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Littlefield Rec Area in Exira offers fully pet-friendly camping with spacious sites on the shores of a quiet lake. All tent and RV sites welcome dogs with no breed restrictions noted, and the park's serene walking paths provide ample exercise opportunities. The campground features electric hookups, water access, and clean restroom facilities for campers and their pets. Campsites have picnic tables and fire rings, creating comfortable spaces to relax with pets. Sites fill up quickly on weekends, with many visitors appreciating the adequate space between campsites. Lake Anita State Park, located just 8 miles south of Exira, also allows pets throughout its campground areas, including both the electric and non-electric tent sites.
A paved trail encircling Lake Anita offers excellent dog walking opportunities with lake views. Dogs must remain leashed at all campgrounds in the area, typically with a 6-foot leash maximum. Both Littlefield and Lake Anita provide access to water where dogs can cool off, though swimming areas may have restrictions. Prairie Rose State Park, 25 miles west of Exira, extends its pet-friendly policy to its cabin accommodations, a rare amenity in the region. Campers should bring waste bags as dedicated pet waste stations are limited. The quiet setting at these parks minimizes wildlife encounters that might trouble pets. Veterinary services are available in Atlantic, approximately 15 miles southwest of Exira, for emergency situations.
"This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks."
"The drive in from I-80 was easy, with plenty of signage leading to the campground. We made online reservations and went straight to our water and electric site( 50/30/20 amp), site 110."
from $15 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground and staff, town close by if you need more supplies, we like it here!"
"Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends. Would recommend this park."
"These Iowa state parks are extremely clean and well taken care of. The lake is huge with multiple trails that the kids loved. Playground was directly behind us which is a plus for us."
"Reserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa!"
from $16 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Based on other reviews we weren’t expecting much, but this spot is perfect for getting a good night’s rest when passing through Iowa."
"Park was clean and close to highway. Husband said bathrooms were clean enough. Didn't use the showers. Arrived around 10pm on a Tuesday and there were 3 spots left."
from $6 - $15 / night
"We loved the drive into the campground and found a grove of oaks to camp under. Everyone slept great."
"It is connected to a preserve which has a myriad of trails as well as there being trails in the park. The bathroom in the main campground is closed and the water is off."
from $18 - $20 / night
Check Availability"The trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"This is a small little park off the highway, we had been traveling for two days and needed to stop for the night."
"clean accessible and a drive through a quaint little town. What else could you ask for?"
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Pros: Not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote
-Lots of nice hiking trails
-Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms
-The lake is a peaceful spot to spend the early mornings"
"You’ll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at."
from $14 - $200 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $32 / night
Check Availability"The directions on this app take you to the first entrance which is not where the camping is, but follow the huge arrow and you’ll find it no problem."
"I saw two tractors driving through town and only a few more cars. Best of all we had a full 5 bars of ripping Verizon service. What's not to like?"
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.
GuideThe trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that. Full hookups, shower house and huge dog park are also onsite making this a Cass County hidden gem. Camp host is great and and you're close to old downtown.
GuideSpots kind of level, lots of choices of pull thru or buddy sites. Decent playground, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities. KOA, so not a lot of nature. But no traffic or train noise. Full hook ups, including TV.
GuideI didn’t stay here but did scout it out. Small park by the NishnaBotna river. I did see a camper there with his dog but website specifically says no pets.
LegendThis County Park is located right on the edge of Lake Panorama, a great town North West of Des Moines, Iowa. It is surrounded by amenities, so if you forget something you can drive five minutes into town to replace anything you forgot at home.
This is not a place to rough it, but if you have a family and want an outdoors experience close to amenities, this is the place for you. The campground is very clean and it is right next to a river.
ScoutWe showed up easter sunday when everyone in the loop left except one van, so it was pretty empty. But the wind was so intense an constant. Probably about 20 to 25mph wind all day and night. Temp was mid 70s to 80s. Well kept sites and the park ranger came through to check reservations were correct on the posts. Random people did come through the loop area to either hang out or go to the trail, which alerted our dogs everytime. We even thought some lady did a drug deal by grabbing an orange bag from one of the electric posts then left, pretty weird. We stayed on site 81 next to water which was essential. Big lake close by to fish which I'm guessing the only thing to do here other than walk the trail. I ran the trail for a workout, it's all grass around the lake. All the sites are pretty close together, about 20 to 30 apart so of you like that then there you go, but we wanted space for our dogs and privacy. Stayed 2 nights. All views of corn.
LegendThis state park camp site close to Carroll, Iowa was nice, but we were the only tent campers there, it seemed more like a permanent RV home site. The bathrooms while nice had no working showers, they had showers but no way to turn on the water. There was a cute frisbee golf on property, a beautiful lake, and a nice paved walking path.
GuideThese Iowa state parks are extremely clean and well taken care of. The lake is huge with multiple trails that the kids loved. Playground was directly behind us which is a plus for us.
TravelerReserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa! Paved roads, level gravel sites, wide & mowed trails, clean pit toilets and a layout that isn’t too cramped. The pond has multiple shoreline fishing spots with picnic tables and a cleaning station. Basic playground in front of the beach which is a short drive or a ~1 mile trail walk away.
Camping near Exira, Iowa centers on a region of gently rolling hills and small lakes created by glacial melt around 12,000 years ago. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October, with limited winter facilities due to seasonal temperature fluctuations.
Fishing opportunities: The lake at Littlefield Rec Area provides good fishing options throughout the camping season. "Lots of spots with water and electric and right on the lake," notes Teresa T., making it convenient for anglers to access the water directly from their campsites.
Biking trails: Lake Anita State Park features a complete paved trail circuit. "The best feature of this park, in my opinion, is the four-mile paved recreation trail that goes around the entire 171-acre lake. Good for walking, running, or biking," says Lee D., highlighting the versatility of this recreational option.
Wildlife viewing: Visitors can observe bison and elk at Botna Bend County Park, a unique attraction not common at other regional campgrounds. As Ryan S. notes, "While at the park I saw deer, raccoons, turkeys, and a 4 inch caterpillar crossing the road. There are also bison and elk in a fenced in area."
Spacious sites: Unlike some crowded campgrounds, campers appreciate the room between sites at Littlefield Rec Area. Dave B. notes, "Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends." This offers a more private camping experience compared to more tightly packed campgrounds.
Quiet atmosphere: The peaceful setting at many local campgrounds provides a true escape. Kelly from Littlefield Rec Area mentions the area is "Quiet, zero traffic noise. Campsites spread out over 4 campgrounds," creating multiple options for campers seeking tranquility.
Clean facilities: Prairie Rose State Park maintains high standards for their amenities. According to Sarah H., "The outhouse style bathroom was clean, but flies were abundant. The grounds were well maintained and DNR staff was very helpful. They even helped us with a small bike repair."
Seasonal variations: Weather conditions fluctuate significantly, with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter temperatures often below freezing. Brian F. from Prairie Rose State Park notes, "I stayed one night, a Thursday, so I don't know if it gets bad on a weekend. There were lots of locals there using it like a big backyard."
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds in the area operate on first-come, first-served basis. At Littlefield, camping spots fill quickly on summer weekends, with Roger noting, "It was myself and two other campers who were there together. We had the entire campground to ourselves" during the off-season in November.
Cell phone coverage: Service can be spotty in this rural region. Roger from Littlefield Rec Area mentions, "No cellular service available. I was able to get nominal service with an external antenna and booster," which is important information for those needing to stay connected.
Playground access: Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds offers family-friendly amenities. G M. notes, "The spots for tent/van was $15. The bathroom/showers were super clean. The established trees all over was fantastic," adding that there is a "Playset for younger kids."
Water activities: Multiple pet-friendly campgrounds near Exira offer swimming options during summer months. At Prairie Rose State Park, Sarah H. shared that "The kids enjoyed biking and swimming. The whole family enjoyed prairie wildlife such as a blue heron, geese, bald eagles, frogs etc."
Educational opportunities: Several local campgrounds provide nature learning experiences. Jenn P. from Botna Bend Park mentions, "There were bison and elk and clean showers. Basic site was 10 dollars. Huge campsite!" making it an excellent option for families wanting to combine wildlife viewing with camping.
Hookup availability: Schildberg Recreation Area offers comprehensive services for RVers. Frank B. notes, "The trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that. Full hookups, shower house and huge dog park are also onsite."
Off-season camping: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Exira remain open during shoulder seasons with reduced crowds. At Littlefield Rec Area, Roger found that "Water was on and the bathrooms were open and clean! I happened upon a site with full hookups and it was $20.00 a night."
Leveling considerations: Most area campgrounds feature relatively flat terrain, though some preparation may be needed. Jon D. from Littlefield describes it as a "Very clean campground, lots of shade trees and full hook ups," making it suitable for most RV configurations without excessive leveling requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Exira, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Exira, IA is Lake Anita State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Exira, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 62 dog-friendly camping locations near Exira, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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