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Roan Mountain State Park Campground accommodates pets throughout its tent sites, RV areas, and cabins with water and electric hookups. The campground features clean, spacious sites with picnic tables and fire pits, many situated alongside a soothing creek. Leashed pets remain welcome throughout the park's extensive trail system and common areas, though owners must maintain control of their animals at all times. The campsites provide ample room for dogs to rest on long leads while still maintaining appropriate distance from neighboring campers. Most tent sites contain large, flat areas with tent pads surrounded by trees offering privacy and shade for pets needing relief from summer heat.
Numerous hiking options exist for campers with dogs, including access points to the Appalachian Trail at nearby Carver's Gap, just a short drive from the campground. The park maintains several pet-friendly trails with varying difficulty levels, from casual walks to challenging hikes with panoramic mountain views. Grassy Ridge Bald offers dispersed backcountry camping where pets are permitted, though hikers should bring sufficient water for themselves and their animals as no facilities exist at these remote sites. The campground remains open year-round with the lower loop accessible during winter months. Pet owners particularly appreciate the large sites in the upper section that provide ample space for dogs to relax while still maintaining appropriate distance from neighboring campers. Wildlife encounters remain possible, so keeping pets properly leashed protects both local fauna and visiting animals.
"Roan Mountain is a beautiful campground with wooded sites, some with water views and access! Next time we’d definitely try for a water site."
"We brought our puppy on his first camping trip and it was close to Roan Mountain and lots of great hiking!"
"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Many hiking trails. Pets are allowed here also which is a great plus. Friendly staff who can't do enough for you if needed & small camp store on property."
"The campground is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains...so beautiful! Quiet campground with hiking trails, small fishing lake, playgrounds, an arcade room, and camp store."
from $24 - $999 / night
Check Availability"The positives: Location: very close to Grandfather Mountain entrance and BRP. There are plenty of stores, restaurants, antiques nearby too."
"We were next to the stream near the entrance. The facilities were very nice and you can hike right around the campground.
The campground is very close to Grandfather Mountain entrance."
from $35 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Another lovely campground along the BRP, close to Linville Falls and gorge, picnic area and visitor center."
"There are cabins, RV spots and tent sites all with access to newly renovated restrooms and coin operated laundry."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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. "
"Pet friendly!"
"Check your tour cd to verify it works before driving away from the gate. It is helpful as you drive through and not all function correctly."
"This is the most beautiful hiking trails in the world! A lot of climbing rock slopes and ladders with scenic views from 6000 ft plus elevation."
from $17 - $37 / night
Check Availability"Doe River Landing is a small, delightful RV and cabin camping park that sits on the banks of the Doe River in the Roan Mountain valley of TN."
"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…."
from $49 - $79 / night
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GuideRoan Mountain is a beautiful campground with wooded sites, some with water views and access! Next time we’d definitely try for a water site. We loved Roan Mountain with its rocky streams, shady secluded sites, and winding wooded walks. We will definitely be back.
GuideThis was such a great campsite!! We had such an amazing experience! It wasn’t very crowded and very clean. We brought our puppy on his first camping trip and it was close to Roan Mountain and lots of great hiking!
GuideFirst time to stay at Roan Mountain. Trout fishing and good hiking and mountain drives. Campground is modern with water, 50 amp for rv’s and very clean showers.
LegendThis campground is one of our favorites. It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers. It also has several events at it throughout the year, like trick or treat in the campground and the Rhododendron Festival.
The campground has a creek between some of the sites. It is not easily accessible, but sounds great from inside your tent. There are both tent and RV sites - mostly private sites due to heavy shrubbery. The loop is perfect for kids to ride scooters and bikes. We enjoy hiking at Carver's Gap (at the top of the mountain) and hiking up to Jane Bald and Round Bald - fantastic views!
GuideDoe River Landing is a small, delightful RV and cabin camping park that sits on the banks of the Doe River in the Roan Mountain valley of TN. We enjoyed our stay enough that we extended a few extra days. 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. Sites are pea gravel and mostly level. Luxury rental cabins(5) are available along with a truly awesome rental pavilion outfitted for larger group gatherings. The friendly hosts live in a home nearby and were around daily during our stay.
For a small family campground the amenities are super nice. The top-notch children’s playground and toy shed obviously delighted guest’s children. Wi-Fi signal is strong enough for streaming. Nice, clean bathhouse. Public grills are available. Hiking trails meander along the river and up through their woods.
There are few places we enjoy more than the Roan Mountain area for camping. The location is fantastic and even peak summer temperatures are usually comfortable. Roan Mountain State Park is minutes away for hiking and a slew of activities, while the top of Roan Mountain houses the famous wild Rhododendron Gardens. The AT and multiple hiking trails run along the top of the mountain.
There were only a few considerations with this venue.
The sites are mostly level although we needed two OxBlocks in each of the sites we stayed in. One needed leveling front-to-back, the other side-to-side. When Hurricane Helene scoured the area it likely left some dips in the parking pads.
The bathhouse contains one toilet and shower, both housed in the same room which can tie them up for long periods.
3) There may be some day and night traffic noise as large trucks involved in repairs from Hurricane Helene are still active.
The approach is rather challenging. New lighted signage helps identify where their single-lane entrance road takes a HARD fork off US-19E. Be sure to check the Directions tab on their website. If you are arriving from the north (through Elizabethton) you will be able to pull directly onto Bob Ray Rd.(entrance to the right of the little Bible church). Approaching from the south on US-19E is more difficult. Bob Ray Rd basically runs parallel to US-19E which requires essentially a U-turn across 2-3 lanes to accomplish. The host suggests turning through the closed fruit stand parking lot(on the left within sight of the entrance) but we weren’t sure about it given on-coming traffic. We elected to drive~ 2 miles further down 19E and U-turn across the left shoulder.
Bob Ray Rd is a single-lane road. Based on timing for check-in/check-out you are unlikely to meet another RV coming at you(thankfully!)
Multiple choices for food in the area. The Whiteway Grill– less than 5 minutes away- offers fabulous breakfasts. Smoky Mountain Bakers is beyond awesome! Wood-fired pizza for dinner and breakfast plates from simple sandwiches to breakfast burritos, pancakes and French toast. We find excuses to eat here during the week. Every meal we’ve had at Puerto Escondido Mexican restaurant was huge(as in leftovers) and tasty.
ScoutWe arrived and easily got to our spot. 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…. Of course, on the second approach we saw the entrance signs (my bad). It looks like it is best to approach from the west (Hampton?), it was a sharp turn entering from the east (Roan Mountain). We settled in and got to relaxing quickly.
TravelerBeautiful campground up on roan mountain. 8miles to Carvers Gap, 45 minutes to Grandfather mountain. Park is well kept and maintained. Bathroom are heated and clean. Some sites are still not available due to hurricane damage but amazing park reguardless!
LegendThis was truly one of my most memorable campsites I’ve ever stayed at. After a glorious hike up Roan Mountain and back down I crossed the road and hiked out along the three balds and found a few lonely trees to hang a hammock between. The Appalachian Trail is frequently referred to as The Green Tunnel because of the amazing wormhole effect of trees, rhododendron and other vegetation that shroud your views. But not here! There was an evening thunderstorm over an adjacent mountain, a beautiful sunset, a full moon to howl at, and a sunrise that can’t be beat. The hike back was in and out of the clouds. Pure bliss!
Pro Tip : Please do not skin or scar trees. Bring your own firewood.
RangerNice big park with a lot for everyone to enjoy, from the pool and fishing to mountain biking. Amazing plants and view everywhere. Tons of hiking trails (including the Appalachian Trail), our favorites were the grassy hills with 360 views of rolling mountains.
Camping options include RV, tent, and cabin. Sites are lightly wooded.
Yay: There are events every month. Wonderful Appalachian feeling to this whole area.
Nay: Parts of it feel a little too much like a resort, but it is quite well maintained and bustling rather than over crowded.
Surprise: The rhododendron gardens are incredible, surreal. The historic farm is also great, as is the adorable town of Roan Mountain.
Roan Mountain sits at 6,285 feet in the southern Appalachian Mountains, straddling the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The area contains one of the world's largest natural rhododendron gardens with over 600 acres of the purple-flowering shrubs. Camping options range from established campgrounds with full hookups to remote backcountry sites situated along streams or at higher elevations where temperatures often remain 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys.
Fly fishing opportunities: Doe River runs through several campgrounds, providing accessible fishing spots for campers. At Roan Mountain State Park Campground, one camper noted, "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."
Visit local orchards: When staying near the mountain, consider taking a short drive to nearby apple orchards. While camping at Spacious Skies Bear Den, one visitor shared, "Close to an apple orchid, which is so cool to visit (they're dog friendly) and not too far of a drive from the Linville Falls."
Explore mountain balds: The grassy summits provide 360-degree mountain views. A camper at Grassy Ridge Bald - Dispersed BackCountry reported, "It's a short hike up from Carver Gap. There are several spots on the bald to pitch your tent. There are not too many spots to gather firewood. A few sites already have rock pits made for you."
Creek-side sites: Many campers seek spots near flowing water. At Dennis Cove Campground, a visitor noted, "The campground is in a nice secluded area that can be very silent and relaxing. The sites are well set-up and all are easy to access. Water fill up spots are well positioned and each site has a fire ring."
Lake access for kayaking: Several nearby campgrounds offer direct water access. A camper at Cardens Bluff Campground shared, "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."
Heated bathrooms: During cooler months, this feature becomes important. One visitor to Roan Mountain State Park Campground said, "Bathroom are heated and clean. Some sites are still not available due to hurricane damage but amazing park regardless!"
Weather considerations: Mountain elevations mean rapidly changing conditions. At Grassy Ridge Bald, a camper warned, "Super windy so dress appropriately!" Another noted their experience: "There was an evening thunderstorm over an adjacent mountain, a beautiful sunset, a full moon to howl at, and a sunrise that can't be beat."
Seasonal closures: Some facilities operate on limited schedules. One recent visitor to Julian Price Park Campground reported, "Campground is closed due to hurricane damage."
Limited firewood availability: At higher elevations, gathering wood can be difficult. A Grassy Ridge Bald camper advised, "Firewood is scarce so bring a lantern and cook stove."
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance planning. At Grandfather Mountain State Park Campsites, "The sites all throughout Grandfather are pretty awesome but you have to really look into the details for each site as many do not allow for a campfire, so you will want to ensure you have an alternate (approved) cooking system."
Look for playground amenities: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly features. A visitor to Spacious Skies Bear Den noted, "Campground has all the amenities you could want. It has a small lake on property to fish or swim. Has a pretty good market for the things you might have forgot. They have firewood and ice to purchase. The campsites are good size. Playground on site for the kids."
Consider winter accessibility: Roads to higher elevations can be challenging in colder months. For pet-friendly camping near Roan Mountain, Tennessee, check if lower campground loops remain open year-round.
Seek out educational opportunities: Many parks offer programs. At Grandfather Mountain State Park Campsites, one camper shared, "The visitor center could be a zoo. It is full of educational information and animals."
Bridge access limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted entry points. At Mountain River Family Campground, one reviewer suggested, "If pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain."
Check site dimensions: Many mountain campgrounds have size constraints. At Julian Price Park Campground, a visitor advised, "We rode through all of the loops to see what the other sites were like, and some of the sites are seldom used if the picnic tables and surrounding vegetation is any indication. Some of the picnic tables are covered in moss. Those were mostly in the sites that were small or sloped. For that reason, it is a good idea to look at the photos on the website for each site before reserving."
Uneven terrain considerations: Mountain sites often require additional leveling equipment. One camper at Grandfather Campground reported, "The site was quite un-level side to side, and we couldn't get our trailer completely level side to side. The site was a bit tough to maneuver into (doable, though!)"
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Roan Mountain, TN is Roan Mountain State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 50 reviews.
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