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Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park features a dedicated dog run for four-legged campers traveling with their owners. The park, located in Heiskell, Tennessee, offers full hook-up RV sites that accommodate pets with no breed restrictions. Sites are arranged in a clean, well-maintained gravel lot with some scattered shade trees throughout the property. The dog park provides a safe, fenced area where pets can exercise off-leash after traveling. Staff members are notably friendly and helpful, particularly for first-time RVers needing assistance with hookups. The campground provides easy access from Interstate 75 with minimal road noise despite proximity to the highway. While sites are positioned relatively close together, the layout creates a neighborly atmosphere among campers.
Hiking trails in nearby areas offer additional outdoor recreation for pets and their owners, though the immediate campground area lacks natural walking paths. Volunteer Park Family Campground, another pet-friendly option in Heiskell, allows dogs throughout its shaded camping area with both tent sites and RV spaces available. The gravel and paved sites limit grassy areas for pet relief, requiring some searching to find suitable spots. Both campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the greater Knoxville region, placing campers within 20 minutes of downtown attractions and natural areas. During summer months, the swimming pool at Volunteer Park provides humans with cooling options while pets must remain in shaded camping areas. Pet owners should bring supplies as the small on-site stores stock limited pet essentials.
"We stayed at the main area but not much space or privacy so we put up a tent out side our door, but then moved to the tent camping site area the second night which was more secluded and private, but still"
"There is a lake, so naturally that means there is boating, jet skiing, canoeing and of course fishing."
"I’ve stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail."
"Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc."
"Bathrooms and Showers with hot water. 20 minutes outside Knoxville and extremely quiet."
"The campsite is nestled in trees and conveniently located to the Knoxville area. They have a small store for small forgotten items as well as a place to fill propane."
from $30 - $65 / night
Check Availability"The staff is warm and helpful, it’s incredibly clean, and the surroundings really allow you to feel the love of East Tennessee’s beauty."
"Stayed at a premium lakeshore site on Norris Lake. Advertised as a pull through, but that must be for travel trailers, as I have an RV."
"Pet friendly. Good fishing. & Close to stores."
"We really enjoyed Milton Hill dam, very friendly people , well stocked store, easy access to swimming and fishing and full hook up sites if you want them."
from $18 - $31 / night
Check Availability"Paved paths to walk through the park.. also we found a small hike nearby, triple falls. A beautiful little hike to check out. All the spots are gravel but it’s very clean and well kept."
"Great location just off I75, close to easy shopping (Walmart), Urgent Care facility just minutes away, nice BBQ place right in the park, local eatery’s just up the way (less than 2 miles)."
"It has everything you need: full hook ups, dog park, laundry. Clean, well kept and friendly. Sites are small and close, but work even for the larger rigs."
"Pretty average but does have a reasonable fenced dog run."
from $23 - $30 / night
Check Availability"They had a playground, horseshoes, cornhole, volleyball, and a dog park. They also had laundry, and a nice little game room.
Bathhouses were super clean.""They offer a pool, dog park, laundry and game room.
It’s very clean and the staff was nice."
"Reminder the lake is really low all fall/winter before Memorial Day. It was quiet and serene and you could hear the fish jumping all evening."
"I recently learned that TVA land is free to camp on, so I sought out some close to me and found Fork Bend. If you want to get away from people, this place is for you."
"The tent sights are located right on a great fishing cove on Fort Loudon reserve. We booked tent site 7 but when we got there someone was fishing off the point where our campsite was supposed to be."
"Our site us overlooking the lake and the view is beautiful. Close to downtown and the mountains. Only downfall is very spotty wifi in some areas."
from $28 - $38 / night
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TravelerFantastic National Park! Elkmont is really nice but lacking in hookups and there are no showers. Hard to stay too long without power, water, sewer and showers. Still, an amazing site along the river!
Traveler✨ I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about our stay at Glamping on the Clinch River!❤️ It was truly one of the most relaxing, beautiful experiences, and waking up to such a breathtaking piece of God’s creation was something special that I will never forget. The views are absolutely stunning, the peacefulness is unmatched, and it’s the perfect place to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the beauty God has blessed us with.🙏🏻🤍 But what makes this place even more special is the incredible family behind it. Bonnie and Rusty are truly two of the sweetest, most generous, and kindhearted people you could ever meet! Their hospitality goes above and beyond, and you can feel the love they put into making sure every guest has the most wonderful experience. From preparing breakfast for their guests to the thoughtful little touches like making s’mores around the outdoor campfire, they make you feel so welcomed and cared for.❤️🔥 The tipi itself was absolutely beautiful, exceptionally clean, and decorated so thoughtfully to create the perfect glamping experience. Every detail made our stay feel cozy, comfortable, and magical while still allowing us to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.🏕️✨ Places like this are a reminder that sometimes the best experiences aren’t about fancy hotels or extravagant vacations. They’re about beautiful surroundings, genuine kindness, peaceful moments, and the wonderful people who make you feel right at home. If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway surrounded by God’s beautiful creation and hosted by people with truly golden hearts, you NEED to experience Glamping on the Clinch River! I would recommend it a thousand times over, and we are so grateful we had the opportunity to stay here. Bonnie and Rusty, thank you for sharing your beautiful place with others and for making our experience so incredibly special. You two are such a blessing!❤️🙏🏻 We will absolutely cherish these memories and hope to be back again soon!🌿🤍✨
TravelerThis worked well for us while we were visiting Dollywood in our trailer, but we wouldn't stay here if we had been in a different type of site. Cons: Unless you have a site up against the river or on patriot park, you are packed in VERY TIGHT with other people, sometimes with your sliders only a foot or two away from your neighbor's sliders. We were in a site that was "on patriot park", but the few first sites of that type are really just behind the trolley parking lot and pick up with a path behind you (including ours). People are on the other side of the fence walking about two feet behind you all day and pretty late in to the night. Pros: There are lot of trees and campground is very pretty. Super close to Dollywood and other Pigeon Forge points of interest.
GuideThis is a really nice place, my only issue is that I think $110 with Good Sam is too expensive. I needed a place to stay, so I did. They have laundry and restrooms but I didn't use them.
TravelerMe and my cousin and my dog absolutely love staying here, we will be back. It has beautiful views from our campsite, and down a little trail to the quarry. It’s super clean and peaceful. Has a little bit of road noise, but honestly, I like a little bit of white noise
ScoutThis was a very nice campground! The tent areas are partially gravel so it helped the area be less muddy after rain. Beautiful view of the river and would be a great place to fish! Bathrooms are very nice! Comes with a nice fire pit and didn’t have to use own grate! Pet friendly! Staff was very nice and helpful!
Only complaint was some of their quiet hours were confusing. The quiet hours on the email said 10pm to 7am but then sign posted at bathroom was 11pm-7am for quiet hours.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground but is unfortunately permanently closed. It's sad.
ScoutIt was such a great weekend getaway!! The bathrooms were nice and clean. We stayed in spot 20 and it was perfect! The staff were so kind and helpful. Overall great campsite
GuideWe really enjoyed our stay at Gateway RV Campground! After spending plenty of time on the road, it’s always nice to find somewhere you can park up, relax, and feel at home.
The campground has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and was a great place to unwind.
One of the real bonuses is the trolley that stops right outside the campground office. What a fantastic convenience! It makes getting out and exploring the local area so much easier without having to pack everything up and take the RV. Such a simple touch, but one that makes a big difference when you’re traveling.
We’ve stayed at plenty of RV parks during our travels, and it’s often the little things that make a place stand out.
All in all, a very enjoyable stay, and we’d happily return if we’re passing through the area again. Definitely worth a stop!
Heiskell, Tennessee sits at an elevation of approximately 1,030 feet in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, about 20 miles northwest of Knoxville. The area experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, including warm, humid summers with average highs around 88°F and mild winters with lows rarely dropping below 30°F. Campsites throughout the region typically offer a mix of wooded and open terrain, with several options positioned along waterways that provide direct lake access.
Fishing at Norris Lake: Both bank fishing and kayak fishing opportunities abound near Loyston Point Campground, which offers waterfront sites. "Love the dam," reports Brooke M., who found it "a great place to go on a day trip to." Water access makes this location particularly convenient for anglers, with catfish being a common catch.
Hiking trails: The trails around Big Ridge State Park Campground offer various difficulty levels for day hikes. "I've stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail," notes Chelsea, who also mentions completing the loop by "continuing on Dark Hollow to Big Valley Trail, to Ghost House Trail and back to Lake Trail (5.3 miles total)."
Boat rentals: Seasonal boat rentals are available at certain locations, giving you access to the scenic waterways. Ken W. from Cove Lake State Park Campground points out there are "boats and canoe rental (may be seasonal)" among the available activities, making it easy to get out on the water without hauling your own equipment.
Waterfront camping sites: TVA Public Land- Fork Bend offers free primitive camping with lake access. "Completely free primitive camping... The sites are all close to the water with beautiful sunsets on the west side and gorgeous sunrises on the east sites," writes tamara, who considers this her "ultimate favorite spot." Sarah N. adds that her site "could easily have fit 3 vehicles, and there were 3 fire rings."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. At Clinton-Knoxville North KOA, Jeremy K. noted: "Bathhouses were super clean" and they offered amenities including "a playground, horseshoes, cornhole, volleyball, and a dog park. They also had laundry, and a nice little game room."
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds provide a peaceful setting despite proximity to Knoxville. William H. mentioned that Volunteer Park Family Campground is "extremely quiet" while still being "20 minutes outside Knoxville," making it convenient for those wanting to balance seclusion with access to urban amenities.
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging roads that may require appropriate vehicles. At TVA Public Land-Fork Bend, Sarah N. cautions: "I would not have gone down the TVA road (Dogwood Trail) without 4wd, but my neighbor campers had a fwd sedan so it is certainly feasible without it."
Seasonal closures: Verify operational dates before planning your trip. According to Mary D., who stayed at Loyston Point Campground, the season runs "Mar 21 to Oct 31," meaning winter camping is not available at this location.
Site spacing varies significantly: Melton Hill Dam Campground has terraced sites that may require leveling. Sara M. observes: "The sites are built on a terraced hill with lots of trees. We had a beautiful view onto the lake. The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling."
Pool access: Several campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. At Cove Lake State Park, Ken W. mentions there's a "large swimming pool (also seasonal)" that provides a supervised swimming environment for children when lake swimming isn't preferred.
Playground facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Clinton-Knoxville North KOA features what Jeremy K. describes as "a playground, horseshoes, cornhole, volleyball," offering multiple activities to keep children entertained during your stay.
Kid-friendly hiking: West Campground — Norris Dam State Park has accessible trails suitable for younger hikers. Anna notes: "We were right next to a trailhead and that gave us a lot of extra room," making it convenient to access nature walks directly from your campsite without extensive preparation.
Site leveling requirements: Be prepared to level your rig at many area campgrounds. Michelle S. from Loyston Point Campground warns about the "horrifically unleveled sites," but notes "the access roads were very easy to maneuver," highlighting the trade-off between site conditions and accessibility.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Heiskell: Several pet-friendly options provide dedicated spaces for four-legged campers. Larry from Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park mentions it "has everything you need: full hook ups, dog park, laundry," making it convenient for travelers with pets who need exercise space.
Utility placement considerations: At Southlake RV Park, Josh J. cautions that "sites are not well developed with power and sewer in odd places," suggesting that campers should be prepared with extension cords and longer sewer hoses to reach connections that may be awkwardly positioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Heiskell, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Heiskell, TN is West Campground — Norris Dam State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Heiskell, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 208 dog-friendly camping locations near Heiskell, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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