130 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground and Mendota County Park welcome leashed dogs at all campsites, providing access to hiking trails and waterfront areas. Both county-operated facilities offer electric hookups, picnic tables and fire rings at their pet-friendly sites. The campgrounds maintain clean bathrooms with showers where campers and their dogs can rinse off after outdoor activities. Lake Farm's campground connects to paved bike paths that are ideal for walking dogs, while Mendota Park sites include 30-amp hookups that accommodate everything from large RVs to small tents. Sites are notably close together with minimal privacy between neighbors, though the atmosphere remains quiet and peaceful for pets and their owners.
The Capital City Trail system accessible from Lake Farm Park offers miles of paved surfaces for walking dogs while exploring the Madison area. Dogs must remain leashed throughout both parks, including on all trails and in camping areas. Mendota County Park provides direct lake access with areas where dogs can cool off during summer months. Small dog parks located near the campgrounds give pets space to run off-leash before returning to camp. The sites at both locations are level and well-maintained, though weekend reservations fill quickly during summer months. Morning and evening walks with pets along Lake Mendota offer views of water birds and wildlife. Both parks enforce quiet hours that help ensure barking dogs don't disturb neighboring campsites.
"If you haven’t reserved a site, there are several sites for walk-ins but you have to be present to sign/obtain them."
"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. "
from $18 - $28 / night
Check Availability"Just a quick 2 hour drive from our home in Chicago, with large wooded sites for privacy. Clean bathrooms."
"Pleasant grounds around the campground. Many nice trails. Good birdlife with pewees, least, flycatcher, great crested flycatcher, yellow warbler, redstarts, rose-breasted grosbeaks and others."
"Great location on the lake and short drive to downtown Madison. Bring you kayak and fishing poles. 30 amp hookups no water at the sites."
"Like other reviewers have stated, be prepared to be close to others. We didn’t mind at all and found everyone to be super nice."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Small campground, but you play disc golf and lovely trails! So close to get away from the city."
"Near the highway and airport makes for quick access but it can get noisy. It can also get very quiet and peaceful. Lots of hiking trails and a boardwalk."
"Very family and pet friendly with activities, lake and bar. Really enjoyed our overnight stay on a cross-country trip - highly recommend!"
"This is a small campground near Madison. Reasonable rates. Large VIP drive through sites. Small swimming area. Catch and release pond. Small office and bar. Clean bathrooms and showers."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Nice trails in the area and good fishing. Convenience to everything you could need in Madison. You can walk or run down a couple of quiet streets and get to a river trail that goes for miles."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Go to Blue Mounds Grocery on the way in. easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and running trails - including Military Ridge Trail. Camped here with 2 friends during a cross country road trip."
"Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"We love Devil's Lake! It has incredible views and is absolutely breathtaking in the fall. It is also wonderful in the summer to go swimming and hike around. "
"this park has everything. beaches, bluffs, campIng, hikes, and phenomenal views. there is no wake in the lake and dogs are technically supposed to be on a leash."
"They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster.
You are allowed to ride personal golf carts.""This campground is nice and so are the employees grass gets cut every week, the pool is clean, so is the dog park, my husband likes going to the camp bathroom for a hot shower because our rv only has 10"
from $43 - $999 / night
Check Availability"I did a 65 mile round trip by bike from Madison up to camp overnight at Devil's Lake. I stayed at the top of a large hill near the camp store."
"Quiet, pet friendly spot with nice bathrooms and plenty of tree lined spots for some privacy. Great spot to spend a weekend."
ScoutI did a 65 mile round trip by bike from Madison up to camp overnight at Devil's Lake. I stayed at the top of a large hill near the camp store. The campground host was very approachable and I enjoyed my time here. Neighbors were a bit loud and the grounds were packed, but I'd return in a heartbeat.
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.
ScoutLove that this campground is less than an hour from Madison! Awesome place to bring the kids for a day, or the whole week! Man - made pond with inflatable structures, a jumpy blob for the kids to jump on & lots of other activities! We go every year!
RangerMy parents brought me here while visiting a few years back. They enjoy going to the nearby ever popular brewery. I also did some quick research and happened to discover that the Leopold center (as in Aldo Leopold) is also nearby so that was amazing to check out..anyway onward to the site review. The sites were all large and private mostly wooded which was nice. The beach wasn't very maintained upon our visit it was hard to say if it's like that all the time. Overall good location from Madison or Chicago. Private sites. Good for families we enjoyed ourselves!
GuideWe love Devil's Lake! It has incredible views and is absolutely breathtaking in the fall. It is also wonderful in the summer to go swimming and hike around.
We've never camped overnight here, but have taken many trips to hike around. With it only being 45 minutes from Madison, it's a great day get away!
Only drawbacks to Devils Lake are the crowds. It's popular (and for good reason!) so I would suggest hiking earlier in the day to avoid the larger crowds of people. I would also avoid going there when the mayflies have hatched because it can be unbearable.
ScoutHickory Hills is a quiet but activity filled campground 30 minutes from Madison. There are many permanent campers but they are all friendly and welcoming. The lake has a nice beach. The pool is not too large but works on a hot day. Most people have golf carts as there is no place to park by the pool or the club house. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Every weekend there are activities planned from wine tasting to Halloween trick or treating. The sites are large and you can choose from shady or sunny sites. Great place to spend a few days or the whole summer.
ScoutTl;dr: shower house is great. Nice campers, rangers and camping vibes. Go to Blue Mounds Grocery on the way in. easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and running trails - including Military Ridge Trail.
Camped here with 2 friends during a cross country road trip. We had site 5 and were tent camping. When we showed up it was raining and it was unseasonably cold, but other campers in adjacent sites looked like they were having a great time - lots of family groups. This kept our spirits high as we set up camp, made a fire, and made dinner. The site was standard with a big picnic table, tent platform, fire pit, and room for our car. The bathroom and shower house was a really great amenity and there were spots for cars to drive over there if their spots were far. A very nice camp ranger came by to say hi and let us know that campers are expected to quiet down at 9ish and not be cognizant of that. Campers were being respectful of socially distancing and wearing masks for the most part. Seems like there is a great bike/hiking trail network all around. A couple of us are runners also a friend from Madison met us and we ran on the military ridge trail in the morning. There is very easy access to that. Also, insider note, on the way in, go to blue mounds grocery for anything you need (esp firewood). The cash register gave us some great camping advice.
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.
ScoutGreat location close to many things yet far enough to feel quiet and peaceful. Great owners always have fun stuff going on for everyone and our dog loves the dog park!
Madison's camping options extend throughout Dane County with elevations ranging from 849 feet at Lake Mendota to 1,716 feet at Blue Mound State Park. The region experiences humid continental climate with summer temperatures averaging 78-83°F, making it ideal for camping from May through September. Seasonal flooding can affect some camping areas near the Wisconsin River and its tributaries during spring.
Swimming in non-motorized lakes: Devil's Lake State Park offers excellent swimming beaches where "the lake is really nice. They don't allow motor boats and have rentals for canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards" according to Melissa K., who visited the Ice Age Campground.
Hiking varied terrain: Blue Mound State Park trails accommodate different skill levels with "very nice state park. Only stayed in group campsite but was conveniently located with lots of room, picnic tables, fire pit" as Barbara P. found at Blue Mound State Park Campground.
Geocaching adventures: Lake Kegonsa State Park offers geocaching opportunities though Lisa S. warns "there are several geocaches in the park, which adds a little fun, but they are in the woods, and the mosquitos are oblivious to the bug spray!"
Wildlife observation: Morning walks along Lake Mendota provide opportunities to spot waterfowl and small mammals. Karen B. noted the "clean little campground" at Babcock County Park offers access to wildlife viewing areas.
Clean facilities: Token Creek County Park maintains well-kept restrooms and showers, with Catherine C. noting "bathroom was nice, two stalls, two showers and one sink" at this county park.
Proximity to Madison: Campers appreciate easy access to Madison attractions. Tony E. found Badgerland Campground offers "wonderful campground within 10 minutes of major freeway access" with "cleanest restroom/showers I can ever recall at a campground."
Spacious campsites: Lee D. found that at Mendota County Park, "all sites were level and generous in size. Camper pads were somewhat gravel but not well-defined. Long enough to accommodate the largest RV or additional cars."
Water recreation options: Devil's Lake State Park provides non-motorized water activities. Sarah noted, "The waterfront is pretty, though weedy as this is the west side of the lake" at Mendota County Park.
Reservation requirements: During peak season, most parks require advance booking. Art S. advises for Devil's Lake State Park: "Devil's Lake State Park has 3 public campgrounds to handle over 3 million visitors a year. This means it's packed. I made reservations to be sure and get a spot."
Weather challenges: Storms can develop quickly in summer. Lisa S. experienced this at Lake Kegonsa State Park: "It did storm hard while we were there and the shore store had everyone in the store for the storm. The storm came in really fast too."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic or train noise. Stephen C. noted at Badgerland Campground: "It's a really nice location, well laid out, well-maintained, with very generous spaces."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Madison, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Madison, WI is William G. Lunney Lake Farm Campground (Dane County Park) with a 3.8-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Madison, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 130 dog-friendly camping locations near Madison, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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