8 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Harnischfeger County Park's pet-friendly campsites accommodate both tent and RV camping with water and 30-amp electrical hookups at nine established sites. Pets are permitted throughout the grounds with standard leash requirements. The park features hiking trails accessible to leashed dogs, disc golf, and mini golf course ($1 per person). Campers seeking additional pet-friendly options near Ixonia can choose Kettle Moraine State Forest campgrounds, where pets are allowed in designated areas. Ottawa Lake, Pinewoods, and Pike Lake campgrounds within the forest system all permit pets with proper restraint. Sites at Pinewoods Campground are particularly private with good spacing between neighbors, making them ideal for those camping with dogs who may be reactive to other pets or people. The campground has maintained clean facilities with camp hosts regularly emptying fire pits to prevent smoky fires. Campground data and reviews near Ixonia, Wisconsin is regularly updated on The Dyrt.
The Ice Age Trail accessible from Pinewoods Campground provides excellent dog walking opportunities through varied terrain. Multiple water features in the area offer dogs cooling relief during summer months, including Rock River at Harnischfeger Park for kayaking with well-behaved water-loving dogs. Both Harnischfeger and Naga-Waukee Park enforce pet waste cleanup policies with disposal stations available. Naga-Waukee Park even features a dedicated dog swimming area separate from the human beach. For RV travelers with pets, River Bend RV Resort accepts dogs but maintains stricter noise policies, particularly important for those with vocal dogs. The resort offers full hookups, a pool, and various recreational amenities. Weather considerations include hot summer days when hiking with dogs should be limited to morning or evening hours, with ample water supplies carried for both human and canine hikers on the forest trails.
"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."
Available next weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"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)."
Available next weekend
from $21 - $90 / night
"North Kettle Moraine, Pike Lake Unit was an easy choice given it's proximity to the city- about 40 minutes."
"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!"
Available next weekend
from $21 - $39 / night
"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
"Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking."
"Their is also a great hiking trail if you like that."
"Don’t forget the lake and floating obstacle course. Dog park, baseball field, the list goes on. The dump station lanes need some attention, more than gravel would be great."
"It is right next to the toilets/showers. The bathrooms were clean, the attendants were really nice, they borrowed us an extension cord so we could set up a bit further back."
"Walking along the trails, you can see where it gets its name! Lots of cool ledges and rock outcrops. We saw a moderate amount of birds and heard a bunch of critters (owls, a fox (?!))"
"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."
"We camped on Site 9, which is at the front of the park near the entrance. The site was mostly level, with electric only hookups."
from $20 - $25 / night
"Live nearby. We go there a lot over the summer. Fun park to ride bikes through. Many trails to walk or hike. The pond has a great beach for kids."
"There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more."
from $25 - $80 / night
ScoutThis campground charges both a site reservation fee ($33 for a primitive mosquito infested tent site) AND an additional day use fee on top of that - a $16 fee on top of that! $49????? For a no hook up single tent site???? Of course the fees aren’t actually published anywhere so you have to reserve it to actually know what you’ll be paying. It’s nothing special so these fees aren’t actually warranted for this place. 👎
TravelerVery friendly and very clean. 1 swimming pond 2 fishing ponds volleyball courts and 2 off leash dog areas. Showers are free and they have a huge kid play area along with a seasonal swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for many years! When we first started, everyone was very nice and we always had a great time. Each years the rules change a bit which is common.The last three years have been horrible! We have had nothing but issues that I brought up to the staff many times. I have had the workers ask me if I was f***in stupid, people stealing stuff off our lot, telling our guest we don’t camp there( even tho they knew they were coming for my daughters birthday party), and much more. They are extremely Strict on the 5 mph. They will scream at you if they see Gravel dust as you drive. The campground is not well maintained. I wish things would not have ended the way it has. I’m happy we found a better family friendly campground to be at where my kids are not scared to be playing in our lot!
TravelerThe beauty of this campground was to Madison venues. We stayed here twice recently and took Uber rides too and from Camp Randall. It’s a very clean and friendly campground ground. Very nice pavilion for events. I loved the walking path and benches along the lake.
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.
GuideFor a primitive campground, this was a nice-enough experience.
Pros:
- The sites we stayed in and the others that we noticed seemed sizeable and had nice tree-cover
- Having access to the Ice Age Trail was really neat
- Lake access nearby
Cons:
- On the continuum of vault toilet quality, these were on the less-desirable end. We joked about whether it was scarier to visit them when they were dark or when the lights were on. If you love having fly friends keep you company when nature calls, then these are the bathrooms for you! The bathrooms did get cleaned on Sunday morning, but this didn't help the situation very much.
- No showers
Traveler⭐ 1/5— Not a Family-Friendly Experience We have traveled by motorhome for many years and stayed at numerous KOA campgrounds. For many years ! Sadly, this is the first negative review we have ever written. Milton KOA is beautiful and clean, although the sites are somewhat crowded. Most staff members were polite and helpful. Unfortunately, the conduct of one employee was completely unacceptable. Our group included six families with children ages 3–18. This employee used profanity, including the“F-word,” toward the children and behaved in a verbally abusive and threatening manner. When one mother calmly tried to address the situation, the employee moved toward her aggressively, causing her to fear she might be struck, and shouted,“I’m sick and tired of this.” At approximately 9:45 p.m., the 18-year-olds in our group were ordered back to their campsite, even though they were simply walking around and were not being loud or disruptive. Adults were allowed to drink in the pool area, while our children were treated with hostility and disrespect just for being there. No food no drinks.No child or parent should experience profanity, intimidation, or threatening behavior from a campground employee. The campground may be enjoyable for adults traveling without children. However, based on what our six families experienced, we cannot recommend Milton KOA to families with children. We are submitting a formal complaint to KOA Corporate and requesting a thorough investigation. Also, wasp infestation beware if you have allergies .
TravelerStayed one night. Very nice campground on the edge of Lake Mendota. Playground for kids, tables near the lake. Nice weather, too, made for a great stay.
TravelerWonderful family spirt. Great clean showers and bathroom. Pool. Large campstore with lots of amenities.
Kettle Moraine State Forest dominates the camping landscape near Ixonia, Wisconsin, with multiple units offering distinct experiences within a 20-30 minute drive. The region's terrain features glacial landforms including kettles, moraines, and eskers formed during the last ice age. Winter camping options are available at select sites in the area, though temperatures can drop below freezing from November through March.
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: Access this famous trail from Pinewoods Campground for day hikes of varying lengths. "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. We enjoyed a 4 mile hike from camp to the observation trail," notes Art S., highlighting the convenient trail connections.
Visit natural springs: Take a short drive to explore the unique water features at Ottawa Lake Campground. "Beautiful campground (Ottawa Lake campsites) Great Lake, hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" shares Autumn S., describing this distinctive natural feature not found at many other campgrounds.
Mini golf for families: Play a round at Harnischfeger County Park's affordable course. "Has a 9 hole mini golf course that cost $1 a person. Has trails, disc golf, and rock river for kayaking," writes Brittany R., noting the budget-friendly pricing for this family activity.
Natural buffers between sites: Kettle Moraine Southern Unit offers secluded camping spots. "The sites were very nice with some decent foliage between sites. The space was generous so we didn't feel crowded," explains Bill M., describing the privacy many campers seek.
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds remain open year-round for off-season adventures. "No showers in winter but awesome," reports David H. about Ottawa Lake, while another camper notes, "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."
Dog-specific amenities: Naga-Waukee Park offers dedicated pet areas beyond standard pet-friendly policies. "Dog friendly, even a dog swimming area. Group camping, open fields, numerous grills and picnic tables," mentions Lesley R., highlighting a feature especially valuable for pet owners.
Site selection matters for traffic noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise in certain sections. "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," advises Linda N. from Ottawa Lake Campground.
Seasonal water conditions: Swimming areas may have restrictions during hot weather. "The lake is great for swimming, though they do have e coli warnings frequently in the heat of summer," cautions Jimmy P. about Ottawa Lake, information particularly important for those planning summer trips with water activities.
Loop characteristics vary significantly: At Pike Lake Campground, understanding the different camping areas helps find your ideal spot. "Pinewoods has a quiet Loop which was a wonderful idea however, the campsite next to us was blasting music and at 11:30 pm someone randomly started playing a flute," shares Kendal R., showing how designated quiet areas can still vary in experience.
Backpacking with kids: Pike Lake's backpacking sites offer an accessible first backcountry experience. "For my five-year-old son's first backpacking experience, we hiked about 3 miles on the Ice Age Trail, into Pike Lake campground. If I had to guess I think it was about a quarter mile hike to the site," Matt N. explains, noting the manageable distance for younger hikers.
Playgrounds and beaches: Ledge County Park provides multiple recreation options for children. "Beautiful hiking on the ledge (even did some climbing up the rock formations), spectacular views at the lookout points and multiple areas to picnic with a couple playgrounds for kids," says Mel C., describing the diverse activities available.
Loop selection for families: Consider which area matches your family's needs. "We were in the quiet loop, Loop 1, which actually was very quiet. Everyone was respectful of the rules. We did walk over to the other loops where there was more of a party atmosphere at some sites with larger groups, music, and kids," notes Abbe W. about her experience at Pinewoods Campground.
Site size considerations: RVers should research specific sites. "Each of the 32 sites is unique in their own way. Some are large and flat perfect for a class A (#2 #4, #29 #31 is okay, but smaller), some incorporate the geography into the site (#23 & #17 - very much tent sites, #15 great for a small trailer)," advises Sugar Maple S. about Pike Lake Campground.
Tight turns at some campgrounds: Large rigs need to navigate carefully. "There is a TIGHT turn in the campground loop near site #17 to be aware of with longer trailers," warns the same reviewer, providing crucial navigation information for drivers of larger RVs.
Full-timers' perspective: Long-term RVers find the area convenient for extended stays. "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," shares Steve K. about his experiences at Ottawa Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ixonia, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ixonia, 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 Ixonia, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near Ixonia, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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