Governor Dodge State Park's pet-friendly campgrounds include Cox Hollow and Twin Valley, both offering extensive trail access for dogs on leashes. The park maintains multiple camping areas with pet accommodations, including backpack campsites and an equestrian campground where dogs are welcome. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground provides a dedicated pet swimming area separate from the human beach, allowing dogs to cool off during summer months. Both parks require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 8 feet when outside designated pet areas. Campground reviews note that while Governor Dodge's sites are well-spaced with good privacy, Yellowstone Lake's pet beach area consists mainly of grass covered with goose droppings rather than a true beach setting.
Hiking trails throughout these state parks accommodate leashed pets, with Governor Dodge offering over 40 miles of trails through wooded bluffs and around two lakes. Blackhawk Lake Recreational Area provides additional pet-friendly camping options with cabin accommodations that accept dogs. Most campgrounds in the region enforce quiet hours beginning at 10 p.m., which helps manage barking issues. Campers report that Tom's Campground in Dodgeville offers particularly spacious sites for RVs with pets, while Blue Mound State Park Campground provides electric hookups and shaded sites ideal for summer camping with dogs. The nearest emergency veterinary services are located in Madison, approximately 45 minutes from most Dodgeville area campgrounds.
"Two good lakes for kayaking/canoeing/fishing/swimming. Lots of good hiking trails and they are working on a big improvement to the equestrian campground."
"We love to go kayaking here, the lakes are lovely. There are also lots of trails to explore. It can get busy, especially during the summer holidays."
"The flush toilets and showers were conveniently located a few sites down the road. We would choose this site again, and also found a handful of others for our “nice sites” list!"
"Lakes, trails, kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, fishing. Hidden gem of Wisconsin. The campsites are pretty private, nestled in trees. Some shaded, some have sun and shade."
"This is a popular place in the area, the human beaches are full and the small pet beach area was well used by my husband, myself and our two dogs; Odinn & Frigga over Memorial Day."
"Tons of forest with cross country, equestrian, and hiking trails. One of the best lakes in Wisconsin for fishing along with a nice beach, and pet area. There is a free gun range."
$18 / night
"Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."
"Go to Blue Mounds Grocery on the way in. easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and running trails - including Military Ridge Trail. Camped here with 2 friends during a cross country road trip."
"Lots of access to pit toilets and water fountains from primary camping sites!"
"Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus. Lots to do for the whole family"
"We needed a place after visiting the House on the Rock and couldn't find anything with hookups nearby. We stumbled upon Tom's Campground hoping to find a site."
"The campground was higher up on the hill, it took a 5 minutes to hike down to the lake with lots of steep steps. Nice beach area. I spent two nights here with an RV. I had electric hookup."
"It's up on a hill, so there's good views of the driftless area of Wisconsin. Plenty of open walk up camp sites, but it might be more full in the summer."
"The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay.
- Well-kept vault toilets.
- Close to a many points of interest."
$32 - $170 / night
"There is also a man-made lake with a beach for swimming and bigger kids to enjoy the large inflatable slides and swim platforms."
"The camp fire was located under a tree. We didn’t have a fire. It’s a little unusual location. I think the pull Thru are more fit for travel trailers not more 31 feet."
GuideFriendly staff and a nicely stocked store. Has a pool, petting zoo, kayaks, rocky beach, dog park, and a land pillow! The sites are spaced out well and there are more secluded sites so you have the feeling of privacy or big group sites for a big party.
ScoutGreat location close to many things yet far enough to feel quiet and peaceful. Great owners always have fun stuff going on for everyone and our dog loves the dog park!
TravelerA 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.
GuideThis is a popular place in the area, the human beaches are full and the small pet beach area was well used by my husband, myself and our two dogs; Odinn & Frigga over Memorial Day. The hiking is amazing , particularly the Oakgrove trail, plenty to see with beautiful views. There is boating, canoeing, etc. Bring the strongest mosquito repellent you can get, Wisconsin in summer can be rough. We tried our Black Diamond poles and Thule day bags and we got to try cooling vests for the dogs from Ruffwear. It was so much fun. Note that there are sites to camp, cabins nearby and plenty of Hipcamp sites near. Strongly recommend Riverview Bottoms, which sits in a 500 acre property and is 10 min away.
LegendWe 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.
ScoutMy 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!
GuideWe stayed in our 42 ft motor home with jeep tow. We drove to the park in our jeep at nine am on a Sunday to check availability. If you haven’t reserved a site, there are several sites for walk-ins but you have to be present to sign/obtain them. Check out time is three pm but weekend people often leave earlier in the day and that is what occurred for us. Several sites have 50 amp plus there are thirty amp And non electric/tent sites available. The campground has showers and bathrooms but this is a county park so understand these are not hotel facilities. They are adequate for campIng. There are biking and hiking trails in and through the park and trail users also share the restrooms. The park is close to Madison. There is WiFi but the signal is variable. The ranger and campground hosts were friendly and helpful. Four legged campers on leash can walk with you on the trails and there is s nearby dog park.
LegendGeneral: 58 sites with various amenities. Some are long pull-throughs, some are back-in, some have 30 amp with or without a patio, and some have 50-amp electric with or without a patio. Tents are NOT allowed. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and asked to sign a waiver and given a welcome packet. The rules are extensive, but most are common sense/courtesy and not at all unreasonable.
Site Quality: All had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park. Our site had a patio and decent-sized picnic table but it was chilly when we were there so we ate inside.
Bathhouse: Very clean as were the showers.
Activities/Amenities: There are many activities offered, including a dog park, basketball, horseshoes, games (cornhole, large checkerboard, and others), a barn with a television, a book library, puzzles, and a pool table. Coffee is available after 9 am. There is also a small chapel available 24/7 and a laundry room. WiFi is also available. There is a camp store with ice, ice cream, some camping supplies, clothing, crafts, and more. We were told several restaurants will deliver to the campground.
We don’t typically prefer to stay in RV-style campgrounds, but it was conveniently located with easy access off Route 151 just over the Wisconsin border from Iowa, we were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed our short stay passing through. Pride of ownership was evident throughout.
TravelerWe spend quite a bit of time here. We hunt here and camp here year round. Tons of forest with cross country, equestrian, and hiking trails. One of the best lakes in Wisconsin for fishing along with a nice beach, and pet area. There is a free gun range. Hunt anything from pheasent to deer. There is also a nice bar and grill just down the street. Along with dairy bar as part of the park. Showers and bathrooms are always clean.
Dodgeville's campgrounds lie within Wisconsin's Driftless Area, characterized by valleys carved by streams and ancient bedrock formations rising 200-400 feet above the surrounding landscape. Summer camping season runs from late May through September, with typical daytime highs around 80°F and overnight lows in the 50s during peak season. The region's unique terrain offers ideal conditions for wildlife viewing, particularly in early morning and evening hours.
Waterfall exploration: 3-mile loop trails at Governor Dodge State Park lead to Stevens Falls. "The Stevens Falls and Canyon Trails were the highlight of the trip- even in the rain! First you can explore the old spring house and read the informational signs about the family that used to farm there and other early settlers in the area," reports Siobhan R.
Mountain biking trails: moderate difficulty throughout Blue Mound State Park Campground. "An awesome place to hike especially, but good camping too. Climb up into the firetower if you get a chance too!" suggests Grace M. The park maintains dedicated mountain biking trails suitable for intermediate riders.
Lake activities: kayak/canoe rentals available at Cox Hollow and Twin Valley. "Two good lakes for kayaking/canoeing/fishing/swimming. Lots of good hiking trails and they are working on a big improvement to the equestrian campground," notes Paul C. Boat rentals typically cost $15-25 per hour depending on watercraft type.
Spacious campsites: good separation at Twin Valley Campground. "Lower being better for larger RVs while upper has more shaded, cozier sites better for smaller rigs and tents," explains Brian O. Many sites feature natural screening between neighbors.
Backpacking options: walk-in sites provide a remote feel. "Back packing sites are 1/2- 1 mile hike from parking lot. Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus," writes Nick C. about the backpack campsites.
Night sky viewing: minimal light pollution at many campgrounds. "Chose this campground for the low light pollution in order to watch a meteor shower," notes Larry E. about Blackhawk Lake Recreational Area. The elevated position of many campsites provides excellent stargazing opportunities.
Seasonal wildlife concerns: raccoons are active in summer months. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" warns Jen L. Another camper adds: "The raccoons here and insanely bold, we had one frequently visit our site and get VERY close to us and in the evening ended up ripping thru the roof of our tent."
Shower facilities: bring quarters at some campgrounds. At Toms Campground, "Showers could be updated and it does cost 25 cents for a 7 minute shower. Camping sites reasonably priced only take cash or a check," advises a visitor.
Reservation timing: peak season books early especially for weekend dates. "Peak season reservations are a definite (weeks to months in advance for weekends)," according to one camper. Most campgrounds open reservations 11 months in advance through the Wisconsin DNR reservation system.
Swimming options: dedicated kid areas at several parks. "There is a decent sized pool that is clean and well-maintained with a smaller kiddie pool with a slide. There is also a man-made lake with a beach for swimming and bigger kids to enjoy the large inflatable slides and swim platforms," describes Kim L. at Wisconsin Riverside Resort.
Educational trails: history markers provide learning opportunities. "Once you continue down to the falls they have another informational plaque about the falls with old pictures," notes one reviewer. Many trails feature interpretive signs about local geology and ecology.
Accessible facilities: paved paths available for strollers. "Some paths are paved for those who struggle with uneven terrain," mentions Mallory M. Most campground bathrooms include accessible stalls and shower facilities.
Site selection: check levelness before booking. "We slept with our heads lower than our feet in our camper van. Except for the handicap accessible sites, all are non electric," warns Lee D. Many sites require leveling blocks or jacks.
Hookup availability: electric only at most state park campgrounds. "The sites for RVs have electrical, but no water. The bathrooms are OK, its what you expect from a state park," notes Kim L. about Blue Mound State Park. Water fill and dump stations are typically centrally located rather than at individual sites.
Size restrictions: length limits vary by campground. "Great campground for everything but big 5th wheelers and motorhomes," cautions one camper. Some loops accommodate larger rigs while others have tight turns and overhanging branches that limit access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dodgeville, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dodgeville, WI is Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Dodgeville, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 99 dog-friendly camping locations near Dodgeville, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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