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Dog-Friendly Camping near Mountain City, TN

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    R&D Campground in Mountain City offers tent sites with water and electric hookups for pet owners looking to camp with their dogs. The campground provides direct access to Doe Mountain trails where pets can explore alongside their owners. Pets are welcome at full-hookup RV sites as well as primitive camping areas along the cascading creek. Mountain City Campground, operated by the city visitors center, also accommodates pets at its affordable campsites with 30 amp and 50 amp service. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with R&D featuring what campers describe as the cleanest bathrooms seen at a campground. Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground near Damascus is another pet-friendly option with large campsites offering ample privacy along Beaver Dam Creek. Camping photos and user guides for Mountain City, Tennessee are available on The Dyrt.

    Several miles of dog-friendly hiking trails surround the Mountain City camping areas with access directly from some campgrounds. The creek at R&D Campground provides a peaceful natural soundtrack with running water sounds that create a relaxing atmosphere for campers and their pets. Doe Mountain has a fire tower that makes for a worthwhile hike with dogs, though campers should be aware of ATV traffic on multi-use trails. Pet owners appreciate that riders are typically respectful and give plenty of room while hiking with dogs. For longer stays, monthly rates are available at some locations, with Mountain City Campground offering $300/month for full hookups. The area remains relatively undiscovered with most residents unaware of the campground's existence, making it ideal for those seeking a quieter experience with their pets.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Mountain City (199)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Blue Bear Mountain Camp

      4.8(27)14mi from Mountain City4 sitesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      2. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park

      4.8(56)22mi from Mountain City72 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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

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      3. Little Oak Campground

      4.7(24)15mi from Mountain City66 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      4. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

      4.6(49)23mi from Mountain City194 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      from $30 / night

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      5. R&D Campground

      5.0(7)2mi from Mountain CityRVs, Tents

      "Campground Review: R&D Campground in Mountain City, TN is located in the far north east corner of the state almost directly in between Boone, NC and Demascus, VA."

      "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"

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      6. Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground

      4.0(8)9mi from Mountain City11 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      7. Roan Mountain State Park Campground

      4.6(50)27mi from Mountain CityRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $14 - $54 / night

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      8. Honey Bear Campground

      4.0(20)19mi from Mountain CityRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Check-in was easy at the office at the entrance of the campground."

      "The campground is tucked away outside of Boone, but not so far that if you really need something you cant get it."

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      9. Cardens Bluff Campground

      4.4(19)20mi from Mountain City43 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $12 / night

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      10. Boone KOA

      4.3(10)15mi from Mountain CityRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I enjoyed the drive out to this site, it is far enough off of the beaten path but still close to town. The site is a very easy drive to Boone and Tweetsie Railroad."

      "The only down side is that the tent sites are road side…so when the campers pull in and out you hear them hitting the gas."

      Check Availability
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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Mountain City, TN

    196 Photos of 199 Mountain City Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mountain City, TN

    1222 Reviews of 199 Mountain City Campgrounds

    • Kirsten J.
      Jun. 4, 2019

      Mountain River Family Campground

      Pristine, friendly, communal, peaceful campground on the river!

      This 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!

    • D
      Nov. 1, 2021

      Lakeview RV Resort

      Clean and well maintained, friendly staff

      Campground sites are a bit close together but it is well maintained and has friendly staff.  Wifi works well.  Nice dog park.

    • Riley R.
      May. 29, 2019

      Down by the River Campground - 55+

      Everything you need in a campground

      I’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.

    • E
      Aug. 17, 2020

      Mountain City Campground

      Hidden Gem

      This campground is run by the city visitors center and like most other things in Mountain City has very little social media presence. Most residents of the city don’t even know of its existence.

      Great little affordable campground with nice accessible trout stream. Has 30 amp and 50 amp service along with tent camping. (Tent camping is currently closed due to recent bear sightings as are the toilet facilities due to COVID-19(Aug 2020))

      Aug 2020 prices for 30 amp full hookups $25 /day $85 /week $300 /month

    • Jennifer J.
      Aug. 17, 2020

      Linville Falls Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

      Loved it!

      Great 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!

    • RaD_Travels
      Jun. 22, 2023

      Doe Valley Campground

      Clean, Peaceful, and Convenient

      5/21/23-6/22/23: We stayed a whole month ($500) to recuperate from our previous travels. Owner/manger, Brent Fowler, was a gracious and accommodating host. This is a new 110 acre campground which has only been open a few months (as of this writing). The grounds were well kept and new features are continually being added. There are full-hookups at each site (20/30/50A, water, sewer), high-speed WiFi, and 150 new trees have been planted around the perimeter. While there is presently no water at the dump station, there will be, but water can be used from nearby pull-through sites. Further, a bath-house with showers and laundry facilities are in the works. Mountain City is under 5 miles away and proved to be very convenient. 

      Wildlife in the campground and surrounding area was abound with a variety of birds wakening us each morning, and deer that came into camp regularly. Red winged black birds, swallows, and Cardinals are all abundant and quite vociferous. This new campground has the most important quality down pat: Friendly and supportive ownership! We plan to return next year and will likely stay much longer.

    • Susan E.
      Jul. 16, 2020

      Bristol-Kingsport KOA

      What luck!

      I’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.

    • Fuller C.
      Jul. 26, 2024

      Three Peaks RV Resort

      Gorgeous Mountain Getaway!

      When I drove up the Three Peaks driveway for the first time a couple weeks ago, I got a huge smile on my face. The big trees surrounding the campground, mountain views, and birdsong put me right at ease. I trundled my camper up the little hill to check in at the cute market, which has everything from eggs and bacon to kids' toys, treats, and locally made goods.

      My camper's only 20' long, so it's dinky in the spacious, pull-through lots they have here. The trees are still new among the sites, but the owners planted more than 400 before the resort opened this past May. The amount of work Donna and Mark Krauss and others have done to make this place wonderful is mind-boggling!

      It's awesome that Ingles grocery store, which has tons of local organic offerings, is only 3 miles away in the town of Spruce Pine. It's a great little town, with lots of art, shopping, and terrific restaurants.

      Other things I love are the huge, private shower rooms (so clean!), the kids' playground, the fenced-in dog park, the game room and laundry, and the incredible number of things to do locally. On any given day, you could take a mountain hike, go mining for your own gems (real gems!), drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, go tubing in the nearby Toe River, and all manner of other adventures depending what you're into.

      I hear a nice swimming pool will also be ready soon, so that will be fantastic.

      Highly recommended! I'd get up here soon before even more people discover it next year.

    • Victoria L.
      Sep. 11, 2021

      Wagoner — New River State Park

      Classic NC State park

      We visited in April. Beautiful days hiking nearby, cold nights. Pet friendly. Pretty clean bath house. Visitors center nearby. Sites were mostly level, with gravel, fire pit, picnic table. Some were classically wooded, shady and some in the bright sun. Cute small town nearby.

    Guide to Mountain City

    Mountain City sits at an elevation of 2,418 feet in the scenic Appalachian Mountains of northeastern Tennessee. The area experiences mild summers with temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands, making it a popular destination for dog owners seeking comfortable camping conditions during hot months. The region's mixed hardwood forests create natural shade for campsites throughout the summer.

    What to do

    Hike to fire towers: Access Doe Mountain trails directly from R&D Campground for rewarding summit views. "Doe Mountain has a great fire tower that is well worth the hike and the trail to it is close to camp," notes Lynn G., who recommends being mindful of shared trails.

    Wade in mountain creeks: Natural swimming spots are plentiful in the cool mountain waters. At Backbone Rock Recreation Area, "There are stairs from the campsite down to the creek so I took a cold plunge and swam around in the creek before we packed up camp," shares Emerald M., highlighting the accessible water features.

    Fly fishing expeditions: The nearby streams offer excellent trout fishing opportunities. Tracy D. from Roan Mountain State Park reports success: "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."

    What campers like

    Natural soundscapes: The rushing water of mountain streams creates peaceful background noise at many campsites. Scott D. from Blue Bear Mountain Camp described his stay as a "Welcome respite" and noted that after "a string of rough camps and brutal temps this mountain spot was so welcome."

    Clean facilities: Bathhouses in the Mountain City area are consistently well-maintained. Mandy R. shares that Blue Bear Mountain Camp has "by far the cleanest bathhouse I have ever seen. They show great attention to this campground and make sure all their campers are happy."

    Temperature relief: The higher elevation provides natural air conditioning during summer months. Joe B. from Boone KOA noted, "Temperature was very comfortable, didn't need the A/C in June!"—a significant advantage for camping with heat-sensitive pets.

    What you should know

    Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds in the area have spotty service. Nathan F. at Little Oak Campground reports, "Note the Verizon cell service is spotty at best, but sometimes this is welcomed."

    Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region operate April through October. According to Hank M., "Most sites have a view of South Holston Lake and trail access to the water. Shower house were clean. All sites are primitive."

    Road access considerations: Mountain roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. Kristen J. from Blue Bear Mountain Camp warned, "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."

    Tips for camping with families

    Creek exploration: Children enjoy playing in the shallow creek waters. "The creek at R&D Campground provides a perfect natural playground for kids," with Sadie S. noting, "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."

    Space between campsites: Look for locations with room for kids to play safely. Sabrina M. says 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."

    Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events. Rebekah G. shares, "We have small children and enjoyed that this was a quiet site that felt very safe," referring to the Backbone Rock area.

    Tips from RVers

    Site leveling requirements: Be prepared with leveling blocks for sloped sites. Leo S. at Flintlock Campground recommends their "Level parking, reliable wifi, friendly hosts and community, dog friendly" setup, mentioning a two-week comfortable stay.

    Hookup availability: Water and electric connections are available at select sites. debe K. notes that R&D Campground "now has added sewer to more sites. Has tent sites with water and electric (30&50) too!"

    Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal. Susan B. shares that R&D Campground has "the cleanest bathrooms ever seen in a campground. If you like a chill campground that's off the beaten path, this is it!"

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mountain City, TN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mountain City, TN is Blue Bear Mountain Camp with a 4.8-star rating from 27 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mountain City, TN?

    TheDyrt.com has all 199 dog-friendly camping locations near Mountain City, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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