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Dog-Friendly Camping near Solon, IA

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    Lake Macbride State Park features two distinct pet-friendly camping areas that accommodate dogs in all areas except designated swimming beaches. Both the Modern North Campground and the Primitive South Campground welcome pets with standard leash regulations. The modern side offers full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections for RVs, while the primitive side provides a quieter experience with basic amenities at a lower price point ($9/night). Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings. Sugar Bottom Campground and Sandy Beach Camp also permit pets with similar policies. Sites tend to be packed closely together, particularly at Lake Macbride's modern campground, offering limited privacy during peak summer weekends.

    Campers note Lake Macbride's pet-friendly trails provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with multiple hiking paths connecting different areas of the park. The primitive campground sits directly on the lake with good fishing access, making it convenient for anglers with dogs. F.W. Kent Park offers additional pet-friendly camping options with electric hookups and shower facilities. During summer months, early morning wildlife sightings include deer and wild turkeys walking through the campgrounds. The north campground features a playground for families with children and pets, though bathrooms at the primitive campground occasionally lack toilet paper. West Overlook Campground and Linder Point provide additional year-round options for campers with pets near Iowa City, both offering water and electric hookups.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Solon (107)

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      1. Sugar Bottom Campground

      4.5(24)5mi from Solon244 sitesRVs, Tents

      "A great campground if you want to mountain bike, kayak, boat, hike, fish, play disc golf or just enjoy the view of the lake. Lots of sites to choose from with varying amounts of privacy."

      "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."

      from $14 - $260 / night

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      2. West Overlook Campground

      4.5(19)6mi from Solon89 sitesRVs, Tents

      "The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."

      "LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."

      from $22 - $28 / night

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      3. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

      4.1(15)4mi from Solon43 sitesRVs, Tents

      "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "

      "Close access to boating and town"

      from $26 - $38 / night

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      4. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

      4.2(11)2mi from Solon51 sitesRVs, Tents

      "You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."

      "This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful."

      from $14 - $25 / night

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      5. F. W. Kent Park

      4.7(19)13mi from SolonRVs, Tents

      "We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."

      "It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."

      from $20 / night

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      6. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

      4.2(9)7mi from Solon44 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."

      "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

      from $18 - $80 / night

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      7. Scales Pointe Camping and Boating

      4.5(4)5mi from SolonRVs, Tents

      "The couple downfalls is the shower and bath house is outdated and there's no swimming area on this side of the lake. Other than that I had a blast."

      "Just looking for a layover spot after a long day of driving. Couldn't figure out where to register so we walked into the bar/restaurant, Bobber's Grill. The owner was at the bar."

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      8. Linder Point Campground

      4.5(4)6mi from Solon18 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This is one of around 4 campgrounds near/around Lake Coralville."

      "Natural setting with plenty of trees and located near Coralville Reservoir. Paved roads and sites. Ample roam for big rigs, but no pull through sites."

      from $26 - $30 / night

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      9. Tailwater West Campground

      4.0(4)6mi from Solon22 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Iowa River runs alongside offering fishing. Trails, play area and Visitor Center just a 2 minute drive or hike away. Firewood available at check station."

      "Very short walk to the overflow of the dam. People are friendly facilities are clean."

      from $14 - $30 / night

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      10. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

      3.8(14)18mi from SolonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and"

      "Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped"

      from $45 - $65 / night

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Solon, IA

    55 Photos of 107 Solon Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Solon, IA

    523 Reviews of 107 Solon 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.

    • 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.

    • C
      Oct. 5, 2022

      Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

      No Pets?

      Was looking forward to camping there until I found out they do not allow pets at tent sites. Apparently they don’t feel responsible pet owners use tents. Not happy will never stay there

    • Laura E.
      Jun. 17, 2020

      Sugar Bottom Campground

      Mountain Bikers Dream Spot

      A great campground if you want to mountain bike, kayak, boat, hike, fish, play disc golf or just enjoy the view of the lake. Lots of sites to choose from with varying amounts of privacy. All have electric hookup, a few have full and there are some neat hike in tent spots. You really can’t go wrong with this campground. Many activities, very well kept campground, located by Iowa City, Solon, North Liberty so many places to get a bite and see the locals or just get groceries. Here’s a picture from our site 26 stay.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 25, 2022

      Koch's Meadow Lake Campground

      Private CG with lake

      This CG is a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming.

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 16, 2025

      West Overlook Campground

      A darn good dam campground

      This campground is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of an outdoor recreation complex around a large dam on the Iowa River. The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay. The recreation area also includes campgrounds and river recreation downstream of the dam, including a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils exposed in the flood of 1993.

      This review is for the West Overlook campground located on the lakeside upstream of the dam. This is one of the larger campgrounds at Coralville Lake, and is popular due to the large sandy beach, the modern boatlaunch area, and options for a variety of kinds of campsites in separate loops. Some of the loops are close to the lake or in various heights overlooking the lake, some loops are tucked into beautiful shady woods further inland. As a tent camper I chose one of the loops in the woods as the sites are larger and quieter and more spacious. All of the loops seem family friendly and pretty quiet even though pretty full. There are new modern bath houses with showers, and hiking trails all around. There is easy access to a nearby mountain bike trail complex, the state park, fishing, and boating. This seems to be a camping destination for a lot of folks in the area, but is also an easy stopover right off Interstate 80 for folks on road trips. It is also a nice and inexpensive basecamp for folks visiting Iowa City or the University of Iowa, only about a 15-20 minute drive away. My most recent time camping here was this month, May 2025, but I have camped here many times in the past as far back as 1964, and the campground improvements and recreation opportunities have just gotten better and better over the years. Its a popular location, so Spring camping is quieter; fall camping is also quiet, and the fall leaves are beautiful then.

    • Brett F.
      Aug. 5, 2021

      Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

      Camping & Caves

      This is one of our favorite parks in the Midwest. We usually make a day trip from Chicagoland, but this time we camped at the park. We are glad we did!

      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. You can climb up about 5-7 feet and out the "window". The kids felt like real spelunkers!

      While the park is usually crowded during the day, we find it nearly empty beginning in the late afternoons on the weekdays we visited. It felt like we had the place to ourselves.

      The campground is about a five minute walk to the park's main entrances. The campground was very quiet... just the way we like it. There is a family of cats that hang around: they visit from a nearby dairy farm. The kids loved this added attraction. The dog did not.

      The bathroom and shower house is clean. There is only one. So it gets pretty busy during "flush hour". Our campsite was right next to the bathroom/ shower and dumpster. We noticed flies and the occasional whiff of trash.

      We'll continue visiting this park. And we look forward to camping on site.

    Guide to Solon

    Camping near Solon, Iowa centers around the Coralville Reservoir area with elevations ranging between 670-780 feet above sea level. The region features a mix of oak-hickory forests and restored prairie lands with campgrounds situated on both the north and south shores of the reservoir. Winter camping options remain open at select locations with temperatures often dropping below freezing from November through March.

    What to do

    Fossil hunting near dam: Located at the Devonian Fossil Gorge just below the Coralville Dam, exposed bedrock contains numerous marine fossils. "The recreation area also includes campgrounds and river recreation downstream of the dam, including a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils exposed in the flood of 1993," notes Janet R. about West Overlook Campground.

    Paddling on Coralville Reservoir: Launch kayaks and canoes directly from campsites at several locations. One reviewer at Primitive South Campground observed, "Clean sites right on the lake. Peaceful nights with other friends & other campers. Good place to launch kayaks from."

    Disc golf course access: Several courses available within a short drive of campgrounds. "Great place to come is very quiet and peaceful it has lots of things to do such as hiking boating swimming fishing even has a disc golf course," reports Phillip B. about Linder Point.

    What campers like

    Affordable camping options: Non-modern camping areas offer lower rates with basic amenities. A camper at F.W. Kent Park praised the value, stating "Beautiful, very large, clean, quiet, $20 for RV Campspot with electric, sewer dump at park entrance."

    Lake access for fishing: Multiple campgrounds provide direct lake and river fishing opportunities. "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors," mentions James M. about Sugar Bottom Campground.

    Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower houses receive frequent mentions. One reviewer at Scales Pointe noted, "Great campground, cheap sites with electric and water even for tent campers. Fantastic amenities including hot showers and nice bathrooms and a cleaning station with sink basin for camping dishes."

    What you should know

    Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds have sites positioned close together, especially during peak season. One camper observed at Sandy Beach Camp, "We enjoyed how quiet the traffic was due to smaller camp ground size. It was close to a boat ramp for easy access to the lake."

    Seasonal insect activity: Be prepared for increased bugs during certain periods. "During our stay (Labor Day) there were tons of flies and gnats, like annoyingly so. At one point there were a dozen flying around here and my husband," reports a visitor at Sandy Beach Camp.

    Walk-in sites available: Some campgrounds offer more secluded tent options away from RVs. "We stayed in a walk-in site for one night at the Non-Modern campground. It was wonderful! We arrived at dark and set up our backpacking tents but were able to see stars and be separated from our neighboring site," notes Angie G. about Primitive South Campground.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground options: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The campground has a water spigot to fill containers and dumpsters. A restroom with pit toilets similar to a National Park are on-site. They were very clean, as was the campground," mentions a Primitive South Campground visitor.

    Beach access considerations: Not all "beach" areas are maintained equally. "A bummer is that it's called sandy beach but the beach seems to be forgotten and overgrown," notes Tiffany K. about Sandy Beach Camp.

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings offer the best chance to see local animals. "Beautiful setting, lots of wildlife and amenities like a boat ramp, beach, playground, walking trails, recycling (!) and an amphitheater (!)," shared Steve B. about Sugar Bottom Campground.

    Tips from RVers

    Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment. "Our site was somewhat level, but we did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires. We could back far enough in our site to park our F-450 in front of our rig at an angle and still put our back deck out," explains an RVer at Sugar Bottom Campground.

    Campground differences: Modern campgrounds provide more hookups but less privacy. "Paved roads and sites. Ample roam for big rigs, but no pull through sites. Electricity only, with fresh water and a dump station nearby. Modern and clean bathhouse. Open sky at most sites for Starlink," shares Peter K. about Linder Point Campground.

    Pet-friendly considerations: While pet camping is available throughout the region, specific rules vary by location. "This campground has two campgrounds. The modern side on the north end of the park with full hookups, and the primitive side on the south side of the park with no electricity or water hookups," notes Jacob B., providing options for those seeking pet friendly camping near Solon.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Solon, IA is Sugar Bottom Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.

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

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