Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Fort Dodge, IA

Looking for the best campgrounds near Fort Dodge, IA? Fort Dodge is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Fort Dodge, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Fort Dodge, Iowa (46)

    1. Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Lehigh, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 359-2539

    $15 - $50 / night

    "Nice clean park, if passing through Iowa it's a nice overnight. A little loud if tent camping. Area not large enough to separate hard shell campers and tent campers."

    "The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose (newbs!). The park staff were friendly and very helpful as were our fellow campers."

    2. North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Lehigh, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 543-8298

    $19 - $37 / night

    "Camped here in order to be close to Fort Dodge first thing in the morning.  I stayed in the Beach Campground.  It's not on the beach, but close to it.  There are 3 total campgrounds in the park. "

    "Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing. The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds."

    3. Kennedy County Park

    4 Reviews
    Badger, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 576-4258

    $20 - $100 / night

    "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!"

    "Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden."

    4. Lizard Creek Ranch Camping

    1 Review
    Fort Dodge, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 890-3758

    $25 / night

    5. Briggs Woods Park

    8 Reviews
    Webster City, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 832-9570

    "Brigs Woods is close to Webster City, IA.  There are several campsites, cabins, golf course, access to canoeing or kayaking on the Boone River, along with hiking trails, swimming and fishing. "

    "that hold 4 campers good for groups (friends, Family) upper camp ground has more single sites. as of 2020 more sites under construction both upper and lower area. they have some cabins and a couple walk"

    6. South Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Lehigh, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 543-8298

    $19 - $54 / night

    "Walking, hiking and exploring. People are here camping with their horses but the campground is still nice and quiet."

    7. Beach Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Lehigh, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 543-8298

    $25 - $50 / night

    8. Joe Sheldon County Park

    2 Reviews
    Humboldt, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 332-4087

    9. Bells Mills County Park

    2 Reviews
    Lehigh, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 832-9570

    10. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $17 - $35 / night

    "One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."

    "One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Fort Dodge, IA

162 Reviews of 46 Fort Dodge Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2021

    North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

    The Stars Were So Bright!

    Camped here in order to be close to Fort Dodge first thing in the morning.  I stayed in the Beach Campground.  It's not on the beach, but close to it.  There are 3 total campgrounds in the park.  My choice was a very well manicured campground.  The shower house was not open yet due to the time of year, but the drop latrine was open, very clean and well lit.

    This little nugget is laid out on a vast prairie.  Most sites have younger trees that provide some shade.  This is not the big wooded type park.  There are trails to get you out and away from the "park" and closer to the rustic woody nature.

    Fire rings are all adjustable, sites are well kept and they offer "buddy sites" that are 2 sites really close together for those times when you bring friends, but have too many tents/vehicles to fall into the rules.

    Verizon 4G fluctuated between 0-2 bars.  Was able to send pictures and only dropped a call once.

    Very little light pollution

  • Tom S.
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Ledges State Park Campground

    Don't fall off the ledge!

    One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there. It's close to how I remember it.

    The campground has a good picnic area, restrooms, and an excellent trail. It's also inexpensive.

    What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views, so make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos (unlike me). I also spent a lot of time off the trail. It isn't too hard to get around. I'm not one who enjoys staying at a park that is mostly flat, so this is definitely a good place in Iowa for me to camp.

    If you are looking for a cool place to camp within an hour of Des Moines, you should seriously consider this park.

  • Wendy P.
    Jul. 19, 2018

    Ledges State Park Campground

    Beautiful hikes. Prepare for coons.

    One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.

    Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.

  • Deborah C.
    Sep. 22, 2018

    Swan Lake State Park Campground

    Not very tent friendly

    This 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.

  • Judy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2021

    Briggs Woods Park

    Nice campground, lots of options

    Brigs Woods is close to Webster City, IA.  There are several campsites, cabins, golf course, access to canoeing or kayaking on the Boone River, along with hiking trails, swimming and fishing.  This is one of the many county parks spread across Iowa.  They have reasonable rates and many do not take reservations.  One area is good for a group of campers as the sites are in a circle.  A walking bridge links the back loop to the other loop that has the bathhouse making it a shorter walk.

    There are sites with full hookups, H2O and Elec, or Elec only.  Here is the website: https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Hamilton/Park/Briggs-Woods-Park-and-Golf-Course.aspx

    The wonderful thing about the park is the magnificent trees.

  • Mike C.
    Sep. 26, 2018

    Ledges State Park Campground

    Small Quant and scenic

    The views around the park are some of the very best in Iowa. Hiking trails often found you coming face to face with deer who look at you inquisitively. Fun for family as the waters over the roadways are a splash for adults and children alike. It's a hidden gem, just outside Boone Iowa.

  • Traci J.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Little Wall Lake County Park

    Cute little place

    Clean and host was nice. Kids had a fun time and want to come back. Close to the interstate and easy to get to. Only downfall if I need one is the campsites are closer together and it’s close to an highway so you can hear cars driving by but it’s rural Iowa so there aren’t that many.

  • 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.


Guide to Fort Dodge

If you're looking for a great getaway with your furry friends, Fort Dodge, Iowa, offers several pet-friendly camping options that cater to both you and your pets.

Pet owners like the variety of amenities available

  • At Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground, you can enjoy features like electric hookups and drinking water, making your stay comfortable for both you and your pet.
  • Briggs Woods Park provides well-maintained sites with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for relaxing evenings with your dog.
  • Joe Sheldon County Park offers spacious pull-through sites with full hookups, ensuring a hassle-free experience for pet owners.

Dog owners appreciate the recreational activities

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great social opportunities

  • Kennedy County Park is a well-maintained park where you can meet fellow campers and their pets, fostering a sense of community.
  • Hamilton County Fairgrounds offers a friendly environment where campers often share stories and tips about traveling with pets.
  • Lizard Creek Ranch Camping features a restaurant and various activities nearby, making it easy to socialize while enjoying your time outdoors with your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Dodge, IA is Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 46 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Dodge, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.