7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Riverview Park Campground's spacious sites accommodate both RV and tent campers with pets throughout its operating season from April 15 to October 1. The grounds are well kept with clearly defined camping areas near the Iowa River. All pets must remain leashed in the campground, and waste disposal stations are positioned near the camping loops. Full hookup sites provide electric, water, and sewer connections for RVs, while tent campers have access to non-electric sites further from the highway. Union Grove State Park Campground and Timmons Grove County Park also welcome pets with similar policies requiring leashes at all times. Campers note the grounds are never too busy even on holiday weekends, allowing ample space for dogs to enjoy their surroundings without crowding.
Hiking opportunities with leashed dogs abound on the nearby Comet Trail, accessible from Wolf Creek Recreation Area where several tent sites offer privacy away from neighboring campers. The Iowa River provides water access for dogs that enjoy swimming, though owners should be aware of seasonal water conditions. Most campgrounds feature playground areas alongside camping loops where leashed pets can accompany families. Rock Creek State Park's campsites positioned along the lakeshore allow fishing directly from tent sites, making it convenient for pet owners to relax while keeping their dogs nearby. Summertime temperatures in Iowa can reach uncomfortable levels for pets, so campers should ensure adequate shade and water access, particularly at Rock Creek where limited shade options exist in some camping areas.
"Nice Iowa State Park campground just outside of Grenell Iowa. On a lake. Hundreds of sites. So many of the non-electric test sites look amazing."
"Stopped overnight on our way home from Iowa City. No reservations & took our chances on finding an electric site. Score! Neighbors were friendly."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $40 / night
"There are good hiking trails, including a walk through some wildflowers. Bird watchers will love this place. Also expect to see deer and turkeys."
"A few trails to hike and a horse camp that I didn’t have time to explore. Nice lending library as well. Bathroom/shower combos are nice (1 is ADA). Not far off the interstate."
"Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing."
Available this weekend
from $18 - $90 / night
"Wolf Creek is a nice little campground near Beaman, IA (Beaman is very small, near Conrad as well which has a grocery store)."
"A nice campground located on the comet trail."
from $10 - $17 / night
"The park is set up to handle a large amount of horses with access to the trails throughout the park. The Iowa river backs up the park, and I felt it was a nice and peaceful evening. "
"Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in rural"
"Our little dog especially liked the two chicken coops at east side of the the campground! (Not noisy or any problem - just a reminder that you are in Iowa!)."
"Jump into the nearby water and let the kids have a blast! Enjoy a nice fun night away from home!"
"This campground is near home so I know it well. The campground itself is nice, with some decent sized campsites, many having a great view of upper Pine Lake. There are flush toilets and showers."
"The park is adjacent to Pine Lake and water based recreation is available including swimming beach and boating. The campground is off a paved road and is near to town."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $90 / night
"rural Iowa."
"Newton KOA This is the primary location for camping in Newton. It’s right off interstate I-80 and is very close to the Iowa Speedway."
ScoutKurt and Debbie are awesome. Couldn’t ask for better hosts. Campground has several ponds to fish and a small beach area. Being from Florida, I’ll say the beach is adorable! Dollar general is 2 minutes away. Has food side as well. Propane fill 2 minutes away. Several playgrounds, frisbee golf and shower houses. Lots of regular campers here on weekends so plenty of people to meet in season. I’m here for work so a bit different for me.
GuideLake Considine, IA. 5 out of 5. 10/28/26
Would recommend. Free. Friendly passerby’s. Gravel road no potholes. Fish galore. Pull in is nice and smooth. Quiet. Saw deer. Coyotes in distance. Fire pit area. Worn out table there. Boat load in. Beautiful scenery.
LegendVery nice state park campground. There are cabins as well as campsites. The park is adjacent to Pine Lake and water based recreation is available including swimming beach and boating. The campground is off a paved road and is near to town. There is a walking path to the boat launch from the campground. Biking/hiking trails are on property.
LegendSmall park with basic amenities along the river. There is a big event center at the entrance and keep going back and the campground is there along the river. This would be a great area for paddling the river. Seemed pretty quite and spaces are moderately spread out. There is a rifle range on the property if that interests you (negatively or positively- there is a photo of the rules in my review). No shooting while I was there.
LegendCute small park/campground in Iowa farm country. Inexpensive and quaint. Has a small creek nearby. Kids play area too. Basic amenities.
GuideNot free $10 a night.
GuideNot free. $10 a night. Haven’t been here yet just writing a review to let everyone know it’s not free.
TravelerNice quiet campground. The front looks like more long timers and it was a little noisier up there but I drove to the back loop and it's nice and quiet back here. PLENTY of 50/30/20 amp hookups and the shower house in the back was nice. Water was just lukewarm but it was hot out so no problem. Might be less pleasant in colder weather though. Pull through spots available. I would stay here again for sure.
LegendWe came here for a visit and we’re going to stay but the online reservation system was difficult for us with Canadian coverage in cell phones.
We carried on to black hawk instead as they had easier first come first serve but this place was much nicer.
The sites were large and mostly private. It did seem a bit “wet”
We even saw a deer
Rock Creek State Park Campground offers tent sites positioned directly on the water's edge, providing excellent accessibility for anglers. The campground features both RV sites with full hookups and tent-only areas with varying levels of privacy. Marshalltown area campgrounds remain operational from spring through fall, with most facilities closing between October and April due to Iowa's seasonal conditions. Water activities and hiking opportunities complement the camping experience, with several sites offering direct lake access.
Disc golf at Rock Creek: Play a round at the course within Rock Creek State Park Campground where "There are lots of restroom facilities located around the lake that are pretty clean. For activities you can go hiking, fishing, there is disc golf and there is a beach to go swimming in," according to reviewer Willy W.
Kayak rental options: Rent watercraft directly from campground marinas for lake exploration. "You can also rent fishing boats, pontoons, kayaks, and canoes," notes Elisha L. about Rock Creek State Park Campground facilities, allowing water access without transporting personal equipment.
Hiking the Comet Trail: Access multiple connecting paths from Wolf Creek Rec Area where trails connect to broader networks. "A nice campground located on the comet trail," confirms Chris C., making this location ideal for hikers seeking longer routes.
Peaceful weekday camping: Mid-week stays offer significantly quieter experiences than weekends. At Pine Lake State Park Campground, "Can get busy on the weekends but if you camp mid-week you may be the only folks around. Very peaceful," according to MitchRoeschlein.
Lake fishing access: Multiple campgrounds feature direct shoreline fishing opportunities. "We caught so many fish here we had to actually let some loose because we were over our limit," reports Cj C. about the fishing at Rock Creek, highlighting the productive waters.
Updated bathroom facilities: Recent renovations have improved amenities at several campgrounds. Pine Lake campers appreciate that "they've recently updated the bathroom/shower houses to be shared bathroom spaces with individual shower 'closets' on the opposite side of the building. Excellent upgrade!" as MitchRoeschlein notes.
Highway noise considerations: Select sites based on proximity to major roads. At Riverview Park Campground, "It is right next to the highway. When I was there in a tent, the hog trucks would drive by all night (loud and smelly). The RV sites are closest to the road, so maybe it is not so bad in an RV," warns Kerry M.
Seasonal water conditions: Lake conditions vary throughout camping season. At Union Grove, water activities remain popular but fluctuate with rainfall and usage. "Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing," explains Kerry M.
Site spacing varies: Campsites at some locations provide minimal separation. "Very nice lake. Very nice grass for your tent. The sites both tent and RV are simply too close for you to enjoy the place. Camp fires every 10 feet," notes Bruce K. about Rock Creek's layout.
Playground accessibility: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Timmons Grove County Park offers "Nice playground if you have kids," according to Carol, making it suitable for families with younger children needing activity options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Marshalltown, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Marshalltown, IA is Rock Creek State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Marshalltown, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 84 dog-friendly camping locations near Marshalltown, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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