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.
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Clinton, IA
Thomson Causeway offers pet-friendly camping on the banks of the Mississippi River with concrete pads, picnic tables, and fire rings at all sites. Pets must be leashed throughout the campground's riverside and wooded areas. Rock Creek Marina and Campground also welcomes pets with electric hookups at most sites and full access to the camp store, Eco Center, and surrounding nature trails. Riverview City Park in Clinton provides full hookup sites with water and electric connections where pets can join their owners. Bathroom facilities vary between locations, with Thomson featuring both vault toilets and a shower house, while Rock Creek provides a shower house and restrooms. Bald Eagle Campground stands out by offering cabin accommodations that permit pets, giving dog owners an alternative to tent or RV camping. Many campers report the Mississippi riverfront areas have significant insect activity during summer months.
Hiking with dogs is particularly enjoyable along the paved trail system that follows the Mississippi River from Thomson Causeway toward Clinton and Savanna. This trail allows leashed pets and provides scenic river views with water lily displays during summer months. The environmental center at Rock Creek offers educational opportunities while providing a comfortable spot for pets and owners to cool off. Clinton's location provides easy access to multiple pet-friendly camping options on both the Illinois and Iowa sides of the Mississippi. Campgrounds near Clinton typically require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet at all times, and owners must clean up after their animals. The train noise near Riverview City Park can disturb some pets, with trains passing every few hours according to regular campers. Most campgrounds in the area offer water spigots throughout the grounds, allowing easy access for filling pet water dishes during hot summer months.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Clinton, Iowa (111)
1. Thomson Causeway
15 ReviewsThomson, IL10 milesWebsite+1 (815) 259-3628$14 - $26 / night
"Bathrooms are a short walk from this site and were clean. Water pump was also a short walk. We enjoyed bike riding around the campsite. There is a longer bike path that will take you to Clinton. "
"This is a beautiful spot on the outskirts of a small town. The train museum is open for a few hours on weekends. Other towns are nearby with more things to do."
2. Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins
19 ReviewsLong Grove, IA18 milesWebsite+1 (563) 328-3282$17 - $36 / night
"One of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has"
"Enjoyed almost 2 weeks at West Lake Park, part of the Scott County, IA park system. Helpful staff, park rangers make daily patrols, nice spots, many with shade trees & decent room."
3. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
28 ReviewsSavanna, IL21 milesWebsite+1 (815) 273-2731"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."
4. Rock Creek County Marina and Campground
7 ReviewsPrinceton, IA10 milesWebsite+1 (563) 259-1876$14 - $18 / night
"They put the site number posts at the end of the pad near the road and our site had a tree on the other side, so we had to use the grass across the road to maneuver in and out."
"Sites include fire rings, tables, gravel backing pads, electric with some right near water edge."
5. Morrison-Rockwood State Park
10 ReviewsMorrison, IL15 milesWebsite+1 (815) 772-4708$20 / night
"We saw an article about "Dutch Days" in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun."
"We enjoyed the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop. We liked the different loops of campsites with pit toilets every where and a nice modern bathroom/shower house also."
6. Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River
23 ReviewsBettendorf, IA21 milesWebsite+1 (815) 259-3628$14 - $26 / night
"Site 13 seemed to be one of the best situated. We stayed in Site 12 which had a beautiful, unobstructed view of the river."
"As with all the campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail, it is along side Rt. 84, and railroad tracks."
7. Riverview City Park
4 ReviewsFulton, IL3 milesWebsite+1 (563) 243-1260"It is right next to the river and the Clinton Riverfront Park and even fast food restaurants are within walking distance. There is also a walking path next to the river."
8. Pine Grove Campground, Scott Co Park
7 ReviewsLong Grove, IA17 milesWebsite$15 - $23 / night
"Pine Grove Campground is situated in Scott County Park."
"Another upside to Pine Grove is that it has a single hiking trail heading west that will connect you with a wider network of hiking & biking trails."
9. Sac-Fox Campground, Scott Co Park
7 ReviewsLong Grove, IA17 milesWebsite$15 - $23 / night
"Fire rings and picnic tables come standard, and the pet-friendly vibe means your dog will probably make more friends than you do. "
"I met include restrooms and showers, campground host with firewood, available, trash, bins, playground area, trails nearby, I shelter to rent, a golf course across from the entrance, And the park has a"
10. Spring Lake Campground
4 ReviewsSavanna, IL15 milesWebsite+1 (563) 357-0284$25 - $35 / night
"It's like a step back in time in the best way possible."
"The bike trail is within steps of your site. Hookups for electric and water available. Well maintained portapotties at various points throughout the grounds."
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Clinton, IA
79 Photos of 111 Clinton Campgrounds
Jeff G.
Thomson Causeway
Stephanie S.
Morrison-Rockwood State Park
Briana B.
Rockwood State Park Campground
Kelly D.
Spring Lake Campground
Stephanie S.
Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
Amanda P.
Prophetstown State Park Campground
Shannon K.
Geneseo Campground
James M.
Porth RV Park
Stuart K.
Geneseo Izaak Walton League Campground - Members Only
Jeri T.
Honey Bee & Bee Homestead
James M.
Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.
Stuart K.
6B's Campground
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Clinton, IA
659 Reviews of 111 Clinton Campgrounds
- DDick M.
ScoutCamelot Campground Quad Cities USA
Great for an overnight
Gravel pad for one night. Didn’t use facilities, pool was closed for the season. Very nice walk around the lake, dog park was not large, but clean with enough room to run. There were much nicer spots, but we had all we needed for one night.
- 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.
- James M.Legend
Lakeside RV Park and Campground
Travelling overnight stay suggested
I suggest this site only if you need to get off the road for an overnight stay. Very few amenities, all but a few spots appear to be full-time RV living onsite, has nice playground, gazebo, dog park (small), lake is small but appears well kept, electric/water/septic onsite.
Skylar M.ScoutGeneseo Campground
Stayed for a night passing through
Great campground. Has full hook ups, and pull through sites. Hosts are very responsive to texts if you need anything. They warned me ahead of time that GPS would navigate me under a 10 ft bridge and gave me directions around it!! They have a dog park, bathroom, propane, and trash. Very nice place
Stuart K.LegendGeneseo Campground
Hidden Gem Along Slow-Moving Canal
This is an incredibly quaint, somewhat out-of-the-way (in a very good way) location that will treat you to a heavy dose of isolation and privacy wherein you’ll feel completely blessed by the nature you will be surrounded by. This incredibly friendly (pet-friendly as well BTW) operation does an excellent job in how it is set up, offering up a few distinct loops that are ear-marked pretty much exclusively for the wheel-toting camping variety (think RVs, rigs, trailers and 5th wheels) providing 59 pull-thru and 12 back-in slots, while also offering up a discreet space flanked towards the front of the property that is simply perfect for mi tent pitchin’ bredren, which is surrounded by mature Oaks. And, just in case you either forgot your tent or RV, Geneseo Campground has 4 super comfy cabins (each sleeps 4 and come with A/C) or an amazing yurt that sleeps 8 that they’ll gladly rent you.
From an amenities standpoint, there’s an amazing kid’s playground, well-stocked camp store, propane refueling station, kayak & canoe rental, gas grill rental, e-bike, pedal carts & fat tire bike rental, full and partial hook-ups offering 30 / 50 electric amp, water & sewage hook-ups. There’s also a meeting room, WiFi everywhere, enclosed dog park, firewood & ice for sale, arcade games, RV dump station, coin-operated washers & dryers / laundr-O-mat, excellent showers & bathrooms, direct access to the Hennepin Canal and don’t forget the 60 or so miles worth of hiking trails!
This place is spacious, very well organized, incredibly clean all the while within a short 10 minute drive into nearby Geneseo, which quite frankly, is one of the most idyllic small towns you’ll come across anywhere in Illinois that is both convivial and provincial, but also quite emblematic of a typical Norman Rockwell painting. What I loved most about this place is that while it doesn’t offer up EVERYTHING that you might be looking for while camping, you only need to head due south to Izaak Walton Park (further south of this spot) or to Geneseo Prairie Park, both of which offer up amazing hiking trails as well as good launch spots to access the Hennepin Canal via kayak and canoe.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re reeling, you should expect to catch blue gill, catfish, bass and crappie, and while you can throw your line from the Geneseo Campground property, I would highly recommend you cross the canal to Izaak Walton Park on its east side where there’s a large open canal / lake to cast in; (2) While there’s tons of hiking trails, you don’t want to forget your bikes – there’s 72 miles of biking trails as well as miles and miles of nicely paved empty country roads to pedal on; (3) Maybe you have a kayak or canoe, but in the case you don’t, do yourself a favor and rent one from the good people at Geneseo Campground in which to explore the Hennepin Canal - trust me, you won't be disappointed; and (4) Should you grow weary of eating franks & beans again from your campsite and want to try out some local cuisine, then get yourself over to nearby Geneseo where you can dine out at The Cellar, Sweet Peas Grill & Bar or Geneseo Brewing Company.
Happy Camping!
- Jamie M.Scout
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.
- TTerry A T.
TravelerRiverview City Park
Good except for trainsj
This campground has Water and electric hook ups and a dumpsite. It is convenient and enjoyable. It is right next to the river and the Clinton Riverfront Park and even fast food restaurants are within walking distance. There is also a walking path next to the river. The one negative is noise from trains. One seems to go by every few hours.
Guide to Clinton
The Mississippi River basin near Clinton creates distinctive camping environments with low-lying wetlands and riverfront sites typically situated 590-630 feet above sea level. River levels fluctuate seasonally, creating prime fishing conditions from April through October when water temperatures range from 60-80°F. Most campgrounds in this area experience significant insect activity during summer months, with mayfly hatches peaking in June.
What to do
Riverfront biking access: At Illiniwek Campground, the Great River Trail runs directly through the grounds, making it perfect for cycling. "The access is literally on the edge of camp and through the campground. We only stayed one night as we moved over to a closer campground for the electric hookups and water views," notes Scott M.
Sunset watching spots: The Mississippi River creates stunning evening vistas. "The sunsets on the Mississippi were beautiful each evening!" shares a camper at Illiniwek. Some waterfront sites offer direct sunset views without leaving your campsite.
Educational nature center: The Rock Creek Marina and Campground features a nature center with local wildlife displays. "Nice educational center with canoe and kayak rentals, with lots of Mississippi backwater to explore. Showers are open until October 14 this year," reports Jeff and Linda L. The center includes "native animals including large fish aquarium" and offers naturalist programs throughout summer.
Watercraft rentals: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Clinton offer boat rentals. Rock Creek provides "kayak/canoe rentals" with "plenty of backwaters to explore," while Morrison-Rockwood features a "restaurant/bait shop/boat rental" that campers find "very convenient."
What campers like
Waterfront RV sites: Fishermans Corner offers premium waterfront camping spots. "Sites 8, 9, and 10 plus several more that have a view of the water; these are in the loop to the left of the entrance and they are the best in my opinion," writes Lee D. These concrete pad sites include electric hookups and fire grates.
Clean shower facilities: While the existing description mentions varying bathroom facilities, campers specifically praise Morrison-Rockwood State Park for exceptionally well-maintained bathrooms. "The (and I cannot emphasize this enough) CLEANEST campground bathrooms I've ever seen! These bathrooms (even the vault toilets!) were amazingly clean!" shares Stacie H.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Seasonal bird migrations make this area a nature watching hotspot. Sac-Fox Campground offers "wildlife" viewing along wooded areas, while Morrison-Rockwood features "beautiful flowers, bird, and butterflies. We even saw a raccoon!"
Spacious campsites: Campers consistently mention site size as a positive feature. "Sites are shaded, with services, fire pits, wood available," notes a James M. review of Fishermans Corner. At Sac-Fox Campground, sites are described as "spacious" with "decent shade, depending on the season."
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds near the Mississippi sit close to active rail lines. "The train noise near Riverview City Park can disturb some pets, with trains passing every few hours according to regular campers," confirms a Terry A T. review: "One negative is noise from trains. One seems to go by every few hours."
Seasonal insect activity: Beyond typical mosquitoes, specific insect hatches affect river camping. "This might be one of our favorite campgrounds in the area... If there has been a lot of rain, or the River has been up a little, there will be an insect problem. There are biting flies that do not care if you are wearing repellant," warns Jeff G. about Thomson Causeway.
Flooding potential: Low-lying campgrounds experience occasional flooding. At Rock Creek Marina and Campground, visitors should "watch river levels for flooding, bugs can be bad since location is bottomland riverine forest."
Limited shade at some sites: Riverview City Park lacks substantial tree cover. "We agree with the other review that this campground is like a parking lot between town and the river. There is lots of pavement and no shade," notes reviewer Art S.
Tips for camping with families
Playground-adjacent camping: For families with young children, Bald Eagle Campground offers sites around play areas. "We spent a lot of time on the playground there and rode our bikes wherever," shares a reviewer. The campground is described as "good" for children "older than maybe 10."
Swimming options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Clinton provide swimming facilities. Scott County Park features "a pool, a lake for fishing and paddling" plus "a full-on aquatic wonderland with waterslides, diving boards."
Pioneer Village exploration: Children particularly enjoy the historical exhibits at Scott County Park. "Pioneer village if you've never been was the absolute bees knees as a kid to go to, especially since you can hike to get there! I loved climbing around in the train cars, eating icecream/candy canes, and watching the blacksmith work," explains Seth N.
Educational wildlife centers: Rock Creek's nature center engages children with live animals. The Eco Tourism center includes a "mini museum of the local wildlife" that's "great for the family" with displays featuring "turtles, snakes, and an aquarium that our family really enjoyed."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Several Mississippi River campgrounds offer full hookup options. Riverview City Park provides "full hookups, tables, fire rings, hard pads" according to James M., though RVers should note the train tracks run directly alongside the campground.
Campground layout considerations: Spring Lake Campground offers a "super vintage" experience with access to wildlife refuges. "Booking online was easy; we booked two nights and had a wonderful stay. The campground is very peaceful with spacious sites and a pretty view right on the water," notes Kate. The campgrounds feature water and electric at each site.
Dump station facilities: While not all campgrounds offer sewer at each site, most provide dump stations. Fishermans Corner features "2 dump stations so no congestion to dump" and "potable water between sites (not for fixed hookup) and good electric."
Level site availability: RVs require relatively flat pads. At Morrison-Rockwood, campers report the "site was uneven but we got our pup leveled out." Fishermans Corner offers "level concrete pad, picnic table, and fire grate" with sites that are "spacious."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Clinton, IA?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Clinton, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Clinton, IA is Thomson Causeway with a 4-star rating from 15 reviews.
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Clinton, IA?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Clinton, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 111 dog-friendly camping locations near Clinton, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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