Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Newton, WI

Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground welcomes pets at its secluded walk-in sites with access to hiking trails throughout the park. Several campgrounds near Newton provide pet-friendly accommodations including Sidie Hollow County Ridge Campground, Goose Island, and Pettibone Resort, all offering water and electric hookups for RV campers with pets. Campsites at Sidie Hollow feature clean, spacious sites with reasonable firewood prices available throughout the day. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed at all times, though Prairie Island City Campground offers access to a dog park across the street where supervised pets can run off-leash. Tent campers with dogs may prefer state parks over RV-focused campgrounds for more natural surroundings and trail access.

The Root River Trail system provides excellent opportunities for hiking with dogs, with Eagle Cliff Campground situated directly along the trail for convenient access. Campers report Wyalusing State Park as particularly pet-friendly, with trails offering spectacular views of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers where visitors can spot wildlife including bald eagles. During summer months, pet owners should be aware of ticks in the area, particularly at Pigeon Creek Campground where checking pets after outdoor activities is essential. Most campgrounds provide basic pet amenities like waste stations, though few offer specialized services like dog washing stations. The Richard J. Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit offers free dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive experience with their dogs, though these sites lack facilities like drinking water or toilets.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Newton, Wisconsin (112)

    1. Goose Island

    14 Reviews
    La Crosse, WI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 788-7018

    $22 - $34 / night

    "This camp South of Lacrosse Wisconsin is a great family or road tripping camp."

    "The sites are close together near the entrance. The spread out as you get deeper into the park. Beautiful grounds. Good communication from the camp rangers when we had to switch sites."

    2. Blackhawk Park

    9 Reviews
    De Soto, WI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 648-3314

    $18 - $40 / night

    "From our site (30) we had a nice view of the water which was about a 3min walk. Site was mostly level with gravel, picnic table and fire pit/grate."

    "We had site 40west and it was larger, but too close to the smelly pit toilets. Showers nice, hot and clean. The tent sites looked spacious, but not very private."

    3. Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park

    3 Reviews
    Newton, WI
    5 miles
    +1 (608) 637-5485

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Esofea campground has a shelter, several ponds and streams, and some nice hiking trails. The camping options range from full hookups to tent camping."

    4. Sidie Hollow County Ridge Campground

    4 Reviews
    Viroqua, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 637-7335

    "It was also pet friendly. I do wish that they hadn't cleared away so many trees. A little more shade would have been nice since we were in a tent. But other than that was was perfect."

    "No swimming or store, but good hiking / biking trails in the driftless area of SW Wisconsin. Water / electric sites have gravel drives. Not all level."

    5. Boat Landing Campground — Bad Axe Watershed

    3 Reviews
    Viroqua, WI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 537-5485

    $10 - $40 / night

    "Just about 30/40 minutes outside of La Crosse is a quite place called Sidie Hollow Park. You will have patchy phone coverage. If that’s what you are looking for, then you will find it here."

    6. Sidie Hollow County Main Campground

    2 Reviews
    Viroqua, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 637-7335

    "There are around 20/30 or so site. You can put a tent or small camper on any and be pleased. Nothing to do but connect with nature or take long country drives."

    "Nice grassy sites next to a cool creek. Electric but no water hook up. There is an RV fill up and a dump. Stayed in site #34 which has shade all afternoon. Also very level."

    7. Pettibone Resort

    12 Reviews
    La Crescent, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 782-5858

    $28 - $30 / night

    "About a 10 minute walk over the Cass St. bridge and you are in the heart of downtown La Crosse. This campground offers everything."

    "Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/30A electric and water. Site was a little unlevel. Neighbors are close.  AT&T had 2-3 bars of LTE and Verizon 1 bars of LTE service."

    8. Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Ontario, WI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 337-4775

    "Very cool secluded walk in sites, pet friendly, awesome trails."

    "Walk-In Sites If you are looking for privacy, cart-in site 119 is quite a ways off the trail and far from the parking lot, but it's a bit small."

    10. Reno Horse Campground — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

    1 Review
    Genoa, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 724-2107

    "There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Newton, WI

561 Reviews of 112 Newton Campgrounds


  • R
    Aug. 30, 2019

    Prairie Island City Campground

    Nice for RV Camping

    If you are a tent camper, I would suggest going to local nearby state parks vs. this campground. Nice for a quick weekend away in an RV. On the Mississippi River and close to town. Across the street from a dog park so if you bring your fur-friend with, there is a nice enclosed area for them to run while being supervised.

  • Jarrett G.
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Veterans Memorial Park & Campground

    Very nice campground

    Large campground with many amenities. Playground for kids and a very nice dog park. Right off the river. Will definitely be back!

  • David G.
    May. 8, 2022

    Prairie Island City Campground

    River view

    It is a nice clean quiet campground. Trails and dog park close were nice. It could have been not as nice if it was full. Sites are good and a little ways apart.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2019

    Shady Rest Acres

    Bliss in the middle of the country

    In the middle of the country, in a tiny town called Brownsville, you'll find a little slice of awesome in the form of a hobby farm with campsites, a cabin, and oh ya...the remnants of an old brewery! Patty and Michelle are nothing less than hospitable, knowledgable and gracious.

    Shady Rest Acres is owned and run by two women who are nothing less than the the perfect example of what property owners/business owners should be. Beyond being kind, their property is clean, tidy, beautiful yet rustic and home to so many animals that are all exceptionally well cared for. They have donkeys, Scottish Highland cows (a family of them), sheep, goats, chickens (and they'll even pick the bugs off your car), bees, horses, ducks, cats and dogs (I hope I didn't miss anything!). You have to be "pet friendly" if you stay here, because the the chickens roam, the dogs make friends and the cats meander, just as cats tend to do. If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners.  They are happy to let you meet them with their presence. 

    There are 2 campsites, if you wish.  One is in the middle of the pasture (that's right...near the goats) They will pen up the larger animals if you stay at that site, but it's perfect for stargazing!  The other is nestled in the woods.  Both have fire pits and access to wood. There is an outdoor shower, if you wish, and also a composting toilet.  But there is also access to an indoor bathroom and shower inside the main house.  The cabin is delightfully lovely with beautiful decor, two full sized beds, space for a few kids to crash, small kitchen items (microwave, mini fridge, coffeemaker) as well as a wood stove for cool nights and some A/C for warm days.  The cabin is attached to the main house by way of a small deck (although the cabin is free standing, but sitting above the garage). And some local beverages in the fridge! You will have access to the deck chairs and gas grill, if you want to cook some dinner. For potty stops, you'll have to use the bathroom inside their home, but it's very close and private, as they have another one that they use when guests are staying the night. 

    At no time did we feel like we were invading Patty and Michelle's space, nor did they invade ours.  It was extremely comfortable, and I thought that we could have asked any question without silly looks and even participated in chores, and we would have been welcome to do so. Even though it rained while we were there, it seemed to be just perfect. Beyond the obvious, they are earth conscious, eco friendly in many ways and fully aware of their food sources, which is one reason why they raise their own food.  So they know where it comes from and how it was treated.  I love it. 

    This is rustic slice of hospitality is not only peaceful, but friendly, warm and comforting as well as therapeutic.  Just what the soul ordered.

  • Kayla S.
    May. 27, 2018

    Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging

    Perfect set-up

    This campground has it all. Situated right along the Root River next to the bike trail. They offer kayak, canoe and tube rentals and shuttles. They also have bike rentals.

    This facility is clean and very well kept. Even the shower rooms are very nice and sanitary.

    This is by far my favorite camping spot. I would recommend this place to any and everyone. Family orientated and pet friendly.

  • Kari S.
    Aug. 5, 2018

    Pulpit Rock Campground

    Beautiful!

    My boyfriend and I stayed right on the river with our pups (pet friendly) and it was BEAUTIFUL. Easy access to restrooms but secluded and quiet too.

  • D
    Jun. 26, 2020

    Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging

    River Camping

    Overall great experience! Located on the Root River. Cliff View has very clean bath houses. Lots of sites to choose from. 50 amp service, sewer hook up and of course water. If your close enough to the office wifi available. Some sites are tight for large motor homes, 5th wheelers and tavel trailer. If your a bicyclist, campgrounds on great paved trail. They like their grass, no rugs or carpet on the grass. I take this as a positive. Dogs n cats are welcome. Lots of seasonal sites. Camping during the week is quite!

  • Mike G.
    Apr. 11, 2021

    Pulpit Rock Campground

    Nicely Kept Campground

    Really nicely kept camp ground. A bit too close to traffic for a completely quiet night. Bathrooms were warm and really clean, staff was really great and if youre bringing a pet, there were plenty of areas to walk. Fishing was really great catching several fish for dinner including some really nice size rainbow trout.


Guide to Newton

Camping near Newton, Wisconsin offers access to the driftless region's unique landscape—characterized by deep valleys, ridges, and sandstone bluffs that weren't flattened by glaciers. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F, while spring and fall camping can see overnight temperatures dip into the 40s. The region's forests transition from maple-basswood on north-facing slopes to oak-hickory on drier south-facing slopes.

What to do

Kayaking the Kickapoo River: Wildcat Mountain State Park provides convenient river access. "We took the opportunity to kayak down the Kickapoo and had a blast - make sure you do some exploring while you are here," notes Holly W. from Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground.

Trout fishing: Esofea Park offers multiple fishing spots. "There is good trout fishing at this campground. Recommended spots are one of the 5 ponds or the Bad Axe River," according to a camper from Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park.

Hiking to scenic overlooks: Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest trails feature dramatic views. "This is an awesome place to hike, not a very long hike but it's steep with drop offs. Not for those that are scared of heights," cautions Michael V.

What campers like

Solitude and astronomy: Goose Island's location provides exceptional night sky viewing. "I loved the space of my rv sites, the sounds of frogs and owls at night, the frequent wildlife sightings, and the crazy amount of turtles... I was there for the Aurora and it was incredible," reports Frank G.

Abundant wildlife: The Mississippi River backwaters support diverse ecosystems. "Eagles, geese, pelicans, barred owls, ducks, deer, rabbits, raccoon, possum, etc. are abundant," notes a camper at Goose Island.

Family-friendly amenities: Pettibone Resort offers recreational activities beyond camping. "Everything was easy to access and they had all the needed items on site. Propane, camp store, bar, golf cart rentals, canoes, etc," shares Tara M.

What you should know

Flooding risks: Mississippi River campgrounds can experience high water. "This place is a pretty great campground, and would be even better if it wasn't all under water this summer. Our site on the river was under water, so we got moved to another," explains Megan S. from Blackhawk Park.

Insect preparedness: Mosquitoes are common along waterways. "Bring bug spray for the evening because the mosquitoes do come out in force," advises Joe R.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies greatly across the region. "You will have patchy phone coverage. If that's what you are looking for, then you will find it here," confirms Sara M.

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and beaches: Pettibone Resort provides water access with amenities. "Nice campground. About a 10 minute walk over the Cass St. bridge and you are in the heart of downtown La Crosse. This campground offers everything," notes Sara M. from Pettibone Resort.

Site selection for tent campers: The main campground area at Sidie Hollow offers better family options. "The main camp area of the 3 parts of Sidie Hollow Parks. There are around 20/30 or so site. You can put a tent or small camper on any and be pleased," recommends a reviewer.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer educational nature experiences. "We were close to a vault toilet and the flush toilets/showers weren't too far away. It was recommended that we keep all food in our car," shares Joyce B.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling considerations: Many campsites require adjustment. "Water/electric sites have gravel drives. Not all level," notes Stan P. from Sidie Hollow County Ridge Campground.

Utilities and dump stations: Know what hookups are available. "The site included: picnic table on a concrete pad. Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/30A electric and water. Site was a little unlevel. Neighbors are close," reports David B.

Traffic patterns: Campground layouts affect site selection. "The park streets are asphalt with two concrete strips for your tires in the sites. The park was quiet except when someone decided to shoot fireworks between 10-11 pm," observes another camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Newton, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Newton, WI is Goose Island with a 3.9-star rating from 14 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Newton, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 112 dog-friendly camping locations near Newton, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.