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.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Appalachia, VA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground permits dogs at all tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings along the Powell River. Natural Tunnel State Park Campground also allows pets throughout its various accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, glamping options, and yurts. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with showers and toilets accessible to campers with pets. The bathhouse at Jessie Lea was noted as exceptionally clean and freshly painted, with decorative touches throughout. Campground hosts at Natural Tunnel are particularly attentive to pet owners, often delivering firewood directly to campsites. Flag Rock Recreation Area Campground similarly allows pets at all 18 of its spread-out sites, though campers should note it offers electric hookups but no water connections at individual sites.
The hiking trails connecting to Natural Tunnel State Park campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for dog exercise, with the Purchase Ridge Trail offering a moderate forest walk and Lover's Leap Trail providing more challenging terrain with stunning views. Bears and coyotes are active in the area, requiring proper food storage and pet supervision. Kingdom Come State Park's primitive camping area features special food hangers to keep supplies away from wildlife, particularly important for pet owners. Primitive campsites throughout the region typically have dedicated fire rings and picnic tables, with rangers regularly supplying firewood. Cell service remains spotty or non-existent on many trails surrounding these campgrounds, so pet owners should plan accordingly and consider carrying bear spray when hiking with dogs. Many campgrounds connect to walking paths like the greenbelt trail accessible from Jessie Lea via a footbridge crossing the Powell River.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Appalachia (70)
1. Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground
"Great surprise in the mountains of Virginia! beautiful creek nearby!"
"We visited the local museums and walked the green belt. The green belt is next to the camp ground within walking distance. We will be back!"
2. Natural Tunnel State Park Campground
"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."
"Great place for dog walks. Tunnel very cool."
3. Flag Rock Recreation Area Campground
"Great campground with biking/hiking trails and mountain scenic overlook. Clean bathhouses, picnic tables, fire rings, charcoal grills, and electricity provided. Quiet with great views."
"Continuing on there is a short walk to a lovely overlook. There are very nice picnic shelters. Our only complaint was the place had a number of lampoles with lights that were on all night."
from $20 / night
Check Availability4. Kingdom Come State Park Campground
"If you like fishing there is a small lake which is regularly stocked with Trout. Bass, Blue Gill, Sunfish, and a few others. It's just a short walk from the campsites."
"There are 6 tent sites (7 if they allow you to reserve the one next to the duck pond), each with a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table."
from $14 / night
Check Availability5. Portal 31 RV Park
"This small park is located across the street from an exhibition coal mine, portal 31. It is in the former train depots former switch yard. Small, with electric hookups and a communal water spout."
6. Lover's Leap Campground — Natural Tunnel State Park
"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. "
"The cabins look fantastic from the outside. For more adventures you can also rent a yurt. There is also a little campstore that has firewood and some essentials. The area is very scenic."
from $37 / night
Check Availability7. Cove View Campground — Natural Tunnel State Park
"Also the crows - smarter than normal haha they WILL wake you up earlier than the other birds demanding you make breakfast and leave so they can then hop around your camp."
"Amazing trails, well maintained with breathtaking views. Camp site was clean. Accessible. Camp store had all the needed supplies and then some. Friendly staff. Well monitored for safety."
from $37 - $80 / night
Check Availability8. Devils Fork Campground
9. Leeman Field Park
"Great little park located in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia beside of Leeman Field park in Pennington Gap. Easy sites to get into with full hookups."
"Lots to do within easy driving distance. Overall a great experience"
10. Clinch River Family Campground
"Lots of open space pets. This is very country setting. Friendly host."
"A few friends and I visited this campground in June of 2018 so we could visit the Natural Tunnel and the Devil's Fork Loop Trail."
Drive Time
- 51 min from Kingsport, TN
- 1 hr 2 min from Johnson City, TN
- 1 hr 37 min from Morristown, TN
- 2 hrs 9 min from Knoxville, TN
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Appalachia, VA
39 Photos of 70 Appalachia Campgrounds
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Appalachia, VA
323 Reviews of 70 Appalachia Campgrounds
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N I.
LegendBaileyton KOA Holiday
Country Time
Sites: 60 Pull thrus
RV-Tent-Cabins 15-30-50 amp service
Hot showers, pool, pets allowed, toilets, laundry, small grocery store This is only of couple of miles off I40 in the rolling hills of Tennessee, very quiet and well maintained. Sites ae a bit close together but not on top of each other. Gravel pads, fire rings, picnic table, trash. Beautiful green space and dog walk area. Enjoy the hiking.
LNT
Travel safe
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.
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.
DennisGuideClinch River Family Campground
Beautiful little campground right along the river.
Mostly level gravel spots. Sites are close together. Block bathhouse that the spiders enjoy. Beautiful river. Lots of open space pets. This is very country setting. Friendly host.
- Terri W.Scout
Cedar Ridge Hammock Campground — Warriors' Path State Park
Clean and efficent
There are 2 main campgrounds here for rvs and tents. Is it a nice safe place for families. Pets welcome. 30 and up a night with a good security faculty.
- NN I.Legend
Around Pond RV Park
Peace on the Lake
Pull thrus
15-20-30-50 amp
Pets allowed
Showers, toilets, fishing pond (2 acre stocked) Adults or seniors
Rates by day or week $40.00-$200.00
aroundpondrvpark.com 432-234-0229 Very open area with a lot of RV's and a really nice fishing lake. Well maintained and manicured.
LNT
Travel safe
- GGisela C.Scout
Carr Creek State Park Campground
RV/Tent camp by mtn lake
Overall; nice place, bathrooms get gross quickly when campground is at full capacity. Not handicap friendly. Good cell service, 4G. Small beach area, clear water for swimming, but have quite a few steps to walk down to the lake. Playground equipment was taken down, only had a couple of swings. All sites have electric and water, picnic table, two poles to hang garbage or lantern, also fire rings with grates for cooking on Pets allowed on leash. Firewood and ice available.
Attendant on site, not a ranger, maybe a "workamper?" Bathrooms cleaned only once in the midmorning. The commodes have a button to flush which is difficult to push. I think young children couldn't push it, so the toilets got nasty and full. Toilet paper ran out by early evening. There was no commode in the handicap stall in the women's room. Hot showers with regular handle for continual flow (as opposed to some places that only run a couple of minutes before you have to push the button again.
Most sites are shaded and grassy areas. Sites 7, 8, 26, 28, 31 are washed out, not good for putting up a tent. Lake surrounds campground but not visible through the trees. A few very steep trails from some sites down to the lake.
Beach is about 100 yds long. Water was clean and clear. It might be a slight challenge walking back up the steps to the parking lot if you're not in good shape. If you plan on hanging out at the beach area for awhile, I suggest bringing a beach tent, it gets hot. There is a drive way down to the beach for handicap access, but the gate was locked. There is a marina on the other side of the road. I believe you can rent a pontoon there.
While we were there, somebody with a super loud speed boat was racing around, so be aware that if you're wanting peace and quiet, there is boating noise. There was also a group of campers that had speakers set up and played their music Sat night that was annoying. Not super loud, but we just didn't care for their style of music. We tolerated it, but don't know why they weren't asked to turn it down. To me, music shouldn't be heard much past your own site.
It's about 5+/- miles in either direction for a store. There is an ice cream place about 2 miles away that also sells basic prep fried food and breakfast.
Our electric didn't work (site 33) but we were with another couple and plugged into theirs next to us. We usually primitive camp, but because of the Aug heat, it's nice to have a fan at night.
We might camp there again. The main thing is that the bath house needs to be updated and attended to more than once a day. It's better than nothing, but I'd rather go in an outhouse than see an overflowing toilet.
Guide to Appalachia
Campgrounds around Appalachia, Virginia provide extensive pet accommodations throughout the Cumberland Mountains region. Located in the southwestern corner of Virginia at elevations between 1,500-3,000 feet, these campgrounds experience warm summers and cool falls with seasonal temperature variations. Winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing, particularly at higher elevation sites.
What to do
Hiking through historic sites: Natural Tunnel State Park Campground offers unique opportunities to explore regional history. "The tunnel is at the base of a massive rock and a train drives through it very slowly each day," notes one visitor. The park includes a blockhouse historical site where campers can "learn about the history" of the region.
Swimming and fishing: For water recreation, Leeman Field Park provides swimming facilities included with your camping fee. "Admission to the pool is included in campground fees," explains a camper. The park sits beside multiple recreation facilities including tennis courts and a disc golf course.
Wildlife viewing: Mountain forests around campgrounds host diverse wildlife. "I saw more bears while at this park than any other time. But it was never scary because they were always far away," reports a camper at Kingdom Come State Park Campground. Dusk and dawn offer the best viewing opportunities for deer and smaller mammals.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campground facilities receive consistent praise for cleanliness. "The bathhouse is extremely clean. The showers are separate from the restrooms," notes a visitor at Lover's Leap Campground in Natural Tunnel State Park. Another camper adds that the park is "very well maintained" with helpful staff.
River access: Clinch River Family Campground provides direct water access. "Beautiful little campground right along the river. Mostly level gravel spots," mentions one reviewer. The campground includes "a launch for tubes/kayaks" with a public launch available upstream for float trips.
Free firewood: Several campgrounds provide complimentary firewood. One Kingdom Come visitor explains: "Everyday a ranger will come by and keep you stocked with wood. It's included with the price of camping." This uncommon amenity saves campers from purchasing or gathering wood themselves.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Seasonal conditions affect campground availability and access. At Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground, "If the water is high, the sites aren't available," according to one camper. Spring and early summer typically bring higher water levels along creeks and rivers.
Limited cell service: Communication becomes challenging throughout the region. A camper at Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping notes: "Your cell service will be spotty/non-existent on trails around the area... even when you see a road running parallel to your hike." Most campgrounds recommend downloading maps before arrival.
Remote locations: Some campgrounds require significant travel from main roads. One visitor to Clinch River Family Campground warns: "Be prepared for 7 mile drive from main road. Most of the final road to campground is paved with exception of last mile, its wide enough but slow going. You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature children's recreation areas. Leeman Field Park includes "multiple playgrounds" and "picnic shelters" adjacent to the camping area. The facilities provide convenient entertainment options without leaving the immediate camping area.
Summer swimming options: Flag Rock Recreation Area Campground offers seasonal water recreation. "Fishing and kayaking are 1/2 mile from the campground," explains one camper. Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas during summer months.
Consider heat in yurts: Non-traditional accommodations may present temperature challenges. A Natural Tunnel visitor cautions: "The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside. Immediately after opening the door, opening the window and opening the canvas window coverings, we could feel the heat pouring out of the yurt." When camping with children in summer, request shaded sites or bring portable fans.
Tips from RVers
Electric without water: Flag Rock Recreation Area provides partial hookups that require planning. "Very peaceful, not at all crowded, small campground. There's only 18 sites and they're spread out. There is electric hookups but not water. There is a dump station too," notes one RVer. Campers need to arrive with fresh water tanks filled.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer full dumping facilities. Clinch River Family Campground provides dumping services, while other area campgrounds may require travel to sanitary stations. Pennington Gap and Norton offer public dumping facilities for campers at primitive sites.
Access road challenges: Some campgrounds present navigational difficulties. One camper at Kingdom Come warns: "The road in from Cumberland is STEEP! We made it in a mini van pulling a scamp, so you'll probably be fine." Larger RVs should research specific access limitations before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
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