Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Missouri Valley, IA

Missouri Valley City Park features pet-friendly tent, RV, and glamping sites with electric hookups and picnic tables. Pets must remain leashed while in the park, with designated waste disposal areas throughout the grounds. The campground maintains clean facilities despite being located near active train tracks, with noise that may disturb some pets. Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground and Hitchcock County Nature Center also welcome pets, providing spacious tent sites nicely separated from one another and RV hookups. The bathrooms at these locations remain exceptionally clean, with Hitchcock Nature Center's facilities described as immaculate even during busy periods.

Hiking trails at Hitchcock Nature Center provide excellent pet exercise opportunities with unique Loess Hill formations that are one of only two such landscapes in the world. Pet owners should pack sufficient bug spray as mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly during summer months. Both Wilson Island and Hitchcock offer water access points where pets can cool off after trail activities. Most campgrounds in the area operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-pay systems, requiring cash payment upon arrival. Overnight camping fees range from $10 for tent sites to $25 for RV spots with hookups. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with many campers reporting sightings of butterflies, moths, and local birds while walking the trails with their pets.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Missouri Valley, Iowa (86)

    1. Hitchcock County Nature Center

    30 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 328-5833

    $10 - $50 / night

    "I pulled in late at night easy to navigate stayed the next day and did some trails apparently the land formations are 1 of only 2 in the world how about that Iowa."

    "if you want to get some hiking in that’s not just all flat walking this is a great place in this area. The views show you the vast farmland here and are great for sunrise and sunset!"

    2. Arrowhead Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 485-2295

    "There were plenty of pit toilets around and they were very clean. The grounds offer plenty of mowed trails to walk about which we enjoyed a lot with our dogs over the weekend."

    "Not a bad place to stop for the night, we were able to take the dogs hiking and didn’t have a problem."

    3. Missouri Valley City Park

    4 Reviews
    Missouri Valley, IA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 642-2857

    "It is right next to a busy railroad, but we cranked up our fans and barely noticed the trains and their horns."

    "Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep."

    4. Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Fort Calhoun, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 642-2069

    $15 - $23 / night

    "It is true that the campground is a big open space with little tree cover, but it is part of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, and there is a ton of trees, trails, and wildlife around the refuge."

    "Nice smaller park with good tent sites on Missouri River and next to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge."

    5. Lake Cunningham Campground

    10 Reviews
    Omaha, NE
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (531) 201-5754

    $15 - $40 / night

    "Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"

    "The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."

    6. Bob Hardy RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Blair, NE
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 426-4191

    $18 - $25 / night

    8. Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

    5 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 485-2295

    "There are two small camping areas near the entrance and two larger areas on the far side of the lake.

    We stayed in Site 20 on the far side."

    "Nice setting close to I80 without highway noise. It is first come so is probably busy in summer. Bathhouse was so clean and nice. Stop by office first to see if there are sights available."

    9. Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino

    8 Reviews
    Council Bluffs, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 329-6000

    $40 - $50 / night

    "Very convenient location close to lots of shopping and the convention center."

    10. Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Council Bluffs, IA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 366-0220

    $20 - $38 / night

    "Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean."

    "Our confirmation email included precise directions from I-29, with an interstate sign confirming the turn for Lake Manawa State Park, and provided the gate code for access."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Missouri Valley, IA

486 Reviews of 86 Missouri Valley Campgrounds


  • N K.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    Clean & kid friendly

    Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!

  • Frank B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Schildberg Recreation Area

    Hidden gem

    The trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that. Full hookups, shower house and huge dog park are also onsite making this a Cass County hidden gem. Camp host is great and and you're close to old downtown.

  • J
    Jun. 9, 2022

    Platte River State Park Campground

    Pleasant Surprise!

    We were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade. We only stayed one night but enjoyed the walk to the small waterfall in the park. There is a large dog park, clean restrooms and nice trails for walking.

  • Jason F.
    May. 13, 2022

    Platte River State Park Campground

    Perfect spot to explore Omaha and the Great Plains

    Platte River State Park is a beautiful, full service park with plenty of amenities. There are playgrounds and a splash pad for the kids, canoe rentals, and plenty of trails to hike or bike. Sites are concrete pads with full hookups and include a fire ring and picnic table. The campground also has a bathroom and dog park. 5 bars of AT&T @ 120Mbps!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2022

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Nice stopover

    This small campground is right off the interstate, easy to get to. It’s right by a small truck stop, but the noise was not bothersome at all. There is a small dog park for the pups. Bathrooms and showers are clean. One of our party is in a wheelchair and had no problem accessing the showers or bathroom. Hosts are very friendly. Sites are close, but for a one night stay that was just fine.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Nishna Bend Rec Area

    Nice no frills park. NO PETS….

    I didn’t stay here but did scout it out. Small park by the NishnaBotna river. I did see a camper there with his dog but website specifically says no pets.

  • J
    Jul. 27, 2021

    Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    Very relaxing

    I stayed at site 239 (tent) which seems to be the least busy area. There are nice docks for fishing and boating. A nice closed off area for swimming, but not area allows pets to swim. Very polite employees. Showers are kinda expensive and expect to hear the tracks right behind the camping area. I think a pet/person swim area would be nice but other than that it was a good stay.

  • K
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    Great state park!

    This is easily the coolest state park I’ve ever visited. On a walk from my campsite, I went by the marina, disc golf course, conservatory, activity center, stables and ropes course. It’s a bit pricey for camping and, my biggest pet peeve of a campsite, I can hear the interstate from my tent. But, overall, it’s a nice site, and I’d probably return.

    Oh, bring bug spray!!!!!

  • C
    Jul. 10, 2019

    Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area

    Decent for Short Trips or Fishing

    We primary stop by this site for fishing as the lake is regularly stocked. It's great for kayaking or small boats. There is very little shade available at this campground as it is a man-made area so bring the sunscreen. Fires are allowed and pets must be on leash. RV sites and tent camping site are available.


Guide to Missouri Valley

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

Tips for camping with dogs near Missouri Valley

  • At Hitchcock County Nature Center, pets are welcome, making it a great choice for those who want to explore the scenic trails with their dogs.
  • Bring cash for a hassle-free stay at Arrowhead Park Campground, where you can enjoy spacious sites and clean facilities while your pet enjoys the open space.
  • Ensure your pet is comfortable by packing plenty of water and food when visiting Wilson Island State Recreation Area, which offers a variety of outdoor activities and pet-friendly amenities.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Missouri Valley

Pet owners appreciate the amenities

  • Bob Hardy RV Park offers electric hookups and a clean shower house, making it a convenient stop for pet owners traveling through the area.
  • The well-maintained facilities at Tekamah Memorial Park include a dumping station and water hookups, ensuring a comfortable stay for you and your pet.
  • Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and ample space at Missouri Valley City Park, where pets are allowed and the park's amenities cater to a relaxing camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Missouri Valley, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Missouri Valley, IA is Hitchcock County Nature Center with a 4.7-star rating from 30 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Missouri Valley, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 86 dog-friendly camping locations near Missouri Valley, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.