S
Shannon S.
Traveler
TravelerPrewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area
First of the season
Limited spaces,looks like people hold spots, got lucky to find one on a Thursday morning net to the lake watch for Ticks with your pets
Dog-Friendly Camping near Padroni, CO
16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
North Sterling State Park Campground welcomes pets at all campsites with electric hookups and picnic shelters. Dogs must remain on leash throughout the park, including at Elks and Inlet Cove campgrounds where waterfront sites 117, 119, 121, and 123 allow fishing directly from the campsite. The park's restrooms and shower facilities remain clean and well-maintained for all campers, though pets are not permitted inside buildings. Sites are well-spaced, providing adequate room for pets to move around without encroaching on neighboring campers. Buffalo Hills Campground & RV Park and Sterling RV Park also accommodate pets in both tent and RV sites, though Buffalo Hills has received mixed reviews regarding ground conditions and cleanliness.
Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area provides pet-friendly primitive camping options for those seeking a more rustic experience with their animals. The area can become extremely windy with little natural cover, requiring secure leashing of pets at all times. Sites throughout the region often have goathead thorns or sandburs that can become painfully embedded in pet paws, so protective booties are recommended during certain seasons. Pawnee Buttes offers free dispersed camping where pets are allowed, though no specific pet amenities exist beyond basic toilet facilities. Wildlife encounters are common throughout these eastern Colorado camping areas, requiring vigilant pet supervision to prevent interactions with snakes, coyotes, and other native species frequently spotted by campers.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Padroni (16)
1. North Sterling State Park Campground
"We were in site #140 - on the outer edge and away from the reservoir. For a Friday night in July, it was surprisingly quiet."
"Located in northeast Colorado, it is a nice “stop-off” for the road-weary traveller. Water, showers, flush toilets and power hook-ups are provided."
from $36 / night
Check Availability2. Buffalo Hills Campground & RV Park
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability3. Cabela's RV Park & Campground
"Gas and convenience , shopping, and food located close by. Cabela's Sydney store is across the parking lot with plenty of things to browse for."
"Right next to the Cabela’s store, within walking distance to food, coffee, Walmart. It is, however, right next to a major highway, so it is very loud."
4. Sterling RV Park - The Landing
5. Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area
"It was very busy and took a lot of driving around to find a potential spot. But I eventually found a very good spot that was away from many of the other campers."
"Must have a valid fishing license or hunting license in Colorado to access. There were vault toilets available. CPW consistently drove around. This is a big place for RVs."
6. Sterling RV Park
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability7. Pawnee Buttes - Dispersed Camping
"an incredible place, traveling cross country so just me, 2 cats and a small tent. very windy, lots of cows. i was lucky enough to have a pop up thunderstorm with rain. loved it 10/10"
"Stopped on my way east through NE Colorado for the night and watched the sun set over the buttes. Absolutely lovely. Can see the windmills in the distance but I don’t mind that."
8. Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area
"All facilities are free but they have a Dropbox at the entrance humbly requesting a $5-$10 donation to help the park maintain the facilities, which is very reasonable."
"Was able to find a spot in the dark and get set up away from people and close to the lake. Camping was peaceful but the best part was the pictures I got of the lake and the night sky."
9. Jumbo (Julesburg Reservoir) State Wildlife Area
"This is the perfect place to go to stay close to our home and not a long road home. You are able to schedule time with friends and head down and save your camping spot a day or two in advance."
10. Brush Memorial Park Campground
"Memorial Park was pet friendly, heated restrooms and showers, picnic shelters, playground, and disc golf. There was also a fishing pond across the street."
"Nice for a stay while traveling through Colorado. 1/2 to a few places to eat. Quiet and next to park and across the street from fishing pond. Easy to find, gravel sites and level."
from $20 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 44 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 1 hr 46 min from Greeley, CO
- 1 hr 55 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 1 hr 56 min from Denver, CO
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Padroni, CO
24 Photos of 16 Padroni Campgrounds
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Padroni, CO
157 Reviews of 16 Padroni Campgrounds
- Duff L.
ScoutBuffalo Hills Campground & RV Park
Place is trash
Full of dirt and nasty bugs owners are not good. They run over cats and kill dogs seen it happen. Old man jimmy doesn’t care about anything but drinking beer and killing animals. 600$ plus to stay there a month without hookups. It’s full of sand. Don’t stay here.
TRI-CROSS F.TravelerCabela's RV Park & Campground
Cabela's Sydney, NE Campground
Well maintained grounds, restrooms and showers are clean and easy to access. Unfortunately there are trees but none are mature enough to provide adequate shading. Gas and convenience , shopping, and food located close by. Cabela's Sydney store is across the parking lot with plenty of things to browse for. Easy on and off I-80 access for RVs, vans, and tent campers with a nice playground for the kids and running room for your pets. Easy access horse Corral 🐎 for the equestrian motivated individuals. Overall when the trees mature to provide shade this will be a 10 for passing through and short stay campers. There aren't any sewage hookups but it does have a black and Grey water dump. Electrical rv hookups are in each spot and there's plenty of green grace to go around.
- CCassandra W.Scout
Jumbo (Julesburg Reservoir) State Wildlife Area
Quiet, Fun and close to home
It’s a wildlife refuge so it’s a little different to stay than say North Sterling Reservoir. For now anyways...
This is the perfect place to go to stay close to our home and not a long road home. You are able to schedule time with friends and head down and save your camping spot a day or two in advance.
Pets and fires are allowed. Just keep them on a chain and put them out!
They recently restricted up by the water camping which is awesome for parties that have lots of kids! They aren’t running into traffic unknowingly!
There is practically no beach but if you know that going into it, it’s fine!! You pick your passions!!
- Shannon G.
LegendBrush Memorial Park Campground
A good place to stop over
We needed to stop on the way to the mountains and most places were full but we found a spot in Brush. It had 12 sites with Electric and Water. Memorial Park was pet friendly, heated restrooms and showers, picnic shelters, playground, and disc golf. There was also a fishing pond across the street. We were excited to find out the first night was free and after that it was $20. It was a good place to spend the night.
Dillon S.TravelerPawnee Buttes - Dispersed Camping
Healing
an incredible place, traveling cross country so just me, 2 cats and a small tent. very windy, lots of cows. i was lucky enough to have a pop up thunderstorm with rain. loved it 10/10
- EErin S.Traveler
Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area
Great stopover on road trip
We stayed on a Sunday night in April and we were able to get a campsite with no neighbors as far as the eye can see. There are long-drop bathrooms dispersed throughout the park that are pretty clean and have TP. The roads are gravel but in good shape and we had no trouble pulling our small travel trailer through the park. All facilities are free but they have a Dropbox at the entrance humbly requesting a $5-$10 donation to help the park maintain the facilities, which is very reasonable.
The only reason it received 4 stars is that there are multiple train tracks across the road and we were woken up 3 times between 11:00 and 6:00 by train horns blaring a bunch. Not just a regular “toot toot” but a “blaaaarn! Look out! Blaaaaaaaaaaaaarn” as if there were a deaf cat on the tracks 4 miles away. It didn’t overall ruin the night or anything but it sure does throw you off when you’re in happy dreamland then all of a sudden a hyper-aggressive freight train is chasing you through the dream.
I’ll reiterate that it was a great campsite and our dogs loved the freedom to run around our site off leash and we would stop here again for sure.
- ssusan F.
RangerNorth Sterling State Park Campground
Great views, water sports and hiking
We were in site #140 - on the outer edge and away from the reservoir. For a Friday night in July, it was surprisingly quiet. In contrast, the sites along the reservoir and on top of the hill, near the bathroom and shower facility, had larger groups, families and more activity.
The facilities and campsites were clean and well Maintained. It was in the high 80s when we were there, but it was pleasant. There was a breeze and each campsite has a shelter structure - we moved our camp chairs around to also be in the shade.
There are lots of hiking trails and the reservoir is great for water activities. There are lots of water fowl and birds, as well as rabbits, chipmunks, and prairie dogs.
Erik C.
GuidePawnee Buttes - Dispersed Camping
Absolutely lovely!
Loved this spot! Stopped on my way east through NE Colorado for the night and watched the sun set over the buttes. Absolutely lovely. Can see the windmills in the distance but I don’t mind that. Found a spot tucked in right off the road. Easy camping and a lovely spot for a night or two.
Guide to Padroni
Eastern Colorado campgrounds near Padroni sit on the high plains at approximately 4,000 feet elevation, featuring prairie landscapes with limited natural shade. Summer temperatures can reach the 90s with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring brings high winds across the open terrain. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing, with occasional snow affecting access to more remote sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At North Sterling State Park, waterfront sites 117, 119, 121, and 123 provide direct fishing access. "The fish are jumping. Inlet Grove campground has lots of water spigots throughout the campground (every four or five sites) and a dump station with water at the entrance," notes Lori E. about North Sterling State Park Campground.
Stargazing sessions: The open prairie landscape around Pawnee Buttes offers exceptional night sky viewing. "This area is also a 'dark site,' so on clear, moonless nights the stars / Milky Way are phenomenal," reports J A. about Pawnee Buttes - Dispersed Camping.
Bird watching excursions: Prewitt Reservoir provides excellent bird watching opportunities throughout the seasons. "Birding is good here most of the year even during goose season which opens the first Saturday in October (Herons, grebes, white pelicans, ducks and peeps)," explains Robert C. about Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area.
What campers like
Well-spaced campsites: Campers appreciate the thoughtful layout at North Sterling State Park. "This campground is well laid out so you don't feel like you are right on top of your neighbors. Sites are decently level and the dirt doesn't get muddy in the rain, must have a lot of sand in it," says Lori E.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds in the area offer affordable or free camping. "It's a great spot off of i80. You can stay up to two weeks and it's free, though you should donate," notes G M. about Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area.
Water recreation: Despite being in a semi-arid region, several campgrounds offer water access. "We had a great swim, dinner and s'mores, and great sleep," reports Anne K. about Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area. At Prewitt Reservoir, "It's possible to SUP or kayak here, even as late as October with easy launching near the dam."
What you should know
Weather conditions: The eastern plains experience significant wind, particularly at exposed sites. "Very windy area but nice enough for a quick stop driving though," says Lydia N. about Pawnee Buttes. Similarly at Prewitt Reservoir: "Basic 'at large' camping here with vault toilets and dumpsters provided but NO POTABLE WATER."
Ground hazards: Some campgrounds have natural hazards that can damage equipment or hurt pets. "Had many many painful plant spurs imbedded on the tent floor and coming through," reports Juanita R. about Buffalo Hills Campground & RV Park.
Reservation systems: Campgrounds have varying reservation requirements. "Like all Colorado State Parks there is an entrance fee to pay at the gate. AND to camp you must make reservations online. They do not assign camp spaces or take camping payments at the Visitors Center," explains David L. about North Sterling State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming during summer months. At Brush Memorial Park, campers can "enjoy the community pool and the clean playground," according to Crystal R. about Brush Memorial Park Campground.
Playground access: Family-friendly campgrounds in the area include recreational facilities. "There is a city park, pool and a very cool little museum adjacent to the campground," notes Alan B. about Brush Memorial Park. Similarly, Danielle F. reports that Buffalo Hills has "a small play area for kids."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can observe various wildlife in these prairie campgrounds. "I captured a pic of 2 bucks making their way through the tall grass as I was heading out," shares Charyle C. about North Sterling State Park. For bird enthusiasts, "Lots of birds in this area for anyone who loves bird watching."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Padroni offer various hookup options. At Sterling RV Park - The Landing, "It's a new RV park. It was very well kept up and clean," according to Beverly M. about Sterling RV Park - The Landing.
Pull-through access: Several campgrounds accommodate larger rigs with easy-access sites. "This year the park opened a new section which provides this park with many more excellent pull through spaces," notes David L. about North Sterling State Park. At the Inlet Grove section, Alma L. mentions, "We stopped overnight and loved the pull-through sites of the inlet grove sites."
Dump station considerations: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. "The dump station was a dream with potable water at the end of the islands and totally separate from the sewage area," reports Alma L. about North Sterling State Park. Other campgrounds like Brush Memorial Park offer "electric and water hookups as well as a dump station."
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Padroni, CO is North Sterling State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 16 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
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What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Padroni, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dog-friendly camping locations near Padroni, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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