Doughton Park Cg

If you’re looking for a Fido-friendly place to camp on the eastern side of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway, Doughton Park Campground might just be the paw-fect place for you and your buddy to pitch your tent! That’s if you don’t mind "ruffing" it a bit, of course. Doughton Park doesn’t have any electricity, RV hookups, or showers, though there is access to a dump station and a quiet area.

But you and your pooch might decide that such a furrific location is worth sacrificing a few of your creature comforts! Doughton Park sits surrounded by stately, mature trees, and there’s plenty of privacy between sites. You’re also just a bone’s throw away from some spectacular wildflower meadows, and the rhododendrons and azaleas need to be seen to be believed. Not only that, but you’ll be treated to spectacular mountain views in the distance. Even the bathrooms are pretty -- they’re designed in the quaint rustic style, and the whole campground is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Doughton Park offers a couple of ways to stay. Tent-only sites are available for those looking to get away from the noise of their neighbor’s RV, and group tent-only areas are set aside for larger gatherings. Although 108 of the 129 sites are set aside for walk-ins, it still pays to either book or get there early, particularly if you'll need to stay at one of the campground's accessible sites. There’s no entrance fee to the park itself, and sites start at $20.

You and your pooch will have no shortage of things to see and do during your stay! If you’re batty about birding, you’ll be glad to know that the 77-acre Doughton Park is home to all sorts of flying feathered critters, including Kentucky Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrush. Hound-dog hikers and cultured canines alike should get a kick out of the 30-mile trail system! There’s a trail here to suit all ages and abilities, from the fittest furry friend to the most committed couch pup-tato, and the historic pioneer Brinegar Cabin is well worth a visit.

WiFi isn’t available at Doughton Park, and cellular service varies from network to network. Drinking water is available on-site; just remember to bring waste bags for your four-pawed pal for an un-fur-gettable vacay at Doughton Park Campground!