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Stephens State Forest campgrounds accommodate pets with designated sites throughout multiple areas including Middle Area, Mine Pond, and Whitebreast Equestrian. Most campsites feature fire rings with swinging grates, picnic tables, and toilet facilities while still providing a natural wilderness experience. The trails throughout the forest provide ample opportunities for hiking with dogs, with the Buck Stop Camp located about a 1.5 mile hike from the main area. Campground reviews indicate moderate to heavy insect activity during summer months, particularly at Mine Pond, which may affect dog walking experiences. Stephens State Forest charges $6-10 per night depending on the camping area selected.
Red Haw State Park Campground offers pet-friendly sites with more developed amenities including electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations. Hickory Hills Park provides primitive camping options where pets are welcome, featuring clean fire pits and well-maintained hiking trails that wind through forest areas and past Native American burial mounds. The sites at Hickory Hills are generously spaced, providing ample room for pets to relax at camp without crowding neighboring sites. Patrol staff regularly check the grounds at night, ensuring a secure environment for campers with pets. Lakeside Casino RV Park allows pets in a more developed setting with paved, pull-through sites and full hookups, making it convenient for RV travelers with dogs needing easy access to exercise areas. East Lake Park features newer campground facilities with good spacing between sites and playground areas where families with pets can spread out comfortably.
"Great spot by a small lake in Stephen's State Forest. Didn't have a soul around us for the night we camped here (late September). Temps were around 43 degrees at night."
"Very nice and quite location when I went mid September. Seems like a lot of trails to explore. Will go back again to explore more. Lots of hills."
from $12 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $12 / night
Check Availability"Nearly empty. We’re self contained so it was $10/night with no hook ups. They have RV sites with water and electric. Nice free showers. Quiet and clean."
from $14 - $34 / night
Check Availability"There are a couple small hiking trails, but they were very well maintained and an easy hike to get my daughter started in her backpack."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"It was a close walk to Pilot for supplies."
"I am in a wheelchair and this park allows me to move around freely."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We entered the park looking for a walk-up spot and landed on Site 67 which was not reserved. The site was spacious with a big tree with good shade and cover if needed."
"They have a beautiful lake and a beach. The water has minimal seaweed and great temperature! They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price!"
from $25 - $38 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $16 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $15 / night
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GuideI just loved this campground. It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room. It is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset. There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground. This was well worth the 20 mile drive off I80. If I had known how m=nice this area was, I would have planned better and stayed here for more than one night.
TravelerIn a grove of trees in a slightly hilly area. Easy access, but sites are gravel. Nice bit of grass with each site, most are at least partially shaded. Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass.
GuideSome full hook ups, sites not very level, playground ok. Can hear shots from gun range next door. Dog park, pool, arcade. We have camped here a couple times, and stored our rig here for a while. Didn't find there was that much going on here to keep us busy. Not a lot of nature, no trails or biking accessible from campground.
GuideWonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area. Fishing not the greatest, Pond is silted to about 9ft deep, have caught few small bass, bluegill. Never tried the river here, but is known for big cats. Camp sites are best around, large flat white rock cinder size area with picnic table, fire ring. Sites are well spaced. Shaded. Double lane dump station. Close to home, can usually get site without reservation, IF you roll in on Wed. By Thurs night, it's full. Few reservables, 90% i'd say are first come. The way it should be in my opinion.
LegendThis place is great! There are 10 beautiful campsites, all with new picnic tables, fire ring and cement pad so you’re chairs are actually level! The fire ring even has a grill you and flip over the fire to cook. There is a vault toilet up on the hill where the campsites are. FYI - the women’s side did not have a lock. The sites were very spacious, some massive and very spread out. You could see neighbors but you aren’t on top on them. And it’s free! You can stay for up to 14 days. They do have registration cards up on the board to complete and post on your site. I had 2-3 bars of LTE via AT&T. The closest gas station is about 7 minutes away and a grocery store about 10 minutes away.
Let’s talk ticks!! I travel with my dog and during the 3 nights I stayed, I was constantly removing them from him, myself and within the inside of my van. They always got on his feet every time he used the restroom and made their way inside. If you travel with a pet, check them constantly and make sure they are on a tick med!
GuideTerrific small town RV park in Iowa. Long, level pull thru's and back ins, playground, dog walk, DELICIOUS on site restaurant. Clubhouse with immaculate laundry and individual showers, everything is new and cashless. Outstanding staff, friendly and helpful, shoutout to electrician (and footbal fan) Eric who made o ur day.
LegendNine Eagles is near Lamoni, Iowa near the Iowa-Missouri border right off of Interstate 35. I camped here with my son and his Boy Scout troop in the youth group part of the campground. I can't speak for the rest of the park's camping facilities, but the youth group site is a large open space surrounded by tall trees. The grass is well maintained and the campsite is clean and beautiful. There are not any bathroom facilities at the campsite which is why I give it four instead of five stars, but the park is beautiful and a peaceful place to camp. I wish I would have had my camera with me to take some pictures to share.
ScoutCamping doesn't get much better than this in Iowa. The North Overlook site is part of a much larger group of COE campgrounds on Lake Red Rock. It is heavily shaded and offers direct access to a large beach on the lake complete with shower houses and concessions. Red Rock is the largest lake in the state and can accomodate any size water craft. The campground is located directly on the Volksweg trail which offers excellent opportunities for any level of hiker or bicyclist. The town of Pella is close by and is a worthy destination in itself. Shower houses are clean as is the campground in general. Campsites are well distanced from each other and offer a good degree of privacy. The only drawback, for some, is the fact that sewer and water hookups are not available. All sites have electric. I would highly recommend this, and all the COE campgrounds on Lake Red Rock.
TravelerThis park is beautiful with plenty to do and see. We camped out at site 82 which is a non-electric site and close to a Red Rock Lake shoreline. Spots are pretty close but they perfectly have grass tall enough to give you some privacy between spots. I was never bothered by either neighbors. The grass also gives you a path to the water spout. The staff member at the front was such a gentlemen and helped us with our firewood. There are some walking paths down to the lake which you can fish from. The views by the lake are beautiful too. The only thing to keep in mind with this spot is it is as far away from the bathrooms as possible. I, personally, didn't mind, but wanted to make note of it. We will be returning to this park.
Restrooms: Cleaner than I expected! And they are not port-a-potty type bathrooms, plumbing with nice stalls, toilets and sinks.
Dog-friendliness: My dog LOVED this campground. We kept her on a long-line stake(per parks' guidelines) and she had plenty of room to roam.
Picnic area: A picnic table is provided but they are older, so I recommend bringing your own table cloth and some towels or something for the seats.
Stephens State Forest offers multiple dispersed camping areas within an hour's drive from Derby, Iowa. The forest sits on rolling hills with elevations between 900-1,100 feet and contains oak-hickory forests that provide habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and other woodland species. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F while spring and fall camping seasons see cooler 45-65°F temperatures.
Hiking trails exploration: Stephens State Forest features extensive trail systems with varying difficulty levels. The Woodburn unit has "great hiking trails leading to very primitive camping locations" according to Emily, who rated it 5 stars. The trails are wide enough for comfortable hiking, with one camper describing them as providing "a nice moderate hike with wide trails."
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes and ponds offer fishing throughout the area. Mine Pond Campground provides a small fishing pond that campers have enjoyed. T J. shared, "Stayed two nights with my son and we absolutely loved it," noting the "great fishing" available at the site.
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas provide excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, especially during early morning and evening hours. Jeff K. reported, "Listened to deer rutting all night and coyotes howling" during his stay at Buck Stop Camp. Many campers mention encounters with birds, deer, and smaller woodland creatures throughout the forest areas.
Secluded camping spots: Many campers appreciate the privacy available at certain sites. Jim H. noted about Stephens State Forest: "Didn't have a soul around us for the night we camped here (late September)." This seclusion allows for a more immersive outdoor experience away from crowds.
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being primitive, most campgrounds maintain clean, functional facilities. At Hickory Hills Park, Matt S. found "The hiking trails are pretty easy going through the forest and then opening up next to old Native American burial mounds," noting that "It is clean and well maintained."
Night sky viewing: The rural setting creates minimal light pollution for excellent stargazing. Brandon R. mentioned enjoying the "very nice and quite location" at Stephens State Forest in mid-September, making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
Insect activity varies by season: Summer months bring increased mosquito activity, particularly in wooded and pond areas. Jacob W. reported at Mine Pond Campground that "mosquitoes swarmed me instantly" during his July visit. Consider bringing appropriate repellent, especially during warmer months.
Train noise at certain sites: Some campgrounds experience occasional train noise that might disturb light sleepers. One camper at Stephens State Forest mentioned they "would have given 5 stars but you will hear train horns blowing all night at this location."
Security presence: Hickory Hills Park maintains regular security patrols through camping areas. Aliyah B. noted they were "Maintained and they had patrol checking through at night," providing added peace of mind for campers concerned about safety.
Playground access: Families with children can utilize playground facilities at certain campgrounds. East Lake Park features "Playground and bathrooms on site," according to Daniel C., who appreciated that "there is plenty of room between camp sites so your not camping on top of your neighbors."
Spacing considerations: Choose campgrounds with ample spacing between sites for families needing room to spread out. Daniel C. noted about East Lake Park that "the best part is that there is plenty of room between camp sites," making it easier for families with pets and children to maintain comfortable distances from neighbors.
Dog-friendly hiking options: Most trails accommodate leashed pets for family outings. Matt S. described Hickory Hills Park as "a great little park just east of New Virginia, Iowa" with "pretty easy" hiking trails that would be suitable for families with dogs.
Hookup availability: Various levels of hookups are available depending on campground. Lakeside Casino RV Park offers "full hook up for water, electric and sewer," according to Vita M., who appreciated that "All spaces are paved." This makes it convenient for RVers requiring complete utility connections.
Pad conditions: RV campers should check site conditions before setting up, as some concrete pads may have deterioration. Renee H. found at Lakeside Casino RV Park that "The concrete in our site was in poor condition, it had crumbled leaving a dip in the pad." However, she still considered it a "Decent place to spend the night."
Accessibility considerations: For campers with mobility concerns, paved sites provide advantages. Vita M. reported, "I am in a wheelchair and this park allows me to move around freely" at Lakeside Casino RV Park, indicating good accessibility for those with physical limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Derby, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Derby, IA is Middle Area Campground — Stephens State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Derby, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 73 dog-friendly camping locations near Derby, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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