Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Sioux City, IA

This is a beautiful park, well maintained, quiet and borders Browns Lake 10 Miles from Sioux City. CG has horse shoe pits, Basketball, volleyball courts, playground for the kids and a swimming beach. Newly constructed Handicapped ramp to fishing jetty and nice big fishing/boat dock that is at the rear of the CG. Restrooms/showers were newer, modern and spotless and also served as a tornado safe shelter. 4 individual shower rooms+ 4 individual/private toilet, sink, shower rooms handicapped accessible. All sites are 1st come 1st serve. Water at each site. We came in mid Friday and there were several sites available with one site still available lake side which we took. Numerous trees and sites are spacious. CG did not fill over the weekend which was a surprise considering that this CG was very nice. Have camped for 12 years and been to a number of CGs and never have had a State Park CG to have its own Wifi but his one did. Ice, bait and soft drinks available by host site. Shelter available for rental. Sioux City is only 10 miles away.This park is a gem. We camped at Bigelow Park/Brown's Lake in a Travel Trailer.

This KOA is well-maintained, a little older but the grounds are nice and it is well organized and maintained. The dog park is not so well-maintained but was adequate and the pool was clean, and there is easy access to the freeway Both north and south

They have a lot of different sleeping options, from tent to hotel-like cabins. We went a long time ago when it was just tent sites. Some were along the river but most are back in the forest. Aside from the river, there are trails and a pool. Friends have said there are many very recent additions including rock climbing walls, archery, horseback riding, etc. The charm of the area is still there: riverfront views, rolling hills, simple trails through nature. Many other small parks along the whole river nearby, plus a full golf course and Sioux City. Perfect for a road trip stopover or a long weekend for locals.

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!

This is a large state park in the northwest corner of Iowa, surprisingly wooded considering how close to Sioux City it is located. Touted as a year-round park, there is a large network of trails, some of which can be used as equestrian. HOWEVER, the trails are not labeled and there is no (or very fleeting) cell service so that even after looking at the map (located on a board in the park, not a paper one), I wandered aimlessly around the park getting lost. One of the trailheads requires that you tramp directly through Site 12 to access! I explored this trail for approximately a quarter of a mile, but it became very overgrown and because I was not sure where I was going, I ended up turning around.

The campground is divided into three sections

• Sites 1-11 are located on either side of the access road are a bit too close together for our preference and despite the park being so wooded, have no foliage or other visible separation between the sites. These sites all have electric hookups

• Sites 12-14 are at the top of the hill and have the easiest access to the restrooms; they also have electric hookups. In my opinion, Site 14 would be the most desirable. Given that there are only three sites here, there was a surprising number of cars driving past these sites.

• Sites 15-30 are primitive tent sites and located near Cabin#3 (a CCC cabin). 

The bathrooms were clean and (don’t laugh at me), the toilets had lids! Given the current virus situation, this was a nice and welcome surprise! 

There was no camp host and we only saw one ranger during our stay. There is a nice playground, but it is not located anywhere near the campground (it is located closer to two of the cabins). If you are camping with children, please note this. There are three cabins, one that was built by the CCC and a lodge which also looked to be a CCC product, although it did not appear to be open when we were there.

Ponca State Park is beautiful. The drive from Omaha was so quick and easy. The park is beautiful with tons of trails and things to explore. The overlooks are great, you can see so much of the river. Bathroom areas are well kept and so are the grounds. The campsites are well spread out and we found the perfect spot away from other sites and with great shade. Dog friendly was a huge perk. We definitely will return!

In another 4-5 years when the trees have grown and this is better maintained, it could be a nice campground.  Sadly, our trip there started with the Google directions leading us to the wrong side of the highway and a muddy, bumpy road.  I called and they gave me correct directions.  Once there, no office, no staff.  I called because the site I had reserved was occupied.  They said just pick any other.  We paid for lake side, but it was too muddy in the other available sites.  We were not offered a refund ($5).  We saw several dogs off leash and, while they were well-behaved, one never knows if they will stay where they belong.

It was quiet at night.  We stayed on a Saturday night.

This KOA just north of the Iowa border is first class. ! Friendly staff and perfect for kiddos. The pool and adventure area are right up your alley if traveling with kids.

There’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers. Very nice for Iowa state parks.

I stayed here on a long road trip across the country. Had no idea such a scenic place could be found in Iowa! I chose the closest walk-in spot, less than a mile in. It was great! Near a little creek if you need water, and really nicely secluded. Picnic table and fire ring included. Also, there’s a trail up a hill right near by that had great views of the area and a lovely sunset! I would definitely recommend. Just a head’s up: I saw some pics of people car camping here on this site. Not sure how that would work since it’s supposed to be walk-in only and pretty clearly roped off from access with a car.

Clean and mostly well-kept campground. Much nicer than I had expected. Has on-site host, but we didn't see much of her/him/them. Had good cell service (ATT).

The only serious complaint I can make is that the water, while potable (so we were told), has a very, very strong iron/metallic taste. To the point that, for us, it was undrinkable.

The campsite we chose was level, concrete, and cost $20 (the site we wanted by the water had electric). Very little shade though, which made it really hot (other sites had more shade).

Other observations: 

The river current is quite fast here. I wouldn't plan on letting my kids or dogs get into the water, except to, maybe, wade at the boat ramp where it is protected from the current by small islands where the creek comes in.

They have a table near the boat ramp that, I assume, is for cleaning your caught fish. If it matters, it did not have running water.

The small dock from the boat access area felt unstable and one had to step across a couple of rocks to get to it from land, maybe because the river level was up(?).

Of the 4 bathroom/shower combination rooms in the bathhouse, only two were unlocked. That said, we were the only tent campers and the RV campers didn't seem to be using them. And they were clean and in good repair.

Our campsite was right next to the facility loading/unloading barges next to the campground. (They were unloading dried soybeans while we were there.) There are also security lights, but the light is mostly blocked by the trees at night. They start work at 7am and seem to stop at 4pm during the week. 

I would call this location reasonably quiet. But not absolutely quiet. There is noise from various sources at various times: the loading/unloading from the barges, the farming going on across the road from the campground, boats going up or down the river, and, minimally, the sound from the traffic on the highway. So not absolutely quiet, but it wasn't loud enough or continual enough to detract from the stay.

Lastly, it probably doesn't need to be said, but I didn't think of it before our stay (duh), so just a reminder. You're camping by a river (i.e., water), so there are many, many flying insects. Be sure to have insect repellent, as they are merciless.

A lot of places in Iowa are closed to camping until April or even May. I looked west and quickly found this. There are areas of the park that are "closed for winter", but I was able to find a primitive spot for an overnight to get out and enjoy the rebound from the subzero weather of the previous weeks. Some sites in that section are quite spacious.....although it was just me, so I had a lot of space! there were several water spigots in that section as well, so water is available during the camping season. There was a restroom fairly close by, and in the 15 hours I was there, the ranger checked on the restrooms twice. I didn't use it, but that is an indication that they aren't torn apart. No one was at the entrance, so I had to go the the education center to find self registration. The primitive rate is$15, but they reduced it to$10 in the off-season. A pass is required to camp, so you can add another$5 if you're a Nebraska resident, and$8 if you're from out of state. Season passes are also available.$40 resident,$45 non-resident. All primitive sites had shade. Lots of trees throughout the park. Beautiful.

Continuing our tour of the best Backpacking parks in our great state of Iowa, my comrade and I spent 2 nights at Preparation Canyon State Park. Located directly adjacent to the Preparation Canyon Unit of Loess Hills State Forest; the flora, fauna, and geology of this park are amazing and unique to North America. If you have not visited this area, put it high on your to-do list. The weekend was blistering hot at 95° F and a 9/10 UV index, but we were conditioning for a larger trip this summer, so we welcomed the challenge.

The park boasts 10 backpacking, hike-in campsites. However, you will find maps and literature that reference only 8, for seemingly good reason. Sites 9 and 10 (apparently more recent additions) are the most remote in the park and might tempt those seeking that added level of solitude. We examined both of them and they were both found to be overgrown and the nearby creek tributary was mostly dry. Instead, we spent both of our nights at Site 3, which seems to be the crown jewel. It is a small trek up a hillside and looks out across the general area, with a phenomenal star gazing opportunity. The creek just to the North was still flowing and provided our water source. You will not regret staying here. The other sites are mostly in the woods and line said creek. I'm certain they would be great as well.

A quick drive from the park lands you at the State Forest Lookout, which is partnered with a short 0.91 mile loop trail that is picturesque. Around the "back," (Northwest side) of the park there are shelters, picnic areas, and overlooks. You cannot park at these locations while camping in the park.

The immediate surrounding towns provide very little in the way of amenities, so plan ahead. The cultural history of the park is intriguing, as it was the site of a 19th century Mormon town (from which the park gets its name). The town however is completely gone, there are no abandoned historical structures to explore.

You won't miss them. Hike through the hilled prairie trail which is the first right as you enter from the Eastside Boundary, and you'll know why you came.

In summary, this park is the quintessential example of the diversity that Iowa has to offer, and rivals Yellow River for it's backpacking. It's proximity to the larger State Forest means you could spend weeks exploring if so inclined.