27 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Cardens Bluff Campground features pet-friendly sites just steps from Watauga Lake with excellent water access for dogs and owners alike. Situated in Hampton, the lakefront campground has spacious wooded sites with picnic tables and fire rings, offering opportunities for both tent and RV camping. Dogs must remain leashed within the campground boundaries with owners responsible for waste cleanup. The camp hosts enforce the pet policies strictly, checking regularly to ensure compliance. Dogs particularly enjoy the water access points, with multiple campers noting their pets loved swimming in the clean blue waters of the lake. Boots Off Hostel & Campground also welcomes pets at their tent sites, cabins, and glamping options, making it another viable option for those camping with dogs.
Trails accessible from Cardens Bluff lead to scenic overlooks where leashed dogs can accompany hikers along the Appalachian Trail which passes nearby. The pet-friendly sites positioned directly on the water create ideal spots for dogs that enjoy swimming, with the rocky lake bed creating a distinctive blue color rather than the brown seen in other area lakes. Campers should be prepared for seasonal wildlife encounters and keep pets secured, especially during early morning and evening hours. Dennis Cove Campground offers an alternative pet-friendly option with more remote, quiet sites perfect for campers seeking a back-country feel while still having access to basic facilities. The cooler mountain temperatures at these elevations make summer camping with pets more comfortable, though owners should plan accordingly for sudden weather changes that could affect their animals.
"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."
"It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."
Available next weekend
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 / night
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 / night
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 - $20 / night
"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…."
"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."
from $49 - $79 / night
"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."
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $50 / night
"Some RV sites are on the edge of the road. Clean restrooms and showers. Great hiking trails nearby beginning in the campground. Dog friendly. If you have a National park pass you get a discount."
"This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"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!"
from $24 - $55 / night
"Stopped for a night on a cross country road trip. 12$/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
ScoutNobody 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.
ScoutNice 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
ScoutGreat 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.
TravelerAbsolutely 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!
ScoutLet 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
Traveler3 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.
TravelerThe 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.
ScoutMy 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?"
GuideSeems to be a well established campground in an off the beaten path location. Roads alternately paved and gravel. The campsite is gravel in a wooded setting. Fair amount of space between sites. The bathhouse is clean but dated.
Cardens Bluff Campground sits at approximately 1,950 feet elevation on a peninsula extending into Watauga Lake in Cherokee National Forest. The campground features 40 sites nestled among hardwood forests with direct access to the 6,430-acre lake. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with cooler evenings in the 50s, while fall brings dramatic foliage colors and temperatures dropping to 30-50°F at night.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access points near Dennis Cove Campground connect to the famous trail. "Dennis Cove Recreation Area is in a nice secluded area that can be very silent and relaxing... Hiking to waterfalls that are close and to the Appalachian Trail which is also close by is a fun and easy escape," shares Nathan F.
Kayaking Watauga Lake: The clear blue waters of Watauga Lake provide excellent opportunities for paddling. "Only in for a night. Easy to find. Didn't see a bad site here... I was right on the lake. The weather was perfect so I slept with the rainfly off and the stars and still of the lake are wonderful," notes Robin K. from Cardens Bluff Campground.
Mountain biking nearby trails: The surrounding Cherokee National Forest offers multiple trail systems. "The upper numbered sites on the hillside are very private compared to most campgrounds. We have really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful place," shares Brian D. about Roan Mountain State Park Campground, which provides access to mountain biking routes.
Fishing for trout: Many streams and lakes in the area are stocked with trout. "Doe River runs through so fly fishing is available. Husband did catch a rainbow trout near group tent sites. Several small brookies near the history center," reports Tracy D. about fishing opportunities at Roan Mountain State Park.
Clean facilities: Rock Creek Recreation Area maintains well-kept amenities. "Sites are levelish, semi-private, and wooded. Loop B has power poles at each site and a nice bathhouse. Host was particularly helpful," notes Ashley B.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing and natural buffers. "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," explains Blake E.
Natural swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature swimming holes or lake access. "This relaxing little camp site has such pretty spacious camp site. We went day of in September and found a spot on the lake no problem. Camp host were super nice and the price was wonderful," shares Bailey R. about their experience at Cardens Bluff.
Fall foliage viewing: The mountains provide spectacular autumn colors. "Wind your way up the mountains to this sweet state park! There was only one other couple camping when we arrived but I feel like this place wouldn't feel busy even if it was thanks to all the trees!" Sarah C. notes about her fall visit to Roan Mountain State Park.
Weather changes quickly: Mountain elevation means rapid temperature shifts. "The cooler mountain temperatures at these elevations make summer camping more comfortable, though owners should plan accordingly for sudden weather changes," as experienced at many area campgrounds.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies by location. "Cellular reception is fair. The sight is level. It was hard for me to back into with a 21' bumper pull. There is a campsite marker directly in front of the driveway that obstructs the backing angle," Josh G. warns about Rock Creek Recreation Area.
Reservation tips: Many sites fill quickly, especially lakefront options. "This is my new favorite campground! There are trees everywhere and there really isn't a bad spot! Some sites were right on the creek. The tent camping area is beautiful and one of the best I've seen," explains Mary D. about Roan Mountain State Park, highlighting the importance of securing preferred sites early.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. "Self service check in which I didn't know, and when I asked for help one of the camp host wasn't vary helpful but since I had a reservation I just needed to go to the site," Catherine F. mentions about Cardens Bluff, emphasizing the importance of understanding check-in procedures.
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "Such a cute farm! Has a general store and clean bathhouse. 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!" shares Angie A.
Choose creek-side sites: Children enjoy playing in shallow water. "We were in campsite 62. Our loop was very private and shaded. The only negative point was the street light right across from us. It was pretty bright at night. There is also a little creek nearby, which was perfect for the dogs," notes Katrin M. about Roan Mountain State Park.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Mountain nights get cool even in summer. "The sites have nice flat spots for tents, and many are near little creeks which provide a nice background ambiance. Definitely family-friendly and comfortable," explains Bird H. about Blackberry Blossom Farm.
Reserve sites away from main roads: For quieter family experiences. "Some sites are a little close together but still provide you with privacy. The bathroom is clean. The sites are clean! Lots of exploring around and the short hike is great for kids," suggests Jenni O. about Dennis Cove Campground.
Check site length and access: Little Oak Campground provides specific information. "Very kid-friendly super spacious campsites every site is right on the lake with amazing sunsets every night. Only wish they had electricity," notes Tiffany G.
Water and electric hookups: Availability varies between campgrounds. "There are no showers in A loop. The only showers are between B and D loops, which are on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. On the positive side, the showers in a new bath house, and they are private shower/restroom units," explains Myron C. about nearby Julian Price Park.
Watch for narrow access roads: Mountain routes 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," advises Ray & Terri F. about Rock Creek Recreation Area.
Generator restrictions: Many campgrounds prohibit generators to maintain natural quiet. "Our neighbors had a generator going (which is posted that it's prohibited) which was on for the 1st day before someone finally told them to turn it off," Catherine F. observed at Cardens Bluff, highlighting the importance of knowing campground rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hampton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hampton, TN is Roan Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 50 reviews.
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