Best Dog-Friendly Camping near John W. Flannagan Dam and Reservoir

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.

Beautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains, hiking, fishing and boating, amazing staff, very clean shower houses and laundry facility! Very family oriented and pet friendly!

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.

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.

Have waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Spent 2 nights. Sites were very close together and it was very crowded, but friendly and courteous folks. Hiking very good from the site. Great place for dog walks. Tunnel very cool.

Tent camped for a weekend to hike Devil’s bathtub. Campgrounds were well kept. We had water and electric at our site. Fire ring and table. Level gravel tent pad. Bathhouse very clean. We hiked down to the tunnel. Beautiful. The chair lift was running and the kids loved that. (We rode just for fun) park rangers were friendly. Dogs were welcome leashed.

Been caravaning with "Sister" campers this week, and Breaks was our final stop over. This is just an amazing park, full of history, great trails, friendly staff (with the exception of the manager at the Lodge!!) The climb up the mountain to get here is worth it. We were in campground A, the bath house was very nice h well cleaned. The sites are well marked with wide spaces. For pulling through or backing in. Trails are well marked at trail head & with colored blazes. Info boards are at most over looks so you know what you are looking at. Wildlife is not fearful of us, or the dogs.... lol!! We will definitely come back

This campground is minutes from Asheville, offering all urban amenities like nearby grocery, Starbucks, etc for last minute errands.

You share the campground with permanent residents, RV's, and primitive campers. Campsites are relatively flat but a little gravely. Sites are pretty close together but each one has a fire ring and picnic table.

You can't get any close to the water, being right on the French Broad River. Sling up a hammock for serious relaxation. 

We enjoyed this campground as a large group and rented out 4 adjacent sites. Dogs are welcome. Firewood can be purchased, but we never saw anyone in the office so I would suggest bringing your own.

Bathrooms are at the front of the park, a 10-minute walk from the primitive sites. Bathrooms are not spotless, but they do the trick.

We camped here for 3 nights with our dogs. Our site was in the B loop and had no water or electricity. It was surrounded by a lot of trees, so it had shade. It was a short walk to the bathhouse which was very clean with nice showers. 

The campground has 4 different loops. I personally liked the B loop the best because everything was very close to it like hiking trails, laundry facility, basketball court, and a little camp store which has ice and firewood available.  

The state park also has a lodge, cabins, and a beautiful lake. There is a restaurant in the park. We tried it for lunch and it was good. The landscape in the park was just beautiful. The overlooks, especially the tower overlook, are gorgeous. There are several hiking trails. Be aware that the loop is extremely strenuous and takes 4 to 5 ours. I really liked that the trails are not heavily trafficked. 

We would definitely camp here again. All the park staff, hosts and volunteers were super nice and very helpful.

We camped here for 2 nights. We reserved a spot at the Lovers Leap Campground. The sites are very spacious and private. It comes with the usual amenities like a fire ring, picnic table, and a lantern pole. There was even an extra little wooden table on every site. The campground is very well maintained. Everybody from rangers to volunteers was super nice and helpful. The bathhouse is extremely clean. The showers are separate from the restrooms. The other campground, Cove View, is not as private and spacious. We also drove by the cabins and the primitive campsites. 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. There are not many trails but there is still a lot to see. The tunnel is spectacular. Make sure you ride the chairlift (dogs allowed to ride with you) down to see the tunnel and creek. Also plan a quick trip to see the blockhouse and learn about the history. The park has a lot of activities for all ages. Check out the calender and see what you like. We would definitely visit again.

We stopped here for one night on our way to the Richmond area. Awesome family run campground. Super friendly staff. Clean campground. Great surprise in the mountains of Virginia! beautiful creek nearby!

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. Fishing and kayaking are 1/2 mile from the campground. You’ll be climbing one of the highest mountains in Virginia to get there, so be prepared for the drive.

This place is absolutely breathtaking. A must go. Cabins, yurts, RV camping, primitive camping. Excellently maintained. The are so many activities for everyone of all ages. Pool, picnicking, canoeing, hiking, fishing. There's a trail to the tunnel or you can take a chairlift. There's a museum, several gift shops, camp store, visitor centers. The staff is helpful and friendly. Many educational activities. The cabins are very clean and relatively new. But, I haven't run into 1 bad Virginia state park.

A “secret spot” that holds a special place in my heart.

I spend on average 10 days at a time camping in the primitive grounds (April/May, Aug/Sep & end of October 2023 ) all five spaces are nicely kept and a large communal fire pit is wonderful. Even when all sites are full. There’s plenty of space. Porter Johns on site as well (and nicely maintained for what that’s worth! )

By far - the best camp ground I’ve visited in terms of Hosts, rangers, amenities if needed, scenery and solitude.

Take bear and coyote warnings SERIOUSLY my friends. I’ve seen plenty out there but never had a problem taking proper precautions. 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.

Your cell service will be spotty / non existent on trails around the area… even when you see a road running parallel to your hike .. plan accordingly. (And bear spray people. Please. Just take it)

Plenty of wood split ($4 a bundle. Ice $2 a bag) and hosts will graciously bring wood to your camp site <3

The “trail” off the primitive site doesn’t seem to be on a map - and I heard many different variations of where it went. So I hiked the whole thing just for y’all! It’s an in and out(maybe a mile give or take total) that dead ends to PRIVATE property. (So obviously don’t proceed past gate) Lots of beautiful growth, cool in the summer with shade - nice quiet trail for dogs - half way is definitely less of a beaten path. Use caution.

HIGHLY recommend getting in before last light. Especially if you’re towing anything, roads are steep and winding getting to and from camp/cabins. And lotssss of deer / rabbits at dawn and dusk jumping around.

In a nutshell - this park gets a 10/10 from a solo female camper. Everyone is mindful of one another’s space and solitude - however in true Appalachian fashion everyone also looks out for you and always ready to lend a helping hand.

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. Clean restroom/bathhouse on site, group picnic area/outdoor fireplace, and horseshoes at the campground. Neighboring Leeman Field park has multiple playgrounds, picnic shelters, swimming pool (Admission to the pool is included in campground fees.), tennis courts, and disc golf course. There is a gorgeous walking and biking trail beginning at Leeman Field that winds along the river leading to a local grocery store and restaurants. Maps are available for ATV trails that can be accessed from campground also.

In nature, not to close together spots, affordable (20/night). Im in a 25ft class c, always looking for a more nature forward spot, trees out my door. There’s phone service and Wi-Fi in some spots. A few will fit a larger rig, many will fit my size. A few are flat already and some will need leveling. Tons of sites, fewer ‘ideal’ ones but there will be something.
Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise. Water available but not at your site(mostly, if you have an extension you you make some work) Electric at most sites. Close to abingdon and Virginia creeper trail. Also close to a Target, makes a convenient stop.

Booked a 3 night stay over the weekend and had the primitive camping area to ourselves. 5 spots with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pit, hanging poles, and bear box. Then there is a very large, communal fire pit, and an open but covered shelter with picnic tables and an outlet to charge your tech things. Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. The camp store people said they are unable to use spigot nearby common shelter because it’s no good. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren’t constantly going up and down the hill for water. Camp store with some basics at entrance, and person on golf cart drives around checking on things. Trash dumpster, up the hill just past water spigot. Couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful place, especially for the price, $15/night. Took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked. Also, went and checked out the natural tunnel via chairlift. The other two campgrounds looked nice, with big, fancy bathhouses. And the cabins, wow, fancy! Hooray for Virginia State Parks!!

This park has some nice campsites, which can make your camping experience an awesome time, but that’s not why you should go there. Like a lot of state parks, it’s got the usual wooded picnic table, fire ring, the electrical hook-up thing if you need it (or BYOS - bring your own solar), even nice bathrooms with showers and everything. What it offers in terms of a get away from it all makes it the go to destination for everyone who’s just about had enough of everything average.  

First of all, where the heck is it?  About 200 miles from anywhere you’ve ever heard of, unless you’re lucky enough to have been born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or you’ve just nursed along a love of two-lane winding roads, it rewards the traveler who says“let’s take a road trip.” The closest town is Haysi, Virginia, which offers a selection of small regional grocery stores, gas stations and a few restaurants...but not much more. 

The park sits atop an ancient canyon cut through time by the Russell Fork River some 1000 feet below. The trails wonder through sandstone formations laid down some 250 million years ago when the area was covered by a shallow inland sea. The views as well as the geological significance instills awe in the best sense. 

The park offers a short scenic drive loop with a dozen or so stops all offering some look into the amazing scope of natural science. But in case that doesn’t inspire your 10-year-old, the mountain bike trails near to the campground will sure take some energy out of them. And in case they want to just go to the outdoor pool, or sit in the well-appointed cabin or guestroom, these are also available at this park offering a widely diverse accommodations for nearly anyone willing to make the drive to get there.  The Russell Fork is also a world class river offering everything from class 2-3 fun to serious Appalachian creekin’ paddling. But don’t tell anyone about this place, because I don’t want anyone else to find out about it.

The campground was nice, the staff friendly. Apparently there is a lot of bear activity, although we did not encounter one. The sunsets are to die for!

Park is gorgeous. Campsites we're very small and on top of each other. Limited hours for the visitor center. Staff had little to no knowledge about the hiking trails.

In our trip from Arkansas to the east coast we reserved two nights here based on reviews. I’m sure COVID-19 had a lot to do with the park being in shut down mode but we found the park to be so bad we left after one night. Sites we were assigned were very difficult to get in, extremely unlevel and the sites were unkept and showed a lack of maintenance. We were there on 9/22/20 and the flying knat’s and bugs wouldn’t let you out of the door. My water hookup required a set of pliers to operate and the 30amp plug was installed upside down making it impossible to plug in due to the box being jacked up. Had to use the 50 amp plug/converter. We won’t be back. Hope things change for the better.

This is an amazing park.

It was clean, we had beautiful views, people were great.

This is a peaceful place! We can’t wait to go back.

One of my favorite places to visit, camp, and hike!! Its gorgeous Appalachia with hikes ranging from casual strolls to very difficult. This park offers all of the amenities, full hookup if you want it or primitive tent sites, a nice lodge and restaurant, horseback riding, and zip lines!!! One of the camp hosts, Teddy, was super friendly and helpful with anything we needed. I LOVE The Breaks Park!!!