Balsam Mountain Campground

Head for North Carolina's Great Smokey Mountains National Park with your pup by your side to stay at Balsam Mountain Campground. You'll have to go quite a way out into the wilderness to reach the facility, but the gorgeous views and mountain streams will make up for your travels. The far trek to reach this campground also helps keep it fairly vacant no matter when you decide to visit.

There are 42 campsites at the grounds with rates of $17.50 per night. You won't find any hookup sites here, though. Tents and small trailers fit on these sites best, as the lots are not even and vary in shape. Drinking water is available here but no lights are provided whatsoever -- even in the bathrooms, so make sure to bring lots of your own lanterns and torches. Campfire rings are provided for each site, and the park asks that you do not move these rings. You may collect firewood from dead wood in the park, but please do not bring any wood into the region unless it is certified and heat treated. 

Campers here like to visit the many creeks that flow down the mountain as they are great for fishing. Nearby, you'll also find an incredibly scenic gravel road -- perfect for an afternoon drive up into the mountains. While the area is filled with excellent hiking trails, your pupper is, unfortunately, not allowed to venture on them. Because of this, you'll need to make other arrangements if you plan on going on these trails as your dog must be attended to at all times.

Pooches are allowed in the campground as long as they are always on-leash. This area is full of bears, so be diligent with storing your food in your vehicle and disposing of all trash and pet waste in the metal trash receptacles. 

For any that truly want to get away from it all, Balsam Mountain Campground is a great place to hide in the woods.