James M.
Legend
LegendHorseshoe 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.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Cascade, IA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Riverview Ridge campground welcomes pets at spacious tent sites along the Maquoketa River. Located directly in Cascade, this family-friendly destination offers full hookup RV sites and riverside tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Fillmore Recreation Area provides another pet-friendly option nearby with electric and water hookups, clean vault toilets, and sites adjacent to a scenic golf course. All campgrounds in the area maintain standard leash policies, requiring dogs to be under control at all times. Sites at Riverview Ridge are priced per person rather than per site, with tent areas positioned to maximize privacy between neighbors. The tent sites down by the river are particularly spacious compared to the more closely arranged RV section. Every Friday, campers with pets can join themed dinner events and outdoor movies at Riverview Ridge.
Dog owners appreciate the hiking trails accessible from several Cascade-area campgrounds, with both Riverview Ridge and Swiss Valley County Park offering path systems suitable for leashed pets. The North Fork Maquoketa River provides water recreation opportunities where dogs can cool off during summer months. Central Park, located 25 minutes from Cascade, features a beautiful lake with a beach area, though pets must be kept away from designated swimming zones. Most campgrounds maintain pet waste stations and require immediate cleanup. Weather in this region varies dramatically by season, with summer temperatures sometimes reaching uncomfortable levels for pets, requiring adequate shade and water access. Campers report the Worthington Sportsman's Club offers exceptionally secluded pet camping, though it operates as a members-only facility.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Cascade (125)
1. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground
"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 $20 - $28 / night
Check Availability2. Riverview Ridge
"Apparently there are also good trails, as many of the campers have ATV’s parked at their sites. The shower house, under the office, was spacious and clean."
3. Swiss Valley County Park
"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."
4. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Monticello
from $35 - $105 / night
Check Availability5. Central Park
"Trails, nature center, shelters, restrooms/showers, and lake access for beach, paddling, fishing, etc. Prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas."
"Small lake to fish and kayak!"
6. Fillmore Recreation Area
"The golf course was pretty and the area around the campsites was nice. This campsite was right off the highway so it was super easy to get in and out of. We had good phone service here. No wifi."
7. New Wine Park Dubuque County Park
"General: This is a small (29-site) county park campground situated along the North Fork Maquoketa River. Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served."
"Great campground near Dyersville, IA (home to The Field Of Dreams site). The campground is a lollipop loop with sites on one side along the creek and on the other along woods."
8. Eden Valley Refuge
"Near Lost Nation, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming, IA this park is an unexpected find in rural, eastern Iowa. The camping areas have expanded."
"Well we found a pretty good one that is relatively close to our home and is rarely reserved. Its only 1 hour North of the Quad Cities where I live & open year round!"
9. Blue Inn Campground
"37 full-hookup sites, some tent sites, all right on edge of town. Adjacent to Kitty Creek, joins Maquoketa River. Some concrete pads, most are gravel, fairly level."
10. Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
"Close to bathroom and showers. Hiking trails. Nice place to fish and explore."
"The RV sites aren’t really out of the ordinary but the park sits upon a slight rise above the Missouri River and the road around the campground leads down to the river."
from $12 - $40 / night
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Drive Time
- 23 min from Dubuque, IA
- 50 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1 hr 6 min from Iowa City, IA
- 1 hr 10 min from Davenport, IA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Cascade, IA
82 Photos of 125 Cascade Campgrounds
KadeeJo
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Monticello
Becky
Worthington Sportsman's Club - Members Only
Jerry H.
Swiss Valley County Park
Lindsey M.
New Wine Park Dubuque County Park
Shelly S.
Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground
Sara S.
Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
Stuart K.
6B's Campground
Hilary B.
Turtle Creek County Park
Lindsey M.
Mud Lake County Park
Brandon T.
Pinicon Ridge Park
Stephanie S.
Rustic Barn Campground RV Park
Brad S.
Whitetail Bluff Campground and Resort
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Cascade, IA
694 Reviews of 125 Cascade Campgrounds
- James M.Legend
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.Legend
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.LegendRustic 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.
- Jamie M.
ScoutCanyon 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.
- James M.Legend
Koch's Meadow Lake Campground
Private CG with lake
This CG is a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming.
Brett F.
GuideMaquoketa 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.
Janet R.LegendWest Overlook Campground
A darn good dam campground
This campground is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of an outdoor recreation complex around a large dam on the Iowa River. The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay. The recreation area also includes campgrounds and river recreation downstream of the dam, including a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils exposed in the flood of 1993.
This review is for the West Overlook campground located on the lakeside upstream of the dam. This is one of the larger campgrounds at Coralville Lake, and is popular due to the large sandy beach, the modern boatlaunch area, and options for a variety of kinds of campsites in separate loops. Some of the loops are close to the lake or in various heights overlooking the lake, some loops are tucked into beautiful shady woods further inland. As a tent camper I chose one of the loops in the woods as the sites are larger and quieter and more spacious. All of the loops seem family friendly and pretty quiet even though pretty full. There are new modern bath houses with showers, and hiking trails all around. There is easy access to a nearby mountain bike trail complex, the state park, fishing, and boating. This seems to be a camping destination for a lot of folks in the area, but is also an easy stopover right off Interstate 80 for folks on road trips. It is also a nice and inexpensive basecamp for folks visiting Iowa City or the University of Iowa, only about a 15-20 minute drive away. My most recent time camping here was this month, May 2025, but I have camped here many times in the past as far back as 1964, and the campground improvements and recreation opportunities have just gotten better and better over the years. Its a popular location, so Spring camping is quieter; fall camping is also quiet, and the fall leaves are beautiful then.
Holly M.GuideWisconsin Ridge Campground — Wyalusing State Park
Great Park!
A very nice park located close to the Iowa border. Close to Effigy Mounds & Pikes Peak! It has great trails & campsites & lots of geocaching! Come one New Years for the annual carp drop :)
Guide to Cascade
Camping near Cascade, Iowa offers outdoors experiences in eastern Iowa's rolling hills and wooded valleys. The Maquoketa River and its tributaries cut through limestone formations, creating a mix of wooded terrain and accessible water features. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity.
What to do
Cave exploration: 13 bat caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park provide unique underground adventures. Before visiting, check seasonal closure dates. "This park has 13 bat caves to explore, so if you've never gone spelunking before, make sure you bring the right gear: headlamp, good sturdy hiking boots, pants to keep the bugs, spiders and ticks away as well as plenty of water to stay hydrated," notes Stuart K.
Fishing access: Easy creek options available at multiple sites. At Swiss Valley County Park, "Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR," reports James M. The park maintains fishing areas within walking distance of most campsites.
Trail hiking: Various difficulty levels across the region. The bluff trails at Eden Valley Refuge offer panoramic views. "The trails are very cool, especially up the bluff to the watchtower, swinging bridge, and backpack sites," writes James M. Many trails range from 0.5 to 6 miles in length, with both flat riverside paths and more challenging elevation changes.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: The riverside areas provide more privacy than RV sections. At Worthington Sportsman's Club, "The camping spot was beautiful (although you have to watch out for nettles). Great fishing while we were there too... So secluded without being in the middle of nowhere. People driving around the pond didn't even know we were there!" reports Becky.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-serviced restrooms. New Wine Park receives particular praise: "Good clean restrooms. Plenty of space. Quiet. LOTS of shade. Fun place to be in a thunder storm!" according to Douglas B.
Family activities: Weekly events keep children engaged. "Every Friday they do a themed dinner and play a movie," Laura B. mentions about Riverview Ridge. Several campgrounds organize regular programming during summer months, providing structured activities for families with children.
What you should know
Site pricing variations: Different fee structures exist across campgrounds. Some charge per person rather than per site. At New Wine Park Dubuque County Park, "Water/Elec was $18 dollars night. We stayed just after Labor Day and we were one of 6 trailers in the entire park," notes Russell B. Most campgrounds accept credit cards, but some smaller operations remain cash-only.
Reservation requirements: Several parks require advance booking for specific sites. "Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Some sites are primitive, and some have water and 30-amp electricity hookups," explains Lee D. about New Wine Park.
Water quality considerations: Mineral content varies by location. Swiss Valley campers mention, "The shower facilities weren't bad but they have sulfites in the water so it stinks a little," according to Michael S. Bringing drinking water is recommended for sensitive campers.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. At Central Park, "Nice beach area. Camping sites pretty level. Park has free WiFi," notes Leslie P. The beach provides supervised swimming opportunities during summer months.
Hike-in opportunities: For adventurous families, pack-in sites create memorable experiences. "It's a little hike in for the dispersed sites, but worth it to be in a secluded woodsy site... Easy enough trail to pull a wagon if needed," Carissa V. explains about Eden Valley Refuge.
Pet-friendly policies: Most campgrounds welcome dogs with standard leash requirements. "I cannot say enough great things about the Worthington Sportsman's Club! The camping is great!" exclaims Becky about this pet-friendly camping option near Cascade, Iowa.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on shade and privacy needs. At Maquoketa Caves State Park, "If you're looking for a primitive tent camping experience, then you're going to want to book sites #12 and #13, which set a bit further back... offering up more privacy and less noise from the rest of the camping commune," advises Stuart K.
Hook-up variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. "All 28 sites have electric and water. Some are a little closer together than others, but there's a few jems with plenty of space," Chris D. mentions about Eden Valley Refuge. RVers should verify amperage compatibility before booking.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. Blue Inn Campground provides full hookups but "Electrical and water were good. Sewer connections a bit high," according to Mike C. Several area campgrounds maintain seasonal dump stations with limited winter access.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cascade, IA is Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 35 reviews.
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