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Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites allows free camping with pets along Bear Creek, providing primitive sites for tent campers without facilities like toilets or trash service. Campers routinely filter water directly from the creek and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The dispersed camping areas require proper preparation as there are no amenities such as drinking water, picnic tables, or waste disposal. Many sites feature established fire rings and offer ample shade from the surrounding trees. Several campers note spending time cleaning up trash left by previous visitors before setting up their own camps.
Pet owners camping in the forest find multiple trails and waterways for animal exercise and enjoyment. The proximity to the Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail offers excellent hiking opportunities with dogs. Damascus, Virginia, approximately 12 miles from many sites, provides access to pet supplies, veterinary services, and grocery stores for camping essentials. The creek access points throughout the camping areas offer natural swimming holes where dogs can cool off during warmer months. Cell service is completely unavailable at most sites, requiring advance planning for pet emergencies. Sites positioned directly off forest roads offer easy access but occasional vehicle noise and headlights can be noticeable, especially at night. Several spots along Beaver Dam Creek offer spacious camping with the pleasant sound of running water throughout the night.
"Please respect the distance advice and don't feed them. We witnessed a lady attempting to pet the stallion of the herd, not respecting his signs to make her back off."
"I was car camping with my cat and found a great flat area to park at site #9. Hiking was very close by and the wild ponies were so cool! Camp hosts offered ice and firewood."
from $27 - $98 / night
Check Availability"Woodsy sites, access to hiking trails. Spacious camp sites with all the amenities."
"We like to hike and there are TONS of trails in this area. One trail leaves directly from the campground and will bring you to the top of Mt. Rogers, also intersecting with the Appalachian Trail."
from $24 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Large secluded campsites surrounded by rhododendron bushes with a mountain spring creek meandering through the campgrounds."
"We use the lake for paddle boarding or kayaking and we bike on the Va Creeper trail, the local mountain bike and hiking trails adjacent to the campground or just bike down to the lake and back."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Stayed in Campsite #1 Even though it is within view of the road, the running water sound of the creek behind us lulled us to sleep."
"Beaver Dam Creek runs behind the campsite and is absolutely gorgeous with clear water, fish, and beautiful rhododendrons and trees that keep the area shaded."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"It offers RV, drive in and hike in tent sites and also teepee camping."
"There is a place to wash dishes outside as well. Fantastic walking trails - some parts quite steep but we got a good workout through the woods on the property."
from $25 - $136 / night
Check Availability"At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek."
"Only downside was the spot I set up camp was very close to the road and headlights from passing cars would light up the spot. However the road was quiet most of the night."
"30 minute drive to Grayson Highlands"
"They just reworked the rd so it was an easy drive in our class c rv"
"We were in Damascus for the Appalachian Trail Days Festival and needed an RV spot but didn’t think we could get one because we were so late in looking for one."
"Great location also because it is close to restaurants and the center of the small town. It does have water and power and a picnic table. Being right on a little river is great too."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"There is access to the Doe Mountain trails directly from the campground, they are multi-use with ATVs and dirt bikes using them but the riders were respectful and gave my dog and I plenty of room while"
"In the nearby area, there is a lot to do in natural beauty. There are a lot of trails here and many ways to enjoy them, including hiking and mountain biking."
GuideThis place is amazing!! Dog park needs to be updated but the fact they had a dog park was amazing. There was live music, karaoke, candy scavenger hunts for kids, even a bowling ally! I recommend this 100%
LegendThis campground was pristine - from the moment we turned the corner, until the moment we left!
We met Kimberly within seconds of pulling on the property. She was incredibly kind and made us feel at home immediately. As tent campers, she told us our best choices were a 30 amp site on the river ($50) or a 30-amp site off the river ($44). These prices are steep for tent camping, but include 2 adults, kids and pets. Additional adults come with a fee, but we were happy the kids were included. Not only were the pets included, but they have a dog park area that they can run free and stretch their legs!
We came into the cute little office where Kimberly gave us a campground map (which was painted by a resident camper glass blower) and told us about her property. Several items were on sale inside the store, including many shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc. They also sell kids fishing poles, stickers and even a fresh coffee cup machine. They have recently renovated the bathhouse (wait until you see it!) they have a library with books and games, an outdoor sink to wash dishes etc. and even a laundry room that operates on the honor system. How great is that! I thought it was wonderful that we could wash a wet sleeping bag or a quick load of stinky hiking clothes if necessary! Kimberly explained that they have a pretty good mix of short and long term campers (primarily RV's) and even a cute little cabin that can be rented.
Kimberly said that they choose not to allow on-line bookings to maintain the atmosphere that they desire. You can call, or submit a request, but they want to have a conversation with you before booking. The campground was calm, friendly and so so clean. Campers were friendly, the campground host was as kind as could be, and so proud about her new bathrooms. (See below). This is the kind of campground we would feel good about our kids biking around in the evening as they chase fire flies and meet new friends!
The campground was located on the river, but the slope was challenging from several sites. With kiddos, I may prefer a site closer to the road because it was nearly a flat walk out to the river. We will surely be back!
ScoutCampground sites are a bit close together but it is well maintained and has friendly staff. Wifi works well. Nice dog park.
TravelerBy far the best KOA I have stayed at. This place is huge and some thing for everyone. Game and rec rooms, dog park, store well stocked playgrounds, sand boxes. No messing around. Staff very friendly.
TravelerI’m not even sure you can call this a campground! A majority of those staying here were in top of the line campers. It truly felt like a community. There are two bath houses, a dog park, an activity center, and a river flowing behind the sites. It was beautiful and had a cheery atmosphere. They even had WiFi! I was definitely spoiled here.
GuideGreat campground! We are tent campers and loved our time here! There are A LOT of spots in a small area. That would be my only complaint if you want to call it that. The campgrounds clean and the owners are super nice and helpful. We have a dog and love the dog park! The bathrooms are very clean and nice! I would definitely recommend this campground!
TravelerNice, clean campground with friendly staff. Outdoor pool, mini golf, bowling alley and more to keep everyone busy. We stayed on Labor Day weekend so it was crowded and of course it was a bit noisy but would definitely recommend anyone to stay here and we would definitely go back. They also have two dog parks in the campground which is nice for your furry family! 😊
GuideI’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting. Mindful of my budget I learned to ask for a tent site with no electricity, no water, just toilets and showers. The young man who helped me observed I was alone and put me in a small cabin for no additional charge. Just outside the cabin was a bonfire of old wood from construction debris. I was super stoked to get this deal. I spent lots of time stoking that fire and sitting outdoors watching the evening arrive. If you’re anywhere near the area do stop in and enjoy a quiet and lovely night. You can even pet the horses nearby.
ScoutBeautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains, hiking, fishing and boating, amazing staff, very clean shower houses and laundry facility! Very family oriented and pet friendly!
Camping near Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee offers primitive to developed sites at elevations between 2,000-5,700 feet in the Cherokee and Jefferson National Forests. The area sits at the junction of Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina, creating diverse terrain options with significant temperature variations between valley and mountain campsites. Summer temperatures in higher elevations often run 10-15 degrees cooler than valley locations.
Mountain biking on Doe Mountain: Access trails directly from R&D Campground where owners can provide detailed trail maps. The color-coded system shows distances and which trails work for different activities. "There is access to the Doe Mountain trails directly from the campground, they are multi-use with ATVs and dirt bikes using them but the riders were respectful and gave my dog and I plenty of room while hiking," reports one camper at R&D Campground.
Paddleboarding on Beartree Lake: Located just 15 minutes from most dispersed sites, the small lake offers calm water for beginner paddlers and families. "We use the lake for paddle boarding or kayaking and we bike on the Va Creeper trail, the local mountain bike and hiking trails adjacent to the campground or just bike down to the lake and back," notes a visitor at Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground.
Sunset viewing at Whitetop Mountain: Drive up to the summit for panoramic views spanning three states. The elevation provides stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. "Whitetop mountain has some of the best views in VA and is very popular for watching sunsets," notes a camper at Whitetop.
Creek-side sites for natural cooling: Many sites along forest roads offer direct creek access for water filtering and summer heat relief. "Had an awesome time. So many hiking trails in this area, the river, then there's 'The Snake' US 421 motorcycle route and the Virginia Creeper hike/bike trail nearby," shares a reviewer at Backbone Rock Recreation Area.
Natural isolation through vegetation: Rhododendron thickets create natural privacy barriers between sites, particularly at established campgrounds. "The sites were built in a forest of rhododendron and there is so much privacy compared to most other campgrounds. As a result, it seems quieter," reports a camper about Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground.
Elevated camping options: Several locations offer mountain ridge camping with temperature advantages in summer. "We were here 2 years ago in cottontail loop. RR maintained. Has fallen a bit but cg is beautiful and cool. Creeper trail is a must do," notes a visitor to Grindstone Recreation Area.
Limited connectivity throughout region: Cell service is minimal to non-existent in most camping areas, requiring advance planning. "There is no cell phone service. The campsite is wooded and the spaces are distanced well. The bathhouse could use some upgrading but it served its purpose," shares a camper from Grindstone Recreation Area.
Road conditions vary significantly: Many dispersed sites require navigating forest roads with clearance considerations. "The road isn't bad. Definitely some rougher areas but my minivan did fine going slow," reports a camper at Whitetop.
Temperature swings: Pack for significant day-night temperature differentials, especially at higher elevations. "When we got here, it was a pretty drizzly day through the forest raining off and on. THE WIND IS KILLER. We ended up moving our tent to the other side of the car park at the top," warns another Whitetop camper.
Pack all supplies: Damascus (15 minutes from most sites) is the primary resupply location but has limited hours and selection. "The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 5 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path," notes a reviewer.
Low-crowd options: Smaller campgrounds provide quieter alternatives to crowded lake sites during peak season. "Though the campground was fairly full, it still felt calm and somewhat private. The wooded area were lovely. It felt safe and family friendly. The bathrooms were clean and the campsites were well kept," shares a visitor at Grindstone Recreation Area.
Creek exploration for children: Shallow creek access points are ideal for supervised water play. "Backbone rock sits on a small creek that runs behind most of the sites. It's perfect for small children to swim and play in! The sites are all gracious in size, with plenty of trees in between," notes a camper at Backbone Rock Recreation Area.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Laurel Bloomery: Most sites welcome pets with creek access for hot weather relief. "Pet owners camping in the forest find multiple trails and waterways for animal exercise and enjoyment," reports a local ranger. "We spent 1 night out here on a Saturday Night it is very secluded away from everything," adds another camper.
Water access planning: Many campgrounds near Laurel Bloomery offer non-traditional water hookups. "There are not any water or electric hook-ups. We used a small ultra quiet generator and filled up our RV water tank from a faucet located at a bathhouse. You will need a hose adapter to hook-up your water hose," advises a camper at Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground.
Road navigation for larger rigs: Several campgrounds accommodate 30-foot RVs but have tight entrance roads. "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there," notes a visitor to Blue Bear Mountain Camp.
Site selection for connectivity needs: For those requiring occasional connectivity, position at higher elevations. "Signal at the hill top T-mobile 2 bars LTE," reports a Whitetop camper, while most valley locations have no service whatsoever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Laurel Bloomery, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Laurel Bloomery, TN is Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park with a 4.8-star rating from 56 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Laurel Bloomery, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 188 dog-friendly camping locations near Laurel Bloomery, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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