The Blue Ridge Mountains near Cloverdale, Virginia offer pet-friendly camping at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. Several campgrounds in this region accommodate dogs with varying levels of access to trails, water features, and overnight facilities. Fall temperatures in the area typically range from 40°F to 70°F, creating comfortable camping conditions for pets and their owners.
What to do
Hike Sharp Top and Flat Top trails: Both trails near Peaks Of Otter Campground provide challenging but rewarding day hikes with pets. "Sharp top and flat top hikes... were beautiful, but slightly difficult so just be prepared. Also bring bug spray because the flies were terrible at the top," notes Sam M. The trailheads are accessible directly from the campground area.
Visit local water features: The region offers multiple creek and lake access points ideal for dogs who enjoy water. At Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, "The creek was the big hit for our family of small boys. Grab some lawn chairs and a cooler and let them play and explore for hours," shares Katherine M., highlighting the family-friendly water access.
Explore the Appalachian Trail: Multiple access points to the AT are available within 30 minutes of Cloverdale. "The trailhead connects to the Appalachian Trail, so there were several other cars parked overnight as well... There is a little road noise until about 1030 PM," reports Angela D. about the trail access near Dragon's Tooth.
What campers like
Terraced campsite layouts: The natural terrain creates unique camping experiences with multi-level sites. At Peaks Of Otter Campground, "The whole campground is kind of 'carved' out of the mountain, and is therefore quite terraced in appearance, so a lot of sites had a similar setup to ours (as in, a lower pull-through space for trailer and TV plus an upper 'walk-up' area)," describes Jen V.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forested setting provides chances to observe local fauna. "Very territorial deer, will stalk you on way to dumpster!" warns Karen W. about her experience at Peaks Of Otter Campground, indicating the close proximity of wildlife.
Spacious camping areas: Many campsites provide ample room for multiple tents and activities. At Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, Chaz M. reports, "Awesome large spaces. Camped with 8 people/ 2 tents and had room for more if needed. Secluded enough but a lot to do."
What you should know
Limited water sources: Some campgrounds and trail shelters lack convenient water access. At Johns Spring Shelter, "There is not a water source too close to the shelter. The closest one is about 3 miles North," advises Sam M., making advance planning essential.
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Different campgrounds offer vastly different restroom amenities. "Bath house was decent. On the ladies' side, there were three flush toilets, two sinks with cold water only, and no soap. Was pretty old, but reasonably clean and adequate for our needs," reports Jen V. about Peaks of Otter facilities.
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds in the area close during winter months. Smith Mountain Lake State Park remains open year-round, while Peaks of Otter operates from "May 6 to October 29" according to their listing information.
Tips for camping with families
Creek-adjacent sites: For families with children and pets, prioritize sites next to water features. At Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp, "We stayed at site 6 and it backed up to a little stream. The site itself was private even though there are other sites around. Our boys loved playing in the stream and climbing the hill to get to our hammock on the site too," shares Lanie B.
Pet-friendly swimming options: Several locations allow dogs to join in water activities. At Cave Mountain Lake, "There's a lake nearby that you can walk or drive to. Some of us spent all day swimming, catching salamanders and tadpoles while some of us fished," reports Maggie A., though note that some lake areas restrict pet access.
Consider weather and bugs: Mountain conditions can change quickly. "Wildflowers were beautiful," mentions Heather E. about Peaks of Otter, but adds that the "campsites are not level - and we had the best of the lot - very private (if others had been there) but only one side of the picnic table was accessible (bc of the slope)."
Tips for RVers
Site grading challenges: Many mountain campgrounds feature sloped sites that require leveling. Nancy R. notes about Peaks of Otter, "Many sites were tiered—I had steps or the worn path down to the actual site from where I parked. The sites were spacious and well kept. Gravel tent site—common in the area but I'm not a fan."
Limited hookup options: Full hookups are scarce in the region's public campgrounds. At Middle Creek Campground, Lisa explains, "We took a site up their gravel road away from the main campground area. We had a fabulous site tucked beside a little brook, very peaceful and quiet... the sites are a bit more generous than your average private campground."
Secluded RV sites available: Despite limited hookups, RVers can find private spots. "Sites were very clean and well taken care of. There are tons of campsites available but they are spaced out enough to still feel secluded," notes Stephanie M. about her experience at Peaks of Otter, which accommodates smaller to medium-sized RVs.
