50 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground permits pets throughout its tent, RV, and cabin sites, making it a popular choice for campers traveling with dogs. The park's 10 miles of trails provide excellent opportunities for pet exercise, with some trails specifically designated for horseback riders. Sites are spacious and well-shaded by large trees, though some tent sites may be packed close together or positioned on slopes. Marlin Fogle Recreation Area and Wilson Lake County Park also welcome pets at their campsites, with Wilson Lake featuring small, quiet grounds off gravel roads in farmland settings. The area's camping sites maintain consistent pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal.
Grand Trace State Forest offers free dispersed camping with pets allowed, providing a more primitive option for campers seeking less developed facilities. Eagle Ridge RV Park maintains well-kept grounds with full hookups and pet-friendly policies, while small towns like Bedford offer access to supplies at the local Hy-Vee or Dollar General. Seasonal considerations affect pet comfort, with many parks open April through December. The no-wake Lake of Three Fires provides fishing opportunities where pets can accompany owners, though swimming is generally limited to designated beach areas where pets may be restricted. Sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and clean bathrooms enhance comfort for both pets and their owners, though firewood availability varies by campground.
"There is a fishing pond at the entrance of the campground. The pond also has a walking trail around it. By site 6, there are two outhouses, a covered picnic shelter and a playground."
"There are several nice hikes around the park and across the street is a sizable lake, and you're only a mile or two from town."
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Spots don't have a view of the lake which is a little odd. And there's a town right there. Surprising number of people at the campground for this time of the year."
"There is a legend about how the Lake of 3 Fires got its name. The legend says that the “Fire Nation”, which was a local Pottawatomi tribe, lived in the area around Southwest Iowa."
"This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Iowa. It has a good sized lake for fishing and kayaking, but not to big for large speed boats."
from $14 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Just scouted, sites are within spitting distance of each other. Only 30amp, No dump facility. Could have a problem if you encountered another rig if it was wet. The lake looks nice."
"We were there in very early spring so could not use the swimming pool or small lake but the walks around the area were very nice."
"One of the best experiences on a site close to the 35, but far enough away you wouldn't know it. Good wifi. If you're looking for a beautiful park, this is it!"
from $38 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Very nice place, close to the lake. Beach at walking distance through the trail. Fishing area, two kid playgrounds and at around 15 minutes to any grocery stores and gas stations."
"This is the best State Park campground in SW Iowa, it has everything anyone needs...love it here and the views are beautiful!"
from $16 - $96 / night
Check Availability"Nine Eagles is near Lamoni, Iowa near the Iowa-Missouri border right off of Interstate 35. I camped here with my son and his Boy Scout troop in the youth group part of the campground."
"Site 4 - close to the water spigot and a modest walk to the bathroom/showerhouse."
from $12 - $75 / night
Check Availability
GuideI just loved this campground. It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room. It is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset. There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground. This was well worth the 20 mile drive off I80. If I had known how m=nice this area was, I would have planned better and stayed here for more than one night.
GuideTerrific small town RV park in Iowa. Long, level pull thru's and back ins, playground, dog walk, DELICIOUS on site restaurant. Clubhouse with immaculate laundry and individual showers, everything is new and cashless. Outstanding staff, friendly and helpful, shoutout to electrician (and footbal fan) Eric who made o ur day.
LegendNine Eagles is near Lamoni, Iowa near the Iowa-Missouri border right off of Interstate 35. I camped here with my son and his Boy Scout troop in the youth group part of the campground. I can't speak for the rest of the park's camping facilities, but the youth group site is a large open space surrounded by tall trees. The grass is well maintained and the campsite is clean and beautiful. There are not any bathroom facilities at the campsite which is why I give it four instead of five stars, but the park is beautiful and a peaceful place to camp. I wish I would have had my camera with me to take some pictures to share.
GuideCriss Cove’s campground sits on a hill overlooking a small lake. It is a generally quiet and serene campground. It is just off of US Highway 169. The lake is good for fishing and kayaking. The gravel campsites are adequately spaced for most RVs.
The campground is located in Madison County Iowa (of “The Bridges of Madison County” book and movie fame). It is located about 15 minutes south of Winterset Iowa. Winterset is the birthplace of John Wayne and the town has a museum dedicated to him. There is also a county historical museum complex and the Iowa quilt museum.
GuideFirst, there is no dump station! All sites have water and electricity with 20, 30, and 60 amp plugs. The sites are 20 dollars. The campsites located near the entrance are pull-through but need maintenance. The campsites along the lake will support short to medium length RVs or trailers, and all are back in. As of this posting, all are not level and in poor condition. The city of Huneston, Iowa is a few minutes away and has several gas stations and a grocery store.
GuideThere is a legend about how the Lake of 3 Fires got its name. The legend says that the “Fire Nation”, which was a local Pottawatomi tribe, lived in the area around Southwest Iowa. Later 2 other tribes decided to join the “Fire Nation” and the 3 became known as “Three Fires”. The Tribes burned 3 fires atop hills to signify that as long as the 3 fires were burning the tribes were together. Now on the spot where the fires burned, is said to be the Iowa State Park “Lake of 3 Fires”
Located in Southwest Iowa just north of the county seat of Bedford Iowa, is a little hidden treasure for outdoor enthusiasts and campers. When looking for a campground everyone has an opinion on what amenities and activities they want- fishing, hiking, boating, and horseback riding are some of the more popular choices and the Lake of Three Fires has all these and more. The actual lake is only 85 acres but has excellent fishing and is surrounded by 691 acres of beautiful trees with hiking and equestrian trails, fishing jetties and a sandy beach.
For those who are planning more than a day trip to the Lake of 3 Fires there are several options available. Located only a very short walk from the Lake are two modern campgrounds nestled in trees. There are over 100 site options for campers. For the RV or trailer enthusiasts there are 24 standard electric sites and 63 non-electric sites, plus 3 buddy sites. In addition, there are 23 equestrian sites (some electrical) and 1 equestrian buddy site along with plenty of holding stalls and tie outs for horses. They are located just east of the main camping grounds but still close enough to walk down to the lake. There are nice clean restroom and shower facilities, children’s play areas and a trailer dump station. Some of the campsites have also been made handicap accessible.
For those families who don’t have a camper or RV but want to experience camping at the Lake of 3 fires there are 6 family cabins which can accommodate 4- 6 people. They are heated and cooled with the basic essentials- stove, microwave and refrigerator. There are also open shelters and a youth group area that offer a place to rent for large group gatherings. There are picnic areas available that are first come first serve. There are plenty of tables and grills if you are just making a day trip but camping is the way to go at the Lake of 3 Fires so you have time to experience everything.
Many of the camp sites, cabins and shelters are available to reserve online at the Department of Natural Resources website- however there are some that are first come first serve. It is very convenient and easy to reserve your spot online. Highly recommended if you plan on traveling any distance- a guaranteed spot of your choice is worth the few minutes it takes to go online and reserve. You can even look at a map of the campsites and pick where you want your site to be. You can see not only where your site will be but it tells you the electrical voltage, the length and other important information about the site you are choosing.
The camp sites are kept clean, well maintained and are big enough you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. The bathhouses are centrally located in the campground and offer clean bathroom and shower facilities for campers.
Once you have your camper set and are ready to enjoy your weekend it will be hard to decide where to start. The Lake itself offers many activities. There are 2 boat ramps if you want to go out on the ‘no wake” lake. There are plenty of fish to be caught including bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. If you don’t have a license to fish you can run into town and pick one up at the courthouse or the Bedford Country Store located right on Hwy 2, very easy to find! There is a dock where you can fish and it also has a cleaning station also available. There are several fishing jetties where you can take a chair and set up to find the perfect spot. From your spot on the lake you might catch a glimpse of some people enjoying a beautiful day on the lake on their canoes or kayaks.
For the hunters, there is a 220 acre public hunting ground to the north and 160 acres to the south. You would of course want to check with the DNR for hunting and gaming regulations.
Not into hunting and fishing? Prefer something a bit more relaxing? Well head down to the beach area which is just a short walk from the camp grounds. There you find a small but very nice beach area for swimming. Not in the mood to swim? Then grab some friends for a game of sand volleyball or perhaps pitch horseshoes. The beach area is perfect place to relax with a good book or play some games with friends. The best part is to get there from the campgrounds you take a beautiful short scenic walk.
Perhaps one of the best parts about the Lake of 3 Fires is the 10 miles of trails the intertwine around the entire Lake. There are some specific trails for hiking but some others that offer horseback riders an amazing view of the lake. The great thing about the trails is how they snake around each other- you could discover a new path every time you go. The trials are nicely marked with “you are here “maps so you don’t get lost. There are beautiful views of the Lake from the far side where you can see clear across to the campgrounds. In the winter after a good snow, they say snow mobiles can also use the trails.
Bedford is only a few miles away so you can run into the local Hy-Vee for Groceries or stop by Dollar General if you forgot something. There are 2 gas stations in town as well that both have pizza, drinks and snacks if you need to stock up.
Getting to the Lake of 3 Fires isn’t hard at all From Bedford just go east out of town for about 1/2 mile on Hwy 2. Then turn north on Lake Road, keep going for about 3 miles and Lake of Three Fires is located on the west side. The roads are a bit windy but everything is paved including the main roads of the park. For a short weekend getaway of a weeklong camping adventure, the Lake of 3 Fires has plenty to offer everyone in your camping group.
LegendThis is a great little park just east of New Virginia, Iowa. I went to the park with my son and Boy Scout Troop for a night hike, that is why there are no pictures. This is a great little park. The hiking trails are pretty easy going through the forest and then opening up next to old Native American burial mounds. This is really a great place to pitch a tent. It is clean and well maintained.
GuideThis lake has multiple campgrounds spread throughout. It one of the only lakes in Iowa where you can drive your boats fast. Great fireworks show on the 4th of July.
GuideThis is a city campground on the outskirts of town that does not feel that way. It sits right next to a park. White rock roads and pads. It has some full hook up sites as well as water and electric sites. Overall a nice place to say.
Mount Ayr sits in the rolling hills of Ringgold County at an elevation of 1,196 feet, experiencing hot summers and cold winters typical of Iowa's continental climate. The area contains several smaller lakes and reservoirs within a 30-mile radius, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Fall camping season typically runs from September through early November when daytime temperatures range from 50-70°F.
Fishing at Green Valley State Park: The 85-acre lake offers excellent fishing opportunities with bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. One camper noted, "Fish, boat, hike or bike. Sit by a campfire or visit with your neighbor. This is the place to be!" The park also features a bike trail that circles the entire lake.
Hiking through Nine Eagles: The park offers beautiful woodland trails ideal for day hikes. A visitor shared, "Absolutely beautiful park and really nice trails." The paths wind through dense forest and provide scenic views of the park's lake, making it perfect for pet-friendly outings.
Explore Amish country: Grand Trace State Forest provides a convenient base for exploring nearby Amish communities. "In Amish country. About eight fire rings. Probably could park anywhere and camp regardless of rings," reports one camper. The forest is approximately 30 minutes from Bethany where visitors can find supplies.
Disc golf at Lake of Three Fires: The park features a complete disc golf course that winds through wooded areas. A visitor mentioned, "It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing." The course offers a mix of open and wooded holes suitable for various skill levels.
Clean facilities: Green Valley State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The facilities were super clean," noted one camper, while another mentioned, "Clubhouse with immaculate laundry and individual showers, everything is new."
Peaceful settings: The smaller campgrounds provide quiet environments away from crowds. At Wilson Lake County Park, a camper reported, "Small, quiet place. We were the only campers." Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of these smaller parks for pet-friendly camping near Mount Ayr.
Lake views: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites with direct lake access. At Lake of Three Fires State Park, "Site 55 is an absolute GEM. Spacious and right on the water!" The lakeside sites provide convenient access for fishing and wildlife viewing with pets.
Shade coverage: Mature trees provide relief from summer heat. "We love this campground for the large trees and shade they provide in the summer," commented a Lake of Three Fires visitor. The natural canopy keeps camping areas notably cooler during hot Iowa summers.
Site variations: Campsite quality varies significantly within parks. At Nine Eagles State Park, "At a guess the basic sites aren't used much as they seemed less kept than the electric sites." Some tent sites may be sloped or uneven, requiring careful selection.
Limited supplies: Most campgrounds are in rural areas with minimal nearby services. "The park is pretty rural, so if you need to make an emergency grocery or supplies run you might be out of luck," warned one Lake of Three Fires visitor. Bedford offers the nearest Hy-Vee and Dollar General for most supplies.
Firewood availability: Firewood must often be purchased off-site. "Firewood is not sold on the campground, so you can burn what's on the ground or head to Hyvee for some wood in town," explained a camper. Some sites like Eagle Ridge RV Park do sell firewood on-site.
Seasonal facilities: Water may be turned off in certain areas during shoulder seasons. One Nine Eagles visitor reported, "The water wasn't turned on in the basic site loop (we later discovered it was also off at the swimming beach)." Check with parks directly during spring and fall visits.
Playground access: Marlin Fogle Rec Area offers newer recreation facilities for children. "Looks like new facility," noted a visitor, though they cautioned sites are close together at approximately 25 feet apart. Green Valley also features "two kid playgrounds" within walking distance of camping areas.
Beach activities: Several lakes have designated swimming areas with sand beaches. "Beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon," shared a Lake of Three Fires camper. The beach areas often include volleyball courts and nearby picnic facilities.
Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort while pet camping near Mount Ayr, cabins provide an alternative to tents. Nine Eagles has "new rental cabin almost finished," according to a visitor. Lake of Three Fires offers "6 family cabins which can accommodate 4-6 people" with basic amenities.
Wildlife viewing: The parks provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "There are lots of deer in the area at all hours of the day, so keep an eye out for them when traveling to and from town," advised one camper. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Full hookup options: Eagle Ridge RV Park provides complete services for RVers. "Great place for a quick overnight or longer stay. We stayed in a long FHU pull-through in a Class A," reported one visitor. The park maintains well-kept grounds with level sites.
Dump station locations: Check availability before arrival as not all parks offer dumping facilities. "No dump facility," noted a visitor to Sands Timber Rec Area. Lake of Three Fires and Green Valley State Park do provide sanitary dump stations for RV campers.
Electric limitations: Power options vary between parks. "Only 30amp," reported a visitor about Sands Timber Rec Area, while Buffalo Run RV Park offers both 30 and 50-amp service. Verify electrical requirements before booking to ensure compatibility with your RV.
Site lengths: Size restrictions exist at some campgrounds. "Small campground with available spot with 2 days notice," noted an Eagle Ridge RV Park visitor. Wilson Lake County Park may not accommodate larger rigs due to its compact layout and gravel access roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mount Ayr, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mount Ayr, IA is Fifes Grove Co Park with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mount Ayr, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dog-friendly camping locations near Mount Ayr, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
