Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Spirit Lake, IA

Spirit Lake is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Spirit Lake campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Spirit Lake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Spirit Lake, Iowa (48)

    1. Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    8 Reviews
    Spirit Lake, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $15 - $33 / night

    "Marble Beach`s campground is the largest in the Iowa Great Lakes Region."

    ", Easy driving distance to Arnold's Park. Campground is Clean, Showers/Bathrooms are new and modern. Full Hookups are easy to use. many spots in the Oak Woods."

    2. Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Milford, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $25 - $35 / night

    "This campground is right on the lake! The spots are spacious, the bathrooms are clean, and the price is right. There are a few docks available for boating, fishing or just lake gazing."

    "Emmerson Bay is the Best for Tubing on tbe Iowa Great lakes so access for your boat here too is also amazing, However theres not a place here to park it."

    3. Gull Point State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Milford, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $12 - $20 / night

    "However, at the time, there were very few campers (none around us) and it had basic amenities like bathrooms, sinks, etc."

    "Very close to the lake and a neat nature walk. The campsites were a but muddy, but not too bad."

    4. Robertson Park

    10 Reviews
    Spirit Lake, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 847-2525

    5. Jackson KOA

    9 Reviews
    Jackson, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 847-3825

    6. Brown County Park

    2 Reviews
    Spirit Lake, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 847-2525

    "We were back on Taylor Ridge so we had a noticeable drive in/out anytime we went anywhere. Bathrooms were clean and maintained. Sites had ample space."

    7. Vicks Corner

    1 Review
    Spirit Lake, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 336-5602

    8. Fort Defiance State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Estherville, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $10 - $16 / night

    "A hidden gem in Northwest Iowa. It is Memerial Day Weekend and on Friday night we had one other tent camper on Friday. None on Saturday. 

    The bathrooms are the old hole going down into a pit."

    "Fort Defiance is a forresty natural state park in Iowa. There is Electrical Hook ups a picnic Table and a charcoal Grill already at the camp site."

    9. Silver Lake City Park

    1 Review
    Ocheyedan, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 832-3588

    10. Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Lakefield, MN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 662-6258

    $20 / night

    "Lots of RV sites but there are 4 walk in sites down a small trail, very private and away from everyone else. We chose site 4 and we definitely made the right decision!!"

    "Chosen at the last minute for its proximity to the Twin Cities area, the drive was about 2 hrs 45 minutes. Park is quiet, clean and very easy to hike."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Spirit Lake, IA

2 Photos of 48 Spirit Lake Campgrounds


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Spirit Lake, IA

139 Reviews of 48 Spirit Lake Campgrounds


  • Mick P.
    Jun. 4, 2018

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Great place to stay around the Okoboji area

    Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019.

    Marble Beach`s campground is the largest in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. The campground is well shaded and features paved roads, boat ramps, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a sanitary dump station. The campground includes non-electric sites and sites with electrical hookups.

    Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and provides some of the best fishing in the state. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish including walleye, northern pike, muskellunges, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads.

  • Mike
    Sep. 2, 2022

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Close enough to Okoboji

    Excellent Campground!, Easy driving distance to Arnold's Park. Campground is Clean, Showers/Bathrooms are new and modern. Full Hookups are easy to use. many spots in the Oak Woods. Good place for Bicycling, 4 miles mostly bike path to town. Around Spirit Lake is a nice 16 miles bike ride. I rated 4 stars, because there is a little traffic noise, and the lake is a little weedy.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2016

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Quite peaceful camp on the Lak

    This campground is right on spirit lake and a really wonderful peaceful place to spend a night. There is not really any hiking but we stayed here on a drive through Minnesota and found it to be perfect. It was not crowded and the sites were fairly private. There are several central water and bathroom areas and you can walk down to the lake from the sites. We ended up watching both sunset and sunrise from the lake. Each site has its own picnic bench and firepit and you drive your car right up to the site.

  • T
    Oct. 9, 2022

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Great campground! Limited people for fall camping

    Easy to access- large site campground. Nice sites that back up to spirit lake with enough room for bigger rigs to get into easily and have tree coverage to feel wooded. Easy to check in and out of. Great price for a full hook up site. Plan to return again and again! We loved it.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2024

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Van camping here was just okay

    Camped in Site #59 on Oct. 6-7, 2023. Our site had a fire ring, table, as well as electric & water. Spirit Lake is behind the site, although there was no lake access from there. Nice hearing the water lapping on shore. Registering for a site was a little confusing. There was a friendly host in the campground. Our site sloped down toward the lake; had to use our traction boards to level the van as best we can. No privacy between sites. The 6 room restroom/shower was clean. Overall, the campground was large and well maintained. It had an RV park feel to it, which is not our preferred type of camping. I believe folks in larger rigs will be comfortable here.

  • j
    Jul. 11, 2022

    Voss Park City Campground

    Welcoming

    Host was very welcoming! Easy to set up. Has electic and water hook ups. Tent spots available . Nice path around lake for a walk, jog, or bike. Has Showers. pets welcome.

  • William S.
    Oct. 16, 2021

    Lime Lake Co Park

    Small and tucked away

    Tucked back along a winding road past a cemetery, you'll find this cozy site, a well-groomed park with a handful of drive-in sites, picnic pavilions, and lots of open spaces. There's also an absolutely gorgeous lake and a small footbridge over an artificial dam/waterfall. 

    Lime Lake County Park's drive-in sites feature picnic tables and fire pits, along with electric hook up sites. There's no camp host, so after you drop in your $17/night fee in the strong box, you can settle in for the day, or perhaps launch your boat from the provided dock and ramp. 

    Leashed pets are allowed, and I highly recommend the walk to the back, over the footbridge where you can listen to the relaxing sound of the lake draining into a creek.

    The toilet area features one stall, but it does have plumbing.

  • Samantha B.
    May. 14, 2018

    Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground

    The best place in town

    This campground is right on the lake! The spots are spacious, the bathrooms are clean, and the price is right. There are a few docks available for boating, fishing or just lake gazing. This is a great location as a home base to everything in Okoboji. Start the morning with coffee at the beach, hop on the Great Lakes bike trail and everything is nearby.

    All the campsites are on crushed gravel so be prepared to sweep frequently or leave your shoes outside.

    Dog friendly, lots of places to walk the dogs. Can't leave the dogs unattended in the camper, so keep that in mind when planning trips. Boji Bark has doggie daycare.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2021

    Fort Defiance State Park Campground

    A Hidden Gem in Iowa

    A hidden gem in Northwest Iowa. It is Memerial Day Weekend and on Friday night we had one other tent camper on Friday. None on Saturday. 

    The bathrooms are the old hole going down into a pit. They are very rustic. 

    There are plenty of trails in the park. The big creek that runs through the kiddos can play in. It is not deep but it’s water. There are some other small little creeks too.

    Around the camping area, the kids rode their bikes. We did ride around the roads as a family. 

    The camp site are dirt. 

    There are permanent fire rings and grills at each site. Only place to get firewood was at Hy-Vee. Our site had electricity with 50, 30,& 20 amps. 

    There is only one water spot in the campground. We drank the water and didn’t die. 

    There is a golf course next to the park that is fun. 

    My only real complaint would be there is a lot of people just driving through.


Guide to Spirit Lake

Camping with pets near Spirit Lake, Iowa, offers a fantastic opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy nature alongside their furry friends. Several campgrounds in the area welcome pets, ensuring a memorable experience for both you and your four-legged companions.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities

  • At Jackson KOA, pet owners can enjoy well-maintained sites with electric hookups and plenty of space for pets to roam.
  • Emerson Bay State Recreation Area features a variety of amenities, including picnic tables and sanitary dumps, making it convenient for pet owners.
  • Wolden Recreation Area & Campground offers electric hookups and a welcoming atmosphere for pets, along with easy access to a swimming beach.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great activities

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Spirit Lake

  • Enjoy biking and hiking around Fort Defiance State Park Campground with your pet, as the park offers numerous trails to explore.
  • Brown County Park provides ample space for pets to play and enjoy the outdoors while you relax by the river.
  • At Sandy Point Park, you can unwind by the lakeside while your pet enjoys the natural beauty of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Spirit Lake, IA is Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 48 dog-friendly camping locations near Spirit Lake, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.