Crystal B.
Legend
LegendBailey Park in Wabasha MN
Small campground in the City of Wabasha MN
Small basic campground in Wabasha MN. Mostly permanent sites. There is a dog park directly next to the campground.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Knapp, WI
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Highland Ridge Campground near Eau Galle Reservoir provides spacious, wooded sites for pets and their owners. All campgrounds in the Knapp area welcome pets, with Highland Ridge featuring particularly private campsites under a full canopy of shade trees. Glen Hills Park Campground offers three separate camping areas including Peninsula with electric hookups and camping cabins. Most campgrounds provide basic pet amenities including toilets, showers, and drinking water, though pet-specific facilities like designated dog areas are limited. Sites at Highland Ridge are notably large with tremendous spacing between campsites, creating natural privacy without dense underbrush. The campground is kept very clean with friendly hosts who offer free beach passes to campers with pets. The Dyrt includes reviews of campgrounds near Knapp, Wisconsin.
Hiking trails connect directly to Highland Ridge Campground, offering pet exercise opportunities without leaving the recreation area. The nearby Eau Galle Reservoir provides water access, though pet swimming areas are not specifically designated. Several roadside stands selling firewood can be found just outside the Highland Ridge entrance for campers planning evening campfires with their dogs. Cell service varies throughout the region—Highland Ridge has spotty AT&T coverage with 1-2 bars in most areas, better reception in spring and fall when trees have fewer leaves. Sites 28-38 at Highland Ridge form a loop with a picnic pavilion in the middle, while sites 18-20 have had trees removed, creating very open views of the reservoir. Most campgrounds maintain a quiet atmosphere suitable for pets sensitive to noise.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Knapp (89)
1. Highland Ridge
"T-mobile service is almost non-existent depending on location. The showers and bathrooms were spotless. Firewood is available at several roadside stands just outside the entrance."
"Came here without a reservation while driving cross country. It is only a few miles from the highway but is a beautiful and quiet, natural environment with lots of trees."
from $24 - $280 / night
Check Availability2. Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
"Great for hiking and kayaking/canoeing is near by."
"Stayed middle of the week found local firewood from farms nearby. Also a creamery is a short drive from camp."
3. Willow River State Park Campground
"Campsites are pretty private except to people walking the trails. The falls are gorgeous!! Great for swimming when the water is not too high."
"There is a newly filled lake after the reconstruction of the dam. This is a non motorized lake for paddling, swimming and fishing."
4. Glen Hills Park Campground
"The adjacent golf course is fun!"
"very nice lake to fish and paddle board."
5. Twin Springs Resort Campground
"After winding through a few roads off the highway, Twin Springs emerges from a bend in the road. The sites have a reasonable amount of space surrounding them."
"Beautiful lake. Lots of space. Friend host."
from $35 - $70 / night
Check Availability6. Frontenac State Park Campground
"Quiet, pretty hiking trails, nice people, close to home but tucked away enough to be away from everything"
"The ranger station was small and charming, stocked with board games to rent, and it’s clear the staff cares about creating a positive camping experience."
from $24 - $75 / night
Check Availability7. Nugget Lake County Park
"The trails and playgrounds are really nice. The bathrooms are heated. The showers are pay showers."
"Nice grass trails. Looked like a decent playground."
8. Butternut Park
from $20 / night
9. Afton State Park Campground
"It is also next to Afton Ski resort. This park has a lot of beautiful prairie landscape with some temperate forest features. Wildflowers, shrubs, fungi, evergreens, and deciduous trees."
"Afton state park is a 1700 acre park just outside Woodbury that has excellent river views from the campground."
from $22 - $85 / night
Check Availability10. Lake Wissota State Park Campground
"Nice beach that is a walkable distance from the sites. Lots of walking, biking and horse trails that are full of wild berries."
"This park is on a smaller scale and less crowded than Devil’s Lake. There is a small beach that is in the process of renovation. The sites are large surrounded by trees and very private."
Drive Time
- 36 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 55 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 1 hr 40 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 59 min from La Crosse, WI
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Knapp, WI
45 Photos of 89 Knapp Campgrounds
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Knapp, WI
561 Reviews of 89 Knapp Campgrounds
- LLiz
GuideBrunet Island State Park Campground
Best state park I’ve been to!
Stayed here on a east/west camping trip. Beautiful state park. Sites are shaded and large. Big enough that we were able to tie out 2 large dogs each on 30 ft leads. The park has a bicycle path that walkers can also use that’s along the river. Our site backed up to the bicycle path with the river behind us. Great place to walk. Staff and hosts very friendly and helpful. Don’t be alarmed when you drive by a school and housing area to get to it! The park also has an off leash dog park. I wasn’t able to check that out though but have wished state parks would consider adding. Bathrooms extremely clean with the best state park showers Ive ever used (and I mostly camp at state parks across the US). If I get back to this area I would definitely camp here again.
Janet R.LegendInterstate State Park Campground
Expeditions at Interstate!
This is a state park on the Wisconsin side of the St Croix River, which is mirrored by a comparable but smaller state park in Minnesota on the wrst side of the river, both being part of the wild and scenic St Croix National Waterway. Although the campsites themselves are pretty run of the mill, the setting is spectacular in terms of breathtaking scenery, and myriad outdoor activities from rock climbing in the river gorge, paddling the river, hiking miles of trails, and learning geology at the Ice Age geology visitors center. If you are tenting camping, the south loop is great, and if you pick campsite 65 or 67 you will have direct access to the river which is peaceful and good for paddle opportunities. There are picnic areas with swimming along the river which is nice for group gatherings, and one is designated for folks with pets. Some of the rugged hiking trails along the bluffs and cliffs go right along the edge with minimal guard rails or walls, so keep a close eye on kids and pets because going over the edge is a possibility so utmost caution is advised.
Jennifer H.GuideTresure Island RV Park
Crowded park, nice people
We were here for a night to see a concert at the amphitheater and everyone was super friendly. It was easy to check in, and we were able to do laundry and shower which was great. It’s mostly gravel but they have some tent sites on the grass. They are dog friendly and have some grassy areas to walk your pets which was great.
Christine H.
TravelerSt Croix Casino and Hotel RV Park
Amazing
Staying here currently & they have been very accommodating, friendly & flexible. Water & electric hookup but no sewer however there is a dump station, a bathhouse with real toilets & nice showers. Pretty quiet for being so close to the main highway. My cats are able to free roam the property & my dog can be tied up outside. Usually pretty nice neighbors too.
- KKrissie S.
ScoutSt. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
No pets allowed unfortunately
We called for an RV site but they don't allow pets.
- SShari M.Guide
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Top Shelf
Beautiful, spacious, trees but open. Nice trails, clean restrooms, level sites. No alcohol allowed and no pets! Fire rings, sturdy picnic table. Electric and water.
I made reservations online and when we arrived they said I had reserved a place at Elmo Lake which was 20 miles away. Same 2 county facilities but different campgrounds. Oops my bad. Different addresses!
Ashley K.ScoutTresure Island RV Park
It’s a parking lot…
We are here for a show at the casino and thought it would be fun to bring the camper down and glamp for the weekend. It is just a parking lot but the sites are all pull through and there is plenty of room between sites and ours was perfectly level.
We have dogs so the fact that it’s all asphalt and rock is a bit of a bummer but we are close to the exercise area and they do love little walks. It also seems to be controlling some of the normal bad pet parent behavior we see at even parks. Like letting the dogs run with out leashes or tethering them all day to bark at everything.
The sites do not have fire rings but there are some community ones and it appears the other campers brought their own smokeless fire pits to use.
There is a shuttle to the casino and at 7pm folks seemed to clear out to head over. It was honestly one of the quietest campgrounds we’ve been to on a Friday night.
The bath house is newer and super clean- not a single creepy spider web in any corners.
On Verizon I have full bars so we haven’t tried the park WiFi but we’ve been able to use our chrome cast and two iPads off my cell phone with zero issues. Because it’s in a river valley the air tv single is terrible so we are glad to have the chrome cast with us- since the forecast called for a raining day.
Makayla B.GuideSt. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
Great family campground
Washington County, which manages campgrounds at both the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St Croix Bluffs Regional Park, does a great job of maintaining campgrounds, trails, and bathroom facilities at both parks. St Croix Bluffs is right along the St. Croix river - in the summer you can hang out at the sandy beach on the river and in the fall there are many trails to enjoy fall color.
There are multiple areas in the modern campground - one section is for larger rigs that has 50 amp service and water at each site, most sites in the other loops have 20 or 30 amp electric service, and there are a few non-electric tent-only sites as well. The park prohibits both pets and alcohol! There is both a volleyball court and nice play structure in the modern campground.
We camped over MEA break (mid October) at site #4 this year and liked how close it was to the bathroom building. There is a lot of open space behind the parking/tent pad on this site, which made it a perfect spot for the kids to run and play without running close to other camper's sites. Sites 1, 2, 4, and 6 have similar amounts of open space behind the campsites.
In the past we've stayed here as part of a group in the group campsite. The group campsites at this park are some of the best I've stayed in - they include sand volleyball courts, a covered picnic shelter with electricity, a primitive toilet, and access to a large play structure nearby.
Guide to Knapp
Pet-friendly campgrounds near Knapp, Wisconsin typically see evening temperatures drop to the 50s even in summer months, requiring campers to bring extra layers for nighttime comfort. The region sits at an average elevation of 948 feet, with several campgrounds positioned on ridges offering views of surrounding farmland and wooded areas. Camping options range from heavily wooded sites with natural privacy barriers to open sites with easier access for larger vehicles.
What to do
Hiking through diverse terrain: Highland Ridge Campground offers multiple trail options directly from the camping area. "There is an interpretive center for Saturday evening ranger programs and a playground next to it," notes Mary S., who also mentions the variety of hiking trails connect through the park.
Paddling on smaller lakes: Non-motorized water activities are available at multiple locations. "A smaller lake but no gas motors. Cell service with Verizon was ok," reports Jeff F. about Highland Ridge in fall. The nearby Eau Galle Reservoir is suitable for kayaking and canoeing without the crowds of larger lakes.
Exploring glacial formations: The region features unique geological sites within driving distance. At Interstate State Park, "The draw here is the world's largest glacial potholes. When the river ran 200' higher than it does today, tornados of water eroded smooth round, massive holes in the rock," according to Erik R., making for an educational day trip from Knapp area campgrounds.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural separation: Willow River State Park Campground receives consistently positive reviews for site layout. "Large campsites, most with thick wooded areas between the sites," notes leif D., highlighting the privacy despite the park's popularity and size of over one hundred sites.
Pet-specific accommodations: Dog friendly campgrounds near Knapp typically allow pets but with varying levels of amenities. At Glen Hills Park Campground, Mike R. notes, "There are three campgrounds in this park. Peninsula is the one with electric and is good and bad. The site really matters." This indicates the importance of choosing specific loops when traveling with dogs.
Clean facilities on limited schedules: Bathroom cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews of the area's campgrounds. At Nugget Lake County Park, campers appreciate "Very clean facilities," though as Shelly E. points out, "The showers are pay showers," making it important to bring quarters when planning to use shower facilities with pets.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many dog-friendly campgrounds in the Knapp region have limited seasonal operations. "This is a smaller Corps of Engineers campground," explains Lee D. about Highland Ridge, which like many area campgrounds operates seasonally from spring through fall, closing for winter months.
Cell service variations by carrier: Technology connectivity varies widely across the region. Laurel, who stayed at Highland Ridge, reports, "We have AT&T and had no problem getting signal and cellular data to complete the process," though this contrasts with other campers' experiences, underscoring the variability based on specific location and carrier.
Limited water access at some sites: Water availability differs significantly between campgrounds. When camping at Afton State Park Campground, Warren H. warns, "None of the water faucets or water pumps on the trails at Afton State Park are working. The good news is you can fill up on cold drinking water at the visitor center before trekking around the park's beautiful hiking trails!"
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options for easier pet management: Several dog-accommodating parks offer cabin alternatives. At Nugget Lake County Park, Shelly E. describes, "The camper cabins are really nice. They have two rooms, a sleeping room and a front room. The sleeping room has 2 bunk beds (4 beds). The front room has a mini fridge, coffeemaker, toaster, microwave, and a futon."
Playground locations: When camping with both children and dogs, access to play areas becomes important. "There is also a nice, modern playground," notes Lee D. about Highland Ridge, making it easier to manage both kids and pets with recreational options in close proximity to campsites.
Trail difficulty ratings: Consider trail steepness when planning family activities with pets. John W. observes that at Nugget Lake County Park, there's a "Good distace of trails, some being on steep hills," suggesting families should research specific trail conditions before setting out with children and dogs.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV campers with pets should note the terrain challenges at certain campgrounds. At Highland Ridge, John W. cautions, "Many sites are placed on on incline. They got the sites are pretty flat, but it's still on a hill," indicating the need for leveling blocks even at developed sites.
Electric hookup distribution: Power availability varies significantly between loops and specific sites. Mary S. explains about Highland Ridge, "Cost is $20/$16 for electric/non-electric. This is an Army Corps of Engineers park which means you pay $10/$8 if you have an NPS Lifetime Senior Pass," providing useful information for RVers with pets planning their budget.
Dump station accessibility: RVers traveling with pets need convenient waste disposal options. Laurel notes about Highland Ridge, "There is a little dump station near the entrance where we got potable water and will dump on the way out," highlighting the practical location that allows for efficient arrival and departure routines when managing pets.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Knapp, WI is Highland Ridge with a 4.3-star rating from 15 reviews.
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