Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Appleton, WI

We stayed 700, enough space, good hiking trail, nice beach. But the pet picnic area was pretty disappointing. Just a small opening for a dog jumping in the water. All the nice beach area was not open for a dog. My pup was pretty sad.

Woodsy camping, multiple hiking altitude options including cliff views of Lake Winnebago, historic burial mounds, preserved lime kilns, equine trails, picnicking area, boating opportunities and a beach for swimming. Spend a day or a week! You’ll never find yourself asking what to do. I grew up in the area and have been here many, many times. To camp, to hike for the day, to trudge into the campground during winter to have a day-fire, coordinate family reunions, train with a backpack on the lime-kiln trail and swimming with the dog. Really, it’s all here. Mostly not super busy and when the traffic is heavier, everyone is very nice. Picnic areas can get buggy as can the lake get green, all depends on the time of year and season. Family and pet friendly. Great spot near the Fox Valley.

Our site was a bit less secluded than I’d prefer but still very nice. The loop we were on the lower 900 loop, had quite a few sites that could be combined to be group sites. Two sites completely adjoining or with very little separating them. This loop would be good for an option if the group sites are unavailable. Especially the inner loop sites that back up to each other. We walked some of the other loops and the did not all seem this way, stuff especially in the 700’s loop being a bit more wooded with some nice sites being my favorites, and also some nice sites in the upper 900’s loop that were spaced out nicely. Great hiking nearby, flush toilets, showers, nice little beach, plenty of downed wood around and also available to purchase 5$ a stack, pet friendly except no dogs allowed on the beach. There is a dog friendly picnic area near the water though. Nice get away pretty close to Milwaukee, Chicago, etc...

Stayed for the first time at this campground in July and loved it. We stayed on a tent site, it was huge and had electric. I love that the campground is right on the lake and there’s quite a few amenities for people who boat. It is pet friendly and the bathrooms are quite a walk but clean and hot water is available.

The park:

• is well kept
• showers & bathrooms are very clean
• has a marina
• has hiking and cross country ski trails
• sites are spacious
• many sites available on the edge of the water
• electric hookups on most sites
• some very private sites
• a few close restaurants
• Camp staff is always helpful and friendly.
• Picnic table, & fire pit at every site
• They take reservations, sell firewood, have a camp store, allow pets on leash, allow alcohol

No matter what your skill level you can find a trail here from easy to challenging to hike or bike.  There is a beach, a marina, Lake Winnebago, horse trails, hiking, biking and pet beach and picnic area.  The park is very clean and pretty.  There is a playground, several vault toilet areas spread around and a shower house.   Some sites have electric and there is a dump station and water fill up.   

Both AT &T and Verizon provided good service and the ability to stream.  Spaces are large and have many  trees for shade and privacy.

Another spacious Wisconsin State Park site. #2 is level and listed as full shade but we had enough sun to recharge our Jackery everyday. It helps that it was blue skies each day! All sites were rented for the weekend and there were just a few no-shows. Even full there wasn’t enough noise to mention. We were near the entrance and enjoyed watching all the cars and campers coming and going. The shower house was fine, a very short walk for us. The camp host was friendly and quick to clean sites. There’s single stream recycling at the dump station and they take glass! Cell reception was good enough (Visible) There’s much to do in the park and in the area. We hiked, fished, golfed, shopped and ate well from what we find. I recommend the Appleton Farmers’ Market, Dick’s Family Foods in Sherwood Nieman’s Southside Market in Appleton.

High Cliff State Park is close to Appleton and Green Bay and is situated along the Niagara Escarpment on Lake Winnebago. Camping is great however, even though there is a beach, it is not a very nice one and swimming there isn’t the best. The park is great for hiking and low elevation rock climbing.

This Campground is close to family that lives up in Appleton. Upon arrival we chose say 93 on the inner circle do to all reserved apples were taken and we had choices of walk-ins. This site had several rocks several spiders big wide open and can see the neighbors however it was a quick easy setup for a nighttime arrival.

This is always a nice campsite for us on our way up to family that lives in Appleton we always choose to Camp instead of stay in a hotel. This particular time we chose site 93 due to all reservable Sites were taken and all we have left to choose from at 9:45 at night where walk-ins. Although the site was rocky wide open I could see my neighbors and full of spiders it was actually a decent place to easily set up in the dark and grab a quick night's sleep.

High Cliff is a quiet campground on the shores of Lake Winnebago. Located in Sherwood WI there are a few things to check out within the area. There are a couple golf courses, some ice cream shops, and some bars/grills/restaurants. Appleton is only about 20 minutes away with plenty to do as well. The park itself has lots of hiking trails that highlight the cliffs, and the beautiful lake views. There is a small beach for swimming, and plenty of shore to fish from. There is also a marina/boat launch in the park. Lots of open areas for picnics, or outdoor games. Some trails are maintained for horseback riding also. Overall its a great campground that is well maintained and is just beautiful.

This was quite a large campground/park on Lake Winnebago near Appleton, WI. We had two nice sunny days and the rest were rainy. I hope to go back and visit the park again as there was many different trails and a lookout tower we were unable to visit due to the weather. This park also features Indian mounds on some of their trails. The nearby area offers many different things to do. We went to Skyzone, the Children’s museum and the mall. If the weather had been better we would have gone to Bay Beach in Green Bay. The bathrooms/showers were nearby and clean. The only issue we had was with the notorious raccoons!! We only had the issue the first night as we wised up the second night and forward.

Grew up near here and used to backpack across Lake Winnebago to winter camp and hike in January when the park was empty and no mosquitos to chew on my butt.

Indian Burial Mounds, old kilns, trails, hills, observation deck, sledding in winter, and lots of other things to do all year round.

This Park is actually on an escarpment that winds around Lake Michigan all the way to Niagara Falls. Limestone cliffs for climbing on, scenic.

in the summer the lake gets green with algae and there is a summer stretch wherever the lake flies hatch and get thick.

Good park for families. Close to small towns for resupply. Appleton & Green Bay are within striking distance as is Lake Michigan.

Bring arctic survival gear in January...subzero temps with wind chills in the negative teens is normal. Fantastic cross country skiing/snowshoeing.

Off Rt 45 in Wisconsin, outside Campbellsport the Kettle Moraine North Campsite was not my favorite of our trip northward.

Certain aspects

1. privacy
2. no frills
3. quiet

Competed with

1. standing water
2. landscaping
3. accessibility

You had definite brush cover to a fault. It felt like they "hacked out" each site from the brush, not much planning or foresite.

This was primitive no frills camping with standing water between sites( mosquitoes) and limited access to some trails ( no dogs). The pit toilets were clean and there is no running water except at the beach in the changing area restroom.

A nice visitors center and informative staff.

At the last minute we decided to go camping for the holiday weekend. We called 6 campgrounds close to us on Thursday at noon and this was the only one with availability. Best part about the campgrounds is that the showers have great pressure despite the buildings being old, the camping spaces are typically spacious, and there is lots of felled wood that you can use in your fire pits. The negatives as a dog owner is that dogs are not allowed on most trails or on to the beach.

Great clean camping. Very nice walking trails. They have a dog swimming area. Though swimming is not great after June/July when the algae gets bad. Great place overall!

High cliff is a nice place . lots of hiking trails to choose from and a big lake . Beautiful views. Camp ground had nice wooded spots and vary dog friendly.

Spent a great night with my son and our dog. Staff delivered fire directly to our site. Watching lightning storms approach from over the lake was exhilarating .

Went to the state park with my daughter and son-in-law and their two dogs. The hiking was excellent through many different terrains and the scenery was spectacular. We didn't camp there but went by some of the campsites and they looked very nice when well maintained.

Mauthe lake is in the Kettle Moraine Northern Unit. It feels remote but we drove through a bunch of rural houses on the way in. The rustic roads made for good cycling. We passed quite a few pedaling up and down the hills.

The campground itself sprawls along one side of the lake. With the loops for each group peeling off, it is easy to lose your way. The signs mark the direction well so go slow. It helps to know your site number.

There was nobody at the entrance office. I’m not sure if it’s just today but make online reservations. It seems to be the 2022 way.

There is a shower house but we made use of the more convenient vault toilets. Water is available in different ways - even a drinking fountain. There seems to be only one garbage collection site on the way out. This was less convenient since we have dog droppings to deal with.

There is a nature trail that goes around the lake. By the beach and picnic area it’s paved. The rest is gravel or dirt. With recent rains we found a few puddles to walk through and mud to avoid. Our dog loved having the trail so close. Most of the trail is in the sun so bring water on hot days.

Swimming isn’t allowed due to a blue algae bloom. This left plenty of empty space for us to sit with our dog under the trees. Folks did make good use of the fishing pier and playground. We also saw kayaks and stand up paddle boards on the lake.

St park pass required in addition to camping fees, fire wood and ice available, ice cream shop not far from park, lots of trails, tower to walk up to, beach not in camping area but close by, on Lake Winnebago, butterfly fishing pond, plenty of fishing. No dogs allowed on beach, some new electrical work was done to add to sites, flush toilets w showers.

Lots of hiking trails

This is a very hyper active KOA. Lots of golf carts and kids on bikes whizzing about.

We stopped on a Friday night on our way back from the UP. Live band until 10. Three pools, a bar and the crowd to boot.

Camp rules including those about barking dogs and excessive noise seem to be simply suggestions and not really enforced.

If you are looking for peace and quiet after a long trip, this is not for you. If you are looking for a camping resort, this is your jam.

If you are looking for a place to camp with an RV or rent a cabin, this is your place! Three pools, mini golf, and a great atmosphere! However, we were tent camping and our site was gravel and right on the main road. It was very small and our tent was too close to the road for my comfort. Hiking trails weren’t very well kept, but was still a beautiful hike! If you have kids and camper I would absolutely recommend this place! Also very dog friendly!