Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Burt, IA

Smith Lake County Park accommodates pets in both tent and RV camping areas with electric hookups and drinking water available. The campground features a tent hill area by the lake where campers often make new friends and share camping recipes. Siems County Park also welcomes pets with picnic tables, fire rings, and both electric and water hookups. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities with accessible bathrooms and showers. Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground allows pets at their electric sites with picnic tables and fire rings. The campgrounds typically operate seasonally from April through October, with Smith Lake and Siems Park closing October 31. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Burt, Iowa.

Burt Lake County Park provides a quiet environment for camping with dogs, featuring basic amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and trash disposal. The park has easy lake access with a beach area near the camping sites, though the tent area could benefit from additional shade trees. Pilot Knob State Park offers year-round camping with pets and includes hiking trails suitable for dog walking. The park's observation tower, entrance gates, and picnic shelter were constructed by the CCC. Blue Earth City Campground, about 30 miles from Burt, receives excellent reviews for its pet-friendly environment with a knowledgeable host who provides information to make stays enjoyable. The campground includes walking paths where leashed dogs are welcome and maintains clean bathroom facilities.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Burt, Iowa (49)

    1. memoirs park

    6 Reviews
    Whittemore, IA
    14 miles
    Website

    $15 - $25 / night

    "We went on a weekday so we were the only ones around. We had site C14. Bathrooms were decent. Playground is kind of small and old."

    "Has one in central location so luckily I had just enough hose to fill up the camper. Close to state park with trails and bison so had a great weekend!"

    2. Smith Lake County Park

    2 Reviews
    Algona, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 295-2138

    "For $15 you get water/electric sites with access to bathrooms and showers. Dogs are allowed on leash. Pretty nice playground. The beach area has been taken over by geese though."

    "This campground has RV sites along the edge with all the tents on a hill by the lake. Every time we go camping here we make a new friend, get some great camping recipes."

    3. Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Algona, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 581-4835

    $12 - $20 / night

    "The park itself is pretty nice with several trails and a small campground. There is an enclosed stone shelter house you can rent for gatherings."

    "Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night."

    4. Siems County Park

    3 Reviews
    Whittemore, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 295-2138

    "I drove in and saw the beautiful lake and the campground so I talked to the camp host, told him I just needed a primitive spots I didn't need electricity or water is it all good just grab a tent site,"

    "Small lake. Public restrooms and shower. Frisbee Golf. Well kept."

    5. Smidt Campground

    1 Review
    Burt, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 320-4051

    6. The Grotto of the Redemption RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Whittemore, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 887-2371

    "Two adjacent camping areas are partially shaded and will accommodate rigs of all sizes. I counted (8) 50 amp and (16) 30 amp sites. Rest rooms, showers, fresh water and a dump station are provided."

    "One is very close to a train line, which runs infrequently. Sites are grass, level, and reasonably well maintained. All sites are pull through. Only electrical hookups are available at the sites."

    7. Grotto Campground

    2 Reviews
    Whittemore, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 887-2371

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Doesn’t feel quite like the middle of nowhere and located right next to nice trees and train tracks. Recommended for a nice, easy spot to sleep."

    "Next to train tracks but only one train came by and it wasn’t loud. Definitely recommend if you’re in the area. You pay at the gift shop across the street. $20 for RV and $10 for tent."

    8. Burt Lake County Park

    2 Reviews
    Dolliver, IA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 295-2138

    "The lower level is at the lake. About 6 spots w electric but very unlevel. Very nice lake. Stayed here in a 27' B+ 8.26.20. I definitely would stay here again. 1 bar of 4g at&t."

    9. Blue Earth City Campground

    10 Reviews
    Blue Earth, MN
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 600-0130

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Lots of grass, bike/walking paths and dogs on leashes welcome. 14 Sites now, with plans for 10+ Sites built this summer. On site host, so typically quiet and friendly. One price, $25/night."

    "When we told her we were traveling with dogs, she put us in space 13 at the back of the loop. Nice large, quiet site surrounded by trees and a terrific grassy area."

    10. Pilot Knob State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Forest City, IA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 581-4835

    $14 - $34 / night

    "Located by New Ulm, MN this campground has plenty of activities in the park or very near the park."

    "When driving to my site two fawns were laying near the playground."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Burt, IA

171 Reviews of 49 Burt Campgrounds


  • Samantha B.
    May. 14, 2018

    Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground

    The best place in town

    This campground is right on the lake! The spots are spacious, the bathrooms are clean, and the price is right. There are a few docks available for boating, fishing or just lake gazing. This is a great location as a home base to everything in Okoboji. Start the morning with coffee at the beach, hop on the Great Lakes bike trail and everything is nearby.

    All the campsites are on crushed gravel so be prepared to sweep frequently or leave your shoes outside.

    Dog friendly, lots of places to walk the dogs. Can't leave the dogs unattended in the camper, so keep that in mind when planning trips. Boji Bark has doggie daycare.

  • E
    Apr. 17, 2019

    Eldred Sherwood Park

    Hidden gem (in a cornfield)

    This is about as "middle of nowhere" as you can get in Iowa 🙂! The campground offers both electric RV sites and primitive sites (with an accompanying bathhouse ~500 feet away)

    The park offers a couple nice walking paths both forested and prairie. The lake is small, but I'm told has some good fishing.

  • Mary J.
    Jun. 19, 2019

    Kennedy County Park

    Beautiful campground

    I can't say enough about Kennedy Memorial County park in Fort Dodge Iowa. Its beautiful well taken care of has a nice playground and access to a beautiful golf course! And FREE WIFI! All for $18.00 a night.

  • Jim W.
    Jun. 22, 2021

    Blue Earth City Campground

    Just off the interstate, great place to stop for the night.

    Sites can accommodate tents or up to 50' RVs. Lots of grass, bike/walking paths and dogs on leashes welcome. 14 Sites now, with plans for 10+ Sites built this summer. On site host, so typically quiet and friendly. One price, $25/night.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2021

    Fort Defiance State Park Campground

    A Hidden Gem in Iowa

    A hidden gem in Northwest Iowa. It is Memerial Day Weekend and on Friday night we had one other tent camper on Friday. None on Saturday. 

    The bathrooms are the old hole going down into a pit. They are very rustic. 

    There are plenty of trails in the park. The big creek that runs through the kiddos can play in. It is not deep but it’s water. There are some other small little creeks too.

    Around the camping area, the kids rode their bikes. We did ride around the roads as a family. 

    The camp site are dirt. 

    There are permanent fire rings and grills at each site. Only place to get firewood was at Hy-Vee. Our site had electricity with 50, 30,& 20 amps. 

    There is only one water spot in the campground. We drank the water and didn’t die. 

    There is a golf course next to the park that is fun. 

    My only real complaint would be there is a lot of people just driving through.

  • J
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Blue Earth City Campground

    Little Gem!

    Lovely little campground! Campground host is fantastic! So accommodating & gracious. When we told her we were traveling with dogs, she put us in space 13 at the back of the loop. Nice large, quiet site surrounded by trees and a terrific grassy area. Very few other campers, so we were almost by ourselves for 3 days. The campground is clean and well maintained, as are the fairgrounds. A paved trail meanders thru for walking or bicycling, and town is less than 2 miles away.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Smith Lake County Park

    Good value camping

    This is a pretty quiet campground in my experience. For $15 you get water/electric sites with access to bathrooms and showers. Dogs are allowed on leash. Pretty nice playground. The beach area has been taken over by geese though.

  • Mick P.
    Jun. 4, 2018

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Great place to stay around the Okoboji area

    Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019.

    Marble Beach`s campground is the largest in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. The campground is well shaded and features paved roads, boat ramps, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a sanitary dump station. The campground includes non-electric sites and sites with electrical hookups.

    Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and provides some of the best fishing in the state. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish including walleye, northern pike, muskellunges, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads.

  • B
    May. 30, 2022

    Iowa Lake Co Campground

    Grea for tents

    I found this to be a great little spot to stay bike touring through Iowa. It is right in a lake, has water, and a nice vault toilet. Unlike the other reviewer I was literally the only one there. That’s always a bit odd but in this case it didn’t bother me at all. I highly recommend for tents. RVs not so much.


Guide to Burt

Campgrounds near Burt, Iowa primarily sit in Kossuth County where elevations range from 1,150 to 1,300 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s°F and winters frequently dropping below freezing. Most camping areas operate from April through October, with several dog friendly campgrounds near Burt offering water access to small lakes that formed in the glacially flattened landscape.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area provides accessible water for fishing and kayaking. "This spot is about a 1/4 mile off of the dirt road and makes a left towards the end with water access that is great for a kayak," notes Skip H. about this Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area.

Frisbee golf courses: Several parks near Burt feature disc golf courses for recreation. "New paved roads, boat landing to river and frisbee golf connected," writes Daniel N. about Land of Memories Campground. The course is within walking distance of campsites.

Walking trails: Multiple campgrounds feature walking paths suitable for dog walking. Burt Lake County Park offers lakefront sites with beach access. Larry K. reports: "Very clean quiet well maintained park. 2 levels. Upper level has about 8 spots w 30/50 amp. The lower level is at the lake. Very nice lake."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and grounds. "The park has easy lake access with a beach area near the camping sites," one visitor noted about Burt Lake County Park. Another camper at Blue Earth City Campground wrote, "Bathroom/showering area was very clean. The whole facility was great, nice and quiet and best of all dog friendly!"

Knowledgeable hosts: Staff at many pet-friendly campgrounds provide helpful information. A visitor at Blue Earth City Campground shared: "The facility is ran by a very nice and knowledgeable owner—you are greeted right away and given lots of information to make your stay enjoyable."

Affordability: Several campgrounds offer reasonable rates. Adam T. described Burt Lake County Park as a "cheap getaway" at "$10/night!" Similarly, Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground offers electric sites with additional amenities. Joel S. noted: "Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night."

What you should know

Site levelness varies: Some campgrounds have uneven sites, particularly near water. Larry K. mentioned about Burt Lake County Park: "The lower level is at the lake. About 6 spots w electric but very unlevel."

Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close by November. Land of Memories Campground operates seasonally, with Mike G. warning: "Park is subject to flooding and can be closed. Sometimes a long time."

Water hookup limitations: Many campgrounds require sharing water spigots. At Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground, Joel S. noted: "Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared."

Wildlife considerations: Some camping areas attract local wildlife. At Eagle Lake, Mike M. advised: "Expect people launching and parking especially during duck season."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several family-friendly campgrounds feature play areas. At The Grotto of the Redemption RV Park, Richard notes: "There was a park nearby with a playground."

Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with ample room between sites. Anna M. described Land of Memories as "a very spacious, clean campground. We camp with children and this has been a very family friendly campground. It has a playground & trails to walk along the Minnesota River."

Open areas for activities: Some campgrounds feature open spaces for children to play. Mike G. noted about Land of Memories: "Wide open grass center of Park is wide open for frisbee kids and such, nice."

Bug preparation: Insect activity can be significant in summer months. Amy K. reported: "Bugs were bad I guess, maybe a tad worse than elsewhere we have camped but not bad enough to keep us from sitting outside in the evening."

Tips from RVers

Extension cord needs: Electrical hookups may be distant from pads. Amy K. advised about Land of Memories: "The electric hook ups are really far from the pad so bring an extension."

Dump station availability: Confirm dump stations are operational. Larry K. noted about Burt Lake County Park: "Upper level has about 8 spots w 30/50 amp. A pavilion. 1 water spigot. Garbage and a plastic biffy."

Site selection for pets: When camping with dogs near Burt, request specific sites. Joy R. shared about Siems County Park: "When we told her we were traveling with dogs, she put us in space 13 at the back of the loop. Nice large, quiet site surrounded by trees and a terrific grassy area."

Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies by carrier. Larry K. reported: "1 bar of 4g at&t" at Burt Lake County Park, while Blue Earth City Campground offers "Fast wifi" according to Saarah P.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Burt, IA is memoirs park with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 49 dog-friendly camping locations near Burt, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.