15 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Long Creek Haven, located near Del Rio, Tennessee, offers five pet-friendly RV sites alongside a babbling creek. Pets can stay at most campgrounds in the area including Gatlinburg East/Smoky Mountain KOA, Triple Creek Campground, and Fox Fire Riverside Campground. All accommodate dogs with varied amenities and hookup options. The outdoor shower at Long Creek Haven receives consistent praise from pet owners who appreciate being able to clean up after outdoor adventures. Campgrounds typically require pets to be leashed when outside and under control at all times. Fox Fire's riverside tent sites allow campers and their dogs to enjoy the water, with some visitors noting how their dogs were fascinated watching zipliners cross the river.
Nearby hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest provide excellent opportunities for exercise with dogs, though national park pet policies restrict dogs from many backcountry trails. Campers often walk their pets along the riverbanks at Fox Fire Campground, where the sound of rushing water helps mask road noise from the nearby interstate. The region experiences varied seasonal conditions, so pet owners should consider weather protection for camping during spring and fall when temperatures fluctuate significantly. Water-loving dogs particularly enjoy the access to the Pigeon River at several campgrounds, with Fox Fire allowing dogs to cool off in designated swimming areas during summer months. Most campgrounds provide pet waste stations and designated exercise areas to maintain cleanliness.
"Drive in is a nice paved road, got our information on where our sites where from the Camp Host, Who was super informative."
"Cosby is about half an hour outside of Gatlinburg and worth every minute. A16 was big and shady. There were a few steps down to it. Plenty of trees and distance to the nearest neighbors."
from $50 / night
"This site says you can’t have dogs but I saw dogs all around us at the campground. Idk."
"With mountains in the distance and the constant rush of the French Broad River, the setting is awesome. Even the occasional train whistle gives me a feeling of nostalgia and of simple days."
"There’s a great little trail along the creek to walk among nature which our dog and cats really love! I also love how kind and accepting the owners are and they welcome skoolies too! Highly recommend!"
"I loved coffee in the morning near the creek. Nice fully enclosed (with a latch) outdoor shower available(ahhh), wifi, electric, water and dumping OR boondock. The tent sites are super nice, too."
from $35 - $55 / night
"Greenbriar campground is located in Pittman Center, west of Gatlinburg, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains. The campground is certainly one of the nicest camping spots I’ve n the area."
"The dog park is near this area as well as a swimming area on the river. It’s a short walk to the office/store and all the activities they offer."
from $35 - $258 / night
"The dam does release the water around 2pm so be aware that the water will rise. The bath houses are right behind the office where you check in."
"This is a great little campground in the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee."
from $30 - $40 / night
"NIce campground with a gated entrance, very safe. Beautiful location. Excellent tent sites on creek. RV sites are ok, narrow and your fire ring is so close to next RV, we were uncomfortable using it."
"Triple Creek Campground lives up to it’s name being surrounded by 3 Creeks. We stayed here over Labor Day weekend in 2020 and although it was completely full, it didn’t feel crowded."
"I camped here for one night with a friend and our dogs. The campground is very small with only 12 campsites. Each one has a firepit, picnic table, lantern pole, and a very large tent pad."
"There are about 10 spots and a parking area to have your car near. There are bathrooms as well but no showers. The sites must be reserved in advance. It’s a good spot for families."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"The Tennessee and NC sides each have great things to offer. Just feel that the NC side has more smaller campgrounds and is generally a little more quiet and laid back. Go NC!"
"This: Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"Dog park. Management was very polite and helpful."
"Location is excellent, borders the national park.
On the con side, though dogs are allowed, no cleanup bags provided, and no trash bins for dog waste at all, not even at dog run."
"Pets are allowed in the campground, but not on the trails. This campground has great access to hiking and fishing, as well as wildlife viewing."
"I had the most fantastic campsite right next to the river in Elkmont."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
ScoutWe have stayed here several times over the years. It's nothing fancy but it is on the creek, sites are level and spaced fairly good. Kids have a pretty good play area and like to feed the goats. Love the tubing access!
ScoutVisited in October of 2025 to go to Dollywood. Close to everything yet feels private. VERY well maintained and super friendly hosts. Nighttime activities like bingo, games for kids, large tv area, loved the creek. Would stay there again.
ScoutSuper clean park, friendly hosts that had planned activities for evenings, close to most everything but yet felt out of the hub. would stay again
GuideThis location can’t be beat. Nestled between Asheville and Brevard, close to Pisgah NF and Sierra Nevada brewing! We loved the access to fishing here, even though we didn’t catch anything. The streams were pristine, the campground very well kept and the hosts were kind. And our dog obviously loved it!
LegendThis is almost a perfect park. Sites are a little tight, pond is nice, but geese were on another level. So loud at 3-5am it woke us up and kept us up. Our neighbors were also inconsiderately loud at 4-6am. We thought they were pulling out the first time and gave a pass, but it was 4 straight days. This was only place at the time time that had sites. Definitely pretty more scenic parks. We book 2 days out. Staff is super friendly and price wasn’t bad last minute.
TravelerShowers give you maybe 20 seconds of warm ish water. The. Pretty much tap temps. Amazingly it’s still completely fogs up the bathhouse mirrors due to the inadequate exhaust. That may. Be due to the temp, exhaust, and venting strings are easily manipulated by one of the million children in the “Resort”. It’s not a resort in any way. It’s a campground that has really nice pads. Marginal hookups. Lots and lots and lots of bears. Big BIG bears. I’m a bear hunter. There isn’t one I’ve seen that isn’t a legit Pope and Young. The toilets are clean. The floor and showers are gross. The lazy river is cold. Hot tube warm. If you are a camper spending $250 a night and a resort fee per person, you still don’t get given a towel to use the pool. Front desk actually said the towels were NOT for campers but for “ hotel resort” guest. So why am I paying the fee? We stayed here because it was a Margaretaville property. There are many other nicer and cheaper options in town. It’s expensive. The bar car does not exist. There is wood delivery. But it’s a bundle of twigs for $10. It is dry. The food is Sysco crap and the inside bars are just part of the kids arcade or cafeteria. Live music was super strange. The guy literally was standing in the doorway to the cafeteria bar. Don’t waste your money here. If you do anyway, plan on bears digging thru your stuff every night. Kids? Dogs? And Bears……not good.
TravelerWe were probably lucky, but we drove in on a Monday and found a nice site with the creek/stream burbling in the background. Yes, there is dirt entrance/road and traffic, but not much and way quieter than family campgrounds. This site is my perfect idea of an amazing free off grid camping spot.
LegendWe took US-321 into the back side of Gatlinburg to avoid the downtown craziness. RV Life GPS guided us directly to Twin Creek RV Resort, while Waze suggested a few shortcuts that we wisely passed on. The campground (CG) entrance was a little tight and downhill, but we had no trouble getting to the office for check-in. One of the very friendly and helpful staff members escorted us to back-in site 14, where backing in was easy. We wanted to lower our toy hauler patio to enjoy the creek running behind the sites, and the staff kindly allowed us to park our F-450 in site 38 across the road to give us more room. Our site had a nice patio area with a long bench, picnic table, and nearby fire pit. CG Wi-Fi was so-so at 6.17 Mbps download. Verizon had 2 bars and T-Mobile had 3 bars, while our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered a respectable 106 Mbps download. There was considerable road noise from US-321, especially during daylight hours, although evenings were noticeably quieter. The fenced dog park was small, but there was plenty of room around the CG to walk our pup. Overall, we enjoyed our creekside site, the helpful staff, and the convenient location away from the busiest part of Gatlinburg.
TravelerBeautiful spot in the smoky mountains. State park style amenities, no showers. No hookups. Very busy very open campground. Nice that some trails are walking distance from campground. I would not camp here again as I prefer more separation and privacy. No cell service. STARLINK is usable but obstructed with tree canopy
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Del Rio, Tennessee sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with a climate that features four distinct seasons. The area experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing at night. Camping options near Del Rio range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV parks, with many locations situated along creeks and rivers.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail sections: Near Hot Springs Campground, access points to the AT provide day hike opportunities. "A bucket list trip to step foot on the APP and spend time wandering Hot Springs NC," shares one camper who enjoyed the proximity to this iconic trail.
Waterfall hunting: The mountains contain numerous cascades within short hiking distances of campgrounds. At Cosby Campground, "Trailheads conveniently located inside the campground. Peaceful trails," notes one visitor who appreciated the easy access to nature.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer prime opportunities for spotting native animals. "If you want to see the elk, you're going to have to be up early. I use to be in the park at 5 AM with night vision gear, I saw some very nice elk," shares a visitor at Cataloochee Campground who dedicated time to wildlife observation.
Creek exploration: Many campgrounds feature access to shallow streams perfect for summer cooling. "Lots of places for the kids to float down on intertubes. The owners and staff are so kind, they make you feel at home," explains a camper at Triple Creek Campground regarding the water play options.
Secluded mountain spots: Cataloochee Campground offers a remote experience that rewards the journey. "This campground was amazing. They do not have showers, but do have a bathhouse with water toilets and sinks. We camped near the creek and it was beautiful. Also viewing the elk is an experience I will never forget," explains one satisfied visitor about this hidden gem.
Clean, private bath facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptional bathroom amenities. At Greenbrier Campground, "The bath house appeared to be newer, and will trump your home facilities in many cases! Within the bath house, there are several private doors leading to your own 3 piece bath with shelving and granite counters with outlets, and a stunning double shower."
Waterside camping: Sites adjacent to running water prove consistently popular. "We stayed on the river at campsite 20 and 21. The kids were able to get into the water and swim. The dam does release the water around 2pm so be aware that the water will rise," mentions a Fox Fire Riverside Campground visitor about their streamside experience.
Outdoor showers: After a day of hiking or swimming, dedicated facilities help campers clean up. "The outdoor shower was amazing!" reports a visitor to Long Creek Haven who appreciated this unique amenity.
Bear safety protocols: The region has active black bear populations requiring proper food storage. "This is bear country, so put your food up, along with any scented health and beauty items," advises a camper at Big Creek Campground regarding wildlife precautions.
Limited cell service: Mountain terrain creates communication challenges. "Cell service wasn't great for me here, but then again in all the Smoky Mountains I cruised around with pretty much 1 bar or less," shares a visitor at Elkmont Campground about connectivity limitations.
Seasonal water levels: Stream conditions change dramatically throughout the year. "The dam does release the water around 2pm so be aware that the water will rise," warns a camper about daily fluctuations at Fox Fire Riverside.
Road access concerns: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "The entrance is steep downhill coming in... a little scary at first but not a problem," notes a Fox Fire visitor about navigation challenges.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes quickly even in summer. "We were in a 20' travel trailer. Very clean with heated bathrooms washing machines and other amenities. The sound of the rushing river is a plus," mentions a winter visitor to Greenbrier Campground who appreciated the heated facilities during colder months.
Kid-friendly water features: Shallow creek sections provide natural playgrounds. At Triple Creek Campground, "There was a big field where kids could play, with a play set and many other things to keep them busy. There was also a stage that wasn't used because of Covid but I'm guessing is usually used throughout the summer. Kids are welcome get wet and stroll down one of the creeks in tubes and there's plenty of shade."
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds offer ranger programs. "On Fridays they have special Ranger programs. were lucky enough to learn about moon-shining from guys on the moonshiner TV show. It was very interesting!" reports a Cosby Campground visitor about organized activities.
Pet accommodations: Dog friendly campgrounds near Del Rio typically have specific rules and amenities. "This campground is family and pet friendly!" notes a camper at Fox Fire Riverside, while another mentions, "There's a fenced in dog area and there is a gravel road behind the campground that was great for walking dogs" at Gatlinburg East Smoky Mountain KOA.
Historic exploration: The region contains accessible pioneer structures. "There are historical homesteads, a school, churches and cemetery to take you back in time. Trails by creeks there to hike," explains a Cataloochee visitor about the educational possibilities beyond camping.
Site sizing constraints: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "We have a 33 ft travel trailer and our truck and had plenty of room in the pull thru site 2. Not a lot of privacy between sites but I didn't think it was bad at all. Full hookups were a plus," notes a Fox Fire Riverside Campground visitor about site dimensions.
Water quality considerations: Some locations have seasonal water issues. "The one downside is that the water was really brown- not just on one spigot but on all the ones I tested. A big plus is the internet was really fast," reports a Fox Fire camper about infrastructure quality.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round with appropriate facilities. "Sites are full hook up. Level. Fire rings. Picnic tables. Offers supreme patio sites as well," explains a visitor to Gatlinburg East Smoky Mountain KOA about their premium options available even during cooler months.
Road access limitations: Mountain roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "Access to Cataloochee is via a narrow, winding, mountain road. A 3-mile stretch of gravel road contains many narrow, blind curves. Though many campsites will accommodate large rigs, motorhomes over 32' and trailers over 25' in length are not recommended due to the access road," cautions a Cataloochee visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Del Rio, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Del Rio, TN is Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 71 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Del Rio, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 349 dog-friendly camping locations near Del Rio, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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