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Dog-Friendly Camping near Marion, IA

100 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Wanatee Park features dedicated pet-friendly camping areas with fire rings, picnic tables, and water access throughout its established sites. Both tent and RV sites accommodate pets with water and electric hookups available. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground and Morgan Creek County Park also welcome pets with similar amenities, though site availability differs—Palisades-Kepler requires reservations while Morgan Creek operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers consistently mention the spacious nature of Wanatee Park's sites, making them ideal for families camping with dogs. Most campgrounds maintain standard leash policies and provide trash receptacles for pet waste disposal. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities with shower houses and modern restrooms positioned conveniently throughout the grounds.

    Trail systems connected to many Marion area campgrounds provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs and their owners. Wanatee Park connects directly to single-track trails perfect for morning dog walks. Multiple waterfront camping options include access to the Cedar River and Wapsipinicon River for fishing and water activities where pets can cool off during summer months. Morgan Creek's trails remain accessible year-round, though some areas suffered tree damage from recent storms. Winter camping options exist but with limited amenities during colder months as several campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October. Shower facilities at Linn County parks receive regular cleaning and maintenance, important for campers with muddy dogs after trail excursions. Sites typically include both shaded and open options with adequate space between neighbors for pet comfort.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Marion (100)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)

      4.8(6)3mi from MarionRVs, Tents

      "We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance.  Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. "

      "There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."

      from $23 - $33 / night

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      2. Pinicon Ridge Park

      4.6(10)12mi from MarionRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Dump available on entrance/exit.  The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table.  Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. "

      "Great county campground with water and electric sites, dump at exit. Bathrooms on loop B are dirty and dated. I suggest going up to the Plains loop and use it's facilities."

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      3. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

      4.2(9)10mi from Marion44 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."

      "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

      from $18 - $80 / night

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      4. Sugar Bottom Campground

      4.5(24)20mi from Marion244 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      5. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

      4.1(15)17mi from Marion43 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      6. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

      4.7(6)13mi from Marion61 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We stayed here for the easy access to the water for the Scouts to get out in canoes and fishing.  I have been camping here off and on for the last 25 years.  I have not had any issues at all. "

      "There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat."

      from $26 - $60 / night

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      7. Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground

      4.0(4)10mi from MarionRVs, Tents

      "Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway."

      "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping expirence but still have work or other things to get done."

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      8. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

      4.2(11)18mi from Marion51 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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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      9. Matsell Bridge Natural Area

      4.3(4)12mi from MarionRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up."

      "The first day my dog got off his leash and jumped into the river. An hour later he had gotten up the cliff and was in the woods and the DNR picked my up and took me back to camp."

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      10. West Overlook Campground

      4.5(19)22mi from Marion89 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Marion, IA

    57 Photos of 100 Marion Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Marion, IA

    453 Reviews of 100 Marion Campgrounds

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 9, 2024

      Horseshoe Pond

      Nice smaller CG in City of Maquoketa, Iowa

      CG offers gravel pads, tables, fire rings, electric, sump station, water, small pond with fishing, paddling, dog park. Close to stores for supplies, dining, fuel.

    • SThe Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 22, 2024

      Oelwein City Park

      This is a beautiful city park campground

      I enjoyed my 5 night stay at Oelwein City Park Campground. It's located on the south end of town, there is only one business within walking distance. It's a great restaurant (Oelwein Family Restaurant) and it's about a 15 minute walk.

      There is one shower house, and several vault toilets throughout the park. The shower house is old and a little run down but was very clean. I had no problems using it.

      The city park is adjacent to the campground and has picnic shelters, a playground, and a dog park.

      There are electric and water hookups at most sites, and there is a dump station. The park was pretty full on the weekend as you would expect, but very quiet during the week.

      I had great Verizon and T-mobile service here.

    • L
      Aug. 22, 2020

      Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

      Something for everyone

      Great RV park. Lots of room and cabin rentals for folks that don’t have an RV. The fenced dog park was fantastic for those of us with dogs. A lake with beach area and an area for fishing founded it out! Would recommend!

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 24, 2021

      Horseshoe Pond

      Small City CG in Maquoketa Iowa

      CG lies within Maquoketa and is seasonal. Has pond for fishing, shelter, dog park, playset, disc golf course. Sites are pulling, have electric and fire pits. Camp supplies including wood in nearby stores. Prairie Creek runs along south of CG.

    • C
      Oct. 5, 2022

      Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

      No Pets?

      Was 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

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 25, 2022

      Koch's Meadow Lake Campground

      Private CG with lake

      This CG is a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming.

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 16, 2025

      West Overlook Campground

      A darn good dam campground

      This 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.

    • Brett F.
      Aug. 5, 2021

      Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

      Camping & Caves

      This is one of our favorite parks in the Midwest. We usually make a day trip from Chicagoland, but this time we camped at the park. We are glad we did!

      You really can't go wrong with any trail or cave. The kids enjoyed hiking between Lower- and Upper-Dancehall Caves. The trail goes underground and through some water. Window Cave was also a hit. You can climb up about 5-7 feet and out the "window". The kids felt like real spelunkers!

      While the park is usually crowded during the day, we find it nearly empty beginning in the late afternoons on the weekdays we visited. It felt like we had the place to ourselves.

      The campground is about a five minute walk to the park's main entrances. The campground was very quiet... just the way we like it. There is a family of cats that hang around: they visit from a nearby dairy farm. The kids loved this added attraction. The dog did not.

      The bathroom and shower house is clean. There is only one. So it gets pretty busy during "flush hour". Our campsite was right next to the bathroom/ shower and dumpster. We noticed flies and the occasional whiff of trash.

      We'll continue visiting this park. And we look forward to camping on site.