2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Dog-friendly camping near Bedford, IA includes tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and pet-friendly cabins at well-rated campgrounds open to pets throughout the year. Pets must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet when outside camping units. The campground receives consistently high ratings for its clean facilities and well-maintained grounds, with modern restrooms and shower buildings centrally located for camper convenience. Sites are spacious enough that campers don't feel crowded against neighbors, providing room for pets to relax at campsites. The park manages to stay quiet and peaceful after the 10:30 pm curfew.
Hiking trails surrounding Lake of Three Fires provide excellent options for exercising dogs, with 10 miles of interconnected paths that wind around the entire 85-acre lake. Many trails accommodate both hikers with dogs and horseback riders, though some sections can become muddy after rain. Campers should pack extra supplies for pets as the nearest town of Bedford is several miles away, with the local Hy-Vee and Dollar General offering basic pet supplies during regular business hours. The campground does not sell firewood on-site, requiring visitors to collect fallen branches or purchase wood in town. Wildlife including deer frequently appears throughout the park at all hours, so keeping dogs properly leashed is essential for both pet safety and wildlife protection. The lake provides fishing opportunities while owners and pets can enjoy the sandy beach area that staff grooms daily.
"Now on the spot where the fires burned, is said to be the Iowa State Park “Lake of 3 Fires” Located in Southwest Iowa just north of the county seat of Bedford Iowa, is a little hidden treasure for outdoor"
"Some easy and moderate hiking trails, horses welcome, most of the activity is out on the lake so if you don’t have a boat you’ll be sad."
Available next weekend
from $10 - $75 / night
"There are some shelter houses away from the campgrounds as well. The playground equipment is being replaced so I am hopeful it will be nice for the kids."
"Nice out of the way location.
no services of any kind, there is a shelter house, and trash barrel.
nice place to get away from people"
"Just scouted, sites are within spitting distance of each other. Only 30amp, No dump facility. Could have a problem if you encountered another rig if it was wet. The lake looks nice."
"Nice sites close to the lake with electricity water and wifi."
"Kids absolutely love it, easy access to the water, quiet, and very nice!!"
"We have been going to Viking lake for years. We hadn't been back until just recently. Our absence was due to an invasive species in the lake a few years back."
"We been to Viking Lake a few times over the years. And it has been cool to see this place evolve over time. They did drain this lake a few years back."
Available next weekend
from $12 - $40 / night
"This lake has multiple campgrounds spread throughout. It one of the only lakes in Iowa where you can drive your boats fast. Great fireworks show on the 4th of July."
"One of the best campgrounds in the SW Iowa, the lake is great, nice beach and boating!"
"Loved that the tent camping sites were actually surrounded by trees, I see way to many tent campsites that are basically just in the middle of a grass field."
from $15 / night
ScoutHave come up here a few times now just to get away for a couple days. Lots of folks come through and use it for an overnight stay or others for turkey hunts during turkey season. You can roam the conservation but don’t plan to fish the ponds, they are terrible. Overall, decent place to just find some peace for a couple days and collect your thoughts.
ScoutWe camp here lots during the summer. No issues to speak of. Although it would be nice if they didn’t dig their fire pits deep. Mine. Is below ground level by 6 inches or so. Can barely see the fire. Today it rained and now it’s 6pm and my pit is full of water. It’s done raining. Kind of hard to have a fire now.!!!!
LegendQuiet park in a quiet town This is a small RV park in a quaint town in rural Missouri. The park is broken into 3 areas. One area has a lot of shade, the others less so. There are no real amenities to speak of, just gravel lots with full hookups and access to a dumpster. It looks like a nice place for an overnight or even an extended period if you need a place to stay.
The sites are level and they appear to have insulated water spigots for use in cold weather.
Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a community pool within easy walking distance. There is a ice cream and hamburger stand within a 10 minute walk. They have good food and the prices are inexpensive.
The RV park is right across the street from the high school football field, so it could be loud on game nights. Other than that it's very quiet here.
I had a good 4G Verizon signal here with 70Mbps down and 13Mbps up.
ScoutWe’re on our third trip staying here. We have family in Bethany, so it’s nice to be close to them. It’s right off I-35, behind some stores and restaurants. There are about a dozen spaces, each with water, sewer, and electric. They have picnic tables, but no fire rings. There aren’t any shower or laundry facilities, but there is a laundromat down the street. There are several trailers parked here that are unsightly, that have been poorly patched up with things like plywood and Walmart bags covering up windows.
GuideOut of the way from the hwy. Over an hour or so. No privacy. The spots are just 3 driveways 12 ft apart each with a fire ring. Good cell signal. I was only one there.
ScoutThis is a small lot behind McDonalds and Taco Bell. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy nature, have campfires, etc., I wouldn’t recommend it. If you just want to get off of I-35 for a few days, it’s nice enough. The sites share utility posts, so check that the wattage you need is available before you unhitch. Also, try to avoid the lower loop. It seems to flood pretty easily.
TravelerQuiet and clean campground. Bike/walk trail surrounding the lake. Lots of amenities for fishing and sightseeing on the lake
ScoutSuch a wonderful, quiet, and peaceful place. We stayed Thur-Sat so we were basically the only ones here.
I have never seen such clean and gorgeous bathrooms at a campground before along with a very clean laundry room. The bathrooms were large and HC accessible with rain showers and benches.
There are campers and a cabin to rent, and a nice walking trail. While we didn't use any, they have a driving range, archery, waterside, and paddles boats.
There's a gas station only a couple miles away so we could gas up the night before leaving without pulling our camper with.
The only downside was the amount of Ticks. I know with camping comes Ticks but I wish they would spray or something to control the amount of them crawling across our camping rug and into our camper.
If we come this way again, will definitely stay here as it's just a 15 minutes off I-35.
RangerKing Lake Conservation Area is a great spot if you want a quiet, secluded camping experience away from crowded campgrounds. There are only 6 campsites, which makes it peaceful and relaxing. The campsites sit close to the lake with plenty of shoreline access for fishing, and the wooded areas around the sites provide good shade throughout the day. Each campsite has a fire ring, which is nice for cooking or relaxing by the fire at night. However, there are no picnic tables or restrooms, so be prepared for more primitive camping. I definitely would not recommend forgetting any supplies because the closest store is about 15 miles away. Overall, it’s a simple but beautiful place to camp if you enjoy nature, fishing, and a more private atmosphere.
Bedford, Iowa sits at 1,066 feet above sea level in Taylor County, within the rolling hills of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain. This area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F, making May through October the prime camping season. Pet-friendly camping near Bedford, Iowa centers around Lake of Three Fires State Park with additional options at nearby county parks within a 25-mile radius.
Disc golf adventures: At Mozingo Lake County RV Park, campers can enjoy a newly installed course. "There is a brand new 18 hole course right next to the camp!" mentions Sayler O., who appreciated having recreational options within walking distance of the tent camping area.
Lake activities beyond swimming: Fishing enthusiasts find satisfaction at Lake Icaria Co Park where boating regulations allow for more active water sports. "It's one of the only lakes in Iowa where you can drive your boats fast," notes Laura B., making it a standout option for water recreation compared to no-wake lakes in the region.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Fall and winter campers at Viking Lake State Park enjoy peaceful wildlife encounters. "We had chilly weather, but marvelous views of the water with a rare flock of pelicans!" reports Isaac F., highlighting how off-season visits can provide unique nature observation opportunities.
Spacious campsites: Viking Lake State Park Campground offers sites that don't feel cramped. "Sites are primitive, electric only or full hookup. Several back to the lake," shares Ryan P., while another camper noted that "our campsite had great shade from the trees and was right next to an inlet from the lake."
Quiet atmosphere: Campers seeking peace appreciate smaller parks like Wilson Lake County Park. "Small, quiet place. We were the only campers," reports Ashley B., making this a good option for those wanting to avoid crowds during weekday stays or shoulder seasons.
Lake recreation options: Windmill Lake Co Park provides water activities without the crowds. "The lake is the main feature here- there is a boat ramp and some pretty good fishing. You see small boats and kayaks out on the lake often," notes Kimberly W., describing the peaceful setting.
Limited supplies available: Most campgrounds near Bedford require bringing all camping essentials. "The park is pretty rural, so if you need to make an emergency grocery or supplies run you might be out of luck," warns Megan M. about Lake of Three Fires State Park.
Firewood regulations: Several parks don't sell firewood on-site. "Firewood is not sold on the campground, so you can burn what's on the ground or head to Hyvee for some wood in town," advises Kayla F., suggesting campers plan ahead.
Bathroom facilities vary: While Lake Icaria receives praise for maintenance, other parks have more basic facilities. "The bathroom is also very lacking... it is pretty much a hole in the ground. There are no showers either," reports a Windmill Lake visitor, highlighting important differences between parks.
Kid-friendly activities: Lake Icaria provides excellent options for children. "It's quiet, beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids," shares Nicole B., making this a good choice for families looking for varied activities.
Wildlife education opportunities: Ross County Park offers free dispersed camping with wildlife observation. "Nice out of the way location. No services of any kind, there is a shelter house, and trash barrel. Nice place to get away from people," notes Kory K., which can be ideal for nature-focused family time.
Weather preparedness: Some campgrounds lack severe weather notification systems. "Our only complaint is the lack of weather warning system in the area. The park rangers came around to warn campers of possible severe storms," reports Caralee D., suggesting families bring weather radios when camping in this region.
Hookup variations: Sands Timber Recreation Area offers limited electrical options. "Only 30amp, No dump facility. Could have a problem if you encountered another rig if it was wet," advises Kelly, highlighting access challenges during rainy periods.
Site positioning: At Lake Icaria, RV sites offer varying views. "The sites are very close together. Everything was very clean when we were there," notes Danni A., suggesting early reservations for premium waterfront spots.
Seasonal considerations: Viking Lake State Park remains accessible for RVers year-round. "Very nice and cheap. 8 for camping, 12 with electric and 18 full hookups. That's a great price for the view," shares one winter camper, noting the value during off-season stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bedford, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bedford, IA is Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bedford, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 dog-friendly camping locations near Bedford, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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