75 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area provides pet-friendly camping in both Sunrise and Sunset campgrounds, where leashed dogs are welcomed throughout the park. Sites are generally spacious with good tree coverage for privacy, especially in the Sunset loop where sites 312, 314, 327, 328, 329, and 333 offer excellent shade and flat terrain. Dogs must remain on leash at all times while exploring the recreation area's extensive trail system. The campgrounds feature clean restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Most campers find the park rangers vigilant about enforcing rules, particularly regarding pets and quiet hours.
The recreation area spans thousands of acres with multiple hiking trails ideal for dog walking through prairie and wooded areas. Many trails are relatively flat and appropriate for all skill levels. The park includes Wolf Lake, where dogs can cool off near shorelines though swimming restrictions may apply. Campers with pets should be prepared for mosquitoes, particularly after rainfall, and ticks during warmer months. Basic insect repellent and regular tick checks are recommended for both humans and pets. Nearby Burlington provides veterinary services and pet supplies if needed. The park's diverse ecosystem offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, though pet owners should keep dogs leashed to prevent wildlife disturbances or encounters with local fauna.
"I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"
"Pros: great hiking trails, nice lake to kayak on, family friendly beach and picnic areas Cons: Not great fishing, no dog friendly swim area, the beach/fishing pier/boat launch are all pretty far from"
from $21 - $39 / night
Check Availability"I grew up in Burlington and used to visit this place often. This place has a little of everything except mountains. You can fish, hunt, hit the trail in your boots, or on your ORV."
"Rocket launch (bring your own,) atv (no rentals-bring your own), water fowl hunting (during season), fishing, wildlife watching, swimming at the beach, playground for kids, and my favorite- nice trails"
from $21 - $110 / night
Check Availability"We love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in."
"Nice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time"
from $19 - $37 / night
Check Availability"Huge beach area, dog park, fishing as well. Shop to buy items you may need and absolutely wonderful place. Open all year round"
"Some have a beautiful view of lake. Some water fountains did not work, however sinks were always working. So many little trails all throughout the campsite."
from $21 - $39 / night
Check Availability"Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."
"we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"
"The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore"
"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."
"Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind. I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children!"
"I've stayed here twice, both times in August (of different years), both times in Loop 1 which is the quiet loop (no pets, no radios or other noise, 24 hours a day)."
from $21 - $90 / night
Check Availability"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"However there is plenty of space around to find a spot on your own. The campsites are a nice size and have electric hookups. Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out."
TravelerWe got a campsite with a concrete pad. Electricity 30 amp site. There is a dump station close to the registration office. Boat ramp available for campers. One cabin for rental overlooking the Pierce Lake $50/night for Illinois resident. Beautiful setting. Wild turkeys roaming through our campground.
ScoutThe park is beautiful. The water is beautiful. They say it's a gated community, but it's open to the public 9 to 5 daily. At twenty five dollars per person. And then on friday and saturday night, the locals that park here for the summer start their party central including karaoke at the camper next door, and several others. I've never had a camcround with that loud of parties. And it's a weekend event. I like hearing and seeing people having fun but when the manager extends the curfew for the parties she's at (they kind of party hop), it starts to affect the enjoyment of the park. If we had to stay, we'd stay in the S## sites in the back, where you don't hear so much of the partying. And then during the day, the rules began. Kind of like the soup nazi.
TravelerThere’s a lot of things to do out here. We did some hiking with our boy. The site we were at was maintained. It’s a nice place to go camping.
LegendThere’s something wonderfully EZ about camping where the kids can wander down toward the water and suddenly the whole weekend seems to slow down ... and that’s the entire charm of Honeysuckle Hollow. Here at Chain O’Lakes State Park, Honeysuckle Hollow is the largest and most wide open of the park’s camping areas, with electric sites geared particularly well toward RV families, although the tradeoff is noticeably less shade and almost zero privacy between nearly every campsite, compared with neighboring Fox Den, which offers up much more seclusion and shade. The greatest asset here is undoubtedly the direct access to Turner Lake (although you could also have direct access over at Turner Lake South), giving families an EZ place to fish, paddle or simply explore the shoreline, while electric hookups, picnic tables, grills and a nearby restroom/shower building keep the actual camping comfortably simple. We especially loved those unhurried moments when the boys could wander toward the lake while dinner was getting started and everyone seemed perfectly happy just being outside together. The shower facility here is convenient, although we found it just slightly more dilapidated conditions than the bathhouse located closer to Fox Den. From what we saw, I’d choose one of the better-spaced sites toward the Turner Lake side of the campground, where EZ water access helps compensate for Honeysuckle’s limited privacy. I’d recommend Honeysuckle for families who value electricity, lake access and a lively campground atmosphere, particularly if having Turner Lake practically in your backyard matters more than having your neighbors hidden behind the trees. One point to note is that the pier was in an advanced state of disrepair and so we were not able to fully maximize this particular amenity - so if accessing Turner Lake is important to you and your family, we would recommend calling ahead to verify the condition of the pier.
GuideWe are traveling mid week in September so did not make advanced reservations. The registration booth attendant assigned us site 506. (We were not permitted to drive through to pick our own location before registering). Our site was grassy and a bit muddy after some significant rains, but it was cozy with trees and tall brush on all sides. Pit toilets at each loop with a shower building just 5 minute walk away. You can hear the din of the highway about .5 miles away, but an easy place to stay if you are traveling through. Electricity on site, water spigots nearby and dump station near the entrance.
GuideLast minute online reservation...They only have. 4 or 5 RV sites...full hook ups...about $60+-...right near gas pumps but any noise did not bother us weary travelers...Only downside was showers were not included....For the price certainly an included shower should be part of the deal...easy check in and check out.,..We used the Love's site due to its location to visit family and the fact that electric was available...We have medical equipment that requires a recharge at night plus it's just nice to have the AC if needed.
TravelerSimple campsite. We should have brought some leveling blocks, But otherwise my wife and I enjoyed the site for our rental RV. Short 10 minute walk to Lake Michigan. The camp store is fairly robust with friendly people working there. I appreciate that there are 2 lanes for dump/fill stations. My wife and I would absolutely stay here again.
LegendWe had a truly enjoyable stay and would’ve stayed an extra day if our travel schedule would’ve allowed. David was a wonderful host. Greeted us with a smile and escorted us to our site. We had our choice of 2 spots, both lovely. Picnic table and plenty of FREE firewood to keep us cozy. Wild turkeys roamed the grounds as well as the friendly ducks. All in all, a very peaceful evening and a special place.
GuideSites are large, well-spaced, many shaded by wonderful large trees. The woods are very open with little understory, and much of the area facing the road is graveled, so you will still see your neighbors. So many hiking options - the Ice Age Trail connects to the campground only a few minutes walk away. Many hiking options, the walk to the Powder Hill Lookout tower is a must. Picnic area and waterfront are a short drive away. Bathrooms were clean and showers free, hot, and strong. Some traffic noise from highway nearby but quiet at night.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area spans over 4,500 acres of varied terrain near Burlington, Wisconsin, with elevations ranging from 740 to 800 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. The recreation area's location in southeastern Wisconsin creates a transitional ecosystem between northern forest and southern prairie landscapes, resulting in diverse wildlife habitats throughout the property.
Fishing opportunities: At Ottawa Lake Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing in the clean lake that also hosts triathlons. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" notes Neysha R., highlighting the popularity of water activities.
Kayaking and canoeing: Water enthusiasts appreciate Turner Lake South for its accessible waterways. As Cora M. explains, "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far."
ATV riding: For those seeking more rugged activities, the ATV track at Sunrise Campground provides an outlet for motorized recreation. "We went for the ATV track. We took our bikes down by the pond and park. They have flush toilets and showers," reports Katie D., emphasizing the amenities that complement outdoor activities.
Natural spring water: Hikers at Kettle Moraine enjoy discovering natural springs. One visitor at Ottawa Lake shared, "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" This unique feature provides both recreation and refreshment.
Wildlife observation: Sunset Campground offers exceptional wildlife viewing. Tim H. reports, "It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw."
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Sunset Campground. "What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private," explains Tim H., describing a feature that enhances the camping experience.
Seasonal considerations: Pinewoods Campground varies considerably by season. Jack D. notes, "We stayed in loop 3 site 273 as we were camping in the early season and loops 1-2 were closed." This highlights the importance of checking seasonal closures.
Bug preparation: Insect populations can be significant throughout the area. One camper at Sunset Campground warns, "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it." Prepare accordingly with proper repellents and protective clothing.
Campground access: Some properties like Chain O' Lakes State Park have significant distances between areas. One visitor observed, "This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove."
Campsite selection: When reserving at dog-friendly campgrounds near Burlington, select carefully. Art S. advises, "Firstly- don't reserve a spot in loop 1 if you have a dog. It was easy enough to change but now we know to aim for loop 2 or 3."
Playground access: Fox Den Campground offers family-friendly facilities. As one camper notes, "There is a playground too but the diverse hiking and woodsy sites make this one to return to."
Child-safe terrain: When camping with young children, terrain matters. At Pinewoods Campground, site selection can enhance safety. "Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight," shares Abbe W.
Educational programs: Many Burlington area pet-friendly campgrounds offer nature programs. At Big Foot Beach State Park, one visitor mentioned, "The Weekend we were here they had a free Kids fishing weekend and John the naturalist was amazing!! There is a ton to do at this park the nature center has activities all weekend long."
Tick prevention: For families camping with children or pets, tick management is crucial. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks," warns one camper, suggesting tick checks become a regular routine.
Electric hookup locations: At various dog-friendly campgrounds near Burlington, electric hookup placement varies significantly. As a camper at Chain O' Lakes noted, "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad... Moved to 50 one of the nicest spots."
Site spacing considerations: RVers appreciate the spacing at sites like those in Fox Den. "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post... Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees."
Gate closure timing: RVers should note that many parks enforce strict gate closure times. At Chain O' Lakes State Park, "the gates close at 10 PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in... unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark."
Dump station timing: Holiday weekends create congestion at dump stations. One RVer at a nearby campground advised planning ahead: "Since there's no full hookup, they needed someone to control the traffic that comes from two different directions going to the dual dump stations."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Burlington, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Burlington, WI is Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Burlington, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Burlington, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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