Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Free Union, VA

Loft Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park accepts pets throughout its 200+ campsites, providing numerous pet-friendly options for campers visiting Free Union, Virginia. The campground features bear boxes at most sites, which are useful for securing pet food alongside human provisions. Multiple accommodation types welcome dogs, including tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin options. Sites are generally well-separated by trees and vegetation, creating privacy despite the campground's large size. Campers report the campground maintains clean facilities and spacious campsites suitable for families with pets. Generator restrictions in certain loops ensure a quieter experience for those camping with noise-sensitive animals.

The Appalachian Trail runs adjacent to Loft Mountain Campground, offering accessible pet-friendly hiking directly from the camping area. Dogs must remain leashed on all trails within Shenandoah National Park to protect wildlife and other visitors. Several nearby campgrounds, including Misty Mountain Camp Resort and Charlottesville KOA, also accommodate pets with varying amenities and hookup options. The high elevation at Loft Mountain means mornings can be damp after rain, requiring extra consideration for pet comfort. Wildlife is abundant throughout the area, with campers noting frequent deer sightings near campsites, so proper pet restraint is essential. Some campers recommend the generator-free loop for tent campers with pets who prefer a quieter environment.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Free Union, Virginia (94)

    1. Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    64 Reviews
    Dyke, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 823-4675

    $30 - $75 / night

    "We arrived around noon and with the hopes of getting a good first-come, first serve site. All of the reserved sites were booked through July."

    "This campground is perfect for those looking to just get away from things for a couple of days."

    2. Misty Mountain Camp Resort

    39 Reviews
    Crozet, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 647-8900

    $35 - $75 / night

    "Misty Mountain Camp Resort is located in Crozet, Virginia, off of 250 below Afton Mountain. I'm familiar with this resort."

    "The winding layout allowed for more distance between other sites. The woods were beautiful with easy walking trails right from the site."

    3. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    120 Reviews
    Stanley, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    $30 - $75 / night

    "Stayed here with three other girls and my dog- it was a great spot! Nice and close to some great trails for our evening walk, and nothing beats staying Inside the NP!"

    "This was a great campground location to many, many National Park Trails. Our stay was during the last week of September. We met up with family who live in the area and got 3 sites hugging the AT."

    4. Dundo Group Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    5 Reviews
    Grottoes, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 823-4675

    $75 / night

    "It was nice not having to drive our trash out!

    We stayed at campsite 3 which is right next to campsite 2. We could hear the conversation from campsite 2 and see them."

    "This campground was really awesome because it’s so close to the skyline drive and Shenandoah. We went on some awesome hikes while we were here. Check out rose river trail and bearfence mountain."

    5. Charlottesville KOA

    8 Reviews
    Covesville, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 296-9881

    $45 - $80 / night

    "We really like the location of this campground as we wanted to explore the VA wine country, Monticello, Skyline Drive and other sites in the area."

    "For the past four or five years I have come to this campground each year in the offseason, April or October, to visit while the temps in Virginia are cooler and less humid."

    6. Devils Backbone Camp

    39 Reviews
    Nellysford, VA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 817-9708

    $25 - $140 / night

    "Pets welcome and camping can be made through site. Good for probably new campers or those looking to camp but have a more relaxed trip."

    "You are a quick walk to the brewery and café, where you can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is nice and dark at the campground, so great for star watching. "

    7. Waynesboro North 340 Campground

    6 Reviews
    Crimora, VA
    16 miles
    +1 (540) 943-9573

    "Good area close to hiking trails and historical sites. Dog friendly. Only negative was the closeness of the sites."

    8. Shenandoah Valley Campground

    25 Reviews
    Staunton, VA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 248-2267

    $36 - $132 / night

    "Driving in we saw lots of rabbits running around the grassy area outside the office. One of the other campers told us they are resident rabbits."

    "We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop(our travel trailer got towed there- highly recommend Good Sam Roadside policy). Everyone on staff was accomodating, helpful and friendly."

    9. Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA

    31 Reviews
    Shenandoah, VA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 896-8929

    "Convenient to the highway and easy to get to. Sites are well spaced. Hookups were well positioned. Walking trail starts at the campground. WiFi worked pretty well. Overall a great KOA."

    "Positive: Friendly staff, close to Shenandoah NP, quiet camping, every site has a fire pit. Negative: Pricing rather high"

    10. Sherando Lake Campground

    33 Reviews
    Tyro, VA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    $25 - $47 / night

    "Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."

    "The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming.  The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 94 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Free Union, VA

993 Reviews of 94 Free Union Campgrounds


  • Francelia A.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Misty Mountain Camp Resort

    Mom and son new adventure

    Misty Mountain Camp Resort is located in Crozet, Virginia, off of 250 below Afton Mountain. I'm familiar with this resort. Many, many years ago, when it was Yogi Bear's park, a lot of updates since then. Great accommodations. I've not enjoyed camping as much as I have these last 2 weeks with my son Matthew, who is 30 years old down syndrome, autism and a leukemia survivor. I am 66 years old. I'm on the best adventure of my life. Just bought a new motorhome after my partner of 15 years passed away. I'm on a new journey. And taking care of my life with good health. I recommend this park to anyone. Friendly staff, accommodating, pet friendly dog parks, bathhouse, laundry, sun, and shade, with 30 and 50 amp hookups with sewage. I couldn't ask for a better place. Have a fun-loving life, I am!

  • E
    Jun. 13, 2021

    Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

    Beautiful views & large spots

    Beautiful views. Adjacent to a working farm where cows, sheep, llamas, chickens and roosters can graze next to the campsites.

    The grounds were beautifully manicured and incredibly clean.

    It also had the largest dog park area of any campground I’ve ever seen.

    Very nice pool, friendly staff and firewood available for purchase. They will even deliver right to your site.

    Very close to downtown Luray, which has great shops and restaurants. There is a very nice 2 mile long walking trail, the Luray-Hawksbill Greenway, near the campground that will take you right into town.

    Also close by to some excellent hiking, wineries, breweries and distilleries.

  • Joe
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Luray RV Resort on Shenandoah River

    Spacious and clean campground

    We recently stayed for a long weekend at the Outlanders campground after we received a referral from a friend and could not have been more happy with our stay.  The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV.  The park and facilities were very clean.  They have a playground for the kids, fishing ponds, cabins, pet friendly with a dog park and they are located right along the Shenandoah river.  You can go tubing on the river but need to provide your own tubes.  The ride down the river from one end of the park to the other is around 30 minutes.  Also for all of the people attached to the internet like us we were able to have plenty of cell signal to hotspot and get internet.

  • B
    Jun. 26, 2018

    Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

    Great Location for visiting Luray Caverns

    This campground is very close to Luray Caverns and all that they have to offer. There is also a Duke's of Hazzard themed museum and store where they do live music on weekends nearby, it's called Cooter's. This campground is very small but quiet. It does border cow pasture land so when the wind shifts you get the smell but it wasn't constant and it wasn't unbearable. They have 2 swimming pools and a very large dog park. The bath houses were clean and well maintained. I would definitely recommend this campground.

  • John H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 8, 2024

    Madison Vines RV Resort & Cottages

    Newly renovated, great staff, many amenities, some sites are noisy

    Stayed here for two weeks in early March. Newly renovated campground with a lot of amenities. Very helpful staff. The campground is a lot of money upgrading services, capabilities, and extra activities (St Patrick's Day parade and dinner). While we were there they added street signage (very helpful) and installed a Bocce Ball field. Two fenced dog parks. Campsites are level gravel (no pads). Located near multiple vineyards. Our only complaint was that the sewage connection was slightly higher than the black tank outlet on our Airstream. The majority of camp sites are very close together, and the sites closer to the highway experience highway noise.

  • A
    Nov. 28, 2021

    Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park

    Will definitely return!

    Pros 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.

  • Elena B.
    Apr. 16, 2022

    Cloverdale Farms

    Camping at Cloverdale

    We’ve got a little 20 acre hobby farm. This historic property has gently rolling hills, with a little creek amidst a couple acres of cleared, open, secluded woodland perfect for pitching a tent and listening to nature. Fields in the back lend a great view for star gazing and looking up at the Milky Way. If the peace and quiet isn’t enough for you, there are pet goats, cats, a dog, and chickens that all love attention. Guests are more than welcome to help in the garden, pick flowers, and enjoy fresh produce and eggs while they’re here. Located 5 minutes from the James River, guests can hop over to the boat landing for fishing, swimming and boating or check out Blanton and Pleasants, a community staple. If you’re a hiker, there’s a state forest and state park just a short 15 minute drive west.

  • G
    Oct. 14, 2021

    Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park

    Scenic clean campground

    Enjoyed 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.

  • Mimi B.
    Sep. 25, 2020

    Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park

    Very nice clean rv park

    Located 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.


Guide to Free Union

Discover the perfect spots for pets-allowed camping near Free Union, Virginia, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Pet owners like spacious sites and essential amenities

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Free Union

Pet-friendly features that enhance your camping experience

  • ROB'S LAND offers rustic camping by a creek, allowing pets to enjoy the natural surroundings while you relax by the fire.
  • At Kiss the Earth, you can camp in a private wooded area, providing a peaceful retreat for both you and your pets.
  • Getaway Shenandoah features cozy cabins with fire pits, perfect for a unique camping experience where pets are welcome to join in the fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Free Union, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Free Union, VA is Loft Mountain Campground — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 64 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Free Union, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 94 dog-friendly camping locations near Free Union, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.