Bandy Creek Campground at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area maintains pet-friendly sites throughout its multiple camping loops, with each site offering picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food storage lockers for campers with dogs. Pets are welcome in tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and in designated areas throughout the park, though they must remain leashed at all times. True West Campground & Stables provides spacious, level camping spots with full hookups where dogs are permitted, featuring clean bathroom facilities and well-maintained grounds that accommodate both pets and horses. Brooks Corner Campground offers quiet, rural camping with full hookups and WiFi in close proximity to historic Rugby. The bathhouses at Bandy Creek are exceptionally clean and well-maintained, making extended stays with pets more comfortable during hiking excursions.
Several hiking trails accessible directly from the campgrounds welcome leashed dogs, with the Twin Arches Loop Trail and John Litton Farm paths being particularly popular for pet owners camping at Bandy Creek. Most campgrounds enforce standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times, properly supervised, and never left unattended at campsites. Campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters in this bear country by properly storing pet food in provided bear boxes. The remote nature of Big South Fork means limited access to veterinary services, with the nearest options available in Oneida (approximately 40 minutes away) or Jamestown (25 minutes away). During summer months, the swimming pool at Bandy Creek offers relief from the heat for humans, though pets are not permitted in pool areas. The extensive trail system throughout Big South Fork provides ample opportunities for dogs to explore while remaining on leash.
$20 - $140 / night
"Added plus, these bathrooms are super nice and with several locations next to lots of camp plots. Also, dog friendly and within a short drive of the Big South Fork for all you Yakers 😀✌️"
"I camped here with a friend and the dogs. The campground is pretty big and has 4 loops. We were in Loop C and our campsite was pretty spacious and private (not all are)."
"The campground is in close proximity to many of the trailheads. There is a nice bathhouse, but all the sites are rustic (non electric)."
"It may be the loveliest campground in Tennessee. There’s only 20 spots, and they all seem to be shady and have trees between neighbors."
$23 / night
"PICKETT STATE RUSTIC PARK is located adjacent to Scott State Forest, Big South Fork River, Tn and below Daniel Boone National Forest, Ky. The Campground is my favorite type, small."
"We camped here for 2 nights with our dogs. The campground is pretty small but very clean and well maintained. The campsites have the usual amenities: a picnic bench, fire ring, and a grill."
$26 - $165 / night
"The location is great, just 20 minutes from Jamestown for a quick trip to Walmart or the Dollar store. Nice little restaurant just 4 miles down the road if you don't want to cook."
$10 - $30 / night
"It is right behind the Brooks store and less than a mile from Rugby. Both the store and town are a step back in history."
"This is very rural so see recommendations for distances to nearest places We camped at Brooks Corner Campground& RV Park in a Travel Trailer."
$30 - $35 / night
"We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground is actually not in Tennessee. It's located on the Kentucky side of Big South Fork. The campsites have a picnic table and a firepit."
"It's pet friendly and the campground is very clean."
$15 / night
"Site 1 is open so a small pull behind can fit in parking area. Tents only on sites. Lots of shade. Toilet is vaulted, no water. Easy access to Obed River and trails."
"Bearproof trashcans are located throughout the campground. A section of the Cumberland Trail begins at the campground. The Emory River runs right alongside the campground with easy access."
$10 - $15 / night
"Great for kayaking, fishing, wading, hiking, sightseeing(areas close by to check out), also there are some swimming holes..just have to find them. can camp right by the creek and across the road is a few"
"Love it clean nice people Has water some of the time no electricity sites are well kept has horseshoe pits no stores close by no cell phone service but it does have clean toilets fishing is good"
GuideSo glad that we decided to camp at Brooks. It is right behind the Brooks store and less than a mile from Rugby. Both the store and town are a step back in history. Star view on a clear night is awesome due to the lack of nearby city lights. We will definitely return.
LegendRaccoon Valley RV park is literally just an RV park. The park was very clean and well maintained, and would be a nice place to park for a night as part of a longer trip. The RV park is just right off 1-75, just north of Knoxville, so it would be easy to hop on and off the interstate. The property is just a large gravel parking lot, with a few trees scattered throughout. Not really my kind of camping, but nearly all the spots were full.
The park has a large laundry facility, and a dog park for people traveling/camping with pets. I did see some benches located in the perimeter of the property in shady spots for relaxing.
I assume some of the guests are long term residents, but the sites were all so neat and clean, without built on structures and such that I’ve seen at most places. This RV park will be perfect for some!
GuideLots of green grass. The dog park is very well kept. There is a road close by but not a major freeway. It’s one of the quieter KOA’s I have stayed at. Pool is small but very clean. The store is well stocked and you can get hand dipped ice cream.
GuideWe stayed here one night passing through to our next destination. Staff was super friendly and helpful. Had a pull through site. Sites were a little close, but it was to be expected being a travel stop for most.
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.
There was a Mexican restaurant and a Shoneys witching walking distance, however the Mexican is closed on Sundays.
TravelerThis a an RV park, not a resort. 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.
A safe and reasonably priced place to spend a night while traveling, or a couple while exploring the area.
LegendWe picked this stop because it was a halfway point from our trip in Georgia to home in Ohio and it was easy off and on 75. It’s a small campground with only 37 rv sites, a primitive camping section and several small cabins. They offer a pool, dog park, laundry and game room.
It’s very clean and the staff was nice. We got here after hours and they had everything we needed at the check in with our names, site number and directions to our site. They also offer WiFi and cable tv.
There is not much to do in the park itself but it’s quite and close to town.
ScoutThe staff is very helpful & knowledgeable. Beautiful views from all camp spots. Pet friendly. Good fishing. & Close to stores.
TravelerSwim next to show, bring your pets, tie up you're boat, be around friendly people or private, primitive to big pull thru, clean, great staff, prettiest lake in KY, best camp sites with poles, shady, level, tables, bear boxes, Crystal cleat water, H Ann's down I can't say enough!! The best!!
GuideInside the state park lies this small campground. The views of the mountains are beautiful. 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. Very family and pet friendly place! Didn’t have them with me this time, but looked like a great spot to put in your small boat or kayak and fish!!
Campgrounds near Rugby, Tennessee offer access to the Cumberland Plateau with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet. The region receives approximately 50 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forests and diverse wildlife habitats. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer camping often features mild 70-80°F days with cooler evenings.
Nighttime stargazing opportunities: At Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground, campers can experience exceptional dark skies. "Pickett CCC is recognized as a dark sky park. If you're into astronomy or just enjoy looking up at the stars this is the perfect place. The stars can be enjoyed from just about anywhere but a short drive down the road there's an astronomy field," notes Clinton N.
Wildlife observation: The Cumberland Plateau hosts diverse wildlife. "We saw some deer and turkeys, so there's wildlife around for sure!" reports Lori H. about Bandy Creek Campground. Prepare for potential encounters by storing food properly in provided containers.
Fishing access: Multiple waterways offer fishing opportunities near Rugby. "The Campsite was very spacious and was right on the creek. The Obed area is very inviting for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing," explains Katrin M. about Rock Creek Campground.
Waterfall exploration: Within 30 minutes of Rugby, several waterfalls await discovery. "Beautiful waterfalls and scenery and the trails were really kept up!" shares Nick P. about his experience at Frozen Head State Park. Water flow varies seasonally, with spring typically offering the most impressive displays.
Well-maintained facilities: Frozen Head State Park Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "Bathhouse is beautiful with cedar stalls. Lots to do with the hiking. Waterfalls were beautiful and everyone we talked to was super helpful and nice. Grounds are well maintained without taking away from the natural beauty," writes Brittni F.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer ample space between sites. At Brooks Corner Campground & RV Park, campers appreciate the layout. "Very nice quiet, rural campground with full hookups and wifi and General Store/Cafe walkable M-SA 11-5pm. It is very quiet and very dark," reports Josh J.
Swimming opportunities: During warmer months, natural swimming areas provide relief from heat. "There's kayak and canoeing where you actually paddle under a natural bridge. There's a swimming area, geese and fishing," shares Shelly S. about Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.
Trail access: Proximity to hiking trails ranks high among camper preferences. "Connected to good trails. Comfy evening. Quiet even though it was full," notes Donald W. about Rock Creek Campground, highlighting the balance between accessibility and peacefulness.
Limited services: The rural nature of Rugby means planning ahead is essential. For True West Campground & Stables, Heather S. advises: "The location is great, just 20 minutes from Jamestown for a quick trip to Walmart or the Dollar store. Nice little restaurant just 4 miles down the road if you don't want to cook."
Weather preparedness: The Cumberland Plateau experiences rapid weather changes. "When we arrived at the campground it started snowing and the temperature dropped to 29 overnight," shares Shelly S. about her spring trip to Bandy Creek Campground, emphasizing the importance of packing for variable conditions.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is unreliable throughout the region. "There is no wifi and no cell phone reception," notes Mary D. about Frozen Head State Park. Download maps and information before arrival.
Bear awareness: The area is active bear habitat. "Some sites have food storage lockers (not sure if all do) as the area is a bear habitat," mentions Lori H. about camping at Bandy Creek, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Pool access for kids: Bandy Creek Campground offers unique recreational facilities. "Showers and facilities were great and clean. Tent camping and RVs were separated in different loops which is nice... The recreation area was a real nice surprise in terms of scenery," shares Martin M., describing amenities that appeal to families.
Best trails for children: Consider terrain difficulty when planning hikes with young ones. "Most of the trails are much longer than 2 miles, so there wasn't much to do with our two toddlers... The sites were a bit short and we couldn't park our tow vehicle in front of our 17' camper," cautions Chelsea D. about Bandy Creek, suggesting families with very young children may need to adjust expectations.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Planned wildlife observation can engage children. "We stayed at campsite 8 (primitive section) we loved the site, it was huge, and we had a great time. The water was almost all dried up but there was still enough left behind out camp site to lay & play in. My daughter (9 yrs) brought her bike and was able to ride all around the camp site & have a blast," reports Liz A. about her experience at Frozen Head State Park.
Dog-friendly trails: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Rugby provide access to pet-accessible trails. "The campsites have a fire ring, picnic bench, and lantern pole. Each campsite has their little parking space except site 9, 10, and 11," explains Katrin M. about Rock Creek Campground, which allows pets on trails with proper leashing.
Hookup availability: Blue Heron Campground offers reliable services for RVs. "Campsites are spacious with gravel campsites and paved rv parking at campsites. Water and electric at each site. Clean bathrooms with showers," notes Susan B., highlighting the infrastructure RVers need.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain can create setup difficulties. "I was towing a 21 ft trailer and my site at the bottom of the hill, which was away from other campers, but the grade was ridiculous! I had 6" of block height to level side to side!" warns Mr. H. about Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, suggesting bringing extra leveling blocks.
Site size limitations: Check length restrictions before booking. "The sites are very unlevel, some are set up so that your door faces the road and others are just on top of each other. Based on the popularity of this park, I was really surprised that the campground was falling apart," cautions Shana D. about Pickett State Park, indicating that larger RVs may struggle in some areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rugby, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rugby, TN is Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rugby, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 153 dog-friendly camping locations near Rugby, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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