James M.
Legend
LegendHorseshoe Pond
Nice smaller CG in City of Maquoketa, Iowa
CG offers gravel pads, tables, fire rings, electric, sump station, water, small pond with fishing, paddling, dog park. Close to stores for supplies, dining, fuel.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Hanover, IL
94 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Blanding Landing, located in Hanover, offers electric campsites with pet-friendly accommodations across tent, RV, and cabin options. The campground maintains clean facilities with hot showers and flush toilets in the shower house, while each site includes a picnic table and fire pit. Pets must remain leashed throughout the campground areas. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground provides additional pet-friendly sites with both electric and non-electric options for tent and RV camping. Campground hosts at both locations are typically friendly and accommodating to campers with pets. The grounds at Blanding Landing are impeccably kept, though train noise can be disruptive for some pets and their owners.
Nearby Off Shore RV Park features pet-friendly cabins and camping areas along the Mississippi River, with hard-surface sites that include water and electric hookups. Dogs can accompany their owners on the hiking trails at Apple River Canyon State Park, located about 30 minutes from Hanover, which offers challenging terrain with varied elevation. Vel Terra campground, while smaller with limited sites, provides an excellent option for pet owners seeking a quieter experience with mature trees and good trails for walking dogs. The campground intentionally keeps some sites vacant to provide more space between campers, particularly beneficial for those with pets. During warmer months, owners should be mindful of ticks and chiggers when walking dogs through grassy areas, particularly at Mississippi Palisades where campers have reported significant issues.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Hanover (94)
1. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
"Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."
"It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."
2. Bellevue State Park Campground — Dyas Unit
"CG site atop river bluff with pads, fire rings, tables, RR, recycling, trails, shelters nearby. Sites are close to each other but plenty to do."
"The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem."
from $20 - $41 / night
Check Availability3. Blanding Landing
"I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big."
"Hosts are friendly and I saw rangers driving through multiple times. Each site includes picnic table and fire pit. Most have electric. "
from $14 - $25 / night
Check Availability4. Vel Terra
"Galena Illinois is a major tourist spot for Chicago folks to get away too. This camp site is 20 min from Galena 5 min from Elizabeth and 15 min from Apple Canyon. Has both RV and Tent sites."
"All the land is private so there's not great hiking (a little in the state park about 20 min drive away), IL law allows waterways to be privately owned so you can't kayak the river, etc."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability5. Palace Campground
"This campground is tucked into a little area next to a Walmart, Culvers, and Mini golf course. It sits between east Dubuque and Galena. When we stayed they had a dirt bike rally."
"Campground was right next to Walmart, which was convenient, and a short walk down to the high school to get the shuttle into Galena itself."
6. Spruce Creek Park
"There's fishing, exploring, a playground, and when you see a paddleboat you have time to drive to town before it hits loch & damn #12. It's a beautiful spot right on the river with views galore."
"Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue"
7. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground
"You really can't go wrong with any trail or cave. The kids enjoyed hiking between Lower- and Upper-Dancehall Caves. The trail goes underground and through some water. Window Cave was also a hit."
"General: Very popular state park with a small, 30-site campground (five walk-in tent sites and the rest electric)."
from $25 - $33 / night
Check Availability8. Apple River Canyon
"Dog friendly too, at no extra charge. Very affordable camping!"
"There is a trail that works it’s way through the back of the sites. The sites are a bit close together and separation is sometimes sparse. Restrooms are pits and well maintained stocked with TP."
from $8 / night
Check Availability9. Off Shore RV Park
"Boat ramp nearby, resort has restaurant, playground, water park."
from $69 - $139 / night
Check Availability10. Thomson Causeway
"This is a beautiful spot on the outskirts of a small town. The train museum is open for a few hours on weekends. Other towns are nearby with more things to do."
"This is a really pretty area fairly close to home so it is a good option."
from $14 - $26 / night
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Drive Time
- 41 min from Dubuque, IA
- 1 hr 13 min from Rockford, IL
- 1 hr 18 min from Davenport, IA
- 1 hr 41 min from Janesville, WI
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Hanover, IL
77 Photos of 94 Hanover Campgrounds
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Stephanie S.
Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
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Canyon Ridge Campground — Apple River Canyon State Park
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Thomson Causeway
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Hanover, IL
563 Reviews of 94 Hanover Campgrounds
- James M.Legend
Horseshoe Pond
Small City CG in Maquoketa Iowa
CG lies within Maquoketa and is seasonal. Has pond for fishing, shelter, dog park, playset, disc golf course. Sites are pulling, have electric and fire pits. Camp supplies including wood in nearby stores. Prairie Creek runs along south of CG.
- Agapes D.
GuideYellowstone Lake State Park Campground
Wonderful hiking!-May 2018
This is a popular place in the area, the human beaches are full and the small pet beach area was well used by my husband, myself and our two dogs; Odinn & Frigga over Memorial Day. The hiking is amazing , particularly the Oakgrove trail, plenty to see with beautiful views. There is boating, canoeing, etc. Bring the strongest mosquito repellent you can get, Wisconsin in summer can be rough. We tried our Black Diamond poles and Thule day bags and we got to try cooling vests for the dogs from Ruffwear. It was so much fun. Note that there are sites to camp, cabins nearby and plenty of Hipcamp sites near. Strongly recommend Riverview Bottoms, which sits in a 500 acre property and is 10 min away.
- Jamie M.
ScoutCanyon Ridge Campground — Apple River Canyon State Park
Big, clean sites, nice trails, water access
There aren't signs within the park directing you to the campsite. I found it eventually but I'm glad I wasn't towing a camper because there was a lot of turning around. Some of the sites are able to be reserved. We went Memorial Day weekend so there were quite a few people but it wasn't full so even without a reservation you'd likely find a space. The sites a nice and big. We chose 2 sites that were connected and even then they were a good distance from one another. The sites were also removed from the road so when people walk or drive by it doesnt feel like they're walking through your campsite. There is some nice water access to wade with shallows so kids or pets can play. Nice trails.
Lee D.LegendRustic Barn Campground RV Park
Very clean and well-maintained
General: 58 sites with various amenities. Some are long pull-throughs, some are back-in, some have 30 amp with or without a patio, and some have 50-amp electric with or without a patio. Tents are NOT allowed. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and asked to sign a waiver and given a welcome packet. The rules are extensive, but most are common sense/courtesy and not at all unreasonable.
Site Quality: All had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park. Our site had a patio and decent-sized picnic table but it was chilly when we were there so we ate inside.
Bathhouse: Very clean as were the showers.
Activities/Amenities: There are many activities offered, including a dog park, basketball, horseshoes, games (cornhole, large checkerboard, and others), a barn with a television, a book library, puzzles, and a pool table. Coffee is available after 9 am. There is also a small chapel available 24/7 and a laundry room. WiFi is also available. There is a camp store with ice, ice cream, some camping supplies, clothing, crafts, and more. We were told several restaurants will deliver to the campground.
We don’t typically prefer to stay in RV-style campgrounds, but it was conveniently located with easy access off Route 151 just over the Wisconsin border from Iowa, we were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed our short stay passing through. Pride of ownership was evident throughout.
Brett F.GuideMaquoketa Caves State Park Campground
Camping & Caves
This is one of our favorite parks in the Midwest. We usually make a day trip from Chicagoland, but this time we camped at the park. We are glad we did!
You really can't go wrong with any trail or cave. The kids enjoyed hiking between Lower- and Upper-Dancehall Caves. The trail goes underground and through some water. Window Cave was also a hit. You can climb up about 5-7 feet and out the "window". The kids felt like real spelunkers!
While the park is usually crowded during the day, we find it nearly empty beginning in the late afternoons on the weekdays we visited. It felt like we had the place to ourselves.
The campground is about a five minute walk to the park's main entrances. The campground was very quiet... just the way we like it. There is a family of cats that hang around: they visit from a nearby dairy farm. The kids loved this added attraction. The dog did not.
The bathroom and shower house is clean. There is only one. So it gets pretty busy during "flush hour". Our campsite was right next to the bathroom/ shower and dumpster. We noticed flies and the occasional whiff of trash.
We'll continue visiting this park. And we look forward to camping on site.
- Ted W.
TravelerYellowstone Lake State Park Campground
One of our favorites
We spend quite a bit of time here. We hunt here and camp here year round. Tons of forest with cross country, equestrian, and hiking trails. One of the best lakes in Wisconsin for fishing along with a nice beach, and pet area. There is a free gun range. Hunt anything from pheasent to deer. There is also a nice bar and grill just down the street. Along with dairy bar as part of the park. Showers and bathrooms are always clean.
Sarah B.GuideYellowstone Lake State Park Campground
Def do not recommend for summer 2024!
I wanted so badly to love this campground experience, but just didn't. Site 19 was an easy walk-in that theoretically had nearby vault toilets, parking, and water.
Each site only had space for one car to park before walking in. Not a huge deal, but annoying as there were 2 of us who drove separate and we had to problem solve. When we got to the site I was shocked to see that what was labeled as a tent site had literally NO flat space to actually set up a tent. Spacious site, but fully sloped.
Also, what I would have loved to know, is that the vault toilets are closed because they are doing construction to build something new in that space. Construction that starts loudly each day at 7am. Honestly every site from about #35 down was affected by the noise because the construction is happening in the middle of the loop (and actually blocking some of the one-way road as well).
The park in general was okay. Per the usual, the pet areas were lacking. No beach at all, just grass covered in goose poop and one cut out on the raised shore between tall grasses and foliage where a dog could potentially jump in. Certainly nowhere for a human to enjoy the water with their pups unfortunately.
- Alex H.Traveler
Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
No Flat Spots
Very nice park. Well marked and maintained trails. A large lake with boat launch and beach area. Separate pet area.
We spent the weekend at site 101, which is a tent site. I wouldn't recommend this site. based on a quick walkaround, it seemed a bit smaller than other sites. That's not really a deal-breaker, but it didn't really have any flat spots to pitch the tent. We ended up pitching it up on the parking area, but it was still a bit slanted and we could feel the tire divot a little through the air mattresses. Aside from that, it was great. The site had a picnic table and fire ring that we used a lot. It was secluded from the surrounding sites.
We hiked the Windy Ridge trail and the Prairie Loop trail. both were well maintained and enjoyable trails. We also spent some time on the beach.
Guide to Hanover
Camping near Hanover offers access to the Mississippi River's eastern banks at an elevation of approximately 600 feet. The area features limestone bluffs and mixed hardwood forests characteristic of Illinois's northwestern region. Winter temperatures typically drop to the mid-20s while summer averages reach the mid-80s with humidity levels that affect camping comfort.
What to do
Hiking trails with varied terrain: At Apple River Canyon, hikers encounter a mix of forested paths and river views. "Hiking is ok, several trails, not challenging, not easy after 2 days of rain," notes Cristina S. The trails offer good wildlife viewing opportunities, as one visitor shared: "Did see some deer, a big raccoon, and an eagle; and met a local photographer who showed me pictures he had taken of local fox kits and other cool wildlife."
Cave exploration: Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground provides unusual geological features uncommon in the Midwest. "The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out," shares Andrew Y. Visitors should note seasonal access restrictions: "Due to concerns for wildlife (primarily bats) the caves close frequently, check the park website for details about when they will be open and respect the closures when they occur."
River access and fishing: Thomson Causeway provides direct Mississippi River access. "Mississippi River access, playgrounds for the kids, shelter house," writes Mike W. The waterfront location creates opportunities for boating and shore fishing, with one camper mentioning: "Lots of wildlife to enjoy- turtles, birds, muskrat, and fish."
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Vel Terra maintains lower occupancy intentionally. "The owner intentionally doesn't fill all of the sites in order to give people more space- a great luxury over a holiday," notes Brent A. Another camper appreciated the setup: "Not a lot of spaces but very nice place... Free wood for your stay. Great hosts. Mature trees."
River views: Thomson Causeway provides riverside camping with concrete pads. "The sites are all level concrete and just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi," says Matt P. Though beautiful, the location comes with challenges: "Since it is right on the river and there is also lots of marsh, the bug situation was a bit much, especially when there was no breeze."
Quiet surroundings: Dog friendly campgrounds near Hanover often provide peaceful settings. Bellevue State Park Campground offers tranquility according to Jessica W.: "Quiet and beautiful campground. Campsites are walk in and sit back from other sites." Another reviewer appreciated the isolation: "Quiet and beautiful campground. Campsites are walk in and sit back from other sites."
What you should know
Seasonal insect conditions: Waterfront camping areas experience significant insect activity. "I should've taken the other reviews more seriously about the number of insects in this campsites... there were hundreds of thousands. We couldn't enjoy our stay," warns Mashael A. about Thomson Causeway. At Mississippi Palisades, Scott C. warned: "We were eaten alive by chiggers when we sat out for awhile to relax."
Train noise: Blanding Landing experiences regular train traffic. "Biggest issue is train tracks with trains running by very often. Maybe an hour or 90 minutes with none then there would be three in a very short period," reports Tony D. Another camper noted: "Our first night here the many trains were loud and woke us up, but if you can laugh instead of being annoyed, it is fine."
Limited cell coverage: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "Tmobile cell service was spotty at best," reports Sarah B. about Apple River Canyon. Another camper mentioned: "We have ATT and had decent cell service" at Blanding Landing, showing carrier differences affect connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Palace Campground offers recreation beyond natural features. "Nice pool (closed right now too cold) small park for kids. People very nice," shares Lauren P. Vel Terra also provides a "very nice wooden play structure" that was "the favorite of the trip for one of my kids."
Educational opportunities: Cave systems provide learning experiences when accessible. "If you want to go in caves, bring headlamps/flashlights and prepare to have wet shoes," advises Amanda K. about Maquoketa Caves, which offers "beautiful hiking trails easy to explore."
Nearby attractions: When weather conditions limit outdoor activities, nearby towns offer alternatives. "Galena and Dubuque are not far," mentions Mary S. about Blanding Landing. Another camper suggested: "We really enjoyed going to Terrapin Apple Orchard and picking some apples (if you're there in the Fall)."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Bellevue State Park Campground requires attention to site selection. "The site we had was fairly steep as far as tent sites go. The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem," shares Chet D. Thomson Causeway offers an alternative with "level concrete" sites that are "just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi."
Maneuvering challenges: Some pet-friendly campgrounds around Hanover have limited space for larger rigs. "The roads are pretty narrow for anything more than that. Our pop up did fine and we saw a few other tear drop campers," notes Kylie H. about Apple River Canyon. At Palace Campground, "If you get along the outsides you have a lot more privacy and better chance they will be level."
Utilities and hookups: Off Shore RV Park offers more developed sites. "Sites have hard surfaces, fire rings, water, electric. No shade since trees have not been planted as of this date," reports James M. Thomson Causeway provides partial hookups: "The only improvement I would like to see is water hookups, but there are plenty of spigots scattered around the park."
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hanover, IL is Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.
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