Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Ames, IA

Ames is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Ames, Iowa (78)

    1. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $12 - $25 / night

    "One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."

    "One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."

    2. Jester County Park

    29 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 323-5300

    $20 - $25 / night

    "There was four of us and a dog."

    "We BARELY made it, pulling in on a Thursday around 4, and snagged one of 2 spots left! We were lucky enough to get a corner lot with some good shade trees."

    3. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 984-6925

    $20 - $336 / night

    "The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."

    "The only down side of this was the grass was really long so it was bad when taking the dog out in the evenings or mornings. You would come back in with a soaked dog and wet feet."

    4. Hickory Grove Campground

    5 Reviews
    Collins, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 232-2516

    $17 / night

    "Lots of trees for shade but the lake has trails and a swimming beach with watercraft rentals. Truly a hidden gem in central Iowa!"

    "Got to the campground around 6pm on a Friday and no one was at the primitive campground which was nice. The picnic table and fire ring were clean and in good condition."

    5. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 964-8792

    $24 - $26 / night

    "Above average overall for central Iowa. Views of Saylorville Lake. Plenty of shade. Clean restrooms. It’s a large park and some sites are close together, but generally spacious. Good cell service."

    "Lots of RV sites around. The whole area around Saylorville Lake has camping. Lush green plots of land everywhere. I forget how pretty it is in the Midwest when I'm gone for so long."

    6. Acorn Valley

    11 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0429

    $14 - $84 / night

    "Took the PUP, two kids, dog and grandma (first time in 20+ years) this past weekend. Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."

    "Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."

    7. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0873

    $22 - $26 / night

    "We stayed here for two nights while visiting family nearby. It’s a pretty location with the dam and waterway right there. The sites are well spaced."

    "Great spot located next to the Des Moines River. Check in was a breeze and conveniently near the fill and dump stations. Peaceful lot near the river. Great fishing in the river."

    8. Little Wall Lake County Park

    5 Reviews
    Story City, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 832-9570

    "Close to the interstate and easy to get to."

    "We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion. The grounds are peaceful and there's lots of great plant and flower spotting."

    9. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

    8 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    19 miles
    Website

    "Next to skunk river oxbows, kayak, no swimming, water stagnant, no fish, about 4ft depth everywhere. Great hiking trails, clean, great camp hosts, ranger. All sites first come."

    "We haven't camped here, but have seen that the tent areas are right next to the water. Super serene with great hiking trails and bird watching!"

    10. Hickory grove park

    2 Reviews
    Huxley, IA
    10 miles

    "Undergoing big upgrade to lake and facilities. Nice campground, lots of paved trails. Once lake is filled will be a class A area."

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Showing results 1-10 of 78 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Ames, IA

469 Reviews of 78 Ames Campgrounds



Guide to Ames

Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Ames, Iowa, allows you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friends. Here are some excellent campgrounds that welcome pets and offer a variety of amenities and activities.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Ames

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great facilities

  • Acorn Valley is well-maintained and features clean restrooms, making it a convenient choice for pet owners.
  • Hickory Grove Campground offers modern amenities, including showers and picnic areas, ensuring a comfortable stay for you and your pet.
  • Little Wall Lake County Park boasts spacious sites along a picturesque lake, providing a serene environment for you and your dog to relax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ames, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ames, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ames, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Ames, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.