Dogs are the perfect companions, for life and for camping. They like the same things about camping that we do: fresh air, quiet relaxation, trails to hike, ponds to swim in, meeting new people, meeting new dogs, sleeping on the ground. That’s why The Dyrt’s 2026 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks found that nearly half (49.7%) of campers reported camping with dogs in 2025, by far the most for any type of pet.
To celebrate the pooches in our lives, The Dyrt, the app to get the best campsites, built by the largest RVing and camping community in the U.S., has announced the Top 9 for K-9s: 2026 Best Places to Camp with Dogs presented by JustFoodForDogs. This list recognizes the top campgrounds in the country that cater to dogs just as much as they do to campers.
Returning to the No. 1 spot this year is 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, which also took top honors in 2024. It stakes its claim as the only dog-dedicated campground in the U.S., so it’s only natural that it once again tops our list of the Best Places to Camp with Dogs.
In addition to Top 9 for K-9s, The Dyrt has already recognized some of the best places to camp in niche categories: National Park Neighbors, With Kids, For Free, Near Water and Near Cities. The Dyrt also handed out the annual Glampy Awards and Best Places to RV, as well as the Top 10 Best Places to Camp in each region of the country and the Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S.
For these awards, winners were chosen based on reviews and ratings from The Dyrt’s community of campers in addition to amenities, accommodations and overall reputation. Without further ado, here is The Dyrt’s Top 9 for K-9s: 2026 Best Places to Camp presented by JustFoodForDogs:
1. 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat — North Carolina
Location: Rutherfordton, NC
What makes it a top dog: 4 Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat, in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, makes no bones about putting pups first. If dogs could drive, humans might not even be allowed here.
Want to find more places to camp with dogs? Continue reading this press release at The Dyrt.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
