D
Doreen M.
Scout
ScoutLakeview 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.
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Abingdon, VA
Riverside Campground's tent sites provide convenient pet-friendly camping right on the North Fork of the Holsten River. The campground accommodates both RV and tent campers with pets across a variety of sites, including waterfront locations where dogs can enjoy water access. Sugar Hollow Campground in Bristol offers shaded, secluded sites in a forested setting where pets are welcome, with spacious sites that provide privacy between camping areas. The park is crawling with venomous copperheads, particularly concerning for tent campers with pets. Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Abingdon maintain clean facilities with showers and restrooms, though amenities vary by location. Hidden Valley WMA offers dispersed camping with pets allowed, featuring more primitive accommodations with porta-johns but no tables.
Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground and Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites welcome pets in natural settings with fewer amenities but greater privacy. These areas provide excellent opportunities for dogs to explore trails within the campgrounds. The Virginia Creeper Trail offers nearby pet-friendly hiking opportunities, accessible from several campgrounds in the region. Observation Knob Park sits directly on the lake with numerous pet-friendly sites suitable for both tent and RV camping, allowing dogs to enjoy water activities with their owners. Most campgrounds enforce leash requirements, so visitors should pack appropriate restraints and waste bags. During peak summer months, shaded sites at Sugar Hollow Park provide protection from heat for pets, with the heavily wooded environment offering comfortable temperatures even on hot days.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Abingdon, Virginia (157)
1. Little Oak Campground
23 ReviewsShady Valley, TN14 milesWebsite+1 (423) 735-1500$10 / night
"**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."
"This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"
2. Sugar Hollow Campground
9 ReviewsBristol, VA9 milesWebsite+1 (276) 645-7275$20 / night
"Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise."
"From the road you wouldn’t guess there’s a giant park beyond the entrance. The rangers at the entrance were super friendly, but they patrol a lot, so often no one is actually at the gate house."
3. Riverside Campground
7 ReviewsAbingdon, VA6 milesWebsite+1 (276) 628-5333$28 - $40 / night
"Close to charming Abingdon VA with great local restaurants, the Barter Theater and the Virginia Creeper Trail."
"There are about 8-10 sites that are right behind the pool and more sites down a short hill all along the river. This campground accommodates tents, pop ups and RV's comfortably."
4. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park
56 ReviewsTroutdale, VA27 milesWebsite+1 (276) 579-2374$27 - $98 / 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."
5. Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground
8 ReviewsDamascus, VA12 milesWebsite+1 (423) 735-1500$10 - $20 / night
"Just across the Virginia state line, this national forest offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Beaver Dam Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant."
"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."
6. Observation Knob Park
5 ReviewsShady Valley, TN10 milesWebsite+1 (423) 878-1881$25 - $35 / night
"Large County campground with electric and water with two pump out stations. spacious, hilly sites with some tree coverage along lake with boat ramp and capacity to tie your boat up at your site."
"Great for kids and dogs!! Spots are a little hard to find if you aren’t familiar, and there is no septic at each site, but other than that, it’s exactly what you’d expect."
7. Laurel Creek RV Park
5 ReviewsDamascus, VA12 milesWebsite+1 (423) 440-3042$55 / night
"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."
8. Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground
12 ReviewsWhitetop, VA18 milesWebsite$55 / night
"Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, this campground is close to enough activities to fill a whole week of outdoor fun!"
"Large secluded campsites surrounded by rhododendron bushes with a mountain spring creek meandering through the campgrounds."
9. Royal Oak Campground — Hungry Mother State Park
42 ReviewsMarion, VA28 milesWebsite+1 (276) 781-7400$27 / night
"The amenities cannot be missed - beach with bath house and snack bar, interpretive center with children’s activities, on-site restaurant with wonderful lake view, $8 kayak rentals, well-kept paddle boats"
"We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground was fantastic. All campsites are on platforms, which makes it very nice to set up your stuff."
10. Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites
8 ReviewsDamascus, VA15 milesWebsite+1 (540) 265-5100"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."
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Abingdon, VA
160 Photos of 157 Abingdon Campgrounds
Eleanor the Airstream R.
Observation Knob Park
Bruce&Linda A.
Damascus Brewery
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Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground
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Laurel Creek RV Park
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Friendship Rd
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Love, Wings, Roots
Jessica M.
Breath of Dawn
Matthew
Jefferson National Forest Beartree Campground
RaD_Travels
Doe Valley Campground
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Thunder Mountain Campground
Sadie S.
R&D Campground
Kristi D.
Creeper Trail Campground
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Abingdon, VA
907 Reviews of 157 Abingdon Campgrounds
- Riley R.
TravelerDown 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.
- JJoe S.Scout
Riverside Campground
Nice family campground
Close to charming Abingdon VA with great local restaurants, the Barter Theater and the Virginia Creeper Trail. On the north fork of the Holsten River, this quiet campground provides the perfect spot for a family trip
- kkellyScout
Sugar Hollow Campground
Great spot that checks all my boxes
In nature, not to close together spots, affordable (20/night). Im in a 25ft class c, always looking for a more nature forward spot, trees out my door. There’s phone service and Wi-Fi in some spots. A few will fit a larger rig, many will fit my size. A few are flat already and some will need leveling. Tons of sites, fewer ‘ideal’ ones but there will be something.
Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise. Water available but not at your site(mostly, if you have an extension you you make some work) Electric at most sites. Close to abingdon and Virginia creeper trail. Also close to a Target, makes a convenient stop. 
Susan E.
GuideBristol-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.
Lisa B.ScoutCavitts Creek Park
Cavitt's Creek Park at Lake Witten
Beautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains, hiking, fishing and boating, amazing staff, very clean shower houses and laundry facility! Very family oriented and pet friendly!
Carol J.GuideLover's Leap Campground — Natural Tunnel State Park
Come Back Again and Again
This was my third visit to the NTSP - I really enjoy the camping, and the pool and Natural Tunnel are great fun. Each time I've camped in Lover's Leap, and all the sites are well spaced. Have stayed in #3 and #5, and #12 which is even more private. The restrooms and showers are always clean, and there is a nice laundry area as well. This trip we took a car ride to Big Stone Gap, a thriving little town about 30 minutes north of the park - it's a nice quiet but interesting town, with a nice dog park. Took a car ride to Gate City, south of the park - wouldn't recommend it. It's a city on it's way down. The short ride to the Blockhouse in the park is interesting, with nice views of the mountains. The ride and hike up and down to the tunnel is always fun. In the summers they light the tunnel one Saturday night each month, so it's worth trying to plan for that.
Robin M.GuideNatural Tunnel State Park Campground
Spectacular views
The views are spectacular, Camping with electric, water and showers was just a bonus to all the beauty around us and pet friendly. Great people all around and we felt so welcomed.
Victoria L.TravelerWagoner — 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 Abingdon
Riverside Campground's waterfront tent sites welcome pets while offering electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings along the North Fork of the Holsten River. Sugar Hollow Campground provides shaded, secluded spots for pets and their owners with electric service and shared water spigots at $20 per night. The place is surrounded by mature trees, giving most campsites all-day shade—perfect for hot summer days. Washington & Jefferson National Forest offers free dispersed camping options where pets can explore the wilderness. Most campgrounds near Abingdon maintain standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed, cleaned up after, and supervised at all times. Tent camping at Riverside should be approached with caution as some visitors have reported copperhead snake sightings.
Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area provides peaceful lakeside camping for pets and owners, though camping directly on the shoreline is prohibited. The area features established fire rings, bear-proof storage bins, and portable toilets. Dogs must be kept under control while exploring the trails that wind through Jefferson National Forest. Sugar Hollow Park maintains hiking paths directly accessible from the campground, allowing convenient pet exercise opportunities without driving elsewhere. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances to other campers. When planning summer trips, consider the heat impact on pets—many sites like Sugar Hollow provide ample shade throughout the day. Observation Knob Park offers lakefront camping with electric and water hookups where dogs can enjoy the water, though the park's hilly terrain means some sites require significant leveling for RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Abingdon, VA?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Abingdon, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Abingdon, VA is Little Oak Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Abingdon, VA?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Abingdon, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 157 dog-friendly camping locations near Abingdon, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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