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Windmill Ridge Campground accepts pets at both tent and RV sites while offering cabin rental options for travelers with dogs. The campground, located just outside Kalona, maintains clean, quiet campsites with well-maintained gravel roads easily accessible for trucks, RVs, and trailers. F.W. Kent Park and Sugar Bottom Campground also welcome pets, providing designated pet areas and trail access. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to remain leashed outside vehicles and campsites, with owners responsible for waste cleanup. The family-friendly environment at Windmill Ridge includes competitively priced sites for various camping styles, available from April through November.
Hills Access Campground provides riverfront sites where pets can cool off during summer months. The $15 per night electric sites accommodate tent and RV campers with pets, though drinking water is not available onsite. Marr Park features concrete trails suitable for dog walking, especially beneficial for owners with mobility concerns. The park includes electric and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at pet-friendly sites. Campers should bring plenty of bottled water for consumption as some reviewers note the campground water has an unpleasant odor. A paved walking trail connects the park to the nearby town approximately one mile away, providing additional exercise options for dogs. The quiet rural location offers shaded sites, natural areas, and access to local convenience stores and gas stations within a short drive.
"We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."
"It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."
"Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."
from $14 - $260 / night
Check Availability"Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and"
"Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped"
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."
"LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."
from $22 - $28 / night
Check Availability"Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two."
"Awesome place by the Iowa river.. clean and quiet, no drinking water..."
"24 years ago River Jct Lone Tree Iowa was Just stumptown. Outhouse at the top. Just a spot by the river. A lone camper. How things have changed . Still primitive tent campgrounds there."
"My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "
"Close access to boating and town"
from $26 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Close to major highway. Gravel sites. Clean campground. Many paved and grass walking trails surrounded by trees and natural areas. Bath/shower house is under construction. Child’s play equipment."
"There are trails and fishing ponds, play grounds and picnic shelters. It is nice for group camping, but you are so close to other campers."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."
"This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful."
from $14 - $25 / night
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LegendThis 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.
LegendWhile it was our first time camping in Iowa, we were extremely lucky to land upon this slightly hidden fresh water centered campground just a 20 minute drive south of Route 80 near Montezuma, wherein one needs only follow Road#63, before coming across Diamond Lake County Park. With the fall colors being in full bloom when we visited, the entire campground was awash in bright yellows, reds and oranges from the changing colors of the leaves. Also, as we were visiting in mid-October, versus some of the other reviews here, we found that we had the place mostly to ourselves, which made for a rather peaceful sublime respite we were searching for.
As for the campground itself, what we enjoyed most was how this location is, for the most part, very well organized in keeping the RV'ers and 5th Wheeler crowds together, while preserving a nice slice of verdant lakeside pasture for us primitive camper types. Each of the sites for camping come equipped with (in most cases) fairly new aluminum picnic tables, fire ring with folding BBQ grill. While we didn’t stay in the RV areas, given our tent-pitching persuasion, what we did see was fairly impressive and looked altogether rather brand new with freshly poured concrete slots and fairly mint-looking RV hook-ups (50 amp electric and water) and this same area also boasted a brand new restroom facilities.
Obviously, the main attraction here is Diamond Lake itself, with its more than 90 acres of fresh water, albeit murky fresh water, was certainly a hit with this camping family. We enjoyed being able to get out on the lake with our kayaks and canoes as well as go for very long walks around the circumference of the lake itself, with which you will find simply splendid trails. And if that’s not enough exploration for you, then head further inland and away from the lake to explore this parks other 660 acres of grassy prairieland.
From an amenities standpoint, there’s a decent amount, including: three shower houses, four shelters, 2 dump stations, three his / her latrines (some much more dated than others), boat ramp and fishing dock, a dedicated fish cleaning station and what looked to be a fairly new kids playground. In all there’s a total of 120 sites to choose from, with 80 designated for RVs / 5th Wheelers and 40 earmarked for primitive camping, which do not come with any electric, which was on one hand the biggest bummer, but on the other hand, offered up front-row access to lakeside camping bliss as many of these primitive campsites are located right on the water’s edge.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Check-in is self-registration and is done onsite, so net-net, this place is first-come, first served as no online or advanced registration is taken. While we didn’t mind this, and given that we arrived right around noon as folks were actually checking out, we got the ‘pick of the litter’ of campsites. Electric sites are $20 / night and non-electric are $10, so this place is incredibly affordable; (2) If you are looking for some grub nearby after growing weary of another meal of franks & beans, then there’s really just a few nearby options: Subway, Sauced Pizza & Pub, Casey’s and Yolanda’s Tacos over in the little town of Montezuma; (3) While there are actually few different campgrounds here at Diamond Lake, for primitive campers, the best sites IMHO are located as far southwest as you can possible go around the lake, where there’s more than a dozen or so sites that sit right in front of the water and present a completely isolated surrounding.
Happy Camping!
ScoutWas looking forward to camping there until I found out they do not allow pets at tent sites. Apparently they don’t feel responsible pet owners use tents. Not happy will never stay there
LegendThis CG is a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming.
LegendThis campground is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of an outdoor recreation complex around a large dam on the Iowa River. The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay. The recreation area also includes campgrounds and river recreation downstream of the dam, including a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils exposed in the flood of 1993.
This review is for the West Overlook campground located on the lakeside upstream of the dam. This is one of the larger campgrounds at Coralville Lake, and is popular due to the large sandy beach, the modern boatlaunch area, and options for a variety of kinds of campsites in separate loops. Some of the loops are close to the lake or in various heights overlooking the lake, some loops are tucked into beautiful shady woods further inland. As a tent camper I chose one of the loops in the woods as the sites are larger and quieter and more spacious. All of the loops seem family friendly and pretty quiet even though pretty full. There are new modern bath houses with showers, and hiking trails all around. There is easy access to a nearby mountain bike trail complex, the state park, fishing, and boating. This seems to be a camping destination for a lot of folks in the area, but is also an easy stopover right off Interstate 80 for folks on road trips. It is also a nice and inexpensive basecamp for folks visiting Iowa City or the University of Iowa, only about a 15-20 minute drive away. My most recent time camping here was this month, May 2025, but I have camped here many times in the past as far back as 1964, and the campground improvements and recreation opportunities have just gotten better and better over the years. Its a popular location, so Spring camping is quieter; fall camping is also quiet, and the fall leaves are beautiful then.
ScoutClean, quiet and well set campsite for all camping styles. Set well off the main road, the gravel road is well maintained, graded well for easy driveable whee truck, rvs or trailers. Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two. Check it out, don't believe you will regret it. Peace fellow travelers.
LegendNice location to spend time fishing, watching sunsets, and paddle. Near Wild Cat Den State Park.
LegendGreat fishing, near Fairport Fish Hatchery, and Wild Cat Den State Park.
LegendJust off Highway 22 and runs along Mississippi River and railroad tracks. Shady sites, showers, 50 amp service, fish cleaning station, playground, and small amphitheater for naturalist programs. Near Wild Cat Den SP, Fairport Rec Area, and Towns of Buffalo to north & Muscatine to south ( food, drinks, supplies)
F. W. Kent Park offers spacious, natural campsites with both RV and tent options 20 minutes northwest of Kalona. The park features a mix of wooded and open sites ranging from $11-20 per night, with most offering electric hookups. Several campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
Fishing at multiple locations: Sugar Bottom Campground provides excellent lake access for anglers. "Great campground, cheap sites with electric and water even for tent campers... Great beach swimming area. Fun for all," notes camper Steve T. The campground sits on Coralville Reservoir with numerous fishing spots.
Hiking trail access: F. W. Kent Park features a two-mile trail around the lake with multiple access points from the campground. "There is about a two mile trail circumventing the entire lake. I was there in early October so the weather was too chilly to use the nice beach," says Lisa S. The park also offers "forest, prairie, wetland habitats" according to James M.
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds offer swimming access during summer months. West Overlook Campground includes "a day use area with picnic tables, picnic shelter, volleyball court, beach and playground" along with boating access. The sandy beach area provides a designated swimming zone with gradual entry points suitable for families.
Spacious sites: West Overlook Campground receives consistent praise for well-designed sites. One camper notes, "Sites are all back in/pull in, and most are parallel to each other. Most parking pads are gravel but there are some concrete pads." Another camper appreciated their experience: "We stayed in campsite W44, a very level site with a great view of the lake."
Clean facilities: Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. "The bathroom/shower room was large and clean," reports Kathy C. Another camper mentioned, "Clean bathrooms and showers! After a long drive it felt nice to get settled in quickly."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the area offer opportunities to see local wildlife. At Lake Macbride State Park, campers report "saw wild turkeys and dear almost every day walking the camp grounds," while the primitive campground offers "plenty of wildlife, great for fishing, or just relaxing." Expect encounters with raccoons, deer, and various bird species.
Water quality issues: Several campgrounds have reported water concerns. For Marr Park, one camper advises, "Bring plenty of bottled water for consumption. The water has an awful smell." This issue appears seasonal at some locations.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with some sites closing earlier depending on weather conditions. Lake Macbride State Park remains open year-round but with limited winter services. "Stayed just overnight and enjoyed the dam at sunset. Stayed here the weekend before the Derecho damaged so many of the trees," noted one camper.
Site differences: The terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. Hills Access sites cost "$15 a night, electric only" according to Shelton A., while F.W. Kent Park offers "$20 for RV Campspot with electric, sewer dump at park entrance." Sugar Bottom provides "water and electric even for tent campers" with variable pricing based on amenities.
Playgrounds and activities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Kalona feature dedicated play areas. F.W. Kent Park includes "a few playgrounds that my grandkids loved," according to Sue K. The Conservation Education Center at the park offers seasonal programs.
Beach access for kids: River Junction provides riverfront access where children can wade during summer months. However, one visitor noted, "Due to the lack of signage and privacy in between the official campsites, I rate 3 stars. It was very beautiful and peaceful, but it was very confusing in the dark."
Private sites for families: Consider which campground sections offer more seclusion. "The primitive south camp site at lake macbride, iowa...is spacious, beautiful and peaceful," reports April W., who adds it has "two views of the lake, a modern bathroom and a pit style bathroom as well, no showers though."
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds require substantial leveling equipment. At Beyonder Getaway, one RVer advises, "Bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes." Another noted the land "is not flat. The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper."
Electric options: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Kalona offer 30-amp service, with limited 50-amp availability. Hills Access Campground provides "$15 per night, electric only" sites that accommodate both tent and RV campers, though without water hookups at individual sites.
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. West Overlook Campground features a "double-hole dump station that can be accessed in both directions," while F.W. Kent Park has a "sewer dump at park entrance." Sugar Bottom receives high marks for its "fantastic amenities including hot showers and nice bathrooms and a cleaning station with sink basin for camping dishes."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Kalona, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Kalona, IA is F. W. Kent Park with a 4.7-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Kalona, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 82 dog-friendly camping locations near Kalona, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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