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Yellow River State Forest's pet-friendly campgrounds provide multiple options for camping with dogs near New Albin, Iowa. Big Paint Campground and Little Paint Campground both welcome pets with accessible sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. Campers report the campgrounds are generally quiet with spacious sites that offer privacy between neighbors. Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit offers free dispersed camping where pets are allowed, providing a more primitive experience for those seeking solitude. Upper Iowa Resort and Rental maintains pet-friendly cabins along with tent and RV sites, operating from April 15 to October 15 with electric hookups and shower facilities.
Nearby Prairie Island City Campground features an enclosed dog park directly across the street where pets can run while supervised. The Root River Trail system provides excellent opportunities for hiking with dogs, with several pet-friendly campgrounds positioned along the trail for convenient access. Campgrounds in the region typically require pets to remain leashed when outside the designated dog areas. Very cool secluded walk-in sites are available at Wildcat Mountain State Park, which maintains pet-friendly policies and excellent hiking trails. Most campgrounds in the area provide fire rings and picnic tables at pet-friendly sites, though some locations have specific pet-free zones to accommodate campers with allergies.
"From our site (30) we had a nice view of the water which was about a 3min walk. Site was mostly level with gravel, picnic table and fire pit/grate."
"We had site 40west and it was larger, but too close to the smelly pit toilets. Showers nice, hot and clean. The tent sites looked spacious, but not very private."
from $18 - $40 / night
Check Availability"It was also VERY close to several other sites. If you are looking for more privacy, I would suggest a site like 34. Absolutely no cell service, which can be nice as long as you’re expecting it."
"The park has a lot of very well maintained trails. The only thing to know is there is no cell reception because of the valley."
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Goose Island has very friendly staff and a nice little camp supply store at the entrance where you can also purchase firewood in two sizes of tubes. You’ll need a way to haul the wood to your site."
"The sites are close together near the entrance. The spread out as you get deeper into the park. Beautiful grounds. Good communication from the camp rangers when we had to switch sites."
from $22 - $34 / night
Check Availability"Wen I lived in Minnesota and my boyfriend was living in iowa, this was our go-to meeting place for our weekend getaways. "
"This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River."
from $25 - $39 / night
Check Availability"There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River."
"Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa. No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective."
"Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush. I had no phone service."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"About a 10 minute walk over the Cass St. bridge and you are in the heart of downtown La Crosse. This campground offers everything."
"Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/30A electric and water. Site was a little unlevel. Neighbors are close. AT&T had 2-3 bars of LTE and Verizon 1 bars of LTE service."
from $28 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Who knew that Iowa has hills like this?! We did the backcountry camping (less than 0.5 miles walking), but did get to see the regular campgrounds."
"The 2nd site in has a small pond at Camp side. Potable water is at HQ near registration kiosk."
from $12 / night
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TravelerIf you are a tent camper, I would suggest going to local nearby state parks vs. this campground. Nice for a quick weekend away in an RV. On the Mississippi River and close to town. Across the street from a dog park so if you bring your fur-friend with, there is a nice enclosed area for them to run while being supervised.
TravelerLarge campground with many amenities. Playground for kids and a very nice dog park. Right off the river. Will definitely be back!
TravelerIt is a nice clean quiet campground. Trails and dog park close were nice. It could have been not as nice if it was full. Sites are good and a little ways apart.
ScoutWe stayed here for the month of august, and this place is awesome! Beautiful spaces of various size, a river runs next to it and they have duck races. Dog park, small general store, backs up to a national park, close to town, immaculately maintained, volley ball court, lots of shade trees, easy access, and Andy(owner/operator) is the nicest person you’ll ever want to meet. For those so inclined there’s church service on Sunday in an old (cool looking!) barn! Fire pits at every spot. There is WiFi there, but little to no phone service unless you have a cell booster. 5/5 will definitely be back!
TravelerVery cool secluded walk in sites, pet friendly, awesome trails.
ScoutThis campground has it all. Situated right along the Root River next to the bike trail. They offer kayak, canoe and tube rentals and shuttles. They also have bike rentals.
This facility is clean and very well kept. Even the shower rooms are very nice and sanitary.
This is by far my favorite camping spot. I would recommend this place to any and everyone. Family orientated and pet friendly.
LegendIn the middle of the country, in a tiny town called Brownsville, you'll find a little slice of awesome in the form of a hobby farm with campsites, a cabin, and oh ya...the remnants of an old brewery! Patty and Michelle are nothing less than hospitable, knowledgable and gracious.
Shady Rest Acres is owned and run by two women who are nothing less than the the perfect example of what property owners/business owners should be. Beyond being kind, their property is clean, tidy, beautiful yet rustic and home to so many animals that are all exceptionally well cared for. They have donkeys, Scottish Highland cows (a family of them), sheep, goats, chickens (and they'll even pick the bugs off your car), bees, horses, ducks, cats and dogs (I hope I didn't miss anything!). You have to be "pet friendly" if you stay here, because the the chickens roam, the dogs make friends and the cats meander, just as cats tend to do. If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners. They are happy to let you meet them with their presence.
There are 2 campsites, if you wish. One is in the middle of the pasture (that's right...near the goats) They will pen up the larger animals if you stay at that site, but it's perfect for stargazing! The other is nestled in the woods. Both have fire pits and access to wood. There is an outdoor shower, if you wish, and also a composting toilet. But there is also access to an indoor bathroom and shower inside the main house. The cabin is delightfully lovely with beautiful decor, two full sized beds, space for a few kids to crash, small kitchen items (microwave, mini fridge, coffeemaker) as well as a wood stove for cool nights and some A/C for warm days. The cabin is attached to the main house by way of a small deck (although the cabin is free standing, but sitting above the garage). And some local beverages in the fridge! You will have access to the deck chairs and gas grill, if you want to cook some dinner. For potty stops, you'll have to use the bathroom inside their home, but it's very close and private, as they have another one that they use when guests are staying the night.
At no time did we feel like we were invading Patty and Michelle's space, nor did they invade ours. It was extremely comfortable, and I thought that we could have asked any question without silly looks and even participated in chores, and we would have been welcome to do so. Even though it rained while we were there, it seemed to be just perfect. Beyond the obvious, they are earth conscious, eco friendly in many ways and fully aware of their food sources, which is one reason why they raise their own food. So they know where it comes from and how it was treated. I love it.
This is rustic slice of hospitality is not only peaceful, but friendly, warm and comforting as well as therapeutic. Just what the soul ordered.
ScoutMy boyfriend and I stayed right on the river with our pups (pet friendly) and it was BEAUTIFUL. Easy access to restrooms but secluded and quiet too.
TravelerCame in late but found a spot, only 6 first come fist serve camping sites. I was a quarter mile from the next nearest site. Certainly a tent oriented campground, RV’s would have a difficult time. Will certainly stay here again. The hiking trail was perfect for a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)
Yellow River State Forest occupies hilly terrain in northeastern Iowa's Driftless Region, an area untouched by glaciers during the last ice age. The forest encompasses 8,500 acres of diverse woodland habitat with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,100 feet, creating unique microclimates throughout the camping areas. Temperatures typically range from 10°F in winter to 85°F in summer, with occasional flooding affecting campground access in spring months.
Trout fishing in stocked streams: Yellow River State Forest offers excellent fishing opportunities in Paint Creek, a cold-water stream stocked regularly with trout. "The creeks are very clean and pretty! I've backpacked here multiple times and have only run into other people once or twice. Hidden gem," reports one visitor to Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry.
Hiking extensive trail networks: The forest contains over 25 miles of interconnected trails through varied terrain. "Yellow River has great backpacking sites. Park near ranger station and hike in or grab a map and find a smaller parking location near the trail you want to explore. Great scenery," notes a camper at Camp Glen Wendel.
Explore the region's geological features: The area's limestone bluffs and rock formations provide unique hiking experiences. "I've done this loop several times, and have never been disappointed. Lots of quiet, and many more great views on the upper trails. There are some thin trails down steeper hillsides, so make sure to take it slower if the ground is muddy," advises a visitor at Camp Glen Wendel.
Private, spacious campsites: Big Paint Campground receives high marks for site layout. "We stumbled across this campground when looking for a weekend getaway from Chicago, and wow, what a great find. Hilly, much hillier than you'd expect in the midwest, with beautiful river views. The campground was nice with private sites and clean bathrooms," shares one camper.
Natural water features: The streams and rivers provide cooling relief during summer months. At Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground, a visitor notes, "Beaver Creek Valley is a great getaway to escape from the city. Located not too far from Caledonia, the small town has many camping essentials to offer if you forget anything. Campground was clean and has great showers!"
Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. "Great spot to view the stars. Awesome for kids," mentions a camper at Camp Glen Wendel, highlighting the area's dark skies and family-friendly atmosphere.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited or no connectivity. At Beaver Creek Valley State Park, one camper warns, "There is no cell reception because of the valley. This is great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it."
Water crossings required at some sites: Access to certain campsites may require crossing streams. "Be warned that in order to get to sites #27 through #37 you have to drive through some water. In September it was only about 8 inches," advises a Beaver Creek Valley visitor.
Seasonal flooding impacts: The Mississippi River proximity means spring flooding can affect campgrounds. At Pettibone Resort, a camper reports, "We got flooded out the only day we stayed. Got our money back for second night. Thank you. Mississippi was overflowing this flood plain and yet still beautiful and want to return."
Dog-friendly campgrounds near New Albin: Blackhawk Park welcomes pets and offers activities for all ages. "We had an absolute blast at this national park! The Blackhawk monument is one of a humbling experience... The fishing was awesome. The people were great, plus you are in distance of 3-4 states within 30 minutes you could be to anyone!"
Water recreation options: Upper Iowa Resort and Rental provides family-friendly water activities. "The best part of this camp is they offer tube canoe and kayak rentals with a shuttle to the put in then you float back to the campground. Also has a 'pool'/man made pond with a beach all the way around it," explains a visitor.
Educational opportunities: The region's natural history provides learning experiences. "Amazing place to explore for all ages. Who knew that Iowa has hills like this?! We did the backcountry camping (less than 0.5 miles walking), but did get to see the regular campgrounds," shares a camper at Camp Glen Wendel.
Hookup availability varies: Some campgrounds offer different levels of services. "There are a few locations to launch boats, canoes, & kayaks. Plenty of areas to take a dip. There are a few playgrounds for kids to have fun at," notes a visitor to Goose Island.
Site selection considerations: For RVers, some campgrounds offer better accommodations than others. "Book the non-electric site to have a better opportunity of being right on the water," suggests a Blackhawk Park visitor, providing insight on prime waterfront positioning.
Seasonal access limitations: RV campers should note weather-related closures. "Very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa. No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective," shares a late-season camper at Big Paint Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near New Albin, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Albin, IA is Blackhawk Park with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 116 dog-friendly camping locations near New Albin, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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