119 campgrounds Β· Check availability for any dates.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers free dispersed camping where pets are allowed alongside drive-in and walk-in access. Nearby, Chestnut Knob Shelter on the Appalachian Trail provides a pet-friendly cabin and tent camping experience in a natural setting. Most campgrounds in the Ceres area maintain standard pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal. The shelter at Chestnut Knob features wooden bunks and platforms for sleeping bags, with reviews noting the comfortable accommodations despite its rustic nature. Several established campgrounds including Stony Fork, Deer Trail Park, and Hungry Mother State Park also welcome pets with varying amenities.
Hiking trails throughout the region provide excellent opportunities for dogs and their owners. Chestnut Knob Trail offers great views over Burkes Garden, nicknamed "God's Thumbprint," making it a popular destination for hikers with dogs. Many campgrounds feature creeks or streams where pets can cool off, with Deer Trail Park Campground's rippling creek being particularly popular with families and their pets. Stony Fork Campground provides spacious, wooded sites with privacy and easy access to walking paths. The campground's sites are dispersed enough to minimize disturbance from other campers and their pets. Most established campgrounds maintain clean bathroom facilities, though primitive camping options at Mount Rogers require visitors to bring their own water and sanitation supplies for themselves and their pets.
"The amenities cannot be missed - beach with bath house and snack bar, interpretive center with childrenβs 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."
from $27 / night
Check Availability"They are pet friendly for campers/RV's!! We stayed in site 44 and LOVED it!! Close enough to the bathrooms that we just used those and showered in there as well!"
"We had our grand-dog with us and she had a blast playing ball. Sites are electric ONLY. No water or sewer available. Even though reservation folks said otherwise."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Only down fall is if you have a big fifth wheel turning into the off road area trailer may hit box of your truck. Caution may damage your vehicles."
"We stayed here to visit friends close by and we also drove to WV to raft New River, about 90 minutes away."
from $39 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Dog park needs to be updated but the fact they had a dog park was amazing. There was live music, karaoke, candy scavenger hunts for kids, even a bowling ally! I recommend this 100%"
"Game and rec rooms, dog park, store well stocked playgrounds, sand boxes. No messing around. Staff very friendly."
from $50 - $170 / night
Check Availability"This was our first visit to a Virginia State Park and we were impressed."
"Has multiple pull through sites, bath house and laundry close by. We were there during off season so some of the park was closed and they collected payment through honor system."
from $37 - $41 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $98 / night
Check Availability"Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise."
"Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didnβt see a single soul. Got a beautiful campsite right on the creek."
"We've made this hike several times with our dogs. It is a great shorter hike with great views over Burkes Garden (nicknamed God's Thumbprint). At the top is a clearing where camping is possible."
"Donβt make the same mistake I did and tent camp outside in a huge storm - just stay inside!"
"While driving out to the monument in his honor I found this site and loved what I saw!"
"There is plenty of room to walk your pet and some of the sites provide shaded areas. You are just about .25 miles from the freeway, but you do not hear it. Staff is very friendly."
from $35 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Amazing little campground in the heart of Mount Rogers recreational area in Western Virginia. Wonderful fall colors crisp, clean, mountain air was totally the best!οΏΌ"
"This camp ground is located well off any main roads under a nice quiet canopy of Hemlocks and Laurel trees. Easy walking distance to several well maintained and very clean outhouses."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis place is amazing!! Dog park needs to be updated but the fact they had a dog park was amazing. There was live music, karaoke, candy scavenger hunts for kids, even a bowling ally! I recommend this 100%
TravelerBy far the best KOA I have stayed at. This place is huge and some thing for everyone. Game and rec rooms, dog park, store well stocked playgrounds, sand boxes. No messing around. Staff very friendly.
TravelerNice, clean campground with friendly staff. Outdoor pool, mini golf, bowling alley and more to keep everyone busy. We stayed on Labor Day weekend so it was crowded and of course it was a bit noisy but would definitely recommend anyone to stay here and we would definitely go back. They also have two dog parks in the campground which is nice for your furry family! π
ScoutWe stayed here for vacation last year. Thereβs a nice dog park, and the facilities are clean. My only negative was that they had us camp up on the top of the hill and it was difficult to navigate back down, with some very sharp turns for our fifth wheel. They seemed to have some nice amenities, and the staff was very friendly.
TravelerI typically steer clear of KOA's because most of the sites are super close together. This KOA is different! There is a row towards the front that are pretty close together, but I think they use those for one-nighters. We were in a tent and loved our spot. The staff was UNBELIEVABLY awesome and nice. They have a pool, a pond, a playground, a dog park, and a great camp store. The bathrooms and laundry room are exceptionally clean. If you order ice or firewood, they bring it to your site. They also have food you can order and they will bring it to your site. I am sure there are many things I am forgetting, but this is a must stay and we will be back.
ScoutBeautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains, hiking, fishing and boating, amazing staff, very clean shower houses and laundry facility! Very family oriented and pet friendly!
GuideI stayed at Lake Ridge RV Resort for quite a while. Great place to spend the evenings after work. Pond and surrounding area are very well maintained. Staff are friendly and shower houses were kept clean even in off season. Pet friendly; just got to scoop the poop!
LegendI was traveling in this area and was really excited to have found that there is a town called Austinville where Stephen F Austin, a founder of Texas, originated. While driving out to the monument in his honor I found this site and loved what I saw!
Highway access to this area is easy for all types of traveler. there are several stores in the area with just about anything you could need or want only moments away from camp and if you are there in late summer when I was, the sun rises are amazing!!!!
So what is the catch?? Well they don't accept tents!!! NOOOOOO!! I didn't find a single thing about that online when I checked their site following finding out this knowledge, however I did like this site enough to still give them a positive review because they were so nice, their facility was ample and their proximity itself.
In fact, they were so nice they gave me a tour of the campground even though I couldn't stay and gave me some great info about places around me which led me to another campground that served me perfect, a tent campground nearby.
This site has a very nice restroom with multiple sinks, a large laundry room perfect for a camper who is on the road for a while like myself. I noticed there was a very nice pool which is heated, allowing it to be open much longer than many campgrounds in the area. There is a large pet area and also playground and several hiking areas in the direct area which all looked nice.
Nearby are numerous state parks as a part of the New River Trail including the Shot Tower Historical Site which is a very short distance away. In addition, people often come here to watch the birds and deer, which are very relaxing.
Should I return with an RV I also inquired about the rates which are reasonable at $35 for standard hook ups and they do have weekly rates also. I did notice what appeared to be a few long term campers but their areas still looked kept and maintained.
TIPS:
TravelerWe 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.
Dispersed camping options near Ceres, Virginia allow campers to experience the Jefferson National Forest at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forest conditions. Camping sites along creeks provide natural cooling during summer months when temperatures average 75-85Β°F.
Hiking with clear destinations: Creekside Campground at Hungry Mother State Park provides access to trail systems with defined endpoints. "There are many trails within walking distance. The park is very well maintained and clean. You can hike, swim, or rent a canoe," notes a camper who visited with dogs.
Fishing without a license: Fort Chiswell RV Park maintains a stocked pond where visitors can fish without additional permits. "There's a large pond stocked with koi fish. The grounds are well-kept," reports a reviewer who appreciated this recreational option during their 3-night stay.
Paddle multiple waterways: Hungry Mother State Park features a lake with affordable rental options. "If you only have 1 hour, power right out of the boat slip (past the beach) up and around the far part of the lake. Utter solitude among the hills!" advises a visitor who explored the waterways.
Level, maintained sites: Stony Fork Campground offers organized spaces that accommodate various camping styles. "Driveway is level and paved. Some sites have electric and water however cannot hook up water to campers," observes a reviewer who gave the site 5 stars.
Access to running water: At Hurricane Campground, the stream provides natural ambience and practical benefits. "Great spot, very well kept and plenty of space. Loved having the sound of the river right next to our site," notes one camper who found this location after nearby alternatives were closed for the season.
Digital disconnection: Campers appreciate the lack of connectivity at some locations. "Loved our site #27. Close to the stream. Wooded, lots of space, large tent space. Had plenty of down wood for fires," reports a hiker who used Stony Fork Campground as their Appalachian Trail base camp.
Weather considerations: Camp Burson at Hungry Mother State Park can experience significant seasonal changes. "It rained for 12 hours straight with cold, high winds...so it was a bit chilly, but still enjoyable. Heaters weren't on in the shower rooms...37 degree showering gets tricky," warns a visitor who camped during shoulder season.
Campground layouts: Different sections of the same park often have distinct characteristics. "Camp Burson is flat and very well maintained gravel pads. Creekside is a little hilly with blacktop pads and Royal Oak is very steep with deck like structures at each site to set up on," explains a camper detailing the options at Hungry Mother State Park.
Access roads: Some campgrounds require navigating challenging roads. "This campground has a long and steep paved road going to it from up the mountain. We really enjoyed going up and down each time, it's nothing to be scared of!" reassures a Hurricane Campground visitor.
Stream-accessible sites: Deer Trail Park Campground offers waterfront options particularly suited for children. "Tent sites are along a rippling creek, very clean bathrooms/showers, multiple small playgrounds, and a pool," shares a reviewer who found the location ideal for families.
Activity infrastructure: Some campgrounds provide dedicated recreational facilities. "Huge game room, heated pool and lots of recreation areas for kids. There is a stream and pond, which allows catch and release," notes a visitor to Deer Trail Park Campground.
Multiple playgrounds: When selecting a pet-friendly camping site near Ceres, Virginia, consider locations with dispersed play areas. "Great owners always clean... An extremely clean, well maintained campground with something for everyone," reports a regular visitor to Deer Trail Park.
Size restrictions: Wytheville KOA accommodates larger rigs and provides essential hookups. "Fast curbside check-in took us straight to our site. We only stayed overnight left in the morning but it was nice and quiet easy on and off of 81," reports an RV camper who used the location as a stopover.
Site positioning: Consider how your site relates to the surroundings. "Our site (#43) was on the end of a row with our patio facing a hillside next to a stream that made for a very pleasant rushing water sound," explains a Camp Burson visitor describing their camping experience.
Tree clearance: Watch for low branches when navigating wooded campgrounds. "Sites are level and can fit big rigs but the only problem we had were that some of the trees need to be trimmed back and scratched the upper sides of our coach," cautions a visitor to Camp Burson who experienced this issue during their stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ceres, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ceres, VA is Royal Oak Campground β Hungry Mother State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ceres, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 119 dog-friendly camping locations near Ceres, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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