The best dog-friendly campgrounds near Marion, North Carolina

In Marion, you’ll find over 1,650 campsites that welcome pets—think open fields, creekside nooks, and forest hideaways where your dog can actually run. Prices start as low as $10 a night, with the average around $48, so there’s plenty of range for every budget. Showers, toilets, and campfires are standard at most spots. Fishing, climbing, and hiking are the main draws in this area, with trails that wind through rhododendron thickets and up rocky slopes. If you want firsthand feedback, check out Starlight Hills (1,076 reviews), TangleWood Creekside Campsites (373 reviews), or Pisgah Forest Mountain Meadows (371 reviews). Locals know: bring bug spray, keep your leash handy—some trails get narrow—and don’t skip the sunrise if you’re up early. Camping with pets in Marion is straightforward, unfussy, and full of real adventure.

96% (11.1K) • 1,252 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Marion

In Marion, you’ll find over 1,650 campsites that welcome pets—think open fields, creekside nooks, and forest hideaways where your dog can actually run. Prices start as low as $10 a night, with the average around $48, so there’s plenty of range for every budget. Showers, toilets, and campfires are standard at most spots. Fishing, climbing, and hiking are the main draws in this area, with trails that wind through rhododendron thickets and up rocky slopes. If you want firsthand feedback, check out Starlight Hills (1,076 reviews), TangleWood Creekside Campsites (373 reviews), or Pisgah Forest Mountain Meadows (371 reviews). Locals know: bring bug spray, keep your leash handy—some trails get narrow—and don’t skip the sunrise if you’re up early. Camping with pets in Marion is straightforward, unfussy, and full of real adventure.

96% (11.1K) • 1,252 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Marion

1. Mountain Top Cabins

99%

(498)

50mi from Marion · 6 sites · Tents, Lodging

We offer guests an off-grid and authentic Appalachian experience at our hike-in cabins and campsites located on 500 private acres atop the Newfound Mountains in Western North Carolina! Our Trailhead is located 45 minutes west of Asheville, NC and our hike-in trail is 2 miles long with 1,250 feet of elevation gain. The hike-in trail utilizes an old forest service road which follows a creek providing verdant landscapes and soothing sounds as you make your way up the mountain to our cabins and campsites. We have two antique Appalachian cabins on-site and two campsites available. Our cabins and campsites are priced per person and can be reserved individually or collectively through an entire property buyout. A hearty and healthy breakfast is served each morning in our Main Lodge and is included and you'll never pay a cleaning fee on this mountain because we believe in Southern hospitality! Our Main Lodge (Cabin #1) has a huge front porch with spectacular views, a nicely appointed off-grid kitchen, full bathroom with hot shower and an upstairs loft that sleeps up to 10. Our on-site host/s stay downstairs in the Main Lodge in private bedrooms so they can keep the home fires burning, tend the garden, cook breakfasts, clean the cabins and ensure all your needs are taken care of during your stay. Guests in our Upper Cabin (Cabin #2) enjoy a wooded and secluded setting in a rustic cabin that sleeps up to 6. The downstairs area features an open floorpan with a queen size bed, off-grid kitchen, dining area and the loft upstairs sleeps up to 4 people. Cabin #2 also features a full bathroom with and a tree-house like view from the front porch! Our cabin adjacent camp space features two spectacular campsites and is located 100’ from our Main Lodge. Camp 1 and Camp 2 both measure 12’x15’ and feature a soft grassy surface surrounded by natural boulder walls. Both campsites sit beside our neighboring property owned by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and feature a long-range mountain views. Guests at our campsites are welcomed to breakfast daily and have full access to the restroom facilities in the Main Lodge.

2. Mountain Haven

91%

(27)

32mi from Marion · 1 site · Tent, RV

Glamping doesn’t get better than this! Perfectly situated location. 5 mins from Sugar Mtn Ski Area. 10 mins from Banner Elk. 15 mins to Grandfather Mtn and Boone/App State. 20 mins to Beech Mtn and Blowing Rock. PLEASE NOTE: There is a slight slope to the property. Tents/Campers are best located at the top/top left of the property for flattest ground. Secluded paved lot in Banner Elk. PLEASE NOTE: it is best suited for 4x4 vehicles in Winter Months. Do not recommend tow campers, nor Class A or Class C vehicles due to skinny roads and significant elevation changes. Additionally, there is a slight slope to the property (which can be seen in the pics). Tents/Campervans are best located at the top/top left of the property for flattest ground. ). Easy access to the ski slopes, dining, shopping, App State College, Boone and Blowing Rock.

3. Gusher Knob

97%

(56)

21mi from Marion · 2 sites · Tents

Gusher Knob is a 220+ acre forested mountain near Spruce Pine, NC. One of the campsites has a 12 x 12 raised platform for your tent (we don't recommend pitching a tent anywhere other than the platform), picnic table, fire pit, and a hook to hold a lantern. This first campsite on the property has a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A second campsite is more primitive (no picnic table or platform yet) is in a forested section with access to the Toe River. It is available now, but improvements are planned such as building a platform, adding a picnic bench and expanding the current fire pit. Please stay on the trails and the campsite areas as the surrounding land is private and monitored. Cell coverage is ok. Nearby hiking, climbing, and fly fishing are a few activities you will enjoy when visiting this lovely area of western NC. One campsite is a short 7-minute easy hike along a well-marked clear trail from the parking spot. The trail is non-technical and will mostly accommodate camping gear with wheels, such as a cooler. The other campsite takes a little longer hike to reach (10-minutes). Since it's situated in the woods, please be aware that you may encounter any number of nature's residents such as deer, squirrels, box turtles, wild turkeys, and bears. Please do not feed them and make sure to protect any food items appropriately. None of the natural residents has any interest in you personally, but they are known to be drawn to available food items.

4. Kinderhook Hollow Ponds/Brook

92%

(107)

23mi from Marion · 16 sites · RVs

Lower end 4 acres of the Property (3 acres of ponds and pasture)  is available for camping. 3 stocked ponds (for catch-n-release) and a mountain brook wrap around the bottom of the property.We are just 3 miles to Warren Wilson College equidistant between Asheville and Black Mountain. We are on a Private Rd. with no light or noise pollution.

5. Yurt At Lake James And Fonta Flora

95%

(39)

12mi from Marion · 2 sites · Lodging

For the same price as a campsite, awaken amidst the breathtaking beauty of nature without the hassles of traditional camping! Our accommodation is conveniently located just steps away from the Fonta Flora trail and Lake James, offering a private and pristine retreat while remaining close to all amenities. If you love the idea of camping but dread the tasks of buying, packing, hauling, and setting everything up, we have the perfect solution for you. Simply unplug and unwind next to the tranquil sounds of the small creek, with the gentle breeze rustling through the trees and the delightful chirping of birds. Embark on adventures right from your doorstep - hike the scenic trail, enjoy a leisurely picnic at the beach, paddle through picturesque coves, roast marshmallows over a crackling fire, gaze up at the star-studded sky, and cherish quality time with family. Experience the joys of camping without the stress, and make unforgettable memories surrounded by the wonders of nature. Check out pictures and their captions for more details on the lake access and amenities in the campsite.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

c

chris

3 weeks ago

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Mountain Haven

Great little spot with a fire pit and picnic table. A little tough to find because of Google Maps ending short, but very easy set up once you’re there. I enjoyed my car camping time night before hitting the slopes the next morning, which was only a few mins down the road.

C

Connor

December 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gusher Knob

We loved our stay! William has a beautiful campsite and beautiful property that he let us explore. We saw wild deer, wild geese, and signs of some bobcats, even got to hear a pack of coyotes each night! We felt incredibly safe and it was a very private area. We met one of the neighbors when unloading our gear who was incredibly helpful and nice, and everyone we drove by waved as well so it was a nice welcoming stay which was one of our concerns when coming from 6 hours away. Our car was safe the entire time and no signs of anyone messing with anything around it which is a huge plus! The sunrise and sunset are beautiful, especially with a mountain backdrop, and the drive up there was also nice. We stopped at one of the overlooks about 20-30 minutes away from the site and just took in the scenery. The hike has some pretty steep parts. We made 4 full trips with gear, food, and wood. I feel like some of the other reviews don’t touch on it as much, but with just two of us it absolutely wore us out. I believe we took 4 breaks along the trail (even though it’s a fairly short hike) just because of the elevation and how steep it was in some parts. While we are both 5-6 days a week in the gym, carrying everything was still a challenge that we will not forget. Very thankful there were two of us. William let us explore the side trails but remember to still ask for permission for yourself as this is still someone else’s property and should be treated as such. Thank you again William!!

A sturdy and large platform for your tent or sleeping setup.

J

Jason

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Gusher Knob

Nice and secluded. Evening sky looking over the mountains was beautiful. Be prepared for a couple small hills on the trail in but well worth it.

C

Charlotte

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Gusher Knob

We had the best time camping at Hummingbird Overlook! The view was absolutely beautiful and the host, William, was very helpful and responded very quickly to any questions we had.

T

Thadeus

November 2025

20 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Mountain Haven

Great experience camping at the hidden haven! Loved getting to use the fire pit they provided too 🙂

N

Nathan

November 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Mountain Haven

Site was clean and had great camping amenities. Had a picnic table, a camp fire pit and lots of pretty decorations

R

Remington

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gusher Knob

We had a great stay here - very private spot with a nice view

G

Georgie

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gusher Knob

Super super secluded. The wooden platform was very nice. Picnic table was cute and great for cooking! The description said the walk was an easy 7 min walk, but be prepared to be OUT OF BREATH lol. Very hill-y but also very scenic. Overall really great place!!

M

Makayla

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mountain Haven

There was plenty of space to paek and sent up a tent, on a flat open area with privacy. I felt safe. It was close to cafes, restaurants and out door adventures. And I appreciated the picnic table and fire pit. The only draw back for me was the street light (pro-helped with lighting the drive way for better visibility to find it, con-bright light at night slightly impacted my sleep and ambiance at night). Ted was responsive and helpful to any questions I had throughout the arrival and weekend process. Overall, grateful for the experience.

D

Daniel

October 2025

22 ft Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Mountain Haven

Perfect little hidden hideaway right next to Grandfather mountain. An old parking lot made it easy to pull in and set up for the night. 10/10 will be back again!

C

Catherine

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Yurt At Lake James And Fonta Flora

It was a cool little spot! We came in October and the water was low, so if you need water access be sure to ask the lake levels before you go. The yurt had all the comforts of home and Briana was extremely responsive and helpful! She provided water jugs for us so we wouldn't have to haul in our own.

The water was low when we were there- but it was still a peaceful spot to hang out!

S

SARA

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Yurt At Lake James And Fonta Flora

Great spot! You can pack light, as most of what you need is already at the site. Host was very responsive, though we did not need much, as everything was provided. Quiet, peaceful, and private. We had two dogs with us (mine is reactive/fearful) and it was secluded enough that I did not feel that I needed to worry too much during our stay.

S

Sean

October 2025

18 ft campervan

2 nights at Mountain Haven

Great spot and convenient to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Chain locks across driveway entrance if you’re looking for extra privacy and security.

G

Greg

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Gusher Knob

Beautiful location, the camping platform easily large enough for tent and the hike to the top is both short enough that you can lug gear in your hands and long enough to be away from everything except occasional vehicle noise. Lots of woods to explore and minimal undergrowth to get in the way. Will probably go back in the spring.

M

Matty

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Gusher Knob

Beautiful views. Very private and peaceful. I highly recommend this spot. Bring a wagon and another person to help you maneuver it. There's a few caves. Follow the orange blazes to hike down to the river

N

Nate

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Yurt At Lake James And Fonta Flora

Easy to get to, very responsive host, reasonably secluded, and secure. My wife and daughters had a great time, the hosts provided all the amenities you might need. Highly recommend if you are looking for a glamping weekend getaway.

D

Deni

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Yurt At Lake James And Fonta Flora

Peace and quiet. Loved the lake and the yurt. I said it is a little hard to get down there and back out but since you don't have to take a whole lot it's not terrible.

J

Jennifer

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Gusher Knob

This site really is great. It was perfect for a couple. The hike up is ok with a cart. Good cardio. It gets dark, so the star gazing is good. There’s just enough of a clearing in the canopy at the fire pit to see stars. 10/10 would recommend.

Matt

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mountain Haven

Location to the Blue Ridge Parkway made stopping here easy. The site is quite large, plenty of room for 2-3 trucks with roof top tents, but not ideal for ground tents as the entire site is cement with no way to pin a tent down, which is needed as the site has no level areas and even with leveling blocks on my truck (w/RTT), I still could not get level. Host is great, quick to respond to questions.

S

Seyl

September 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Mountain Haven

Just needed a quick and easy place for a quick overnighter. We had a lot of rain that day and the concrete slab was perfect so I didn't have to walk around in a wet field or mud.