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Dog-Friendly Camping near Preston, IA

106 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground welcomes pets at all campsites with electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the park's extensive trail system and cave areas. Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins offers pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabin accommodations where dogs are permitted. Several campgrounds near Preston feature dedicated dog parks, including Horseshoe Pond's fenced exercise area adjacent to the fishing pond. Most sites require pets to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside vehicles or tents. Campers report the dog park at Off Shore RV Park provides ample space for pets to run freely after a day of hiking. Bellevue State Park Campground's Dyas Unit accommodates pets at all sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings.

    The hiking trails connecting Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground provide excellent pet exercise opportunities with scenic river views. Designated pet waste stations are positioned throughout most campgrounds, particularly at Thomson Causeway and Deep Creek Campground. Several campgrounds feature grassy areas specifically for pet relief, with South Sabula Lakes County Park offering direct water access where dogs can swim under supervision. Wildcat Den State Park's trails remain pet-friendly year-round, though dogs must stay leashed at all times while exploring the sandstone cliffs and rock formations. The ground at some electric campsites consists of gravel, which some dogs find uncomfortable underfoot. Campers traveling with pets should note that summer temperatures can reach the 90s, requiring extra water and shade consideration for dogs. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours beginning at 10 p.m., which includes barking regulations.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Preston (106)

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      1. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

      4.1(29)13mi from PrestonRVs, Tents

      "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."

      "It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."

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      2. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

      4.5(35)20mi from Preston32 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Caves were closed but we had a great time hiking the trails. Very clean campground. Plenty of wood for campfires, just had a donation box. Electric campsites have plenty of shade."

      from $20 - $28 / night

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      3. Thomson Causeway

      4.0(15)16mi from Preston131 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This is a beautiful spot on the outskirts of a small town. The train museum is open for a few hours on weekends. Other towns are nearby with more things to do."

      "This is a really pretty area fairly close to home so it is a good option."

      from $14 - $26 / night

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      4. Bellevue State Park Campground — Dyas Unit

      4.0(8)12mi from Preston46 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "CG site atop river bluff with pads, fire rings, tables, RR, recycling, trails, shelters nearby. Sites are close to each other but plenty to do."

      "The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem."

      from $16 - $36 / night

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      5. Spring Lake Campground

      4.8(4)14mi from PrestonRVs, Tents

      "It's like a step back in time in the best way possible."

      "The bike trail is within steps of your site. Hookups for electric and water available. Well maintained portapotties at various points throughout the grounds."

      from $25 - $35 / night

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      6. Blanding Landing

      4.0(6)16mi from Preston37 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big."

      "Hosts are friendly and I saw rangers driving through multiple times. Each site includes picnic table and fire pit. Most have electric. "

      from $14 - $25 / night

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      7. Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

      4.5(19)25mi from PrestonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "One of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has"

      "Enjoyed almost 2 weeks at West Lake Park, part of the Scott County, IA park system. Helpful staff, park rangers make daily patrols, nice spots, many with shade trees & decent room."

      from $17 - $36 / night

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      8. Deep Creek

      3.0(1)7mi from PrestonRVs, Tents
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      9. South Sabula Lakes County Park

      3.0(2)12mi from PrestonRVs, Tents
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      10. Horseshoe Pond

      3.0(2)14mi from PrestonRVs, Tents

      from $21 / night

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Preston, IA

    72 Photos of 106 Preston Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Preston, IA

    623 Reviews of 106 Preston 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.

    • D
      Oct. 25, 2022

      Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA

      Great for an overnight

      Gravel pad for one night. Didn’t use facilities, pool was closed for the season. Very nice walk around the lake, dog park was not large, but clean with enough room to run. There were much nicer spots, but we had all we needed for one night.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 9, 2025

      Iowa 80 Truckstop

      Good overnight parking and I 80 access

      This overnight access is a small town in itself. This site offers not only the basic communities and needs of fuel, including EV, charging stations, but auto parts, showers, dentist, Chiropractic, care, gifts, dog park, and is right next to the I 80 trucking museum. Good lighting in the overnight spots which has room for long RVs.

    • 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.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 31, 2021

      Lakeside RV Park and Campground

      Travelling overnight stay suggested

      I suggest this site only if you need to get off the road for an overnight stay. Very few amenities, all but a few spots appear to be full-time RV living onsite, has nice playground, gazebo, dog park (small), lake is small but appears well kept, electric/water/septic onsite.

    • Skylar M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 25, 2025

      Geneseo Campground

      Stayed for a night passing through

      Great campground. Has full hook ups, and pull through sites. Hosts are very responsive to texts if you need anything. They warned me ahead of time that GPS would navigate me under a 10 ft bridge and gave me directions around it!! They have a dog park, bathroom, propane, and trash. Very nice place

    • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Feb. 16, 2023

      Rustic Barn Campground RV Park

      Very clean and well-maintained

      General: 58 sites with various amenities. Some are long pull-throughs, some are back-in, some have 30 amp with or without a patio, and some have 50-amp electric with or without a patio. Tents are NOT allowed. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and asked to sign a waiver and given a welcome packet. The rules are extensive, but most are common sense/courtesy and not at all unreasonable. 

      Site Quality: All had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park. Our site had a patio and decent-sized picnic table but it was chilly when we were there so we ate inside. 

      Bathhouse: Very clean as were the showers. 

      Activities/Amenities: There are many activities offered, including a dog park, basketball, horseshoes, games (cornhole, large checkerboard, and others), a barn with a television, a book library, puzzles, and a pool table. Coffee is available after 9 am. There is also a small chapel available 24/7 and a laundry room. WiFi is also available. There is a camp store with ice, ice cream, some camping supplies, clothing, crafts, and more. We were told several restaurants will deliver to the campground. 

      We don’t typically prefer to stay in RV-style campgrounds, but it was conveniently located with easy access off Route 151 just over the Wisconsin border from Iowa, we were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed our short stay passing through. Pride of ownership was evident throughout.

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 1, 2025

      Geneseo Campground

      Hidden Gem Along Slow-Moving Canal

      This is an incredibly quaint, somewhat out-of-the-way (in a very good way) location that will treat you to a heavy dose of isolation and privacy wherein you’ll feel completely blessed by the nature you will be surrounded by. This incredibly friendly (pet-friendly as well BTW) operation does an excellent job in how it is set up, offering up a few distinct loops that are ear-marked pretty much exclusively for the wheel-toting camping variety (think RVs, rigs, trailers and 5th wheels) providing 59 pull-thru and 12 back-in slots, while also offering up a discreet space flanked towards the front of the property that is simply perfect for mi tent pitchin’ bredren, which is surrounded by mature Oaks. And, just in case you either forgot your tent or RV, Geneseo Campground has 4 super comfy cabins (each sleeps 4 and come with A/C) or an amazing yurt that sleeps 8 that they’ll gladly rent you.

      From an amenities standpoint, there’s an amazing kid’s playground, well-stocked camp store, propane refueling station, kayak & canoe rental, gas grill rental, e-bike, pedal carts & fat tire bike rental, full and partial hook-ups offering 30 / 50 electric amp, water & sewage hook-ups. There’s also a meeting room, WiFi everywhere, enclosed dog park, firewood & ice for sale, arcade games, RV dump station, coin-operated washers & dryers / laundr-O-mat, excellent showers & bathrooms, direct access to the Hennepin Canal and don’t forget the 60 or so miles worth of hiking trails!

      This place is spacious, very well organized, incredibly clean all the while within a short 10 minute drive into nearby Geneseo, which quite frankly, is one of the most idyllic small towns you’ll come across anywhere in Illinois that is both convivial and provincial, but also quite emblematic of a typical Norman Rockwell painting. What I loved most about this place is that while it doesn’t offer up EVERYTHING that you might be looking for while camping, you only need to head due south to Izaak Walton Park (further south of this spot) or to Geneseo Prairie Park, both of which offer up amazing hiking trails as well as good launch spots to access the Hennepin Canal via kayak and canoe.

      Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re reeling, you should expect to catch blue gill, catfish, bass and crappie, and while you can throw your line from the Geneseo Campground property, I would highly recommend you cross the canal to Izaak Walton Park on its east side where there’s a large open canal / lake to cast in; (2) While there’s tons of hiking trails, you don’t want to forget your bikes – there’s 72 miles of biking trails as well as miles and miles of nicely paved empty country roads to pedal on; (3) Maybe you have a kayak or canoe, but in the case you don’t, do yourself a favor and rent one from the good people at Geneseo Campground in which to explore the Hennepin Canal - trust me, you won't be disappointed; and (4) Should you grow weary of eating franks & beans again from your campsite and want to try out some local cuisine, then get yourself over to nearby Geneseo where you can dine out at The Cellar, Sweet Peas Grill & Bar or Geneseo Brewing Company.

      Happy Camping!

    • Jamie M.
      Jul. 7, 2018

      Canyon Ridge Campground — Apple River Canyon State Park

      Big, clean sites, nice trails, water access

      There aren't signs within the park directing you to the campsite. I found it eventually but I'm glad I wasn't towing a camper because there was a lot of turning around. Some of the sites are able to be reserved. We went Memorial Day weekend so there were quite a few people but it wasn't full so even without a reservation you'd likely find a space. The sites a nice and big. We chose 2 sites that were connected and even then they were a good distance from one another. The sites were also removed from the road so when people walk or drive by it doesnt feel like they're walking through your campsite. There is some nice water access to wade with shallows so kids or pets can play. Nice trails.

    Guide to Preston

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground offers 24 electric sites and several non-electric options across varied terrain. Located 29 miles from Preston along Illinois Route 84, this year-round destination sits at an elevation of 625 feet overlooking the Mississippi River. Winter camping remains available when other area campgrounds close, though visitors should expect temperatures frequently dropping below freezing from December through February.

    What to do

    Hike challenging terrain: At Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, trails are divided into north and south sections with distinct difficulty levels. "North trails are scenic, with a casual non-technical difficulty to them. South trail system is challenging, especially because of the varied terrain it traverses, however they systems are prone to serious erosion that needs to be addressed," notes Mi G.

    Cave exploration: Visitors to Maquoketa Caves State Park can access 13 unique bat caves. "This SP offers up more than 370 acres with 6 miles of hiking trails with 13 distinct bat caves to explore, so bring good hiking shoes, headlamps, proper long sleeve shirts and pants to keep the bugs and ticks away, which abound here aplenty," advises Stuart K.

    Water recreation: Spring Lake Campground provides direct access to fishing and paddling opportunities. "Sunsets and stargazing, fishing and kayaking, biking and relaxing! The quiet nature of this campground allows campers to enjoy the protected wildlife of the refuge (bird watchers- bring you cameras), access to Spring Lake fishing," explains Danika P.

    What campers like

    Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds near Preston feature exceptionally clean bathrooms and showers. At Bellevue State Park Campground, campers appreciate the "new shower & bathroom facilities" according to Anne P., who adds, "We camped at Bellevue last summer & it was not at all crowded."

    Spacious, level sites: Campers consistently mention the quality of camping pads. "Very well set up campgrounds with plenty of electrical, non-electric sites," says Mi G. about Mississippi Palisades. At Thomson Causeway, Matt P. notes, "The sites are all level concrete and just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi."

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins offers abundant wildlife sightings. "Expect to see whitetail deer as they love to make the park home," says Kimberly W. Another camper, James M., confirms the "great county park with lots to do" including miles of hiking where wildlife spotting is common.

    What you should know

    Seasonal insect issues: Summer brings significant bug activity at several campgrounds. At Thomson Causeway, "Since it is right on the river and there is also lots of marsh, the bug situation was a bit much, especially when there was no breeze. Bring a screened canopy if you want to enjoy the outdoors without swatting bugs all the time," cautions Stacie H.

    Bat cave closures: Maquoketa Caves State Park has seasonal cave access restrictions. "If you are interested in staying here, I would STRONGLY encourage you to mind your dates taking note of when bat hibernation ends and begins," warns Stuart K., who adds, "my brother and I drove all the way here only to find out that hibernation began the day of our arrival."

    Train noise: Some campgrounds experience significant railroad disruption. At Blanding Landing, Mary S. reports, "Trains are noisy—we slept through them but are also used to living by a train station. Your mileage may vary on that one."

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: For families with children, certain sites offer better playground proximity. At Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins, "if you have kids and want to be planted near the playground, you might want to target sites #26-#28, where the spacious kids playground sets right behind these sites," suggests Stuart K.

    Pioneer village excursions: Scott County Park offers unique historical experiences. "Pioneer village if you've never been was the absolute bees knees as a kid to go to, especially since you can hike to get there! I loved climbing around in the train cars, eating icecream/candy canes, and watching the blacksmith work," shares Seth N.

    Dog-friendly recreation areas: Off Shore RV Park provides dedicated space for dogs to play. Their dog park "provides ample space for pets to run freely after a day of hiking," and water access points where dogs can swim under supervision are available at several dog friendly campgrounds near Preston.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection strategy: When choosing RV sites at Blanding Landing, consider location carefully. Mary S. advises, "The most wooded sites are at the end farthest away from the entrance but tent campers should know there are a lot of RVs down there usually."

    Hookup options: RV campers should note varying levels of services. At Bald Eagle Campground, "Each site has FHUs with electric, water & sewage, fire rings and picnic tables," while at other campgrounds like Pine Grove, "This campground is electric hookup only."

    Seasonal availability: Several campgrounds near Preston maintain year-round operations. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground remains open through winter months with electric sites available, while Maquoketa Caves State Park is "closed between December 1 thru February 28 each year."

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Preston, IA is Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 106 dog-friendly camping locations near Preston, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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