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Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit's pet-friendly campgrounds provide numerous options for campers with dogs. Ottawa Lake, Pinewoods, and the Kettle Moraine South Camping areas all welcome pets with spacious, privacy-focused campsites that accommodate tents, RVs, and even cabin lodging. Each campground maintains clean facilities with showers, drinking water, and picnic tables at most sites. The sites feature good separation between neighbors with thick foliage providing privacy while camping with dogs. Alcohol is permitted at all sites, and most campgrounds include fire rings with firewood available for purchase. Campers note the natural surroundings offer plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing, with sandhill cranes frequently spotted around the Ottawa Lake area.
The extensive trail network throughout Kettle Moraine provides excellent dog-walking opportunities, though pet owners should verify which specific trails permit dogs, as not all do. The Ice Age Trail connects to many campgrounds and offers miles of scenic hiking with pets. Ottawa Lake features a swimming beach where dogs are allowed in designated areas, though some visitors report encounters with untrained dogs at the pet swimming areas. The campgrounds provide easy access to hiking trails with varying difficulty levels, from easy nature walks to more technical terrain with challenging climbs. Most sites require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends when the campgrounds fill quickly. The location approximately one hour from Milwaukee makes these pet-friendly options convenient for weekend getaways without extensive travel.
"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 $23 - $38 / 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 $23 - $90 / night
Check Availability"The rangers drive through regularly and will deliver wood to your site if requested."
"Swim or fish in the lake, archery or huge picnic sites."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Nestled in the heart of lake country (Waukesha County) and accessible from the Lake Country Trail and Ice Age Trail, this county park is perfect for those just passing through or families looking for a"
"Very windy weekend but I imagine during the summer it’s a great spot to camp near their big beach and lake access."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"You can rent backpacking shelters, at the ranger station in Eagle. The shelter is basically a barn without a front door. It comes with a fire ring, table, and an outhouse!"
"Reservable backpacking sites about 45-60min away from nearest parking. Fire pit, shelter, and picnic table at site.
Really enjoyed the hike through forest to get to this site."
from $23 / 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 $18 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area."
"I did not stay at this park, but did drive and walk through it to get a feel for it. There are a number of sites I'd love to tent camp in. This park is bounded by a lake with a nice beach."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Decent walk and terrain to get to the site. There is an open shelter to put your tent if you prefer to outside. There is a fire pit, but we found our own wood around the site. (Bring a small axe)."
"I did not stay here, but I spend some time walking through to get a feel for the place."
"Wanted someplace close to home. Familiar with the Delavan area so was excited to find Snug Harbor. Set up went well, didn’t blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in."
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe 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. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.
TravelerJust 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!
GuideAbsolutely 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
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.
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.
TravelerGreat park with swimming beach, trails, dog park, and archery range. Campsites were ok, not much separation or privacy at all. Pit toilets and metros desperately need to be cleaned more often. We had very noisy neighbors that did not respect the quiet hours rule and park staff did nothing to intervene. Very convenient that they drive through the Campground to sell/deliver firewood tho. I'd stay here again because the park overall is great, but I would try to choose a better site. #9 looked alright, and in the 20#s looked a bit more tree lined and bigger.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
RangerI was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
GuideWe stayed here one night and had a great experience! The restroom/bathhouse is super clean, conveniently located, and NEW. A refreshing thing after roughing it. We took a trail down to the trussle bridge that goes across the river. Nice nature view. Fishing was good too, near the bridge at the entrance to the park. My son was there maybe 5 min and hooked a decent sized pike. We brought our two dogs and they enjoyed the quiet of the park and the trails. Only complaint I had was that someone previously had left dog poop at our site, but sometimes people don't clean up after their pets. Our site had electric, only 30 amp hookup but we had a 50 amp adapter and it worked well. We would definitely stay again.
Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit spans 22,000 acres of glacial terrain with campsites situated among dense pine forests, open prairies, and rolling hills. Winter temperatures average 25°F while summer temperatures range 70-85°F with moderate humidity. Road noise is noticeable at some campgrounds, especially those closer to highways, though sites further from main roads provide a quieter experience.
Hiking varied terrain: The Ice Age Trail sections connect to several dog-friendly campgrounds near Eagle with routes varying from flat paths to more challenging elevations. "We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail. While the view was mostly hidden it was still a nice hike. The trail is wide which meant my doggo hiked by my side," notes a visitor at Pinewoods Campground.
Winter camping: Unlike many Wisconsin campgrounds that close for the season, several Kettle Moraine sites remain open year-round. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports a camper from Ottawa Lake Campground. Winter camping provides solitude and different wildlife viewing opportunities compared to busy summer months.
Spring water exploration: Natural springs throughout the forest offer a unique experience for those camping with dogs. "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" shares an enthusiastic visitor, highlighting attractions beyond standard hiking trails.
Varied campsite privacy: While all campgrounds accommodate pets, site privacy differs significantly across loops. At Kettle Moraine South Camping, "The sites were very nice with some decent foliage between sites. The space was generous so we didn't feel crowded." This contrasts with more open layouts at other locations.
Lake quality: Ottawa Lake stands out for water recreation with dog-friendly areas. "The lake is very clean and the site are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" notes one reviewer, emphasizing the need for advance planning during peak times.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Different wildlife appears throughout the seasons at these pet-friendly campgrounds. At Mukwonago Park, "Great landscape and wildlife. We were lucky enough to have a couple of Sandhill Cranes walk through our camp early one morning," which offers excellent photography opportunities for nature enthusiasts.
Loop designations: Not all loops at each campground allow pets. "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," advises a camper from Pinewoods, highlighting the importance of checking specific loop rules when booking.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campsites more than others. "The road noise is absolutely noticeable. It was incredibly loud when we drove through the loop closest to the highway and was significantly better even just one section over," reports a visitor from Ottawa Lake.
Off-season facilities: Winter campers should note limited amenities. At Kettle Moraine Southern Unit, "You can camp year around in this campground. Most recent 2 times were winter camping. No host so buying wood is an issue, but pick a site on the edge and there is more than enough free. Bring a saw."
Quick weekend trips: The Kettle Moraine area's proximity to Milwaukee (approximately one hour) makes it ideal for families wanting pet-friendly camping without extensive travel. "Close enough to metropolitan areas but not too close. All have feeling of being in the north woods with out the travel," notes a reviewer from Ottawa Lake.
Swimming options beyond beaches: For families with dogs, Muskego Park provides alternative water access. "A spring fed pond for swimming and fishing" offers a different experience than Ottawa Lake's beach, allowing more flexibility for families with pets of varying water comfort levels.
Weather preparations: The region experiences significant rain even during summer months. "Our site was nice for an inside loop. However we got rained out and having a five year old little girl, a 14wk old puppy, and a newbie camper almost four others we could only take so much rain," shares a Pinewoods visitor, suggesting waterproof gear is essential year-round.
Site selection for RVs: Some campgrounds offer more suitable RV camping with pets than others. "We've been full time RVers for 4 years and this is a beautiful campground close to 'home'. We stay here a couple of times each year for doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family and friends, and general relaxation," notes an experienced Ottawa Lake camper.
Campground loop differences: RVs face different challenges in the various loops throughout Kettle Moraine. "The sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain. Our site (22) was relatively flat, felt secluded, had good tree coverage with some filtered sunlight," explains a visitor at Pinewoods, information particularly valuable for larger vehicles navigating wooded sites with dogs.
Electric hookups: RV campers should note electric access varies by campground and specific sites. Several campgrounds recently added electric options, including Mukwonago Park which now features electric hookups that weren't available in previous seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Eagle, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Eagle, WI is Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Eagle, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near Eagle, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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