Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Harpers Ferry, IA

Harpers Ferry, IA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Iowa camping has to offer. Discover great camping spots near Harpers Ferry, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Harpers Ferry, Iowa (104)

    1. Wyalusing State Park Campground

    59 Reviews
    McGregor, WI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 996-2261

    $15 - $35 / night

    "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 :)"

    "Camp sites are far enough away from neighbors that there is some privacy. Need a state park sticker to access. Illinois Minnesota and Iowa are all short drives away."

    2. Pikes Peak State Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    McGregor, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 873-2341

    $20 - $35 / night

    "It is crowded with older people like us,in the electric sites, and their older dogs. Level sites. Showers. Concession stand at the picnic area."

    "Unlike Minnesota and Wisconsin, Iowa’s state parks do not require a permit-bonus for RVers. Many sites have full hook-up, most if not all have electric. I paid $25 a night. Full week is $150!!"

    3. Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry — Yellow River State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Waterville, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 586-2254

    $12 / night

    "Who knew that Iowa has hills like this?! We did the backcountry camping (less than 0.5 miles walking), but did get to see the regular campgrounds."

    "The 2nd site in has a small pond at Camp side. Potable water is at HQ near registration kiosk."

    4. Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Waterville, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 586-2254

    $15 / night

    "Still, it was a lovely place with nice trails and great river access. There are also some breathtaking lookout points to see the countryside."

    "Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa. No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective."

    5. Little Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    4 Reviews
    Waterville, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 586-2254

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Iowa only has a few state forests and this one has something the others do not... trout fishing."

    "It is nestled in the woods not far from the Indian Mounds area in Iowa.  I stayed at Little Paint Campground.  There are pit toilets, but the water said not for drinking. "

    6. Bloody Run County Park

    7 Reviews
    Marquette, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 245-1516

    "It was a beautiful area with the creek running right next to it only problem was there was some trash in the firing which we had to take care of. People are so lazy."

    "Came to this spot with plans to drive up to yellow river for fishing but ended up with the sweetest spot along bloody run creak."

    7. Camp John Schultz — Yellow River State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Waterville, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 586-2254

    "Sounded by nature atop of hill hike near Fire tower ( only fire tower in Iowa), cell reception is found up here."

    8. Fire Tower Cabin — Yellow River State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Waterville, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 586-2254

    $75 / night

    "Cabin has basic kitchen: fridge/freezer, micro, coffee pot, table/chairs, sleeping room with queen bed, 2 futons, AC/heat, fireplace screened porch, grill/smoker& fire ring outside, table, potable"

    9. Frontier Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    1 Review
    Waterville, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 586-2254

    $19 / night

    "Self registration, trails from/ camp including stream crossings in trout streams. Manure station with tools. Some trails are multiuser."

    10. Blackhawk Park

    10 Reviews
    De Soto, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 648-3314

    $18 - $40 / night

    "From our site (30) we had a nice view of the water which was about a 3min walk. Site was mostly level with gravel, picnic table and fire pit/grate."

    "We had site 40west and it was larger, but too close to the smelly pit toilets. Showers nice, hot and clean. The tent sites looked spacious, but not very private."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Harpers Ferry, IA

459 Reviews of 104 Harpers Ferry Campgrounds


  • Daphne D.
    Jun. 17, 2022

    Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    Busy but beautiful

    We stayed at the Big Paint Campground and had a nice time. The sites there are pretty spacious and level, but they don't feel very private because this campground is essentially just an open field with line of sight to all other campsites. Still, it was a lovely place with nice trails and great river access. There are also some breathtaking lookout points to see the countryside.

    We drove through Little Paint Campground and many of those sites were pretty small and crowded, but again, the river access and the views made it a pleasant stay. Nearby Harper's Ferry is a neat little town, so be sure to visit there!

  • Jarrett G.
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Veterans Memorial Park & Campground

    Very nice campground

    Large campground with many amenities. Playground for kids and a very nice dog park. Right off the river. Will definitely be back!

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2019

    Shady Rest Acres

    Bliss in the middle of the country

    In the middle of the country, in a tiny town called Brownsville, you'll find a little slice of awesome in the form of a hobby farm with campsites, a cabin, and oh ya...the remnants of an old brewery! Patty and Michelle are nothing less than hospitable, knowledgable and gracious.

    Shady Rest Acres is owned and run by two women who are nothing less than the the perfect example of what property owners/business owners should be. Beyond being kind, their property is clean, tidy, beautiful yet rustic and home to so many animals that are all exceptionally well cared for. They have donkeys, Scottish Highland cows (a family of them), sheep, goats, chickens (and they'll even pick the bugs off your car), bees, horses, ducks, cats and dogs (I hope I didn't miss anything!). You have to be "pet friendly" if you stay here, because the the chickens roam, the dogs make friends and the cats meander, just as cats tend to do. If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners.  They are happy to let you meet them with their presence. 

    There are 2 campsites, if you wish.  One is in the middle of the pasture (that's right...near the goats) They will pen up the larger animals if you stay at that site, but it's perfect for stargazing!  The other is nestled in the woods.  Both have fire pits and access to wood. There is an outdoor shower, if you wish, and also a composting toilet.  But there is also access to an indoor bathroom and shower inside the main house.  The cabin is delightfully lovely with beautiful decor, two full sized beds, space for a few kids to crash, small kitchen items (microwave, mini fridge, coffeemaker) as well as a wood stove for cool nights and some A/C for warm days.  The cabin is attached to the main house by way of a small deck (although the cabin is free standing, but sitting above the garage). And some local beverages in the fridge! You will have access to the deck chairs and gas grill, if you want to cook some dinner. For potty stops, you'll have to use the bathroom inside their home, but it's very close and private, as they have another one that they use when guests are staying the night. 

    At no time did we feel like we were invading Patty and Michelle's space, nor did they invade ours.  It was extremely comfortable, and I thought that we could have asked any question without silly looks and even participated in chores, and we would have been welcome to do so. Even though it rained while we were there, it seemed to be just perfect. Beyond the obvious, they are earth conscious, eco friendly in many ways and fully aware of their food sources, which is one reason why they raise their own food.  So they know where it comes from and how it was treated.  I love it. 

    This is rustic slice of hospitality is not only peaceful, but friendly, warm and comforting as well as therapeutic.  Just what the soul ordered.

  • Kari S.
    Aug. 5, 2018

    Pulpit Rock Campground

    Beautiful!

    My boyfriend and I stayed right on the river with our pups (pet friendly) and it was BEAUTIFUL. Easy access to restrooms but secluded and quiet too.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Echo Valley State Park Campground

    Awesome Iowa

    Came in late but found a spot, only 6 first come fist serve camping sites. I was a quarter mile from the next nearest site. Certainly a tent oriented campground, RV’s would have a difficult time. Will certainly stay here again. The hiking trail was perfect for a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)

  • Mike G.
    Apr. 11, 2021

    Pulpit Rock Campground

    Nicely Kept Campground

    Really nicely kept camp ground. A bit too close to traffic for a completely quiet night. Bathrooms were warm and really clean, staff was really great and if youre bringing a pet, there were plenty of areas to walk. Fishing was really great catching several fish for dinner including some really nice size rainbow trout.

  • Clint  G.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Neshonoc Lakeside

    Great value as a TT member

    This campground came to us through Thousand Trails Collection.  At first we only had a W/E site and later was able to move to a full hook up site.  All sites has a gravel pad with a grass yard, fire ring, and picnic table.  The fire rings are sunk completely into the ground for some reason.  The lots were spacious and the property offered a large pool, hot tub, restrooms, showers, laundry room, fishing and canoeing.  This is a pet friendly park.

  • Tanner D.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Sidie Hollow County Ridge Campground

    Great place to get away

    My wife and I went there for the weekend and it was great. Clean and spacious sites. The bathrooms were even clean. They also provided free showers. The wood was a reasonable price and easily available at any time of the day. It was also pet friendly. I do wish that they hadn't cleared away so many trees. A little more shade would have been nice since we were in a tent. But other than that was was perfect.


Guide to Harpers Ferry

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Harpers Ferry, Iowa, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include Wyalusing State Park Campground

  • Enjoy spacious sites with beautiful views of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers at Wyalusing State Park Campground, perfect for a relaxing getaway with your pet.
  • This campground features amenities like drinking water, electric hookups, and picnic tables, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your dog.
  • With year-round access and plenty of hiking trails, your pet will love exploring the scenic surroundings.

Pet owners like the activities at Pikes Peak State Park Campground

  • At Pikes Peak State Park Campground, you can take your pet on picturesque hikes that overlook the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers.
  • The campground offers easy access to trails and beautiful scenery, making it a great spot for outdoor adventures with your four-legged companion.
  • Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and abundant wildlife while you and your pet relax in this well-reviewed campground.

Tips for camping with dogs near Harpers Ferry

  • When visiting Bloody Run County Park, be prepared for some train noise, but enjoy the scenic creekside views and ample space for your dog to roam.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet, as facilities like drinking water and showers may not be available at all sites, such as at Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry.
  • Always keep your dog on a leash and clean up after them to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone at campgrounds like Big Paint Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Harpers Ferry, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Harpers Ferry, IA is Wyalusing State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 59 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Harpers Ferry, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 104 dog-friendly camping locations near Harpers Ferry, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.