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Brigid K.
Traveler
TravelerFlag Rock Recreation Area Campground
Easy to get to, cheap, good bathrooms.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Elizabethton, TN
26 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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Watauga Dam Campground's pet-friendly sites offer level gravel pads with fire pits and picnic tables along the water. Located in Elizabethton, this Tennessee Valley Authority campground welcomes pets at all tent and RV sites with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. Roan Mountain State Park Campground, approximately 20 minutes from Elizabethton, provides pet-friendly accommodations across tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. The campground features clean facilities with bathhouses, drinking water, and trash disposal. Sites at both locations include fire rings for evening campfires. The bathhouses are generally clean and well-maintained, though some campers note that runoff from steep banks can cause muddy conditions after rainfall. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard pet policies requiring dogs to remain leashed at all times outside designated pet areas.
Several dog-friendly hiking trails surround the Elizabethton camping areas, with the Doe River at Roan Mountain State Park offering pets cooling water access during summer months. Camp Stonefly in nearby Johnson City features a dedicated dog park where pets can exercise off-leash in a fenced environment. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground, approximately 30 minutes from Elizabethton, provides pet-friendly camping with electric hookups and water access. The fenced dog area gives pets space to run freely and stretch their legs after traveling. Local campgrounds typically stock basic pet supplies in their camp stores, though bringing sufficient food and waste bags is recommended. Temperature fluctuations in the Tennessee mountains can affect pets, particularly in spring and fall when nights become significantly cooler than days. Dog-friendly campgrounds near Elizabethton span a wide range of settings, from lakeside RV sites with full hookups to wooded tent sites close to mountain trails.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Elizabethton (227)
1. Roan Mountain State Park Campground
"We woke up and everything we had outside was covered in mud. Also you may want to make sure you have everything before you leave."
"I camped here over the weekend with a friend and our dogs. We were in campsite 62. Our loop was very private and shaded. The only negative point was the street light right across from us."
19 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
2. Cardens Bluff Campground
"Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."
"Great camp sites right on Lake Watauga with nice little coves and private beaches. The Appalachian Trail runs by the lake and not far from the campsites."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 / night
3. Little Oak Campground
"This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"
"**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
4. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park
"We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."
"This beautiful 970 acre Tennessee State Park is located on the shores of the 900 acre Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River in Sullivan County."
5. Camp Stonefly
"Me and my wife were looking to get away from theater apartment for a couple of days during a remodel. Well we didn't Wana travel to mountains to camp."
"Perfect distance to Johnson City. We had a beer at Yee Haw and even brought back tasty Mediterranean dinner from Red Meze to the camp site. Do yourself a favor and book a night here."
6. Dennis Cove Campground
"Water fill up spots are well positioned and each site has a fire ring. We stayed in spot #2 which is very close to the road, but it felt secluded and traffic is light."
"Really nice, small campground situated near several trails."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 - $20 / night
7. Rock Creek Recreation Area
"There isn’t too much of any one activity in/near the campground but lots more in the greater area. Cons: just plan to drive to another area if you’re staying for a few days (not really a con though)."
"Convenient location in the Cherokee National Forest that is close to the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River. Campground is popular with families and busy on weekends."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $50 / night
8. Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground
"The camp store seems small on the outside but every time you look around, you find more stuff. Great for a peaceful getaway."
"We stayed at one of the drive up spots that are near the bathhouse and a small babbling creek. Woke up to the awesome sounds of nature!"
Check Availabilityfrom $24 - $55 / night
9. Boots Off Hostel & Campground
"Stopped for a night on a cross country road trip. 12$/person gets you a shower, breakfast, access to supplies and some quality time with awesome people coming on and off the Appalachian Trail."
"Right by the AT and Watauga Lake with Kayak, Canoe, and Stand-up Paddleboard rentals available."
from $10 - $50 / night
10. Doe River Landing
"Five shaded, landscaped RV sites offering water/electric are located about 20 yards from the river’s edge. An additional site offers a fully-outfitted rental RV."
"There’s a river just behind our spot and only a handful of RVs and cabins. Our GPS wanted us to pass the turn to the campground, we had to make a U turn to get in…."
Check Availabilityfrom $49 - $79 / night
Drive Time
- 11 min from Johnson City, TN
- 28 min from Kingsport, TN
- 1 hr 4 min from Morristown, TN
- 1 hr 5 min from Asheville, NC
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Elizabethton, TN
221 Photos of 227 Elizabethton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Elizabethton, TN
1388 Reviews of 227 Elizabethton Campgrounds
- GGary M.
ScoutLiving Waters Campground
Nobody was here on Sat. Had gard time finding site. Site reserved did not have 30 amp and could not reach staff. Moved to other site hoping it would not be a problem. We were able to finally reach staff on Mon. Also no pcknick tables or fire rings.
- DDiane F.Scout
Three Peaks RV Resort
Nice camp and staff friendly. We drive the Blue Ridge Pkwy which was a bit of drive but the ride up to Mt Mitchell was beautiful. Only negative was the laundry rooms were small for a large camp like this but I made it work. Probably a bit more challenging during busy season but all that said this is a nice campground
- KKristen M.Scout
Whitetop
Great camping spot! Road isn’t horrible going up but there are some rougher areas toward the end of the road. Gorgeous sunset and sunrise spot! Fire rings seemed fairly abundant at the pull offs.
- BBrandi M.Traveler
Three Peaks RV Resort
Absolutely one of the most beautiful campgrounds that we have visited, and super clean. Such a great location for hiking and viewing the Blue Ridge Pkwy!
Windy W.ScoutDoe River Landing
Beautiful Place, Ugly host, Oct 2026
Let me first start by saying that this campground is absolutely beautiful. I have lived in this area my entire life and the Doe is one of my favorites. I am a avid camper and have camped all over this area. I decided to give this place a try, I own a small pop-up camper and knew it was going to get cold 10/20/2026-10/22/2026, so me and my sister rented the RV at Doe River. #1 check in is not until 3pm, I always order a load of wood from a local guy who delivers to camp sites, I do all my cooking in a Dutch oven over the fire or burgers and dogs in the fire, what is a camping trip without a nice warm fire. The owner came over to my campsite and asked if I had ordered this wood and I replied yes, she then asked what I was going to do with it all, I replied I am going to burn it. So, I told Carl (the wood guy) where to stack it, the owner then said that I need to leave it in my truck bc if I didn't use it all I would have to put it back on my truck and take it home with me, I said really? It's just a unspoken rule that if you don't use all your wood that you pay it forward and leave it for the next camper?? She said absolutely not, So we moved the wood from his truck and into mine. She then asked again why I needed so much wood and that most ppl just buy small bundles from her. And just like that I understood! Carl the wood man and his wife also made a comment about how rude she was about the wood. It does not end there, Not only does she have camaras on some of the out blds which I get, but I don't get why they are pointing directly at camp sites, We felt like we were in a fish bowl the entire time. Every single time we went to the bathroom she showed up abt 5 mins later, There is a camara right above the bathroom door, One on the pavilion, and one on each side of the bathhouse, at the entrances and who know where else. So much for privacy in the great outdoors. I didn't even feel comfortable hiking, we felt like we were being watched constantly. She was constantly there, walking her dog which was not friendly and so big she could hardly control him on the leash which was really scary, she also was driving through several times throughout the day. Then came the kicker, about 1 o'clock in the morning we were freezing, I had turned the heat on in the camper before going to bed and heard it come on, Well the propane ran out between 11pm and 1am, I called her at least 10 times we had every blanket and was still freezing, We decided we would go to the bath house bc it had a mini split hanging on the wall, Out of luck there, it was set on air conditioning with no way to change it, so we found a blow dryer trying to get warm, still the entire time trying to call the owners, We finally ended up in our car until the husband arrived. He acted so annoyed at us and said all u have to do is fip the switch on the propane tanks outside! We had never stayed in a travel trailer before and according to them all we had to do was show up and start glamping!! So, I was supposed to know to go outside at 1 am and switch over propane tanks?? No, It should have been FULL when I got there!!! With attitude he said,"Its Basic Camping" No sir it's not, what I do is basic camping, I was told on the phone that I was glamping, She, the owner also said we should have called 911 when we could not get hold of them so that Carter County police officers could come and wake them up!!! Not sure if that is putting our tax dollars to good use?? Like I said it is truly a beautiful place and has great potential, we left that second night at 11pm because again the heat was not working, we have not asked for any refund we just took the loss. it would be to much of a hassle. We just know better next time. With owners like that they can keep it. Windy Wells/Debra Price
- RRonnie C.Traveler
Sugar Hollow Campground
3 stars only because it says water hookups but they are far and few between communal. No spigot at individual sites. Need long hose(s)to reach the connection. Good T-Mobile 5G but too wooded for StarLink. Quiet, shady, somewhat level sites were available. $20/night.
Jacob A.TravelerWhitetop
The road was very bumpy but I got up on my 2WD Honda Odyssey. A couple people came during the day to take photos, but the night was peaceful. A couple campsites on the drive up, less secluded though. View was gorgeous and the sunset was amazing. Amazing spot for stargazing.
Bonnie H.ScoutDoe River Landing
Kylie T & Andrew W. Review not accurate
My husband and I arrived at Doe River Landing for 3 nights and enjoyed everything the resort offered. While there we read the 2 reviews posted by Kylie T, and by Andrew W, who gave the resort a 1 star rating. Not knowing the facts that caused the rating by them, and occurred prior to us, we approach the owner and asked.
The owner showed us videos from their security cameras. These adults has stated in Kylie T review and confirm by Andrew W review that they were a group of 20 adults and "every single one of us is over 21 and family". So why are these adults playing "hide and seek" under the pavilion as they stated? Andrew W stated, "It was not blocked off", yet they had to crawl on the ground and around bushes to get under the pavilion. When the owner yelled at them approximately 10 adults that were under the pavilion crawled out which was captured on the security cameras. Andrew W stated in his review the owner called them hooligans, which is rowdy, destructive persons and from the security cameras, that description is correct. There was no mention of damages in their reviews such as the Adirondack chair they broke or possible damage to the water pipes and electric wires under the pavilion, which the owner was currently checking.
Once we read these two reviews by Kylie T and Andrew W and saw the owners security videos, we felt future customers deserved to know another opinion based on our findings.
These entitled adults justified their review of a 1 star by stating they paid money to use the campground.
I would ask these adults "why do you think it is OK to treat someone else's property in this destructive way?"
Guide to Elizabethton
Camping areas near Elizabethton are situated in the northeastern corner of Tennessee, nestled in the Appalachian Mountain foothills at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet. The terrain features dense hardwood forests intersected by numerous streams and rivers feeding into Watauga Lake. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F while spring and fall can see nighttime temperatures drop into the 30s with occasional frost.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Doe River that runs through Roan Mountain State Park Campground offers excellent trout fishing. "Husband did catch a rainbow trout near group tent sites. Several small brookies near the history center," notes Tracy D., who visited the park.
Creek swimming: At Rock Creek Recreation Area, the natural swimming hole provides a refreshing spot during hot summer days. "There is a mountain stream running through the campground that has been dammed up to make a swimming hole that is quite large... but water is very chilly even in late July," reports Robert L.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Boots Off Hostel & Campground provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail. "The AT access is also a special treat," writes Mindy B., highlighting the campground's convenience for both day hikers and through-hikers.
Paddling and water sports: Many campgrounds near Elizabethton offer water access for kayaking and canoeing. "Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water," according to Lynn G. who stayed at Little Oak Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Dennis Cove Campground, campers appreciate the secluded feel. "Some sites are a little close together but still provide you with privacy. The bathroom (I think there is just one) is clean. The sites are clean," notes Jenni O.
Clean facilities: Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground receives high marks for cleanliness. "I have never been to a cleaner, more beautiful campground in my life. The facilities are up to date, the bathhouse is spotless, and the campsites themselves are clear and well-maintained," reports Bird H.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful environment at campgrounds in the area. "This spot is quiet and peaceful, no parties and loud camping vehicles. I felt like the owners and management were there for our needs but not up in our business," says Bird H. about Blackberry Blossom Farm.
Lakeside views: Cardens Bluff Campground offers exceptional water views. "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites. The interior campsites are nice as well, with vegetation giving enough privacy between campsites," Blake E. explains.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "Parts of it feel a little too much like a resort, but it is well maintained and bustling rather than over crowded," notes Lynn G. about Roan Mountain State Park. "Some sites are still not available due to hurricane damage but amazing park regardless," adds Cayla T.
Limited water hookups: At Rock Creek Recreation Area, water access points are limited. "B Loop sites are 30A only. The website says there is shared water, which there is, but in B Loop, you can't hook a hose to it to fill your tank, as the spigot is not threaded," warns Ray & Terri F.
Cell service variability: Connection can be spotty in the mountains. "No cell service, but there is (slow) wifi throughout the campground. There is a Verizon hotspot to make calls, but I couldn't connect with US Cellular," Mary D. mentions about Roan Mountain State Park.
Site selection caution: Research your specific site before booking. "The campsite we stayed in had a little paved bump out for parking," says Sarah C. about Roan Mountain. At Warriors' Path, "you really need to scout the sites beforehand," advises Kate S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: Rock Creek Recreation Area has a specially designed swimming area popular with families. "There is a natural pool" that kids enjoy, though Carol J. notes that facilities can vary in condition between visits.
Playgrounds and activities: Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground offers excellent facilities for children. "My son and I enjoyed a round of disk golf while my wife and daughters made use of their awesome playground," shares Jedidiah J.
Educational opportunities: Ranger-led programs are available at several dog-friendly campgrounds near Elizabethton. "They have a full docket of activities, ranger-led hikes, games, crafts and wildlife lectures offered throughout the day," Sara M. explains about Warriors' Path State Park.
Biking paths: Kids can safely ride bikes in most area campgrounds. "The kids loved riding their bikes and scooters on the paved road through the park," reports Jedidiah J. about Warriors' Path State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven ground at many area campgrounds. "Really nice facility near town. There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks," advises Michelle I. who stayed at Warriors' Path State Park.
Access limitations: Some roads leading to pet-friendly campgrounds can be challenging. "The road in is a little narrow, but well maintained and easily navigable. Sites are heavily wooded, fairly well spaced, and most sites have a level area, but you have to back all the way in to get level on some," explains Ray & Terri F. about Rock Creek Recreation Area.
Length restrictions: At Watauga Dam Campground, larger RVs can be accommodated but specific sites may be limited. "Beautiful spots along Little Wilbur Lake! The campsite has firewood to purchase and canoes to rent," reports Carissa D.
Hookup variations: Different loops offer different amenities. "B Loop sites are 30A only," notes Ray & Terri F. about Rock Creek. At Warriors' Path, Sara M. explains, "The main camping section was laid out long ago, with older style short sites and water/electric only... The newly updated section, Moody Bluff, has FHU and a number of pull-through sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Elizabethton, TN?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elizabethton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elizabethton, TN is Roan Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 50 reviews.
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What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elizabethton, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 227 dog-friendly camping locations near Elizabethton, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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