Pet friendly camping near Erin, Tennessee offers natural settings within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area where many sites provide direct lake access for water-loving pets. The area sits at elevations between 350 and 500 feet with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Most pet-friendly campgrounds enforce leash requirements of six feet or less, with designated swimming areas where dogs can safely enjoy the water.
What to do
Creek wading with pets: Montgomery Bell State Park Campground has shallow creeks perfect for dogs and children. "Montgomery Bell State Park is very clean and quiet. We really enjoyed our spot by the creek. Children can wade in the creek all day, why parents enjoy sitting outside under all the shade trees," notes Tammy P. in her review.
Lake swimming at designated areas: Piney Campground offers excellent water access for pets and their owners. "Nice campground. Clean, pet friendly. A lot of sites! Access to lakes. Saw a lot of wildlife for such a big campground with lots of people traffic," shares Shy-Anne W.
Historical exploration: Visit Fort Donelson National Battlefield where leashed pets can join outdoor tours. "Beautiful area with plenty to do and history to discover," explains Shelly S. from her visit to the Dover area. The Civil War site features outdoor exhibits about 15 miles from most Erin area campgrounds.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront camping: Boswell Landing Campground offers primitive sites with water views where pets can enjoy shoreline access. "Good size lots, most within feet of the water. Lots of trees so there's plenty of shade," notes Jordan in their review.
Large, level RV sites: RJourney Clarksville RV Resort provides spacious pet-friendly areas. "The sites were large and level. They have several pull through sites designated just for one night stop overs and many more designed for longer stays," says Drew S.
Spacious camping with natural barriers: Many campers appreciate the privacy at established campgrounds. "The tent only camping sites. They are spread out far enough that you don't feel like you are in one another space," reports Lexi S. about her experience at Montgomery Bell State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Holiday weekends require advance planning, particularly for pet owners. "Make your reservations early!! Beautiful area lakes, groomed trails, nice hosts - highly recommend," advises Andrea R. about Montgomery Bell.
Site selection for pet comfort: Gatlin Point offers varied terrain options. "The hillside spots were designed for tent camping and are tight. No campers larger than 20' will fit on the hillside, however the bottom four spaces will accommodate a class A rig," explains Vince B.
Water access varies by site: Not all waterfront sites have easy shore access. "Piney cove is pretty shallow and we could walk out into the water a good 30-40ft before getting too deep. Bottom is soft mud," reports Chris R. about their experience at Piney Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Paris Landing State Park Campground offers recreational facilities for children and pets. "The park itself is huge with miles of trails and basketball/tennis courts and volleyball courts. There are pavilions available for cookouts and BBQs," explains Daniel P.
Group camping areas: Look for sites that accommodate multiple families with pets. "We've stayed 6 times at MB, it's my partners fave place to go. With a great pavilion, Vb court, ball diamond, and playground, the far side of the camp is perfect for families, groups, and events," recommends Stæven F.
Kid-friendly water features: Many campgrounds have shallow water access points. "Took the kids, had fun. Lots of stuff to do in LBL. Campground was almost full, but we were able to switch our reservation to a walk up only, ie no reservations, site right on the water when we arrived," says Chris R.
Tips from RVers
Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. "Piney River Resort staff was very kind but the drive in from the highway was very scary on narrow, windy roads with dropoffs on the side. We took the staff recommended route in and Co-Pilot's route out and both were scary in our Class A towing a car hauler," warns Pat&Amanda D.
Site selection for accessibility: Choose campsites based on your specific needs. "The site I had was a little awkward backing into and the water hookup was on the wrong side for my camper. Nice facilities," notes Nathan R. about Montgomery Bell State Park.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment. "Paris Landing State Park has about 70 campsites, most with water and electric hookups, but it is not easy to fine a level site," advises Joel R. in his review.
Legend
