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Stony Fork Campground's well-maintained sites accommodate pets throughout its wooded environment, making it one of several pet-friendly options near Rural Retreat, Virginia. This National Forest campground features spacious, private campsites with paved access roads suitable for all sizes of RVs and tents. Pets must be leashed and supervised at all times while camping. The sites are dispersed with good separation, providing privacy for campers and their animals. A creek flows through the campground offering pets cooling water access during hot weather. Campers consistently note the cleanliness of the facilities and the quiet atmosphere. Most sites include a fire ring with grate and picnic table, with various hookup options including electric-only sites and some with water connections. The grounds are well-maintained with clean bathrooms and hot showers that accommodate campers and their four-legged companions.
Dog owners appreciate the small nature trail within the campground boundaries and access to the nearby Seven Sisters Trail for longer pet exercise. The bubbling creek provides natural water access for dogs to cool off after hiking, though owners should be prepared to clean up after their pets as there are limited dedicated pet waste stations. Wildlife is abundant in the area, so keeping pets leashed is essential for their safety and to protect local animals. The campground's proximity to Interstate 77 (just 4 miles from exit 47) makes it convenient for travelers with pets. Several campers have reported excellent experiences with the pet-friendly atmosphere, noting that the camp hosts are helpful and accommodating to those traveling with animals. Verizon cell service is reliable throughout the campground for emergency veterinary contact if needed.
"The amenities cannot be missed - beach with bath house and snack bar, interpretive center with childrenβs activities, on-site restaurant with wonderful lake view, $8 kayak rentals, well-kept paddle boats"
"We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground was fantastic. All campsites are on platforms, which makes it very nice to set up your stuff."
from $27 / night
Check Availability"They are pet friendly for campers/RV's!! We stayed in site 44 and LOVED it!! Close enough to the bathrooms that we just used those and showered in there as well!"
"We had our grand-dog with us and she had a blast playing ball. Sites are electric ONLY. No water or sewer available. Even though reservation folks said otherwise."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $50 - $170 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $27 - $98 / night
Check Availability"Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise."
"Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didnβt see a single soul. Got a beautiful campsite right on the creek."
"Only down fall is if you have a big fifth wheel turning into the off road area trailer may hit box of your truck. Caution may damage your vehicles."
"We stayed here to visit friends close by and we also drove to WV to raft New River, about 90 minutes away."
from $39 - $65 / night
Check Availability"This was our first visit to a Virginia State Park and we were impressed."
"Has multiple pull through sites, bath house and laundry close by. We were there during off season so some of the park was closed and they collected payment through honor system."
from $37 - $41 / night
Check Availability"Amazing little campground in the heart of Mount Rogers recreational area in Western Virginia. Wonderful fall colors crisp, clean, mountain air was totally the best!οΏΌ"
"This camp ground is located well off any main roads under a nice quiet canopy of Hemlocks and Laurel trees. Easy walking distance to several well maintained and very clean outhouses."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Doesnβt get much more relaxing, electric, water hook-ups and a short drive to downtown Damascus VA.. AT, Virginia Creeper, White Top Mountain and Mount Rogers all near by."
"We like to hike and there are TONS of trails in this area. One trail leaves directly from the campground and will bring you to the top of Mt. Rogers, also intersecting with the Appalachian Trail."
from $24 - $36 / night
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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.
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! π
ScoutWe stayed here for vacation last year. Thereβs 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.
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. Itβs 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.
At 2,017 feet elevation, Rural Retreat sits in the Ridge and Valley province of Virginia, characterized by long parallel ridges interspersed with fertile valleys. The area experiences mild summers with average July highs around 84Β°F and cool winters with January lows near 23Β°F. Most campgrounds near Rural Retreat remain open year-round, though amenities like water hookups may be limited during winter months.
Hiking trails access: Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers multiple trails accessible from nearby campgrounds. "The AT provides some great hiking," notes Katie B. about Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, where hikers can access sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Trout fishing spots: Fish in local streams near several campgrounds. At Raccoon Branch Campground, anglers appreciate the trout-stocked waters. "This is a beautiful campground located alongside a stream with trout fishing," explains Jean C., who visited Hurricane Campground in the Jefferson National Forest.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water access for cooling off during summer. At Hungry Mother State Park, "There is a swim beach, boat launch, hiking trails, restaurant, boat rentals, fishing piers, convention center, nature center, and plenty of camping," according to Nancy W., who stayed at the park's Camp Burson section.
Spacious camping areas: Many campgrounds offer well-sized sites with room for equipment. At Deer Trail Park Campground, Beth B. appreciates the "variety of accommodations including RV and tent sites and small cabins" along with "a stream and pond, which allows catch and release."
Access to hiking trails: Multiple campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. Greg S. stayed at Stony Fork Campground and notes, "The 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."
Natural water features: Creeks and streams run through several area campgrounds. Brian M. appreciated that "Stony Fork Creek flows through the middle of the campsite, and the bridges are marked with a flood scale, so avoiding this place during heavy rains might be advised."
Weather considerations: The area can experience sudden weather changes. "It rained for 12 hours straight with cold, high winds...so it was a bit chilly, but still enjoyable," reports Dave V. about his fall visit to Royal Oak Campground.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Deer Trail Park Campground, one visitor noted "Cell service was bad. Needed to use WiFi which was poor in evening probably overloaded."
Road access variations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Hurricane Campground, Robin K. advises: "I wish I had known that the best route into the campground is 16 to 650. Instead, I took 650 from the north west, which turns out to be a 4 mile stretch of gravel road - which my little car had a rough time handling."
Entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with recreational amenities. "This is a very kid friendly campground," notes Jesse S. about Stony Fork Campground, adding there's "Fair amount of stuff to do in area, close to WV areas around New River, Bluestone National Rivers, and several state parks in VA and WV."
Kid-friendly water access: Streams provide natural play areas. Greg S. mentions at Stony Fork, "our boys didn't mind- the creek was great and the whole place is paved so it was great for scooters. It's a 3/4 mile loop around the campground."
Pet exercise areas: For families camping with pets, look for dedicated spaces. At Wytheville KOA, visitors appreciate "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."
Hookup availability: Check campgrounds for appropriate connections. At Fort Chiswell RV Park, Michael H. found that "sites are mostly level, hookups are convenient" and the park offers "full hookups, including cable!"
Dump station access: Some campgrounds offer convenient waste disposal. Tara B. appreciated the "easy dump station/water station across the street" at Stony Fork Campground during her visit.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary in privacy levels. At Camp Burson in Hungry Mother State Park, Susan A. found "the sites are a good size, very level and easy to access" though she notes "not a lot of tree cover to provide privacy in the sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rural Retreat, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rural Retreat, VA is Royal Oak Campground β Hungry Mother State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rural Retreat, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 131 dog-friendly camping locations near Rural Retreat, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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