Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground welcomes pets at all 30 campsites across its tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Located directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this family-owned campground maintains immaculately clean facilities with twice-daily bathroom cleanings. Millrace Campground in New River Trail State Park offers pet-friendly tent camping with riverside sites where dogs can enjoy the sound of the water at night. Stone Mountain State Park Campground provides electric hookups and water access for pets at its dog-friendly sites. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard leash policies, typically requiring pets to be kept on leads no longer than 6 feet. The bathrooms at Fancy Gap are so clean they feel like home, with full facilities including hot showers with good pressure.
Walking trails at Fancy Gap Cabins provide convenient on-property exercise opportunities for dogs, with hiking paths that connect directly to Blue Ridge Parkway scenic routes. The New River access points at several campgrounds allow pets to cool off during summer months when temperatures typically range from 75-85°F. Pet waste stations are available at the larger established campgrounds, while primitive sites like Raven Cliff in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest require campers to pack out all pet waste. When camping with dogs at riverside sites, owners should be mindful of water currents, particularly after rainfall when the New River's flow increases. Shady tent sites provide natural cooling for pets during warmer months. Tent campers at Fancy Gap appreciate the water pumps and electricity available at each of the five designated tent spaces.
$50 - $170 / night
"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."
"There’s a nice dog park, and the facilities are clean."
"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."
$17 - $72 / night
"The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog."
"Nice grassy area around the gravel tent pad. We had one tree for shade. Fire ring and table. Clean showers and bathrooms. We stayed here specifically for the sliding rock at widow creek falls."
$30 - $78 / night
"The cabins are sturdy, very clean, pet friendly, and complete with a refrigerator/microwave and coffee maker. The bath house is relatively new and kept very clean. The whole campground is tidy."
"The couple that own/run the park are super nice and are huge dog lovers. They made me, my wife and our two large dogs very welcome. The park is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway and US52 in Fancy Gap."
$35 - $38 / night
"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."
$27 - $98 / night
"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."
$5 / night
"Other than the bear hunting that went on, was scary..this is a peaceful spot to reset with plenty of hiking trails right next to the creek."
"Trails were well maintained & short walk down to the river. Would definitely stay again!"
$15 / night
"You can only access Doubles Shoals Campground from the New River Trail of from the New River in a Kayak. It is a great place to camp if you are traveling the trail or river. "
$21 / night
"Really cool campground located right on the New River, located at Foster Falls. The river sounds amazing at night."
"Ever wake up on a foggy Virginia morning and walk only a few feet fro your tent and watch the fog rise off the water? I DID and it was AMAZING!!"
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.
ScoutWe stayed here for vacation last year. There’s 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.
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! 😊
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:
GuideThis campground is probably 90% big rigs. It’s a huge campground with 2 lakes, playground, RV store and shelter houses. There is only one shower house with one shower and two toilets on each side. Pet friendly on leash. Close to Mount Airy for those over 60 who want a trip down Memory Lane.
Campgrounds near Fries, Virginia offer a mix of National Forest, state park, and private accommodations across elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,200 feet. The New River region features average summer temperatures of 65-85°F with higher humidity levels from June through August. Winter camping opportunities exist at select year-round facilities with temperatures typically ranging from 25-45°F during December through February.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct river access for anglers. At New River Yacht Club, waterfront tent sites allow campers to maximize fishing time. "Jake from the Dyrt here! I'd like to welcome New River Yacht Club to the Dyrt, they offer waterfront tent sites so you can enjoy a weekend at the water. Make sure to check out their rentals to make the most of your stay!" The campground offers only two tent sites, ensuring a quiet experience for serious anglers.
Historic exploration: The region contains numerous historic sites within 15-30 minutes of most campgrounds. Mayberry Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring Mount Airy. "This is a great park! The staff are all nice and friendly, and the park is very well laid out and clean. You got full hookups, nice level sites, and two playgrounds. Also, the Mt. Airy town is nice to visit. You are close to all the amenities when staying here. Check out the Andy Griffith museum, Main Street, and the granite quarry," notes Jason E.
Mountain biking: The area's mix of terrain supports both beginner and advanced riders. "The campgrounds were perfect for a few days and there were enough hiking trails around to keep us busy. Most of the trails were very easy, but the view on top of Stone Mountain was nice," reports Maggie J. from Stone Mountain State Park Campground. Trail options range from the flat New River Trail to more challenging mountain terrain.
Private campsites: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Fries feature well-spaced sites offering privacy not found at larger commercial facilities. "Sites are spaced perfectly, the forest is beautiful, and the creek is super clear and clean. Our site (44) is great, right by the trail and creek. Very quiet place," writes Greg S. about Stony Fork Campground. The campground provides electric and water hookups at select sites along a paved loop road.
River sounds: Campsites near water are highly valued for their ambient sounds and cooling effects. "Really cool campground located right on the New River, located at Foster Falls. The river sounds amazing at night," notes reviewer RL about Millrace Campground in New River Trail State Park. "Sites 2, 6, and 9 would be my personal picks for next time. If you have a large group, G17 is HUGE."
Pet-friendly features: Several campgrounds cater specifically to dog owners with dedicated amenities. "We stayed here as an overnight stop but wish we could have stayed longer! Very cool campground, and the dog yard sites are awesome!" reports Kevin E. about Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA. "In addition to a pet play area, there are a few sites (51, 43 & 45) with pet backyards, fenced in areas for your pet to roam and play," adds Jean C.
Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds in the region operate on restricted schedules. "Arrived on a Friday morning & was the only one there. Had my pick of all the sites! Campground was very clean with trash bins & porta-potties. Trails were well maintained & short walk down to the river," shares Stephanie S. about Raven Cliff Campground in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. This primitive campground lacks running water and flush toilets.
Bathroom variations: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "Very quiet. Everything has to be carried in from the parking lot. No showers but there is water and pit toilets. The camp sites were very clean," reports Brad M. about New River Trail State Park. In contrast, private campgrounds like Fort Chiswell RV Park offer full shower facilities.
Weather considerations: The area experiences rapid weather changes, particularly during spring and fall. "In peak season, there's a pool, a small pond (catch & release unless you want to pay), ping pong, rock mining, etc. They have great wifi (they sent a text to campers to let them know they were working to get the cable restored, but in the meantime people could use the wifi to stream movies if needed)," notes Jean C. about planning around weather disruptions at Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Kid-friendly water features: Many campgrounds offer creeks and ponds that provide natural play areas. "The creek is always fun for the kids," mentions Carrie L. about Raven Cliff Campground. When camping with children, sites near shallow water features provide hours of entertainment without requiring structured activities.
Playground access: Several pet friendly campsites near Fries include dedicated play areas. "Absolutely awesome. Very clean campground. Has nice pool with waterside and game room with bowling and food and much more. The owners are the best people as well," shares Melissa B. about Wytheville KOA. "Very clean campground with less than 50 sites I believe, because of this it was fairly quiet," adds Jesse S. about Stony Fork Campground.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites throughout the region offer learning experiences for children. "There's a historic site with great information, a boat ramp and launch area which is spacious, playgrounds, horse stables, pavilion, canoe area and on site security to make sure your stay is safe and enjoyable," writes Crystal C. about New River Trail State Park.
Highway access: Several campgrounds offer convenient interstate proximity without excessive noise. "Very relaxing. Great to take a couple days relaxing out of the hurry of city life. 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," notes Kirk S. about Fort Chiswell RV Park.
Site selection: RVers recommend researching specific sites before booking. "We stayed here for vacation last year. There's 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," cautions Megan B. about Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA.
Hookup variations: Water and electric setups differ significantly between campgrounds. "We had site 11 which was electric only (30A). We knew this ahead of time so our fresh water tank was full. Luckily, we got sat dish tv reception in this wooded environment," explains Bran P. about Stony Fork Campground. Most RV-friendly campgrounds offer dump stations even if sewer hookups aren't available at individual sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fries, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fries, VA is Wytheville KOA with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fries, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 140 dog-friendly camping locations near Fries, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
