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Spruce Knob Lake Campground's pet-friendly sites provide direct access to wilderness exploration with dogs at the highest point in West Virginia. Both tent and RV campers can keep their pets with them while enjoying the rustic, secluded camping experience. The campground maintains clean facilities including drinking water and toilets, though no electric hookups are available. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping and Little River Dispersed Campsites also welcome pets in their free primitive camping areas. Campsites are not on top of each other, offering privacy and natural surroundings ideal for camping with dogs. East Fork Campground and Horse Stables offers full hook-up sites with pets allowed, featuring amenities like showers, water, and sewer connections alongside picnic tables.
Trails surrounding Spruce Knob mountain provide excellent dog-friendly hiking opportunities, with the Huckleberry Trail offering numerous camping spots along the route where pets are welcome. During spring and fall migrations, the area becomes an excellent spot for birding with well-behaved dogs. The higher elevation at Spruce Knob means significantly cooler temperatures even in summer months, requiring campers to pack appropriate gear for pets. Little River Dispersed Campsites features beautiful spots along the creek where dogs can enjoy water access, though previous campers have reported bear activity close to some sites. Pet owners should properly store all food in vehicles rather than hanging in trees to minimize wildlife encounters. The Span Oak trail at the beginning of the camping area leads along a beautiful ridge suitable for leashed dog walks.
"The Spruce Knob Lake Campground offers extra-large camp sites with lots of shade and so much undergrowth I only saw my neighbors when I took a walk to check out the campground."
"It is about 5 miles from the summit of Spruce Knob (highest peak in West Virginia). Tow campers smaller in size can certainly make it, although mostly tent camping which I like. "
from $15 - $32 / night
Check Availability"This was my first stop on my cross country trip from Virginia to California and out of all the amazing places I’ve seen, this is by far my favorite spot!"
"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"I stayed here for a single night while I was exploring West Virginia, but I wish I had stayed longer. This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever seen."
"If you're a fan of hiking and rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, Seneca Shadows is absolutely the best campground near this fantastic rock formation. "
from $17 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia and offers great views."
"Spruce Knob is West Virginia's highest peak and on a clear day offers breathtaking 360 degree views from the Observation Tower. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?"
"There is much history and lore that is behind every fire tower. The Thorny Mountain Fire Tower was built by the CCC sometime around 1935...and is erected at an elevation of 3458 ft."
"To get to the fire tower you will want to take the Loop Road, it is gravel and there are pot holes on the edges of the road so you will want to be careful of those."
"Car could be parked right next to us on site 2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment 3. Some walking trails 4."
"the pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous. the water is also stocked with fish!"
"My husband and I stayed her for one night with our dog! We arrived around 6pm on a Friday evening."
"Very very quiet location. You can collect fallen material for fires, and we marched off into the woodlands for a little hike."
"Nice well kept campground adjacent to the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!"
"Very peaceful, surrounded by mountains. The campground had stables and catered to people with horses, but we felt very welcomed by the owners."
"Camped up there with just my dog and I doubt there was a single person for miles around. The sunset and sunrise views are insane. Made it up in a stock Subaru Outback."
"There’s plenty of camp spots close by with some cover from trees. Very spaced out. Everyone you run into is nice and welcoming."
"Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road."
"Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot."
TravelerThe grounds are beautiful, staff amazing. Store had everything we needed, Bath houses were spotless. Exercise area for pets is huge. Within five minutes a local grocery store. I love this campground and hope to return for the blue grass festival next year.
ScoutPros outweighed the cons.
Good: Staff was amazing! Trash pickup daily. Level sites. Nice little general store. 9-hole disc golf course. Dog park and playground centrally located. Quiet. Close to shopping, restaurants, etc.
Bad (if they can be called “bad”): We were excited about cable and wi-fi as a new perk. Could not get cable to work and wi-fi was spotty at our site. Had great signal in other parts of the campground though, and cell reception was strong. Roads were narrow to navigate and some sites quite short in length.
TravelerWe stayed here for 3 nights. Perfect campground with everything you need. Bathrooms are very clean. Ice, propane, and other items are available on site at the store. Halloween was in full effect including a haunted walk. Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character. Dog park, pool, and plenty of games are available on site. Harrisonburg is down the road if you to need to stop in town.
TravelerEnjoyed our stay at this campground! Office is open until 8pm which is rare. Sites are clean and flat. Pull thru and back in slots available. There is a lovely creek running through portions of the campground. Showers and bathrooms were relatively clean. Didn't use the pool. Dog park and playground were nice features. Overall, good value for the sites and amenities.
GuideLocated within minutes of I81. We stopped for 2 nights to see the Shenandoah National Park on our way to NC. Called last minute and got a site. Very nice customer service. Grounds were very well kept. Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises. Nice dog park for our fur babies and doggie duty stations with bags in several locations throughout the park. Also had a cute playground for kiddos. Didn't use the pool so can't comment. A little highway noise but when windows and door were closed couldn't hear a thing. We'd stay here again. They honor Good Sam discount. Paid $38 with discount.
LegendDouthat (Doubt-that) State Park is a campers dream! Level sites with or with out hook ups, well spaced apart, fairly private, and in the middle of a pretty good forest!
Kid and pet friendly, this park has a nice lake for Kayaking/canoeing, multiple hiking trails with views, excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, and great biking trails.
It is off the beaten path so it appears to be less visited than other Virginia State Parks.
GuideSite 034 Loop Morr Dates of Stay: August 30-Sept 1 Average Daily Temp: 78 Average Nighlty Tem: 64 Pet friendly spot with access to firewood on site for small fee. Tent pad, fire pit, one picnic table, and lamp post on site. Close access to Lake area with a 100 yard walk through pathway off the site. Great shade for those hot sunny days. Plenty of room on the site for tents and vehicle parking. Neighboring sites offer fair amount of privacy. Site had some trash scattered around by previous visitors. Needed to do some checking for broken flashlight pieces and glass before I allowed my dog free roam.
GuideNice little campground. Great spot for fly fishing. Lots of hiking trails, fishing spots and caverns! When we got here, we read signs about “no pets”, but they didn’t ask when making the reservation, so we had no idea until a few days after being here. We have an old dog, and nobody has said anything. We would stay here again, when in this area.
GuideThis campground was amazing! The shower and bathrooms were spotless. Some sites were closer together than others but we didn’t mind since we just had a tent. There were trails to walk pets. The sky was absolutely perfect to view from the campground - you could bring a telescope! I would absolutely come back to stay for a few days!
Dispersed camping options near Blue Grass, Virginia provide opportunities for primitive camping experiences with pets at varying elevations and terrain types. The region's altitudes range from 1,000 to nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, creating significant temperature variations between valleys and mountain tops. Many sites offer access to fishing streams, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing with minimal facilities and few crowds.
Trail exploration with dogs: Mower Basin offers multiple marked hiking trails directly accessible from campsites. "I do a lot of dispersed camping, and have done several dispersed camping sites in West Virginia recently. Mower Basin is, hands down, my favorite one so far... There is a gorgeous network of trails defined as multi-use but designed particularly for mountain bikers, complete with berms, moguls, and generally sufficient width for navigating without hanging up a handlebar. Most noteworthy: the trails are beautifully groomed, well-maintained," notes Ric M. about the Dispersed camping at Mower Basin.
Dark sky stargazing: The remote location makes for excellent night sky viewing with pets. "It is much cooler at this elevation, even in summer... Obviously, on a clear night, star gazing is incredible as there no ambient light," reports Dave V. at Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower. The high elevation and limited light pollution create optimal conditions for viewing stars with dogs at your side.
Fishing with canine companions: Stocked waters provide fishing opportunities while camping with pets. "The pond is stocked with trout in season, check DGIF site for dates," notes Paul P. about Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area. The fishing access points are easily reached with dogs, though keeping pets leashed near water is advised during fishing activities.
Creek-side campsites: Multiple spots feature direct water access for pets. "Many of the spots were taken when we arrived, even on a Tuesday night, but about 3-4 remained. We lucked out with a very spacious site right at the creek's edge. Towering pines lined the sight, and provided a gorgeous backdrop for the stars and fireflies at night," says Tommy S. about Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping. These creek-side locations provide natural cooling and water access for dogs.
Privacy between sites: Most dispersed camping areas feature well-separated sites. "Little river has about 15 campsites along Little River Road. Most are decent, but a few are absolutely gorgeous. I stayed at site 13 last time (which was occupied) but this time at site 9 was just as magical," notes Tommy S. about their experience at Little River Dispersed Campsites. The natural spacing allows pets to relax without constant encounters with other campers.
Scenic mountain views: Higher elevation camping provides expansive vistas. "So to get a great view you need to go all the way up to the knob. There are primitive campsites all along the trails," explains David B. about Flagpole Knob. These open viewpoints allow dogs to enjoy sunrise and sunset alongside their owners.
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active in several camping areas. "Lost cell service an hour before reaching the area. Utterly beautiful, pretty untouched wilderness. Very very quiet location... Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear," warns Luke M. about Little River Dispersed Campsites. Proper food storage is essential when camping with pets in this region.
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires navigating unpaved roads. "About 7+ miles in from the town of Durbin on a dirt road (not sure how that would go in an RV but easy in a small vehicle). Beautiful dispersed camping near a creek in dense, lush forest," describes Erik C. about reaching Little River Dispersed Campsites. Plan vehicle selection accordingly when bringing pets to remote sites.
Limited cell service: Most areas have minimal or no connectivity. "Reasons why it might not be perfect for everyone: Really remote. I'm pretty sure the nearest hospital is at least an hour away, and I never get cell phone reception at any of the sites I have camped at," explains Ric M. about Mower Basin. This isolation requires additional preparation when bringing pets along.
Choose sites with shallow water access: Kids and dogs can both enjoy gentle creek areas. "We did wade the stream, which was cold and clear and beautiful. We'll be back!" shares Amy S. about her family trip to Braley Pond. These water features provide cooling options in warmer months for both children and pets.
Bring appropriate gear for temperature swings: Mountain elevations experience significant temperature drops overnight. "Download your maps before you come, because there's no cell service and you'll truly get away. In mid April the capmground had plenty of space, but nearby Spruce Knob Lake was encircled by fishers seeking trout from the latest release," notes Jean C. about Spruce Knob Lake Campground. Extra layers for both people and pets are essential even in summer months.
Look for established campfire rings: Most primitive sites have existing fire circles. "Car could be parked right next to us on site. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment. Some walking trails. A pit toilet is located at the picnic site," describes Evan P. about pet-friendly camping at Braley Pond. These established fire areas provide safer warming options for family camping with pets.
Full hookup options: Some developed campgrounds accommodate RVs with pets. "Very nice campground with water and electric right on the river for $32, clean bathrooms and showers, and very nice owners. We stayed for one night but most of the others staying there had horses and were staying a while," shares Richard about East Fork Campground and Horse Stables. These facilities provide more comfortable options for RV travelers with pets.
Check road clearance requirements: Many dispersed sites have limited access for larger vehicles. "It's easy to find, the roads are gravel and maintained enough for just about any vehicle to get back there, the views are truly incredible with great star gazing opportunities," explains Mystic S. about Mower Basin, though other reviewers note some routes require higher clearance vehicles. Researching specific access points helps RVers with pets find suitable locations.
Consider camping seasons carefully: Spring and fall offer better conditions for RVs with pets. "We really enjoyed the campground. Nice bathhouse, nice playground, and beautiful setting. We used it as a base for Cass Scenic Railroad, which is not far from Durbin," says Ryan P. about East Fork Campground. Shoulder seasons often provide more comfortable temperatures for both RV camping and pet activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Blue Grass, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Blue Grass, VA is Spruce Knob Lake Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Blue Grass, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 104 dog-friendly camping locations near Blue Grass, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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