Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Franksville, WI

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

Great 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.

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. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.

Campsites are kept up and quite clean. 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. Family friendly (parks, beach, pet friendly)

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 all season that the bugs Annoyed us. the beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly. nice spot to stay if you want to avoid paying lake Geneva prices for a room.

I have always loved this campground since I was a teen. We went this past labor day weekend and loved the nice big sites, the paved roads for bikes and rollerblading and the beaches were really clean. We loved just walking around the paths to and from the lake to our site. People were very respectful the firewood was kept in a dry spot (always a pet peeve of mine, some campgrounds dont have the best storage system). Overall great place and we will be back very soon.

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). There are a few walk-in sites (site 16 isn't a very far walk), but most are drive-in. Most sites have hammock-able trees and are quite shady. Pit toilets are available in loop 1, otherwise you can walk to the other loop to have running water. 

Note that check-in is at Ottawa Lake - I arrived too late for check-in to be open this year (not sure if it ever was due to the pandemic), but had no issues just going to the site I'd reserved online.

This place is basically a trailer park. If you are looking for a nice family campground and you have young children - this isn’t it. Seasonal campers around us were very nice but a lot of partying going on. They have hidden charges when using a debit or credit which they don’t disclose to you. But ONLY when the older man Ed rings you up at their store. There are signs all over the campground stating dogs have to be on a leash but none were. On one occasion two big unleashed dogs ran up on me while I was walking my dog (who was responsibly leashed) and the owners had a hard time getting them to stop chasing us and barking at us. Luckily we were not hurt. Water didn’t work for the first day and when it finally worked, the pressure was horrible.  They charge for the pool or like we were told you could always swim in their little “lake” for free but it was more like a swamp. Lots of runned down campers sitting on the lots, lots of skinny stray cats & kittens trying to find food through the park. Overall, management needs to do better. Giving one star because the teenage kids that work there were very nice and professional.

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. I also hung a hammock and clothesline and had plenty of space to move about!

Five stars for the camp hosts -- so friendly and they keep the campground very clean! You can also get firewood and ice from the camp hosts, so extra points for convenience!

Hiking at Scuppernong and the Ice Age Trail are both accessible from the group camping area and/or near the showers, depending on which trails you are accessing. 

Firepits were cleaned out daily, so no soggy ashes or smoky fires :)

You could hear a bit of road noise, especially motorcycles and heavy trucks, but nothing crazy. There are also several hike-to sites that are nice as well.

We liked this site because it was on the "quiet loop." No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children! :) The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July 2017.

You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them. The showers were clean and when we used them, available. There is a playground right next to them as well.

The campsite itself had a good log-stopper so you wouldn't drive too far into the woods, great fire ring, and picnic table. We had nice flat areas for our tents.

I am not so sure I would have enjoyed myself if I'd been in another loop. The quiet was perfect!

I drove through this state park to find some great campsites for future camping; I haven't actually stayed here yet.

The purpose of sharing the following is that is difficult to figure out what are nice sites from the online reservation site. For anyone who is interested in camping here, the following sites, in my opinion, are the best campsites in terms of shade, not being flooded during a rain and privacy.

There are several camping areas in this state park, I found the most appealing sites in the Pine Woods area because it has no electricity, is a 24-hour quiet area and no pets allowed. The sites in this area generally have long driveways, more "privacy" than I've seen in many State Parks campgrounds and generous space between sites. I don't think there is a lousy site in this loop but my favorites are the following.

4

7 very private 

10 pull-through driveway 

11 private, long driveway 

12 awesome, large, private, long driveway 

14 private, long driveway 

19 a bed of pine needles to sleep on 

33 level, pine needles, room for two tents

So this place is much less dog friendly than is advertised. Dogs aren’t allowed in large swaths of the park nor on the (tiny tiny, bordered by loud highway) beach. Lake Geneva is very pretty, but the area is obviously very wealthy and obviously geared toward retirees without dogs or with tiny dogs they leave at the RV (to bark, constantly, at their next site neighbors. Until the owners get back.)

To start: I’m an RV camper who stayed in one of the electric sites this go-around, but I’ve tent camped here in the past as well.

I’ll start with what I loved; the sites here are VERY private. You only get glimpses of your neighbors through the thick foliage. Doesn’t get much more private than this in a campground with hookups!

The bathrooms are pretty dirty (dead bugs everywhere).

Be careful about your site selection; do NOT camp along the road if you plan to be outside or you’re tent camping. I know from prior experience that it’s EXTREMELY loud at almost all times of day.

There’s a good playground and beach, but they’re a bit far from the campsites. On an extremely hot day you might want to drive rather than walk, especially with little ones.

If you’re camping with your dog you won’t find great trail access from the campground; the closest trail doesn’t permit dogs. I’d also avoid the dog beach like the plague. I didn’t see much in the way of posted rules, and people apparently had no problem bringing their untrained, unsocialized dogs. My dog was attacked by two dogs who wanted to get at her toy and the owners did nothing to stop it. My husband received a lovely bite from one of the dogs when he tried to fight them off.

This campground could be stellar with just a few tweaks. Overall I’d say it’s a decent enough place to stay when visiting Kettle and I’ll likely be back.

Loud music, dogs constantly barking, no camp host, unleveled lots.

We decided to stay here - mostly because state parks are closed - and thought military campgrounds have an advantage over public parks.

Not this one. Most of the permanent residents had trash sprawled over their site, let their dogs run lose and didn’t curb them at all. So much so that there were was dog shit next to our power podium. What a welcome.

Needless to say I don’t think we’ll be coming back unless absolutely necessary. Oh wait. It’s not.

Oh. Wonderful views of the lake and way close to the beach on base.

a nice quiet campground north of Milwaukee. Limited sites so book early. Dog friendly.

Pike Lake is a local favorite, with decent hiking trails and beach. Heed warnings of swimmers itch and know that the dog beach is very small, with no beach at all (just a place rest for your dog to go take a swim.)

As for the campground, it’s small and has relatively little privacy so you’ll make quick friends with your neighbors - unexpected from a state park. But the restroom facilities have flush toilets & showers, and are clean.

Be sure to check out the interpretive astronomy trail and take the walk up Powder Hill to the tower!

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 the campsites. There is a hiking trail down to it, but when bringing a bunch of beach gear/kid toys it’s much easier to throw it all in the car and drive down there.

We have been to Bong a few times and this site was by far the best we’ve stayed at. Evenly sunny/shaded. Not overly buggy. Couldn’t see the people in the sites next to us. Had a flat, grassy area for the tent. It also had a couple mature trees to attach the dog’s zip line to.

This park has a fair amount of trees throughout which gives a greater sense of privacy than most state parks. As usual, the facilities were well maintained and the park was clean. The beach was great for morning walks but that draw makes it seem that this park is probably packed in the summer. Location of hiking trails from campsite isn't super clear but head south for the longest trails. If it's been raining a lot I'd be wary as many of the sites were completely underwater when we went. It's a great place to take your dog with you! (Beware if they have long hair though, the pine trees meant I had to cut sap out of my dog's hair in several places.)

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 are welcomed on lesch.

This is a amazing place to go!!! They have lake swimming,dog swimming area,many trails and tons of wildlife. Sites are pretty secluded too if u get the right one.Best yet!

Wisconsin’s first and largest recreation area has a wide variety of opportunities available. A collection of grassland, prairie, savanna and woodland provides volunteer opportunity as well as hiking, camping and even dog training. 

The ranger staff was enthusiastically helpful. The first person at the gate directed me to the inside to register. This ranger collaborated with another to advise me on a site that was less buggy and still let me have sun access for the solar panel. They settled on a site in the sunrise campground. Besides the host, I was the only one in this loop. 

The campsite is very large. However the trailer length would be a deciding factor on your choice of sites. Site 28 gave enough space for my trailer and car before the bumper stopped vehicles. Beyond the bumper grassy area expanded to give me more room than I would need. I quickly set up the screen room since mosquitos were all over me. Once settled in, a peaceful tone took over. My mind blanked out the sound of vehicles and let the chirping birds resound. 

The visitor center has live animals and displays. 16 miles of hiking trails through a variety of ecosystems - one is a self-guided interpretive trail. Watercraft have a place on Vern Wolf Lake. 

Be prepared for the bugs while you stay here.

Limited to weekend camping, but spread out private-like tent sites. Camp hosts are super engaged and seem to love being caretakers. Hand pumps for water and well-kept pit toilets. Hiking galore! My "leashed" dog loves this place, as do I.

Stayed here for Questival and had a great time getting some challenges done with such a great view. Our site was right on the shore of Lake Michigan and had gorgeous views or the water and the rolling dunes. Would recommend. Wish the park for more dog friendly but pups are allowed at the campsites!

This is a great place to experience nature near the cities. With the convenience of its location in mind, the entire grounds is surrounded by roads, highways and the constant hum of traffic, sometimes louder than others. We also were mislead on our hike and ended up leaving the parking and following the Ice Age Trail for about a half mile, which was all paved and followed huge power lines which buzzed above our heads. This would be nice for wheelchairs. Once back on the yellow trail, the gravel returned below our feet and we made our way to the boat dock. Here was a beautiful ramp enhancing wheelchair accessibility. Beautiful boathouse rentable seasonally. Heated in-door plumbing for the toilets that were open, vault toilets also available and all were clean, even off season. Nice that it’s by the lake. Dog friendly, even a dog swimming area. Group camping, open fields, numerous grills and picnic tables. Lots of pluses and negatives for this park, it all really depends on what you’re looking for.

Wonderful and clean beaches and accessible areas for dogs. The sites are nicely sized and the firewood sales are decent and dry! The paved roads in the campground are nice for bike and rollerblading. We loved exploring the the paths to the lake from our site. We will definitely be back soon!