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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Waterloo, IA

247 Reviews

Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA accepts pets in all accommodation types including cabins, RV sites and tent camping areas. The KOA features a fenced dog park that campers consistently rate as fantastic for letting dogs exercise off-leash after travel. Full hookup sites provide convenient amenities for RV campers with pets, while the campground's grassy areas offer space for walking dogs on leash. George Wyth State Park Campground provides wooded pet-friendly sites along the Cedar River with hiking and biking trails accessible directly from the campground. Hickory Hills Park and Big Woods Lake also welcome pets with designated pet-friendly camping areas. Campground rules typically require pets to be leashed at all times outside of designated off-leash areas, and owners must clean up after their animals. The fenced dog area at Lost Island KOA provides a safe space for pets to run freely without worry.

The extensive trail system connecting George Wyth State Park to the Cedar Valley bike trails creates excellent opportunities for walking dogs while exploring the area. Several lakes throughout these campgrounds provide water access where pets can cool off during summer months, though swimming policies for dogs vary by location. Deerwood Park's proximity to a nearby lake offers additional recreation options for campers with pets. Most campgrounds provide trash receptacles for pet waste disposal, but campers should bring their own waste bags. Veterinary services are available in Waterloo and Cedar Falls for emergency pet care. Weather considerations include hot summer temperatures requiring extra water for pets and potential seasonal flooding at George Wyth that may affect trail accessibility. Quiet hours are typically enforced at all campgrounds to minimize disruptive barking and maintain peaceful camping experiences for all guests.

Map showing campgrounds near Waterloo, IowaExplore the Map

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Waterloo, Iowa (86)

    1. George Wyth State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cedar Falls, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 232-5505

    $12 - $20 / night

    "** Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.)"

    "Off a main highway, but you feel like you are a long ways from no where. If you are a biker there is a wonderful bike path."

    2. Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

    10 Reviews
    Evansdale, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 233-3485

    "The fenced dog park was fantastic for those of us with dogs. A lake with beach area and an area for fishing founded it out! Would recommend!"

    "Just stayed one night passing through Iowa. Very pretty Campground with colorful Kabin’s and a lake for swimming or paddle boats. Level sites but not much shade."

    3. Deerwood Park

    4 Reviews
    Evansdale, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 493-0655

    "Nice lake very close to the campground."

    4. Black Hawk County Park

    3 Reviews
    Cedar Falls, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 433-7275

    "Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp..."

    5. Big Woods Lake

    2 Reviews
    Cedar Falls, IA
    6 miles
    +1 (319) 266-6813

    "Nice park with a bike path around the lake. A few nature trails, but nothing I would call hiking. Two vault toilets placed on the bike path. One modern bathroom with showers in the campground."

    "The lake is small, no wake lake - but great for using your SUP or kayaks."

    6. Siggelkov County Park

    4 Reviews
    Oelwein, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 433-7275

    "Sigglekow Campground in Black Hawk County Iowa is one of a kind! Quite and secluded, if that's what you're looking for. To get out and decompress it's a great spot."

    "Would be nice if it had gravel parking but that's a small inconvience.. also good kyack location."

    7. Hickory Hills Park

    3 Reviews
    Evansdale, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 342-3350

    8. Grundy County Lake and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Cedar Falls, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 345-2688

    $15 / night

    "Surprisingly with it's location in relation to Hwy 20, it's actually pretty quiet. There is a paved trail that'll take you over to the lake so it's not a bad walk."

    9. McFarlane Park

    2 Reviews
    Vinton, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 342-3844

    "The playground was impressive and the Cedar Valley nature trail was very well kept."

    "Volleyball net, frisbee golf, bike trail, and playground! Be prepared for mosquitoes though! Lots of standing water and lots of mosquitoes!"

    10. Bremer County Park Cedar Bend Park

    2 Reviews
    Waverly, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 882-4742

    "The trails and hiking was the best part though. We went for hours with our dogs and had so much fun. They were easy."

    "We like this campground a lot, very nice shade, playground area, as well as nice trails. Clean restrooms and shower stall"

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Waterloo, IA

13 Photos of 86 Waterloo Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Waterloo, IA

247 Reviews of 86 Waterloo Campgrounds

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 25, 2021

    Riverview Park Campground

    Urban campground is near a busy highway

    This campground has many sites to choose from - RV with hookups as well as some non-electric tent sites. There are quite a few activities in Marshalltown, and it is within the Marshalltown city limits.

    The downside is proximity. It is right next to the highway. When I was there in a tent, the hog trucks would drive by all night (loud and smelly). The RV sites are closest to the road, so maybe it is not so bad in an RV, but it is not particularly enjoyable in a tent.

    Pros:

    + Marshalltown has quite a few places to eat

    + Nice bike trails (and a great bicycle store downtown)

    + It is near the Iowa River

    + Nice park in general with activities like a dog park

    + Camp host on-site

    + Decent sized campsites

    + Playground for the kids

    Cons:

    + It can get busy on a summer weekend

    + Noisy - right by the highway

    + Mosquitos are really bad here

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Oelwein 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.

  • L
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA

    Something for everyone

    Great RV park. Lots of room and cabin rentals for folks that don’t have an RV. The fenced dog park was fantastic for those of us with dogs. A lake with beach area and an area for fishing founded it out! Would recommend!

  • m
    Oct. 5, 2022

    Wilder City Park

    Beautiful city park

    Wilder Park is a beautiful city park. Very much a gem, quiet and peaceful . 50 + sites with about half of them full hook up. Costs for a full hook up in 2022 was under $25 a night. The park has two fishing areas, a dog park,pickle ball, volleyball mini golf, basketball and two playgrounds. A beautiful walking and bike path connects the parks to the neighboring cities. A free dump is also available. We highly recommend this park. 1

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    George Wyth State Park Campground

    Another bargain at an Iowa State Park

    Why Should You Camp Here?

    • Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.) There is no separate park entry fee (unlike some states).

    • You can rent kayaks, canoes or pedal boats near the campground at Wyth Lake. And there are 3 other nearby lakes.

    • There's a small beach at Wyth Lake.

    • The Cedar River is on the edge of the campground.

    • You're so close to Cedar Falls and Waterloo which means there are craft breweries!

    • We were only there for a night but I saw this on reserveamerica.com: "The Lake-to-State Park Bike Route is a 50 mile route connecting Pine Lake and George Wyth State Park. The route primarily utilizes county highways and established bike routes and paths once inside Cedar Falls/Waterloo." 

    • We didn't do everything we could do there, because we were just passing through. Check this out: https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/george-wyth-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IA&parkId=610125

    Amenities

    • The usual fire ring and picnic table

    • Dump station and potable water

    • Flush toilets and running water in bathrooms along with push button showers. Ok, push button showers are not ideal. Just keep pushing that button and hopefully you'll be okay with the temperature that you can't control!

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Echo Valley State Park Campground

    Awesome Iowa

    Came in late but found a spot, only 6 first come fist serve camping sites. I was a quarter mile from the next nearest site. Certainly a tent oriented campground, RV’s would have a difficult time. Will certainly stay here again. The hiking trail was perfect for a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)

  • Stephanie J.
    May. 29, 2018

    George Wyth State Park Campground

    Great place for biking

    This has so much to do. Fishing, kayaking, boating, swimming and camping. Great park in campground and two more parks in area. Off a main highway, but you feel like you are a long ways from no where. If you are a biker there is a wonderful bike path. It will take you all the way through Cedar Falls and Waterloo you could bike all day long. Nice little cozy places to enjoy lunch along the bike trail.

  • M
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Prairie Bridges Park

    Very nice!

    Great small town campground. Very quiet, especially on weekdays. Great place to take long walks with great paths and scenery. Small town Iowa with convenience store close by.

  • S
    Dec. 25, 2020

    George Wyth State Park Campground

    Great campground with lots of activities.

    If you're looking for a wooded campground that offers you both quiet sites to relax but also offers a variety of activities for all ages, this is the place for you to setup your tent, or RV. For little ones, there is a large sand playground area with slides and swings. There is a sand beach to swim, where they also rent kayaks & canoes. The campground is located along the Cedar river, for those who want to boat and fish on a river, as well as multiple lakes to fish and a lake to ski. There are numerous soft bike trails throughout the park. And a hard trail that is part of 150 miles of bike trails in the Waterloo & Cedar Falls area.

    The campground's shower house is handicap accessible. All sites have 50 amp service and the water provided is from the city of Waterloo. There is an onsite dump station.

Guide to Waterloo

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Waterloo, Iowa, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities

Pet-friendly campgrounds include fun activities

  • Hickory Hills Park boasts hiking trails and a small zoo, providing plenty of entertainment for both you and your pet.
  • At Cedar Bend Park, you can enjoy fishing and swimming while your dog explores the nearby trails.
  • Black Hawk County Park offers access to archery and a gun range, along with ample fishing opportunities for a fun-filled camping experience.

Tips for camping with dogs near Waterloo

  • Bring plenty of water and a portable bowl to keep your pet hydrated during your stay at Siggelkov County Park, where drinking water is available.
  • Ensure your dog is leashed at all times while exploring the trails at Lime Creek Park to keep them safe and secure.
  • Pack a dog-friendly first aid kit for your trip to Grundy County Lake and Campground, where you can enjoy nature without worrying about unexpected situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Waterloo, IA is George Wyth State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 14 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 86 dog-friendly camping locations near Waterloo, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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