby lake, there is a pool you can take the kids to. This is very dog friendly. Not too much traffic for the kids either. I have seen a rattle snake!!"

      Available this weekend

      from $17 - $107 / night

      5 Sites Available

      5. High Rock Lake Marina and Campground

      4.0(5)2mi from SouthmontRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Easy access to the lake. They have a picnic table and a swing set up at the lake so you view it. Some folks reviewed the campground and complained about the roads in and hair pin curves."

      "This place is nestled into a quiet point on a small cove of the lake. Easy access from I-85 but no so close that you hear noise and experience traffic. Excellent amenities and friendly service."

      from $25 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Arrowhead Campground

      4.5(20)19mi from Southmont49 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Arrowhead Campground has had a bigger budget compared to its lesser sibling Badin Lake Campground. "

      "The campsites do not offer a view of the water of Badin Lake, but it is nearby with a drive or hike. "

      Campground full this weekend

      Get a text when available

      from $20 - $54 / night

      Check Availability

      7. Thousand Trails Forest Lake

      3.5(17)16mi from SouthmontRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Hiking trails and lake with small beach for swimming and fishing. Pet + horse friendly. Neatly kept. Kind and helpful host."

      "People and pet friendly. Adult and under 18 pools open seasonably. Gated and campers are given individual codes to get in after hours."

      8. Cobble Hill RV Campground (Formerly) Carolina Rose

      4.7(12)15mi from SouthmontRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Plenty to do from petting zoo, fishing, live music, etc.. Staff was amazing and made our family feel welcomed from the start DEFINITELY booking again soon"

      "We walked the RV sites and spotted several that were also very nice as well. They each seemed to offer a decent bit of privacy, which is nice."

      9. Tamarac Marina and Campground

      3.0(2)4mi from SouthmontRVs, Tents

      from $25 - $35 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Deep Water Trail Camp

      4.6(9)20mi from SouthmontTents

      "Short but steep walk down to the river. I would be careful when the river is swollen, but otherwise it is gorgeous. My friends both caught a couple of channel cats."

      "The drive down the trail can be a bit much if you’re in a smaller car like we were, we had to drive slowly down because of all of the rocks."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Southmont, NC

    512 Reviews of 68 Southmont Campgrounds

    • MThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 28, 2026

      Midway Campground Resort

      1st trip in forever

      Driving 14 1/2 hrs I was cooked called and had the most easiest booking. There was a sites available so I booked it. Needless to say I got there in the dark and a kind person helped me to my site and got me backed in. Soo exhausted I hooked up electric only hit the bed passed out

    • tThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 25, 2026

      Deep River Campground And RV Park

      Stopped here after our fiasco with holly bluff. Beautiful campground with trees. Very quiet during the day and peaceful. The only thing we found curious was the vehicle in and right back out activity between 10:30-pm and 1am back and forth to campers that were long term stays. Made nighttime hard to sleep in site 3 with vehicles back and forth for hours .

    • tThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 25, 2026

      Holly Bluff Family Campground

      Stopped in to get a spot for a few nights nights because it said they had available rv spots Unfortunately they didn’t know which end was up and tried to squeeze us into a spot that might have hookups that maybe worked but they couldn’t be sure. It was a joke. We left after waiting several minutes waiting while they were looking for a place to maybe squeeze us in because we had a small camper. No thanks. Would not recommend staying here til they get there act together

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 24, 2026

      Camp Julia

      Beautiful scenery

      This is a newer campground. It has a stocked pond with beautiful woods surrounding it.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 24, 2026

      Camp Julia

      Peaceful

      This is a newer campground. It is peaceful.

    • Debbie M.
      Oct. 17, 2026

      Ararat River Campground

      No Resort Here

      This is not a resort type campground.  It is a place for people to bring old campers to live full time and long term.  The electric and water utilities are original from the 50's and there are constant problems with both.  There is a lot of unrecognized potential because the owners do not reinvest any money into anything for the campground.

    • Michael I.
      Oct. 10, 2026

      Deep River Campground And RV Park

      New Owners, making lots of noticeable changes for your enjoyable stay

      Looking for a nice place for a camping getaway? We highly recommend checking out the Deep River Campground in Asheboro, NC. The location itself is beautiful. It is literally on the Deep River and features a hiking trail that runs along the river past the remnants of a historical damn, where a small area of rapids gently swirls around the big rocks spanning the river. There’s also a large lake with a nice grassy expanse for picnics, playing games or just lazing around lakeside. This campground has been around for a while, but it has new owners now and they are breathing some for real new life into the place. They have already made lots of repairs and improvements, and you can see more in progress. There are sites for RVs with all the hook-ups, and great primitive sites for tent camping, several located right on the river. If you don’t have an RV and sleeping on the ground doesn’t spark joy, they have a few small rustic but nicely-appointed cabins. You’ll find two pools, several covered picnic shelters, a playground for the small ones, and several options for older kids and adults to play, like a horseshoe pit and a nice game room. They also have planned activities like movie nights and weiner roasts most evenings to entertain and create community among campers. They are pet friendly and have their own pet mascots on site— a flock of ducks including beautifully colored teals and mallards. We were just there for 2 nights, but I have a good feeling we’ll be visiting there again soon. Definitely worth a visi

    • Jean H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 8, 2026

      Camp Henning at Ellerbe Springs

      Horror of Horrors

      This property should not be advertised. It was next to a cow pasture and the flies were horrible. We could not even get out of our van. The other trailers there were obviously long term and not well maintained. The inn had n the property was dilapidated and closed. Nothing in the description was anything like our experience. We decided to leave after seeing the condition of everything. Real bad.

    Guide to Southmont

    Campgrounds near Southmont, North Carolina occupy the foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains, an ancient mountain range with elevations between 300-1,000 feet. The region sits along High Rock Lake, the second largest lake in North Carolina with 365 miles of shoreline. Most campgrounds experience moderate rainfall year-round with humid summers reaching 90°F and mild winters rarely falling below freezing.

    What to do

    Lake activities: Badin Lake Campground provides direct water access for kayaking and fishing. "Great access to Badin Lake for kayaking, swimming and fishing. Our group explored the trails which were scenic and easy to transverse," notes Andrew K. The campground offers waterfront sites with easy boat launching.

    Hiking trails: Morrow Mountain State Park Campground maintains multiple trail systems ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "We exhausted ourselves hiking and canoeing and much more stuff to do! Nice sites with electric hookups. Firewood available," shares Sara C. Trails include Big Rocks Trail which ends at a scenic cliff overlook.

    Off-road adventures: Arrowhead Campground serves as a hub for off-road enthusiasts with direct access to Uwharrie's trail system. "Great camp sites, easy to get to, lots of trails, shooting range and off road trails," explains Jimmy L. Most visitors bring 4x4 vehicles, quads, or side-by-sides to explore the surrounding forest roads.

    What campers like

    Lakefront camping: Many campers specifically request waterfront sites for direct lake access. "Site next to one of the lake access trails. Spacious site. We were able to get our 37 ft camper level. Shaded so the a/c s were able to keep up with the heat no issue," reports Sarah B. about Dan Nicholas Park.

    Family activities: Cross Winds Family Campground offers numerous recreation options within walking distance. "This place is perfect as an overnight stop, as it is right off I-85 north of Charlotte, NC. The playground area is dated but still retro-fun for the kids," notes Carey R. The campground includes a swimming pool, playground, and organized activities.

    Quiet weekday stays: For campers seeking less crowded experiences, midweek visits provide more tranquility. "Wonderful staff we were there from Monday (Labor Day) thru Wednesday so very quiet. I understand it is busy on weekends and holidays but we are lucky enough to camp during the week," shares Elizabeth J. about Cross Winds Family Campground.

    What you should know

    Bathhouse conditions: Bathhouse quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The bathhouses are in very poor shape. There appears to be suspect, microbial growth all over the men's side (black mold). The bath houses also aren't cleaned on a regular basis," reports Robert D. about one facility. Conversely, Arrowhead Campground receives praise: "Great bathhouse with hot showers. We enjoyed the hiking trails," states Jody B.

    Reservation requirements: The most popular dog-friendly campgrounds near Southmont fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Reserve well in advance if you desire a site... these campgrounds fill quickly. Being located so closely to the Raleigh/Durham area... I can see this being filled to capacity most days and definitely weekends. Mid-week it was filled," advises Dave V.

    Site leveling challenges: Many sites throughout the Uwharrie region require leveling equipment. "Site 98 in the electric loop is for tent and pop up campers, but is not pop up camper friendly. The ground is very uneven," warns Jen P. about Morrow Mountain State Park. Similarly, at Cross Winds: "did park on site 59 (pull through) but was SUPER unlevel," notes madison F.

    Tips for camping with families

    Multiple recreation options: High Rock Lake Marina and Campground provides various activities for children. "They have a snack bar, marina, fishing dock, pool and picnic area," explains Wendy M. The combination of water and land activities keeps children engaged throughout their stay.

    Educational experiences: Dan Nicholas Park includes educational components beyond standard camping. "This place is the best places for families to camp. There is a beautiful zoo, gem mining, a train ride, amazing fishing, a beautiful playground, and a carousel," shares Lisa L. These activities typically cost $2-5 per person per activity.

    Dedicated children's areas: Family-oriented pet-friendly campgrounds near Southmont often include designated children's spaces. "This campground has so many sites and they are well laid out and spacious. They have 30 amp and 50 amp sites to suit your needs. There is a nice restaurant to eat at, a small convenience store, arcade games, 3 pools and a ton of activities," reports Lauren S. about Forest Lake RV and Camping Resort.

    Tips from RVers

    Big rig accessibility: Cobble Hill RV Campground accommodates larger RVs with full hookups. "Full hookups (30 & 50 amp), WiFi and cable. Owners are great - so much so that our entire camping family is going to stay there the week of the wedding. Owners have been very accommodating with putting us all together," reports Sandy M.

    Extended stay options: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for longer visits. "Stayed at Carolina Rose for a few months over the winter. Very friendly staff, and VERY reasonable rates. Wouldn't hesitate to stay again when I'm in the area," notes Stuart N. about Cobble Hill (formerly Carolina Rose).

    Access considerations: The region's terrain can create challenges for some RVs. "Easy access right off 85, but far enough its quiet. Nice really long pull through sites, place is well maintained and lots to offer, whether passing through or wanting to explore the area," explains Beverly T. about Cross Winds Family Campground, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate access routes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Southmont, NC is Dan Nicholas Park with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 68 dog-friendly camping locations near Southmont, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.