Staunton River State Park Campground provides pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping options with multiple trails for hiking and horseback riding. The park enforces standard leash rules while offering spacious campsites that accommodate up to two units per site with vehicles. Park visitors appreciate the clean facilities including hot showers and well-maintained grounds. One camper observed the campground was still quiet even when completely full over holiday weekends. The park's International Dark Sky designation allows excellent stargazing opportunities for campers and their pets with telescopes available for free rental at the visitor center.
Callahan's Hideaway and Mayo Lake Park allow pets throughout their camping areas with convenient water access for dogs that enjoy swimming. Both locations feature electric hookups and accommodate tents and RVs, though Callahan's Hideaway also offers glamping options. Mayo Lake Park maintains clearly marked hiking trails perfect for daily dog walks, with multiple boat docks providing water recreation options for campers and their pets. The park features reasonable pricing despite its extensive amenities. Buffalo Park requires more caution with pets as some visitors noted trash issues including littered beer cans and cigarette butts around campsites. Sites at most area campgrounds include standard fire rings, picnic tables, and varying levels of privacy depending on tree coverage, with Mayo Lake specifically praised for RV sites that aren't positioned too close together.
$27 - $121 / night
"We camped here again at Staunton River State Park, this time we stayed in site 21, which is an electric site near the bathrooms/showers and one of the best for viewing stars."
"Bathrooms are within walking distance from all campsites. Ours was a bit of a walk uphill but not bad. Nice clean, hot showers!"
$21 - $427 / night
"Campgrounds are right next to the water for easy access. Pet friendly which is a must. Great place to go during the summer."
"If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."
$22 - $53 / night
"Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and shor t walk or drive to the water"
"One mile walk to Buffalo park a beautiful place with lots of history. I love it .Great day for a picnic ."
$12 - $25 / night
"We had easy access to the lake from our camper where we did some kayaking. Priced extremely reasonable. If you have to have cell phone service it is very spotty."
"There is a single dump station near the entrance. The road leading to the camping area is single lane so if you meet another camper going the other way it could get a little dicey."
$24 - $68 / night
"The exception to this is people putting old rugs or carpet around the shore where the park their boats."
"They were giving g out treats for my dogs which I thought was a great gesture. Facilities are clean as always."
$24 - $125 / night
"I loved the lakefront location in back of C loop and that it was 2 tiered which made the site very private with a lower level table, fire-ring, and gravel site. Well maintained campground."
"Kerr Reservoir (or Buggs Island Lake at is mostly referred as) has the best Bass fishing this side of the Mississippi, and they hold Bass tournaments here on a regular basis."
$27 - $177 / night
"We visited Kerr Lake State Rec Area, JC Cooper Campground, Loop 1, at Satterwhite Point in April and it was fully booked for the weekend. The sites are beautiful."
"The site was near the water with very nice lake views right from the tent. Great for swimming, kayaking, SUP, and other water activities."
$27 - $112 / night
"My biggest complaint is the location of the trash dumpsters is very close to the bath house and campsites in this loop and the smell was not pleasant."
"Lakeside camping in a tent is great when fishing and being next to the rods. Level sites, can get flooded after heavy rains as I found out."
$24 - $68 / night
"We stayed at the west Bank which offered a great view of the lake. We stayed at camp number 7. There is many activity to do here such as fishing."
$24 - $68 / night
"Half of the sites are right on the lake shore."
TravelerWater Water everywhere. Paddle boards....canoes if you have them this is a great place to go. Campgrounds are right next to the water for easy access. Pet friendly which is a must. Great place to go during the summer.
TravelerLove hiking here with the family and friends plenty of beautiful family and pet friendly trails.
GuideThis is one of my favorite campgrounds. Located on a semi rural area, the sites are very wooded and quiet. There was a lake nearby with an open sky where you could see hundreds of stars at night. Pets are allowed and the bathrooms are in good shape.
TravelerKimball Point is the BEST. Huge fresh water lake, large camping spots, large sandy beach, playground for kids, very well groomed, moor your boat in the water at your camp site, big boat ramp, pet friendly, great walking areas, tent & RV spaces, NC State run park. Only negative it's hard to book a space. You need to book it EXACTLY 6 months out, call at 08:00 in morning.
GuideSite 16 Left (non-electric) September 18-21, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 76 Average Night Temp: 51 Arrived on a beautiful early Fall Friday afternoon. Host was extremely friendly and welcoming. He offered great advice and information for this first time visit. Firewood is not available on site. You have to travel back to a self service trailer about 4 miles near the local CVS on Route 58. In my humble opinion, Site 16 was the best view of the Lake and has easy accessibility (see photos). Because of the low evening temps, most of the non-electric sites were empty. We basically had run of the area. Pet friendly and very well kept areas. Rock pad for parking and tent set up. Bring a pad if you plan on sleeping on the ground. Two tables, fire pit, and lantern post on sites. Boat parking available close to this site. Swimming was fantastic. Fishing was even better. Will be back.
TravelerI’ll be honest. I didn’t know places could be this awesome. We are beginning campers and this was beyond our expectation. The views are incredible. (Be sure to watch the sunset. We went in the fall and I’ve never seen colors so bright.) Most sites are waterfront with the possibility of a beach or at least a bulkhead with water views. Picnic tables and great fire pits at each site. Showers/bathrooms are not the closest to sites but if you don’t mind a walk they are not a problem. There are port o johns in one location also. So many water access points for fishing or entering the water for swimming or kayaking. Boat ramp on location at Kimball Point. Beautiful walking areas but no hiking or long trails. Pavilion area and open lake sitting areas were available. Our site had 50/30/20 amp and I’m assuming most do as well. The website didn’t say that and I see this app has 30 only. Pets were permitted. Park ranger drove around often. The most amazing Dollar General ever was about 10 minutes away if you need a quick trip. Everything from tents to giant fifth wheels were there so it’s a great place no matter what you have.
LegendAnother site I have camped at while fishing in Kerr lake. All the sites around this lake are good and this one is no exception. Easy access by car, park right next to your site which are nearly all lakeside.
Toilet facilities are available. Sites are all clean and kept in good condition.
Be aware that if there has been heavy rain the lake level will rise considerably and I had to move my tent further away from the waters edge to avoid being flooded out.
Not too many bugs in the summer months and great views of the night sky when clear.
I would recommend this site for families as well.
The lake seems safe to swim in during the summer months.
Fires are allowed there are some fire rings as well.
LegendTucked away in the lush, verdant forests north of Raleigh, here at Bullocksville Park, you’ll discover camping and cabin grounds that are just a short hike from the nearby Lake Kerr, but far enough away from any roadside noisy traffic.
This is a complete natural respite that is incredibly quiet(save the roar of noise from nature!). The grounds themselves are laid out superbly, from 3-4 independent campground sites(in fact, some are across the road from whence you arrived) with blended options for both RV’s and real campers who use tents.
There are a number of amenities and diversions, such as boat ramps for motored-boats, kayaking, canoeing, as well as playgrounds for the kiddos, a big gathering hall that can be rented, several picnic areas and shelters along with countless hiking trails. For anyone visiting North Carolina or for nearby residents who just want to get away from the concrete jungle, then Bullocksville Park is definitely worth a look.
I will end on this point - I have not come across any such amazing camping gem in all of North Carolina than this splendid campground at Bullocksville. You'll be lucky (and hopefully very grateful) for getting a piece of land here in front of this gorgeous lake if you book well in advance.
Happy Camping!
LegendI’m not sure if this campground is correctly named Holly Point Campground, which after my experience, I would rename it HOLY Point Campground, as this outdoor nature preserve is truly a slice of heaven carved out in the middle of North Carolina’s finest camping paradise. If you find yourself in the hustle and bustle of nearby Raleigh and looking to get away from the crowds and pavement in exchange for some nice shaded nature, hiking trails and calm peace & quiet that only nature can offer, then make your way here to Holly Point Campground@ Falls Lake SRA, where you will not be disappointed.
All of the basics are provided in spades – from picnic table, fold-up fire ring / BBQ grill, bear-proof garbage hanger and a nice small pebble-strewn flat patch of well-maintained nature that offers pristine shade from an unrelenting bit of summer North Carolina sunshine from the tall matchstick-like long leave needle pines. While there’s not a terrible amount of brush between the campsites, you will have semi-privacy unlike many other nearby campgrounds.
The on-site facilities (bathrooms& showers) are just slightly north of passable and only a smidge better than you’d expect from a state-run campground, and so this campground gets its only mediocre marks on this front. But that said, there’s plenty of hiking trails to explore and the on-site rangers are incredibly helpful and positive folks that want to ensure you have a great time, but the best amenity on this property is the access to Falls Lake itself, where there is a perfectly sectioned off swimming area, as well as boat launching areas for those that want to fish or simply drop a kayak or canoe in the water and take enjoy a lakeside cruise.
Insider's tips? Here's a handful: (1) While IMHO there is no bad spot here in all of Holly Point Campground, there are obviously some that are better than others. Given this, I would highly rank Loops 4 (#118-119, #121-123) & 5 (#141-147; #149, #150, #152-155) as well as the southern and eastern side of Loop 2 (#36-39; #55-71; #73, #75), given their proximity to and views of Falls Lake itself. Of course, the sites that are located closer to the water are those more preferred; (2) If you're an angler, you'll be looking to catch some large-mouthed bass, yellow perch, blue gill, channel and flathead catfish and I recommend the areas that are heaviest shadowed around the lake edges; (3) When you grow weary of having to fix up that next campsite meal and simply want to error on the side of ease and comfort, then check out nearby Buffalo Bros who serve up some pretty might wings and amazing pies (there's also burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and other basic Americana foodstuffs) or Nantucket Grill for some pretty outstanding Jambalaya and seafood diablo pasta; and (4) If you love extreme outdoors adventures, then check out Xtreme Park Adventures for indoor and outdoor courses for paintball and laser tag.
Happy Camping!
Camping near Red Oak takes place in Virginia's Piedmont region, where the elevation averages around 500 feet and summer temperatures typically reach the high 80s. The area's lakeside campgrounds feature waterfront sites with varying shore conditions from sandy beaches to rocky access points. Water levels at reservoirs like Kerr Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping conditions.
Stargazing opportunities: Staunton River State Park Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing as an International Dark Sky Park. "If you love stargazing this is the park for you. It is an International Dark Sky Park. There is a large open field by the park check in and store. The park offers rentals of telescopes too," notes Bridget H., who visited with grandchildren during winter.
Swimming in clear water: Kerr Lake offers multiple access points with surprisingly clear waters. At Kimball Point Campground, campers appreciate the water clarity. "The water is very clear! You can see probably about 5-6 feet down," reports Jess, who stayed at a shoreline site.
Kayaking from your campsite: Many lakefront sites allow direct water access for paddlers. "We had a great site, right on the lake. Could launch our kayaks, fish and swim right from our site!" shares Jeanna Marie C. about her experience at Hibernia Campground, where waterfront sites offer immediate lake access.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several parks feature diverse animal sightings beyond typical deer. "While staying there I saw a skunk, a groundhog, several deer and a great variety of birds," mentions Elena B. about her cabin stay at Staunton River State Park.
Clean bathroom facilities: Hibernia Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The bathrooms here are impeccable, best of any campground we've been to," EMRY H. reports after a 10-day stay, noting that "The sites are dirt and some need some creative leveling but typically do-able."
Spacious sites with good separation: Mayo Lake Park provides room between campsites. "Rv sites are really nice and not on top of each other. Some are close to the water. Lots of clearly marked hiking trails, 3 playgrounds, Frisbee golf and horshoe pits," explains adam B., highlighting the reasonable rates despite amenities.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly between campgrounds. "If you have to have cell phone service it is very spotty," warns Barb T. about Mayo Lake Park, though she still gave the campground five stars for its value and trails.
Water hookup distances: Some sites require longer hoses than indicated online. "NOTE - to bring at least 75 feet of water hose, as some sites have long runs from in front of camper," advises Mark H. about JC Cooper campground, while another camper at Kimball Point similarly mentioned needing "60ft water hose to the next site over."
Uneven terrain at certain sites: Many campgrounds feature varied topography requiring preparation. "Sites vary pretty widely in size and grade. We have a 32' travel trailer that fit in spot 65 with no problem but there were many more that we could not fit in because of the steep grades," Michael P. cautions about Kimball Point.
Look for dog friendly campgrounds near Red Oak: Rudds Creek Campground allows pets and offers swimming options. "Love that we can swim from site (bring water shoes as the bottom is NOT sand). Older restrooms, but like the quiet old feeling of the campground," suggests Marcy S., who recommends "sites # 64-99 along water side if you want to have your boat or swim at your site."
Consider mid-week visits for quieter experience: Pet-friendly parks near Red Oak can get crowded on weekends. "We stayed Sun-Tues for a short getaway. Most Thurs-Sun were booked," notes Susan M. about her stay at Hibernia, adding that "Campsites on the loop in area 2 are large with plenty of space between campers."
Choose sites with natural features: Look for shaded areas during summer months. "Our spot #36 was almost completely shaded, but you could only see the water through the trees a little. We took web chairs down the 100 ft. path to the water to enjoy the views. It was a good compromise given the 90+ degree weather," explains Kelli H. about her stay at Rudds Creek Recreation Area.
Extra parking considerations: Check site layouts for boat trailer accommodation. "There's extra parking at the campsites for cars and boat trailers. There were 7 spaces for the 5 sites in our loop (2 of the sites were group sites)," notes a Rudds Creek camper, useful information for RVers with boats or additional vehicles.
Seasonal campground differences: Some facilities close during off-seasons. "Firewoood was available for purchase at the gate. We didn't notice it at first and it took us quite a bit of driving around to find firewood since Food Lion didn't sell it," reports Sergey G. about J.C. Cooper Campground, highlighting the need to research seasonal availability.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow approach roads. "The road leading to the camping area is single lane so if you meet another camper going the other way it could get a little dicey," warns Brandon C. about Mayo Lake Park, information particularly relevant for larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Red Oak, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Red Oak, VA is Staunton River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Red Oak, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 dog-friendly camping locations near Red Oak, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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