Fontana Dam Campground - Robbinsville, NC
Fontana Dam Campground: A Scenic Dog-Friendly Retreat in Robbinsville, North Carolina
Fontana Dam Campground, nestled on the edge of the beautiful Little Tennessee River and Lake Fontana, is a unique pet-friendly destination for visitors seeking outdoor adventure in Robbinsville, North Carolina. Surrounded by breathtaking Smoky Mountain views, this campground offers direct access to the Appalachian Trail, making it a prime spot for dog-friendly hiking and nature exploration. The area is quiet and peaceful, ideal for campers looking to enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing, with plenty of trails and creeks to explore alongside your canine companions.
The campground provides essential amenities including restrooms with hot water, although some facilities are dated. While not an official dog park, leashed pets are welcome in the campground and on numerous surrounding hiking trails. The natural shade from trees and the cool river breeze offer comfortable spots to relax after a day of adventure. Whether you’re looking to hike, kayak, or simply take in the history of Fontana Dam, this campground delivers a memorable, dog-friendly escape in the heart of the Smokies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? No, dogs must remain leashed in the campground and on trails.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, restrooms with hot water are available on site.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the campground and trails provide natural shade from trees.
- Is there a swimming area or pond for dogs? Dogs can enjoy swimming in the river or lake with supervision.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Fontana Dam Campground is connected to the Appalachian Trail and multiple scenic hikes.
Reviews
The little Tennessee river is pretty running under the dam. The dam was eerie to me, quite frankly 😬 there are no bear boxes for food…NULL We used our (locked) car, but bears are smart. The restroom was also not very clean. Staff was very responsive when we told them there was an issue in one of the toilets. Otherwise it’s pretty!
Decent campground the bathroom is gross and needs some TLC. Didn’t love just being assigned a campspot when there was only 2 other people here and being put right next to them.
For the price the campground is pretty steep at 41 a night for a weekday.
Amazing campground overlooking the lake – great bathrooms, access to water, and a shuttle service to and from Fontana Dam Village. This is by and large the best shelter on the Appalachian Trail, thus far.
Stayed here for my first time three weeks ago. Its a nice little campground, bathroom a bit outdated (70s) however it was clean and there was hot water which is my opinion is most important. I stayed on a tent spot close to the water and the rocks. I noticed from time to time there were mice and rats running around and this is what leads to my 3 star review instead of 5.
Arrived Fri night, awoke Sat and left for the day returned at night, no problems. Awoke the next day (Sun) and upon cranking my truck I noticed my Toyota Tacoma had a check engine, trac off light….odd as it was not on before. Long story short, I made it home only to find out from my local mechanic that this was going to be a huge drop to replace and recommend I take it to Toyota. I did and my fears were confirmed. The wiring harness to my knock sensor had been chewed into by a rodent. The total cost for replacement was just over NULL due to it having 19hrs worth of tear engine removal and re installation.
I realized this could happen anywhere but it happened here and just can’t bring myself to post a 5 start review after this experience. I say and write this review in an effort to let folks know that not only are they out there but they can and will damage your vehicle. My saving grace was that insurance did cover and I was only out ? for the deductible. I will never camp again without this being in the back of my mind and will now always deploy some type of counter measure in some effort to avoid this again. As much as I had planned to and would like to visit again, I just don’t know if I can bring myself to do it.
Wonderful place. Beautiful water from the dam, friendly people. Only the occasional motorcyclist loudly drives by, or dalmatian-size tarantula eyes you from the public shower.