Elkhorn Campgrounds provides spacious sites for pets and campers alike, with a convenient location walking distance from downtown Elkhorn. Dogs are welcome throughout the grounds, though bikes are not permitted. Each site features electric hookups, fire pits, and full RV services including water connections and a sanitary dump station. The fairground setting offers a unique camping experience where pets can enjoy grassy areas, though visitors should note that no specific dog park or designated pet area exists. Sites are described by reviewers as having ample space despite being in an open area with limited privacy between campers.
Pet owners camping near Lake Geneva will find Big Foot Beach State Park Campground particularly accommodating with its shaded sites and pet-friendly policies. Trails throughout the park are accessible to leashed pets, though dogs are not permitted in most of the park's main recreational areas or on the small beach. The campground features newly renovated bathhouses and shower facilities with constant hot water availability. Campsites vary considerably in size and privacy, with sites 27, 32 and 74 noted for better shade and privacy. The park's proximity to Lake Geneva provides additional recreation options, while pet-friendly dining is available at The Boat House Bar adjacent to the campground. Snug Harbor Inn Campground offers another option with tiered camping overlooking Turtle Lake where pets are welcome.
"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"
"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."
"Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa. The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside."
"Whether you're in a tent or in a camper you can find just as much comfort as you're looking for. there's a lake with a swimming area if that's what you're looking for, not to mention a dock with great"
$15 - $45 / night
"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."
"Not many frills but quiet and within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn."
"Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana. You might even be able to catch a show or two on site at the fair grounds, depending on the time of year."
$18 - $30 / night
"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)."
"I camped for two nights in Loop 1, site 21 (24-hour quiet enforced - no pets or speakers allowed). My site was pretty open, but still had nice shade and flat areas for my tent."
"You are in walking distance of the lake with boat ramp, kayaking and water inflatables. I loved it! Also, there is a store with full kitchen."
"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"
"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"
"Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic."
$12 - $50 / night
"It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. "
"For us it's close to home, shopping and an RV dealership so it's pefect to "shake out" the camper and we can easily get anything we forgot or get stuff to repair anything that's not working."
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.
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.
Camping options near Elkhorn, Wisconsin spread across the Kettle Moraine region, a glacial landscape characterized by distinctive ridges, kettles, and diverse ecosystems. The area maintains average summer temperatures around 80°F, with cooler nights in the 50-60°F range. Winter camping is available at several locations with seasonal facilities, though most campgrounds operate from April through October.
Explore hiking trails: Kettle Moraine State Forest offers extensive trail networks across its southern unit. At Pinewoods Campground, trails connect directly to campsites. "There's a central shower building with vault toilets in the camping loops. We asked the ranger about hiking and she gave us a map to a trail system that connects to this campground between the group sites and loop 3," notes Art S.
Fish on local lakes: Several lakes provide fishing opportunities within a short drive of Elkhorn. At Snug Harbor Inn Campground, visitors can access Turtle Lake directly. "The campground sells ice, firewood and rents boats," reports Josh F., while Kevin C. adds, "They have on site bathrooms and showers. Electric, water and sewer hookups."
Visit regional attractions: The area's location makes it ideal for day trips. "Great location to visit Lake Geneva (~8mi.) or see a concert at Alpine Valley (~20 min). There's a shuttle from the campground (outer sites near racetrack)," explains Dan W. from Elkhorn Campgrounds.
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated camping spots. At Ottawa Lake Campground, "The site was spacious and clean, complete with the basics (fire ring, flushing toilets, showers, drinking water). Not all sites here have electricity so be mindful of that while booking," advises Linda N.
Water recreation: Lakes and swimming areas rank high on campers' lists. "The lake is very clean and the sites are a good size. Gets very busy on the weekends!" notes Neysha R. about Ottawa Lake Campground. Similarly, at Sunrise Campground, one camper mentions, "It was a hot weekend, so the sandy Beach and warm water were great! Kayaking was nice too on wolf lake."
Nature observation: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go," writes Tim H. about Sunset Campground. "Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially in wetland areas. "It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it," notes Tim H. about Sunset Campground. Another camper at Pinewoods warns, "Definitely make sure to bring your bug spray for this location!"
Seasonal variations: Facilities change based on time of year. "No showers in winter but awesome," notes David H. about winter camping at Ottawa Lake Campground. Most campgrounds in the area offer limited winter services.
Reservation planning: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "This was our first visit to Kettle Moraine and this site was completely booked. We were able to grab a nonelectric site and transfer to an electric site when one cancelled last minute," explains Linda N.
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds offer nature programs. "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," shares Jill G. about Sunrise Campground.
Child-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreational areas. Rock Cut State Park features multiple options: "There are 5 shelters that have electricity, with water and restrooms nearby... Two of the shelters (Red Oak and Puri Crest) also have children's playgrounds nearby," mentions Stuart K.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have heavy vehicle traffic. "Golf carts rule the road," warns Amanda K. about Scenic Ridge Campground. "A golf cart going well over 10 mph was about 4 feet from running her over."
Site selection: Consider specific site features for your rig. At Ottawa Lake Campground, "The sites in Loop 1 are varied as far as tree coverage, seclusion, and terrain," notes Abbe W. For larger vehicles, Snug Harbor offers "three tiered camping" with "Full hookup, and great views," according to Alix M.
Utility details: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. At Snug Harbor, Kevin reports they have "electric, water and sewer hookups" available, while many of the state park campgrounds like Sunrise and Sunset offer electric-only sites with dump stations.
Accessibility factors: Terrain can impact setup difficulty. "Our site was downhill so that presented quite the challenge to level out," explains Steven P. about Scenic Ridge Campground. Similarly, at Ottawa Lake, campers note the importance of checking site specifications when booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elkhorn, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elkhorn, WI is Big Foot Beach State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elkhorn, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 86 dog-friendly camping locations near Elkhorn, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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