Vel Terra, located in Woodbine, maintains unusually clean facilities for camping with dogs, including immaculate porta-johns and well-maintained bathrooms with showers. This pet-friendly campground offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables at each location. The owner intentionally limits site bookings to provide campers more space, particularly beneficial for those traveling with pets. Palace Campground near Galena also welcomes pets with full hookup options including 50-amp service for RVs, plus cabin and glamping accommodations for pet owners wanting more comfort. Both campgrounds provide drinking water, trash disposal, and fire rings. Sites at Vel Terra include access to walking trails where pet owners should be aware of poisonous plants in the surrounding area.
Apple River Canyon State Park offers spacious, pet-friendly campsites with direct access to hiking trails ideal for dogs. The primitive campground features pit toilets and water spigots located throughout the grounds, with many sites positioned along the Primrose trail that runs atop the canyon bluffs. Dogs can cool off in the shallow, rocky portions of the Apple River, though water shoes are recommended for both humans and pets navigating the riverbed. The park's multiple trails average 1.5 miles each and can all be hiked in a single day, providing good exercise options for dogs. Cell service is minimal to non-existent in most camping areas, with T-Mobile users reporting particularly spotty coverage. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with campers regularly spotting deer, raccoons, and eagles while hiking with their pets.
$8 / night
"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."
"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."
$8 / night
"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 were in campsite #34 which had direct access to the Primrose trail, which is on top of one of the bluffs. The bathrooms were clean, but are pit toilets."
"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."
"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."
$25 - $40 / night
"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."
"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."
"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"
"There’s a cute store and a cute little area with outside games like corn hole and yard checkers. There’s a huge grassy area for walking the dog and several stations set up with poop bags/garbage."
$14 - $25 / night
"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. "
$16 - $36 / night
"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."
"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"
GuideFriendly staff and a nicely stocked store. Has a pool, petting zoo, kayaks, rocky beach, dog park, and a land pillow! The sites are spaced out well and there are more secluded sites so you have the feeling of privacy or big group sites for a big party.
LegendCG offers gravel pads, tables, fire rings, electric, sump station, water, small pond with fishing, paddling, dog park. Close to stores for supplies, dining, fuel.
LegendCG 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.
GuideThis 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.
LegendGeneral: 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.
ScoutThere 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.
GuideThis 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.
TravelerWe 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.
GuideI 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.
Camping near Scales Mound is set in the Driftless Area, a region untouched by glaciers during the last ice age, resulting in unique rolling hills and limestone bluffs. The area averages 45-50 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush surroundings but potentially muddy camping conditions during spring and fall. Overnight temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, with 20-30°F temperature swings common.
Explore hiking trails: Canyon Ridge Campground at Apple River Canyon State Park offers multiple trails that average 1.5 miles each. "We went on a hike after breakfast on Saturday and we were able to see the canyon. Saw many hikers along the way," reports Charles M. The Primrose trail runs atop canyon bluffs and connects directly to some campsites.
Wade in shallow waters: During warm weather, the Apple River provides cooling opportunities. "The rice is below and is very shallow. It's rocky so water shoes are useful," notes Art S. Many campers report seeing families with children splashing in the shallower sections during summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground offers prairie "hiking" trails where wildlife spotting is common. "There are lots of wildlife to enjoy and Yellowstone. A beautiful park and tons of hiking and nice lake," notes Mallory M. Morning and evening hours typically provide best viewing opportunities.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently praise the generous site sizes at Vel Terra. "The owner intentionally doesn't fill all of the sites in order to give people more space- a great luxury over a holiday," writes Brent A. This practice allows for more privacy and separation between camping groups.
Clean facilities: Many campers mention the exceptional cleanliness of facilities. "The bathrooms and showers at the other end of camp are also very very clean," notes Lauri J. about Vel Terra. This attention to maintenance extends to portable facilities as well.
Quiet environment: Rustic Barn Campground RV Park receives praise for its peaceful atmosphere. "What a picturesque campground! With rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland surrounding you, you can't beat the view," says Tina N. The campground enforces quiet hours and maintains separation between sites.
Limited cell service: Reception varies significantly by carrier throughout the region. "Tmobile cell service was spotty at best," reports Sarah B. about Apple River Canyon. Another camper notes, "No cell service for T-Mobile so download songs on Spotify accordingly."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. At Blanding Landing, "Trains are noisy—we slept through them but are also used to living by a train station. Your mileage may vary on that one," advises Mary S. Trains frequently pass during overnight hours.
Bug preparation: Insect activity is intense, particularly in late spring and summer. "The bugs are no joke though. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying friends were definitely swarming," warns Sarah B. Ticks are also prevalent on trails and in grassy areas.
Weather fluctuations: The region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly during spring and fall. Temperatures can drop significantly overnight even during summer months, requiring layered clothing and proper rain gear.
Water recreation options: Spruce Creek Park provides riverside activities perfect for children. "I took my children here for years when they were little. As a single mom of 5 it was very manageable. I could see them throughout the entire park. There's fishing, exploring, a playground," shares Kari K.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures for children. "They have a very nice playground (the favorite of the trip for one of my kids)," notes Brent A. about Vel Terra, which provides a wooden play structure suitable for various age groups.
Site selection: For families, choosing the right campsite location matters. "We chose 2 sites that were connected and even then they were a good distance from one another," says Jamie M. about Apple River Canyon State Park, noting the spacious sites allow for family setups.
Indoor alternatives: Bad weather backup plans are essential with children. Some campgrounds offer indoor spaces: "They also had a lounge where anyone staying at the campground can rest with A/C, wifi, a phone charging area, and some board games," writes Brent A.
Site leveling challenges: Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground has terrain variations affecting RV setup. "Some sites are massive...as in .25 an acre that you drive over the grass to get too your site bc it is situated away from the road. Other sides are just simple drive through," explains Scott M.
Campground access roads: Many campgrounds have narrow or winding access roads. "I would not recommend this park for large campers. Our pop up did fine and we saw a few other tear drop campers, but the roads are pretty narrow for anything more than that," notes Kylie H.
Hookup availability: Electric options vary by campground. "Sites by the river don't have much shade. Sites by the tracks are the most 'wooded' but also right near the trains," advises Mary S. about Blanding Landing, where electric hookups are available in specific loops only.
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping offers advantages for RVers seeking solitude. "Terrific access to electric site near the bathroom! All to ourselves," reports Big R. about Mississippi Palisades State Park during spring months when fewer campers visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Scales Mound, IL is Apple River Canyon with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
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