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Dog-Friendly Camping near Bellevue, IA

88 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Bellevue State Park Campground's pet-friendly sites accommodate both tent and RV campers with electricity and water hookups available at most locations. Pets must remain leashed throughout the park, with several walking trails accessible for dog exercise. The campground features clean restrooms, showers, and picnic tables at each site, making extended stays comfortable for pet owners. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, located across the river in Illinois, also welcomes pets with dedicated pet waste stations throughout the grounds. Most campsites are reasonably spaced, though tent campers at Bellevue should note that some sites have significant inclines that may be challenging to level. The fenced areas at Palace Campground provide secure spaces for dogs to run off-leash, rare among the region's public campgrounds.

    Hiking trails near Spruce Creek Park offer excellent opportunities for dogs to explore alongside their owners, with access to the Mississippi River where many pets enjoy swimming during warmer months. Campground hosts at several locations enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM, which helps prevent excessive barking disturbances. During summer months, the asphalt camping pads at Off Shore RV Park can become extremely hot for pet paws, requiring morning or evening walks instead. Most campgrounds in the area maintain a two-pet limit per site, though enforcement varies by location. Nearby Maquoketa Caves State Park provides extensive trail systems for leashed dogs, though the actual caves prohibit pets. Veterinary services are available in Bellevue and Dubuque, with the closest emergency clinic located about 20 minutes from most campgrounds in the Dubuque area.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Bellevue (88)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

      4.1(29)16mi from BellevueRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      2. Bellevue State Park Campground — Dyas Unit

      4.0(8)4mi from Bellevue46 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "We camped at Bellevue last summer (Aug. 2017) & it was not at all crowded. It was a really nice campground with new shower & bathroom facilities."

      "There’s not a lot of trails on the campsite side (Dyas unit) of Bellevue but they were lovely and secluded and nice to get grounded. Bathrooms are clean and nice. The soap smells really good!"

      from $20 - $41 / night

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      3. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

      4.5(35)21mi from Bellevue32 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Caves were closed but we had a great time hiking the trails. Very clean campground. Plenty of wood for campfires, just had a donation box. Electric campsites have plenty of shade."

      from $25 - $33 / night

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      4. Blanding Landing

      4.0(6)2mi from Bellevue37 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      5. Palace Campground

      4.4(8)11mi from BellevueRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

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      6. Spruce Creek Park

      3.7(3)2mi from BellevueRVs, Tents

      "Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue"

      "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."

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      7. Off Shore RV Park

      4.0(2)0mi from BellevueRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "CG offers river views, hard lanes, tables, fire rings, RR, playground, food, and is just 2 miles north of river town of Bellevue for supplies."

      "Boat ramp nearby, resort has restaurant, playground, water park."

      from $69 - $139 / night

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      8. Swiss Valley County Park

      4.2(9)19mi from BellevueRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails."

      "Fishing seemed popular in catfish creek about 50 feet away from our sight. There is a sign that states firewood is for sale at 6pm but the ranger was about 45 min late bc he tends to two other parks."

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      9. Vel Terra

      4.8(4)15mi from BellevueRVs, Tents

      "He also pointed out that there were some walking trails but to be wary of a poisonous plant.
      The grounds are impeccably kept. He provides wood for you to burn."

      "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

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      10. COE Mississippi River Recreation Areas Pleasant Creek

      4.0(1)8mi from BellevueRVs, Tents

      "No electric, is primitive.Close to town for supplies and Bellevue State Park with views of river from bluffs."

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Bellevue, IA

    77 Photos of 88 Bellevue Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Bellevue, IA

    515 Reviews of 88 Bellevue Campgrounds

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 9, 2024

      Horseshoe 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.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 9, 2025

      Iowa 80 Truckstop

      Good overnight parking and I 80 access

      This overnight access is a small town in itself. This site offers not only the basic communities and needs of fuel, including EV, charging stations, but auto parts, showers, dentist, Chiropractic, care, gifts, dog park, and is right next to the I 80 trucking museum. Good lighting in the overnight spots which has room for long RVs.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 24, 2021

      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.

    • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Feb. 16, 2023

      Rustic 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.

    • Agapes D.
      Jun. 12, 2018

      Yellowstone 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.
      Jul. 7, 2018

      Canyon 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.

    • Brett F.
      Aug. 5, 2021

      Maquoketa 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.

    • cThe Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 11, 2025

      Spruce Creek Park

      Great place to camp

      One of my favorites. Right on the water. Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue

    • Ted W.
      Aug. 21, 2019

      Yellowstone 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.

    Guide to Bellevue

    Campers looking for pet-friendly camping near Bellevue, Iowa can choose from several campgrounds along the Mississippi River bluffs. The area sits at approximately 820 feet above sea level with limestone outcroppings characteristic of the Driftless Region. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels in July and August, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional rainfall.

    What to do

    River access for dogs: Spruce Creek Park offers direct Mississippi River access where many pets enjoy swimming. "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, and when you see a paddleboat you have time to drive to town before it hits loch & damn #12," says Kari K.

    Cave exploration: Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground features 13 distinct caves and 6 miles of trails, though pets must remain on trails only. "This park is beautiful and perfect for an adventurous hike. The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous. It proved to be tons of fun for me, my son and his friends," shares Charles M.

    Butterfly viewing: Swiss Valley County Park offers seasonal butterfly gardens along with trout fishing in Catfish Creek. "Campground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables. Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails," notes James M.

    What campers like

    Scenic river views: Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground offers overlooks of the Mississippi River. "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful," says Bryan S. The park features numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels.

    Quiet camping atmosphere: Bellevue State Park Campground provides a peaceful environment for pets and owners. "Quiet and beautiful campground. Campsites are walk in and sit back from other sites. Very nice facilities," notes Jessica W. The park's Dyas Unit contains most camping facilities.

    Free firewood: Vel Terra campground includes complementary firewood for campers. "Great Place... Free wood for your stay. Great hosts. Mature trees. Good trails. Nice restrooms (Showers = 5 min for 50 cents). Nice wooden play structure," states Ryan M. The campground maintains clean facilities with modern bathrooms.

    What you should know

    Train noise considerations: Blanding Landing campground sits near active train tracks. "Not the worst but not one of the best COE campgrounds. No nice gravel or concrete pads anywhere. Many sites are not real level. Biggest issue is train tracks with trains running by very often," warns Tony D.

    Site terrain variations: Many Bellevue area campgrounds feature uneven sites, particularly for tent campers. "Stayed there recently for Memorial Day weekend. 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," explains Chet D.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bellevue, IA is Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Bellevue, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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