RVing with Fido? Get more Wow! for your bowwow if you pick one of these “Top 9 for K-9s.” It’s a list of “favorite” campgrounds that have “gone to the dogs” according to users of The Dyrt, a camping availability app.
Nearly half of campers are RVers — more than half take their pooches
The “Top 9 for K-9s: The Most Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in The U.S. for 2024,” is the latest compilation from The Dyrt’s 2024 Camping Report. More than half of campers (53.7%) brought their four-legged friends along with them in 2023. The Dyrt also found that 46.8% of campers list RVing as their primary camping type. If you think about it, it’s a perfect match. All the comforts of home and your best buddy, or buddies, traveling comfortably alongside you. No surprise then that five of the nine campgrounds in the Top 9 for K-9s cater primarily to RVs.
Speaking of being catered to, the No. 1 campground this year is 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat. 4 Paws is in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Yes, “Dog” is right there in the name. This property truly prioritizes pampering pooches, right down to not allowing any humans under the age of 18 for optimal relaxation and minimal fur tugging. 4 Paws is set on nine acres and some of the individual campsites even have fenced-in yards.
“People love camping for a lot of the same reasons that dogs love camping,” says Sarah Smith, founder of The Dyrt. “You get out of the house, immerse yourself in nature, explore, see some wildlife, sit by a fire, sleep in the great outdoors. When we take Brandy (aka The Dyrt Dog) camping with us, I know she’s having as much fun as we are.”
Here are the 9 most dog-friendly campgrounds
Using AI to sift through The Dyrt’s millions of user-generated reviews, photos, and tips of U.S. campgrounds, the outfit identified campgrounds that were not just dog-friendly, but dog-welcoming. They’re ranked based on reviews, photos, accommodations, and amenities offered. Here’s to the dog days of summer! Who wants to go for a ride?!
- 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat — North Carolina: Doggy heaven on Earth
- Wagonhammer RV Park & Campground — Idaho: Welcome to off-leash island
- Lake George RV Park — New York: Bark Park hits the mark
- Alum Creek State Park — Ohio: Fenced-in fields for big and small dogs
- Tahoe Valley Campground — California: Dogs want to go to Tahoe too
- Campground at James Island County Park — South Carolina: 643 acres of exploring
- Chatfield State Park — Colorado: 69-acre, fenced-in dog park
- First Landing State Park — Virginia: 20 miles of trails and Chesapeake Bay beach
- Santa Fe Skies RV Park — New Mexico: Trails, a dog park and unmatched mountain views
All nine campgrounds earned positive reviews from The Dyrt campers. They’re a group which is becoming more proactive in seeking out campgrounds that meet their needs as pet owners. The 2024 Camping Report found that when it came to adding amenities, the only things property owners added more than dog parks were Wi-Fi and pickleball courts.
“We’ve never been to a park like this one and highly recommend it if you can get in,” says The Dyrt camper Gabi B. She raves about about top-ranked 4 Paws Kingdom. “We’ll be back for sure!”
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 This is interesting stuff, but I can’t imagine us ever planning a trip based on where the most dog-friendly campgrounds are. Alternately, this is helpful if trying to decide on where to stay when traveling. Meanwhile, we continue putting dog #3 through dog-trainjng classes. 🤔😯 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Good morning Neal. I can personally vouch for 4 Paws Kingdom in Rutherfordton, NC. They actually have a Dog Training course that you can sign your furry friend up for while staying there. They even have a Pond for them to swim in. It has been sold twice since we were last there but if they still offer the same amenities, it wouldn’t disappoint you. Enjoy the weekend and “Happy Camping”!
Good morning Ed D! Thank you for the recommendation. Dog #3 has a life jacket and has learned to swim recently. I am sure he would enjoy at least that part of the campground. My impression is that getting there isn’t a particularly long drive for us, but I will check that. Thank you again, have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
We reside in Florida but have 2 vacation places in Hayesville, NC, on Lake Chatuge. Absolutely love it up there. Surrounded by Lake and Mountains. It is one of the most beautiful sites we have ever seen!
Sounds beautiful, Ed D. 🙂 We live in the western foothills of the Appalachians, so may be able to visualize from description. Enjoy and safe travels! 🙂