James M.
Legend
LegendHorseshoe 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.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Springville, IA
99 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) and Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground welcome pets throughout their grounds with standard leash requirements. Both campgrounds provide electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables at pet-friendly sites, with no additional pet fees noted. The primitive camping area at Matsell Bridge Natural Area allows pets in tent sites, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Many campers appreciate the designated dog park at Pinicon Ridge Park where dogs can exercise off-leash after being confined to campsites. West Overlook Campground maintains clean facilities with plenty of space for walking dogs along the shoreline of Coralville Lake.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds near Springville accommodate leashed pets, with Lake Macbride State Park offering both modern and primitive camping options connected by trails. The Iowa River and Coralville Lake provide water access for dogs who enjoy swimming, though owners should be aware of potential blue-green algae during summer months. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances. Nearby wildlife management areas like Hawkeye provide additional pet-friendly hiking opportunities. Campers report the primitive South Campground at Lake Macbride State Park is particularly quiet and spacious for tent camping with dogs, though it lacks shower facilities. Pet owners should pack waste bags as dedicated pet waste stations are limited at most locations.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Springville (99)
1. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)
"We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance. Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. "
"There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."
from $23 - $33 / night
Check Availability2. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground
"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 $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability3. Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
"Close to bathroom and showers. Hiking trails. Nice place to fish and explore."
"The RV sites aren’t really out of the ordinary but the park sits upon a slight rise above the Missouri River and the road around the campground leads down to the river."
from $16 - $48 / night
Check Availability4. Pinicon Ridge Park
"Dump available on entrance/exit. The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table. Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. "
"Great county campground with water and electric sites, dump at exit. Bathrooms on loop B are dirty and dated. I suggest going up to the Plains loop and use it's facilities."
5. Sugar Bottom Campground
"Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."
"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, and Macbride State Park as well."
from $14 - $260 / night
Check Availability6. Matsell Bridge Natural Area
"Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up."
"The first day my dog got off his leash and jumped into the river. An hour later he had gotten up the cliff and was in the woods and the DNR picked my up and took me back to camp."
7. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park
"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 $31 - $43 / night
Check Availability8. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park
"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 $18 - $25 / night
Check Availability9. West Overlook Campground
"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
Check Availability10. Central Park
"Trails, nature center, shelters, restrooms/showers, and lake access for beach, paddling, fishing, etc. Prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas."
"Small lake to fish and kayak!"
Drive Time
- 22 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 38 min from Iowa City, IA
- 51 min from Dubuque, IA
- 59 min from Waterloo, IA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Springville, IA
59 Photos of 99 Springville Campgrounds
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Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
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Pinicon Ridge Park
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Elizabeth G.
Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park
Terri R.
Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park
KadeeJo
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Monticello
David J.
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground
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Sugar Bottom Campground
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West Overlook Campground
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Tailwater West Campground
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Springville, IA
465 Reviews of 99 Springville Campgrounds
StillRVWanderer ..LegendOelwein City Park
This is a beautiful city park campground
I enjoyed my 5 night stay at Oelwein City Park Campground. It's located on the south end of town, there is only one business within walking distance. It's a great restaurant (Oelwein Family Restaurant) and it's about a 15 minute walk.
There is one shower house, and several vault toilets throughout the park. The shower house is old and a little run down but was very clean. I had no problems using it.
The city park is adjacent to the campground and has picnic shelters, a playground, and a dog park.
There are electric and water hookups at most sites, and there is a dump station. The park was pretty full on the weekend as you would expect, but very quiet during the week.
I had great Verizon and T-mobile service here.
- James M.Legend
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.Legend
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.
- CCassie K.
ScoutBeyonder 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
- James M.Legend
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.LegendWest 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.
GuideMaquoketa 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.
Kim F.ScoutWindmill Ridge Campground
Hidden little gem
Clean, quiet and well set campsite for all camping styles. Set well off the main road, the gravel road is well maintained, graded well for easy driveable whee truck, rvs or trailers. Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two. Check it out, don't believe you will regret it. Peace fellow travelers.
Guide to Springville
Springville, Iowa camping areas sit along the Wapsipinicon River watershed at approximately 900 feet elevation, offering wooded river valleys and rolling prairie landscapes. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer camping temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak season (May through October). Winter camping is available at select locations but facilities are limited during cold months when temperatures routinely drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails: Wapsipinicon State Park Campground features dramatic limestone bluffs along the river with "great hiking trails and views of the bluffs over the river," according to Amber R. The park offers both challenging terrain and family-friendly paths connecting to the Cedar River.
Kayaking and fishing: Pinicon Ridge Park provides direct water access for paddlers. Brandon T. notes, "The trail through the campground takes you across the river where you can find canoe and paddle boat rentals." Fishing is productive particularly in spring and fall with multiple species available.
Wildlife observation: The primitive camping area at Lake Macbride State Park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. April W. reports, "Plenty of wildlife, great for fishing, or just relaxing" with two different lake views from the campground.
Fossil hunting: West Overlook Campground provides access to the Devonian Fossil Gorge exposed during the flood of 1993. Janet R. describes it as "a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils" making it an educational attraction unique to the area.
What campers like
Spacious camping spots: Sites at dog-friendly campgrounds near Springville typically offer good spacing. At Sugar Bottom Campground, Steve B. appreciated that "sites are shady and fairly good sized" with many featuring lake views.
Clean shower facilities: Several campgrounds maintain quality bathroom facilities. Colleen L. found that at Wanatee Park "bathrooms are stationed without so it's never a far walk and the shower house was really nice." This convenience is particularly appreciated after hiking or swimming.
Scenic water views: Central Park offers a small lake setting with multiple recreation options. Leslie P. describes it as a "beautiful little lake" with "nice beach area" and "camping sites pretty level." The park even provides free WiFi for campers.
Storm shelters: Safety features at several campgrounds include designated storm shelters. David S. noted that at Pinicon Ridge Park there's a "clean shower house with storm shelter" alongside "generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. At West Overlook Campground, Carolyn M. advises "reservations are a must" particularly for holiday periods and summer weekends.
Site terrain variations: Not all sites are level, particularly at tent-focused areas. Patrick B. found that at Pinicon Ridge Park "the tent area is on a small mound, not a very level area. But was able to make it work. $18 a night for tents."
Seasonal operations: Several parks have limited operations during winter months. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) operates seasonally with Kristy E. noting it's "a mixture of mature and young trees" that is "very clean and well cared for" during its April 15 to October 15 season.
Water level fluctuations: Riverside campgrounds may experience flooding during heavy rains. Randi C. experienced this at Matsell Bridge Natural Area: "By the 3rd morning the river had risen to the point of flooding out our campsite. The DNR let us switch sites for our last night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. Khenia F. found "loads of shade and quiet nice neighbors" with bathroom facilities that are "very nice and modern and clean."
Swimming options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Springville have swimming beaches for both humans and dogs. Chelsea D. found at Pinicon Ridge Park "the most amazing playgrounds (yes, two of them!) That we've ever seen" with "activities for kids of all ages" including a rubber composite ground surface for safety.
Nature programs: Educational opportunities exist at several parks. James M. notes that Central Park features "trails, nature center, shelters" and "prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas" making it ideal for nature education.
Budget considerations: Non-modern camping areas offer significant savings. At Lake Macbride's primitive campground, Jeff A. appreciated that there was "free firewood for campers" and sites cost only "$9.00/night!!!"
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Wapsipinicon State Park, Jennifer F. warns "not a level site to be had. Significant slope at all RV/camper sites." Bring leveling blocks if planning to stay here with an RV.
Hook-up options: Clint G. found that at Wanatee Park they "camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance. Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers." The sites are described as "very spacious with some shade, a fire ring, and picnic table provided."
Access roads: Most campgrounds are accessible for medium-sized RVs, but some loops have tighter turns. MickandKarla W. noted at Sugar Bottom Campground: "We proceeded to back-in site 61 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP)... Our site was somewhat level, but we did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires."
Off-season availability: For RVers seeking quieter experiences, Lauren M. found "spacious sites" and a "well maintained" camping area at West Overlook Campground during the shoulder season, noting it's "close to town if needing shopping."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Springville, IA?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Springville, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Springville, IA is Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Springville, IA?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Springville, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 99 dog-friendly camping locations near Springville, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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