The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Dog-Friendly Camping near Mendota, VA

141 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Hidden Valley WMA offers dispersed camping with pets near Mendota, Virginia, while providing boat-in, drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access. This primitive camping area allows tent and RV accommodation and has established fire rings. Located at an elevation of approximately 36.8 degrees north, the wildlife management area maintains trash receptacles despite its rustic setting. Breath of Dawn, another pet-friendly option in the region, features 6 maintained campsites with short grass areas, small rock fire pits, and log benches. Campgrounds like Sugar Hollow Park provide secluded, shady sites with electrical hookups for $20 per night, keeping camping affordable for visitors with pets. Sites generally have a good amount of space between them with plenty of tree coverage.

    The wooded campsites at Sugar Hollow Park remain shaded throughout the day, making them ideal for camping with dogs during high temperatures. Trails lead directly from the campground through the surrounding forest, offering convenient pet exercise options. While most sites have electricity, water hookups are typically shared between several campers, requiring extension hoses in some cases. Wildlife sightings are common, with numerous deer and birds spotted throughout the area. Bath facilities at most campgrounds are basic but clean, with Sugar Hollow featuring a small but functional bathhouse. The Virginia Creeper Trail provides additional dog-friendly hiking opportunities near Abingdon, approximately 10-15 minutes from some campgrounds, combining pet exercise with scenic views.

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park Camping Guide - The Complete Guide

    Get the guide now

    View Guide

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Mendota (141)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park

      3.9(26)18mi from MendotaRVs, Tents

      "We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."

      "This park is located about 15 minutes off I-81 just south of the VA/TN border, making it extremely convenient, and a great place to stop for anyone traveling that stretch of the country."

      Check Availability

      2. Little Oak Campground

      4.7(24)19mi from Mendota66 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."

      "This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"

      from $12 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Sugar Hollow Campground

      4.5(10)11mi from MendotaRVs

      "Trails right off the campground to walk around the park, not huge but nice. Close off the highway but no road noise."

      "From the road you wouldn’t guess there’s a giant park beyond the entrance. The rangers at the entrance were super friendly, but they patrol a lot, so often no one is actually at the gate house."

      from $20 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Breath of Dawn

      5.0(1)5mi from Mendota

      from $28 - $150 / night

      Check Availability

      5. Riverside Campground

      4.0(7)16mi from MendotaRVs, Tents

      "Close to charming Abingdon VA with great local restaurants, the Barter Theater and the Virginia Creeper Trail."

      "There are about 8-10 sites that are right behind the pool and more sites down a short hill all along the river. This campground accommodates tents, pop ups and RV's comfortably."

      from $28 - $40 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Observation Knob Park

      4.1(8)17mi from MendotaRVs, Tents

      "Large County campground with electric and water with two pump out stations. spacious, hilly sites with some tree coverage along lake with boat ramp and capacity to tie your boat up at your site."

      "Great for kids and dogs!! Spots are a little hard to find if you aren’t familiar, and there is no septic at each site, but other than that, it’s exactly what you’d expect."

      from $25 - $35 / night

      Check Availability

      7. Natural Tunnel State Park Campground

      4.6(19)24mi from MendotaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "Great place for dog walks. Tunnel very cool."

      Check Availability

      8. Hidden Valley WMA

      4.2(5)16mi from MendotaRVs, Tents

      "This spot is very nice, close to the water’s edge (although no camping allowed lakeside). There’s quite a few rings, bear bins, and a porta-loo. We had the place to ourselves which was really great."

      "I have camped at this location multiple times. There used to be portable potties and trash cans. No longer. Pack in pack out now. Regularly patrolled by officers who are fantastic."

      Check Availability

      9. Shadrack Campground

      3.7(3)13mi from MendotaRVs, Tents

      "Close to Bristol Speedway, immaculate bath house and laundry, office staff is very friendly and helpful,well kept sights and maintenance and camp host during race time are superb"

      from $28 - $40 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Bristol-Kingsport KOA

      4.3(4)16mi from MendotaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting."

      "The park is also near Warriors Path State Park, which is fun to go hike and see. They have several large pull through sites, as well as back in smaller sites."

      Check Availability
    View all 141 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Mendota Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Mendota, VA

    147 Photos of 141 Mendota Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mendota, VA

    830 Reviews of 141 Mendota Campgrounds

    • D
      Nov. 1, 2021

      Lakeview RV Resort

      Clean and well maintained, friendly staff

      Campground sites are a bit close together but it is well maintained and has friendly staff.  Wifi works well.  Nice dog park.

    • Susan E.
      Jul. 16, 2020

      Bristol-Kingsport KOA

      What luck!

      I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting. Mindful of my budget I learned to ask for a tent site with no electricity, no water, just toilets and showers. The young man who helped me observed I was alone and put me in a small cabin for no additional charge. Just outside the cabin was a bonfire of old wood from construction debris. I was super stoked to get this deal. I spent lots of time stoking that fire and sitting outdoors watching the evening arrive. If you’re anywhere near the area do stop in and enjoy a quiet and lovely night. You can even pet the horses nearby.

    • NThe Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 31, 2021

      Baileyton KOA Holiday

      Country Time

      Sites: 60 Pull thrus 

      RV-Tent-Cabins 15-30-50 amp service 

      Hot showers, pool, pets allowed, toilets, laundry, small grocery store This is only of couple of miles off I40 in the rolling hills of Tennessee, very quiet and well maintained. Sites ae a bit close together but not on top of each other. Gravel pads, fire rings, picnic table, trash. Beautiful green space and dog walk area. Enjoy the hiking. 

      LNT 

      Travel safe

    • Carol J.
      Aug. 29, 2022

      Lover's Leap Campground — Natural Tunnel State Park

      Come Back Again and Again

      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.

    • Robin M.
      Sep. 19, 2016

      Natural Tunnel State Park Campground

      Spectacular views

      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.

    • Dennis
      Oct. 11, 2020

      Clinch River Family Campground

      Beautiful little campground right along the river.

      Mostly level gravel spots. Sites are close together. Block bathhouse that the spiders enjoy. Beautiful river. Lots of open space pets. This is very country setting. Friendly host.

    • Samantha P.
      May. 20, 2020

      Honey Bear Campground

      Just ok

      I camped at Honey Bear Campground a couple summers ago.  It's great, if you need an easy access spot and have kids.  However, I tend to like campgrounds that are more secluded and off the regular path.  It seemed like a good place to camp for us college students, since it was so close to campus.  But it's definitely more for families.  So this campgrounds, wasn't right for me and my group. They have a decent sized dog area, in which your dogs can run around safely off leash.  After walking around, we noticed there were campsites that were more close together, while some more tucked away behind brush.  I would recommend asking the check in desk about these different sites, so you can pick the one that fits your group most.  However, mother nature does not disappoint.  Our nature walks were gorgeous and we even found chicken of the woods close by!

    • NThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 1, 2022

      Around Pond RV Park

      Peace on the Lake

      Pull thrus 

      15-20-30-50 amp 

      Pets allowed 

      Showers, toilets, fishing pond (2 acre stocked) Adults or seniors 

      Rates by day or week $40.00-$200.00 

      aroundpondrvpark.com 432-234-0229 Very open area with a lot of RV's and a really nice fishing lake.  Well maintained and manicured.

      LNT 

      Travel safe

    Guide to Mendota

    Hidden Valley WMA offers primitive dispersed camping options that accommodate pets while providing hunters and outdoor enthusiasts direct access to 6,400 acres of wilderness. This outdoor recreation area permits dogs throughout the campground with standard leash requirements in place. Sites are accessible by multiple means including drive-in, boat-in, hike-in and walk-in options, making it versatile for different camping styles. Several established campgrounds near Mendota also welcome pets, including Natural Tunnel State Park Campground, which maintains pet-friendly cabins, yurts, and traditional camping areas. Sugar Hollow Campground receives consistent positive reviews from campers traveling with dogs, noting its shaded sites provide relief for pets during hot summer months.

    Dogs can access multiple trails directly from most campgrounds in the region, with Sugar Hollow featuring walking paths that loop through the wooded park area. The area's campgrounds typically require pets to remain on leashes no longer than six feet, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. Several sites offer full hookups beneficial for RV campers with pets, including electric, water, and sewer connections at Riverside Campground. Wildlife encounters are common at primitive sites like Breath of Dawn, where deer frequently visit the camping areas. Many campsites feature picnic tables and fire rings positioned to accommodate families with pets. Smaller campgrounds like Sugar Hollow provide a quieter environment especially beneficial for dogs sensitive to crowds and excessive noise.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mendota, VA is Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 26 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 141 dog-friendly camping locations near Mendota, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

    Keep Exploring