J
Joel N.
Traveler
TravelerDerge County Park
Small, clean
A small campground right on Beaver Dam Lake. There's a boat launch but no beach. Bathrooms have showers and are very clean. It's not a bad spot for a weekend fishing trip.
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Beaver Dam, WI
Derge County Park offers electric-only campsites with ample space for pet owners camping on Beaver Dam Lake. All sites accommodate tents and RVs with pets permitted throughout the campground. The park features clean, hot showers and restrooms with spacious lots for dogs to enjoy. Seasonal campers note the park is extremely quiet and positioned at the end of a dead-end road creating a peaceful environment for pets that may be sensitive to noise. ['Sites are being enlarged to accommodate modern larger campers while maintaining pet-friendly policies.'] The campground provides water fill-up stations at the entrance with dump facilities for RV campers. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the small park along the lakeshore.
Several pet-friendly campgrounds within 20 miles of Beaver Dam provide varied terrain for dogs to explore. Ledge County Park features natural-feeling sites with access to hiking trails along striking rock outcroppings where leashed dogs can join their owners on outdoor adventures. The Playful Goose Campground allows pets on river-adjacent sites with plenty of running space, particularly on sites backing to forested areas where deer are visible daily. Astico County Park permits dogs throughout its waterfront sites along the Crawfish River with canoe and kayak access directly from campsites. The artesian wells and restored rail bridge provide interesting exploration opportunities for leashed pets. Bathrooms in most county parks are basic but functional with the main campground areas remaining quiet enough after dark for peaceful walks with dogs.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (128)
1. Ledge County Park
15 ReviewsHoricon, WI12 milesWebsite+1 (920) 387-5450"It is right next to the toilets/showers. The bathrooms were clean, the attendants were really nice, they borrowed us an extension cord so we could set up a bit further back."
"Walking along the trails, you can see where it gets its name! Lots of cool ledges and rock outcrops. We saw a moderate amount of birds and heard a bunch of critters (owls, a fox (?!))"
2. Derge County Park
6 ReviewsBeaver Dam, WI3 milesWebsite+1 (920) 887-0365"A small campground right on Beaver Dam Lake. There's a boat launch but no beach. Bathrooms have showers and are very clean. It's not a bad spot for a weekend fishing trip."
"The campground is near Beaver Dam lake and you get a pass to the boat landing with the camping fee. The sites are clearly marked and level."
3. Astico County Park
8 ReviewsBeaver Dam, WI11 milesWebsite+1 (920) 623-5274$20 - $25 / night
"Site had extra space around it, and we could canoe right from our site or use the boat launch by site 13."
"My family and I enjoy the rural setting but its close proximity to several communities. With smaller children having resources available was nice."
4. The Playful Goose Campground
5 ReviewsHoricon, WI10 milesWebsite+1 (920) 485-4744"I really enjoyed the large lot we were on that backed up to a creek which you cannot hear or see but it is all forest behind you."
"Nice trails within different areas of campground."
5. Waupun Park Campground
5 ReviewsWaupun, WI13 milesWebsite+1 (920) 960-4263"We enjoyed the fall colors and privacy for a long stop on our trip across the northern border."
"We stayed there for a while very pretty and the people very friendly bring wood to your camp they have trails you can walk and county pool and golf course sites are good size we will return it's **close **"
6. Fairgrounds RV Park
1 ReviewBeaver Dam, WI4 milesWebsite+1 (920) 210-2085$35 - $50 / night
"Nicest people ever.
20/30/50 amp service Most sites have water hook-up Restrooms Dump station Campfires in above ground fire pits supplied by you Pet friendly I like some privacy and the opportunity"7. Fon du Lac County Waupun Park
3 ReviewsWaupun, WI12 milesWebsite+1 (920) 929-3135"We stayed on site 22 which was a nine minute walk from the toilet and had a street light. There are water spigots throughout. Site 21 or 23 would be better."
"Golf course right next-door so close you could walk to. Most of the sites were in a wooded area, which gives you some privacy."
8. Silver Springs Campsites Inc
7 ReviewsPardeeville, WI18 milesWebsite+1 (920) 992-3537"The pool is busy on the weekends so go jump in the lake and climb the giant slide. The night life is pretty awesome as well. There was a live band one night during our stay and it sure was a BLAST!"
"They have a fully stocked store, pool, kangaroo pad and lake with inflatable slides etc. Their playground is awesome and kept all 12 kids ages 1-12 busy for the whole day. We would stay there again."
9. Wild Goose City Park
1 ReviewHoricon, WI8 milesWebsite+1 (920) 386-370510. Mauthe Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit
45 ReviewsCampbellsport, WI34 milesWebsite+1 (262) 626-2116$18 - $28 / night
"Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin."
"Wonderful trail around the lake and a variety of different campsites. Plenty of space, very rural. Very wisconsin!"
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Beaver Dam, WI
112 Photos of 128 Beaver Dam Campgrounds
Kay K.
Derge County Park
justin
The Playful Goose Campground
Kay K.
Astico County Park
justin
Ledge County Park
Kay K.
Fon du Lac County Waupun Park
alicianlv
Waupun Park Campground
Cassie W.
Glacier Valley Campground
Kelly B.
Willow Mill Campsite LLC
Patti M.
Sleepy Dragon Campground
Jeffrey S.
Duck Creek Campground
justin
Indian Trails Campground
Matthew J.
Hattie Sherwood Park
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Beaver Dam, WI
892 Reviews of 128 Beaver Dam Campgrounds
- Pat M.Traveler
Milton-Madison SE KOA
Great stay
Just became KOA met local campers that love this park! Good sites, trash pickup at side! They even have a snack bar and deliver to your campsite! No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!
- Debbi S.Traveler
Wisconsin Dells KOA
Good campground for families with kids
A central playground and pool are the biggest draws for families with kids. There's also a prospecting 'sluice' that you can buy for the kids to look for 'fossils' and interesting rocks.
The campground is located just north of the main attractions of Wisconsin Dells.
Campsites are not overly generous in size -- typical KOA, where some are 'stacked like cordwood'. Don't go there if you want any privacy from your neighbors.
Cabins are available for those wanting to 'camp' without a camper.
Very small dog park area.
Friendly check in staff. However, we were given a map with our campsite noted and told to wait for a person driving a golf cart to escort us and help us get situated. We waited...and waited...and waited...golf carts came and went, but passed us by. We finally gave up waiting and found out site by ourselves.
- Lori H.
GuideIndian Trails Campground
Lots of wholesome family fun
Pond, pool, snack shop, kayak rentals, fishing pond, family bicycle course with helmets, dog park, lots of activities/themes, reasonably priced, and clean!
- AAnnette I.Guide
Glacier Valley Campground
Fun place
Nice, clean, well maintained campground with something for everyone. Swimming pond is huge with toys for everyone. You can bring your own pool toys. Sites are decently spacious and decently level with some gravel and some grass. Bathhouse is nice & clean. Office/store has some logo goodies as well as any necessities you may need. They had a beer tasting going on, live music at the pavilion- both on a Saturday during our stay. A couple trails around for walks with dogs & a dog park. Lively campground during the day but nice & quiet at night with quiet hours being 11pm-8am.
Annabelle G.GuideOttawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
Our all-time favorite place
Absolutely beautiful, reasonable prices, electric available. Tons of restrooms, showers, laundry, and wonderful camp hosts. Huge beach area, dog park, fishing as well. Shop to buy items you may need and absolutely wonderful place. Open all year round
Kay K.
LegendDerge County Park
Beautiful mature oaks
The campground is near Beaver Dam lake and you get a pass to the boat landing with the camping fee. The sites are clearly marked and level. Some have more shade than others, the descriptions at reservation are accurate. Site 4 has nice grass and plenty of trees along the back. The site sizes are adequate but there isn’t much room between sites. Overall the campground was quiet, except for a few RVs running things all night. It was not dark, the RVs keep their lights on all night and there isn’t enough foliage to block it. We are the only pop up here, there are no tents. The space certainly allows grass for tents, I think the culture is just a little different. The shower house is clean, but showers only have a curtain and a central drain in the building means the toilet stall floors get wet too. There is a small playground and a GaGa ball pit. Overall, this is a well kept campground and perfect for spending a night on the way to somewhere. There isn’t much draw for a longer stay.
Debra M.LegendWilliam G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground (Dane County Park)
So Much to Do Worth a Second Visit
We enjoyed this park so much we have already been here twice and have a third trip planned for this coming September. There are very wide bike/hiking paths that are paved or stone.
The huge lake has boating opportunities and you can rent a boat in McFarland that is a short drive or bike ride. We rented a boat to fish and then drove across the lake to eat at a restaurant with boat parking.
The nature center is across the street from the campground and has a small snack bar/restaurant. There are cranes walking all around and the park is so big it has different types of plants to explore. There is an observation tower and in the picnic area a playground. The best part is the boardwalk that extents over the lake and you are walking/riding on water.
About a half a mile away is a very nice dog park that you receive admission to if you have a campsite.
Dane County has many parks in their system and we have stayed at several and all are great.
- DDestiny C.
ScoutLantern DeForest
nice clean quiet
My first time at a campsite and new to the rv life. This campground is nice and so are the employees grass gets cut every week, the pool is clean, so is the dog park, my husband likes going to the camp bathroom for a hot shower because our rv only has 10 gallons of hot water. We did 3 months at the camp!
Guide to Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam Lake sits at approximately 845 feet above sea level, surrounded by glacial features that define eastern Wisconsin's landscape. Campgrounds in the region experience warm summers with average temperatures between 75-85°F from June through August and cold winters dropping below 20°F. Most Dodge County campgrounds remain open from early May through mid-October with limited winter accessibility.
What to do
Hiking near Horicon Marsh: Explore the trail system at Ledge County Park with its distinctive rock formations. "Walking along the trails, you can see where it gets its name! Lots of cool ledges and rock outcrops. We saw a moderate amount of birds and heard a bunch of critters (owls, a fox) one night," notes camper Renee R.
Fishing on Rock River: Access the water directly from campsites at The Playful Goose Campground. "Great sites along the Rock River, just a few minutes from the Horicon Marsh," reports Rachelle W. Campground sits on creek-adjacent woodland where "deer are visible daily" according to seasonal campers.
Swimming options: Visit Waupun County Park with access to the city pool. Ann notes the campground offers "easy access to city pool and downtown stores," making it convenient for families wanting swimming options beyond lake access.
What campers like
Private, quiet campsites: Waupun Park Campground offers secluded spots in mature forest. "The deep spots offer gorgeous private, well wooded area that makes you feel like you're all alone in the woods," shares Rita G. Sites on the outside of the loop provide extra privacy with "beautiful oak/hickory forest with many birds, chipmunks."
Clean facilities: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Beaver Dam maintain well-kept bathrooms. At Astico County Park, "the shower house is clean" and facilities are regularly maintained despite high usage during peak season. Phillip J. appreciates that it "provides the camping experience with access to amenities for a young family."
Dark skies for stargazing: Some campgrounds offer minimal light pollution. Kay K. reports that at Astico County Park "it was dark enough to see the Milky Way" after quiet hours, creating excellent conditions for night sky viewing.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate May through October with varying amenities. At Derge County Park, "sites are being enlarged to accommodate modern larger campers" according to one camper, while Jeffrey Z. notes you can "fill up with potable water at the entrance."
Variable site sizes: Campground layouts differ significantly across the region. At Ledge County Park, Renee R. cautions, "I'm not a trailer camper, but if I were I would not appreciate the vibes of the electric sites. The sites are very close together and walking through it felt like going through a festival or circus more than a campground."
Shower facilities: Mauthe Lake Campground provides private shower rooms, though "showers are a bit of a hike from most sites but they are private/individual rooms," according to Graisyn S. Other campgrounds offer coin-operated showers requiring quarters.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple pet-friendly campgrounds offer play equipment for children. At Waupun Park, families will find "playgrounds, pickle ball court" and recreational facilities within walking distance, according to recent visitors.
Rental options: Some sites offer equipment for water activities. At Astico County Park, "they have canoes and kayaks to rent," making water recreation accessible without bringing your own gear.
Swimming beaches: Mauthe Lake Campground features "nice clean swimming" areas according to Noreen T. The lake has "a nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids" as reported by Kaylyn C., making it popular for families with pets.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RVers should research specific site dimensions before booking. At Derge County Park, "the site sizes are adequate but there isn't much room between sites," according to Kay K. who also noted "the sites are clearly marked and level."
Dump station access: Most campgrounds provide dump facilities but limited full-hookup sites. At Fairgrounds RV Park, Karen reports, "20/30/50 amp service, most sites have water hook-up" and "dump station" available, making it functional for shorter stays without sewer connections.
Weather adaptations: RVers should prepare for both summer heat and sudden storms. "Enjoying our time here, in spite of the rain. Some sites are nicely spaced apart," notes Stacey N. about camping conditions that frequently change in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Beaver Dam, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Beaver Dam, WI is Ledge County Park with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
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