14 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Riley Creek Campground welcomes pets across all sites, catering to tent and RV campers from April through October. Most sites offer 30-amp service, with one 50-amp site available for larger rigs. Campers note the campground hosts are exceptionally helpful, often delivering firewood directly to sites and providing golf cart tours for children. Melton Hill Dam Campground and Soaring Eagle Campground also accommodate pets with full hookup sites and lakefront access. The grounds at Melton Hill are consistently well-maintained and peaceful according to regular visitors, while Soaring Eagle's lakefront double-wide sites provide ample space for pets despite some highway noise from nearby I-40.
Hiking trails surrounding Frozen Head State Park provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, with pets allowed throughout the campground from March to November. Rock Creek Campground in the Obed Wild and Scenic River area offers primitive pet-friendly camping with vault toilets and drinking water, making it suitable for tent campers seeking a more natural setting with their dogs. Windrock Campground provides additional pet-friendly options including cabins, yurts, and traditional camping sites. Highway noise can be heard at waterfront sites at Soaring Eagle, so pet owners concerned about noise triggering barking may prefer interior sites. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed at all times, and Riley Creek's first-come, first-served policy means arriving early is essential during summer months to secure pet-friendly waterfront sites.
"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
"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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when available"We were in a pop-up camper and had a lakefront site, which was awesome, except for the highway noise."
"First time campers with 5 kids and 3 dogs .... had no problems everyone was very helpful , grounds were clean ... the lower bathhouse is Adequate but the bathhouse by the office is great the cove offers"
"Gorgeous views of the lake, convenient hiking trail on property for our pups, sandy beach."
"They brought my firewood everyday and even took all the kids for rides on the golf cart around the campground. We had 8 kids with is so that took a few trips."
"Yarberry Campground is a gated lakefront campground and day use area located on Tellico Lake, not far from the Fort Loudon Dam."
"We rented a pontoon boat for four hours and had a great time exploring the lake. Highly recommend this campground if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger campgrounds."
"Convenient location just off Interstate 75. Quiet wooded area with plenty of activities for the kids. Swimming pool, fishing pond, playground, jump pad."
"For amenities there is a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball, I’m not sure what the game is next to the blob."
"Amenities are nice, there is a pool and pavilion, paved walking trails, shuffle board, basketball court, and boat docks and fishing pier. Our loop didn’t have cable but I believe the others do."
"Caney Creek is right off the highway and offers a lot to do. We only passed through the area but wished we were staying there for longer."
"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."
Available next weekend
from $15 / night
"Off roading, shooting range, mountain bike trails, atv rentals. Very close to town if needed. The serenity and peace we feel staying there makes us never want to leave."
"Great sites, cute cabins great location."
from $18 - $300 / night
GuideDrove 5 hrs from our last campground to here for event Campground was very well maintained and liked the site. Wasn’t overly crazy about the event not a lot of vendors mainly jeeps went to a few local shops in town had a great lunch at the cookie dough monster.
GuideThis is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
TravelerThis was a last minute stay, the camp was full but accommodations were made for us by the host to park in his front yard and connect to house power. We were invited to join the host and other guests at the massive fire pit that was warming the cool mountain evening. Very pretty here…was a long and winding road up the mountain from our travel direction. Excited to see what it looks like in daylight. I have 3 bars on my T-Mobile but also have StarLink.
ScoutBeautiful view on the water. Not very full, which was nice. I came for some quiet and privacy and while it worked, there were just some that were very social. Haha
ScoutCalled the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
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 our number one favorite place to camp. We are from Knoxville, TN and if we are wanting to camp for the weekend but avoid the drive, this is where we come! Area 1 site 25 is our favorite and we are super excited to stay at 108 and 109 in the future. The campground is beautiful. Area 1 is shaded with plenty of trees around making it feel like you're in a little forest, and of course fall is wonderful. Some sites have sewer. I have T-mobile cell phone and I have 3 bars at 5g and my husband has xfinity and has 2 bars at 4G.
Love this campground!
Kingston sits at the confluence of the Clinch and Tennessee Rivers, creating numerous waterfront camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 750-850 feet. The area experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures typically reaching the mid-80s. Most campgrounds near Kingston operate from April through October, with a few offering year-round access.
Hiking at Frozen Head State Park: The park offers multiple trails surrounding the campground area where dogs are welcome. "There are so many great hiking trails here, plus some rock climbing/bouldering," notes one visitor to Rock Creek Campground, which provides convenient access to the Obed Wild and Scenic River area and Cumberland Trail.
Water activities at Melton Hill Reservoir: The reservoir provides excellent fishing, swimming and boating opportunities. "Nice walking trail, large RV sites, nice water area," reports a camper who stayed at Melton Hill Dam Campground during an eclipse viewing trip.
Off-road adventures: The Oliver Springs area offers extensive trail systems for ATV enthusiasts. "Miles and miles of trails. General store, beautiful overlooks," shares a visitor about Windrock Campground, which also features a shooting range and mountain bike trails.
Spacious waterfront sites: Many campsites in the Kingston area offer direct lake access. At Yarberry Campground, "Even the non-lake site spots have lake views. Lots of nice amenities, but still rustic. My site was a little tough to back into, but worth it."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region typically maintain high standards for restrooms and common areas. "Clean facilities. Been camping here for 30 years, and it's still my all time favorite place to camp! Beautiful lake and easy access to water," remarks a regular visitor to Melton Hill Dam.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer recreational facilities. At Sweetwater KOA, "the park has quite a few large sites for big rigs that are about 80-100ft long. For amenities there is a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball."
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds near major roads may experience traffic noise. "We were very close to I-40 and the road noise was extremely loud...all day and all night," reports a visitor to Soaring Eagle Campground. For noise-sensitive campers or reactive dogs, request interior sites away from highways.
Seasonal availability: Most primitive campgrounds close during winter months. Rock Creek Campground operates seasonally with limited facilities: "The vault toilet had no flushing water but was clean and didn't have a smell. The Obed area is very inviting for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing."
Reservation systems vary: Some popular campgrounds fill quickly while others operate on first-come, first-served basis. Windrock Campground advises: "You're supposed to check in with the office, and they will give you the code to the bathroom, but if it's late then you can probably snag an empty site without any issues."
Look for kid-friendly activities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Kingston offer special amenities for children. At Sweetwater KOA, "There is a train that takes kids and adults on a ride around the park" and they "go all out for the holidays" with decorations and special events.
Consider bathroom proximity: For families with young children, choose sites near facilities. Frozen Head State Park features a "bathhouse is beautiful with cedar stalls" and the campground is "not too big" making it easier to navigate with children.
Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is important when camping with children and pets. At Frozen Head State Park, campers should note that "the last two years there's been baby copperhead snakes that hang around outside the bath house at night."
Site dimensions and leveling: Many RV sites in the Kingston area require adjustment. At Melton Hill Dam Campground, "The parking area is an asphalt slab and many have a slant to them and will require leveling. There are a mix of short-stay and longer stay sites."
Hookup locations: Check the position of utilities when booking. At Caney Creek RV Resort, one camper noted "at our particular sight the sewer was toward the front of the sight but I had enough hose to get to it."
Low clearance warnings: Some access roads have overhead obstacles. When visiting dog friendly campgrounds near the Kingston area, watch for "low riding cars beware of double speed bump and sinking concrete" and "low branches on the road in" at certain locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Kingston, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Kingston, TN is Melton Hill Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with a 4.2-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Kingston, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 190 dog-friendly camping locations near Kingston, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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