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Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit accommodates pets at multiple campgrounds surrounding Palmyra, Wisconsin, with Ottawa Lake Campground, Pinewoods Campground, and the Southern Unit Horseriders Campground all featuring designated pet-friendly sites. Each campground maintains a standard leash policy requiring dogs to remain under control, though some campers note this rule isn't always enforced. The Horseriders Campground includes animal waste collection areas throughout the grounds, particularly convenient for those camping with horses and dogs. Most sites provide picnic tables and fire pits regardless of whether campers choose electric or non-electric options. Circle K Campground also allows pets but receives mixed reviews regarding management's attitude toward animals, with some reviewers mentioning unleashed dogs causing problems for responsible pet owners. Campgrounds near Palmyra, Wisconsin are listed with photos on The Dyrt.
Dog-friendly hiking trails accessible from these campgrounds provide excellent recreation options, though pet owners should note that not all trails permit dogs. The Ice Age Trail sections near Ottawa Lake welcome leashed dogs, while some specialized trails have restrictions. The Scuppernong Nature Trail near Ottawa Lake offers a shorter option for walking pets. Southern Unit Horseriders Campground provides easy access to horse trails throughout the state forest that double as excellent dog walking paths when shared responsibly. The campgrounds typically maintain restrooms, showers, and trash facilities, though cleanliness varies by location. Several campgrounds feature small bodies of water, but pet owners should check specific beach areas for dog access rules, as swimming permissions vary by location. Sites at Ottawa Lake campground offer peek-a-boo views of the lake with trails running behind some campsites along the water's edge.
"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."
from $23 - $38 / night
Check Availability"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)."
from $23 - $90 / night
Check Availability"I did not stay here, but I spend some time walking through to get a feel for the place."
"Wanted someplace close to home. Familiar with the Delavan area so was excited to find Snug Harbor. Set up went well, didn’t blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in."
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availability"You are in walking distance of the lake with boat ramp, kayaking and water inflatables. I loved it! Also, there is a store with full kitchen."
"The rangers drive through regularly and will deliver wood to your site if requested."
"Swim or fish in the lake, archery or huge picnic sites."
from $25 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to Ice Age Trail from the campground. Nice hike to Rice Lake."
"Making reservations at the group site was easy and ensured no other campers were near us. Beach access and a great tree canopy allowed for comfortable tent camping."
from $23 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Reservable backpacking sites about 45-60min away from nearest parking. Fire pit, shelter, and picnic table at site.
Really enjoyed the hike through forest to get to this site."
"It’s along the ice age trail and offers stunning views for easy hikes."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!"
"I'm going to try to make it a couple times. so much fun, just me and my dog. And one last the thing, my fellow campers were more than hospitable and very nice and I appreciate that very much."
"Driving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park. "
from $23 - $70 / night
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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.
GuideWe 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.
TravelerJust became KOA met local campers that love this park! Good sites, trash pickup at side! They even have a snack bar and deliver to your campsite! No enclosed dog park but plenty of area to walk your dog!
GuideAbsolutely 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
LegendWe enjoyed this park so much we have already been here twice and have a third trip planned for this coming September. 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. We rented a boat to fish and then drove across the lake to eat at a restaurant with boat parking.
The nature center is across the street from the campground and has a small snack bar/restaurant. There are cranes walking all around and the park is so big it has different types of plants to explore. There is an observation tower and in the picnic area a playground. The best part is the boardwalk that extents over the lake and you are walking/riding on water.
About a half a mile away is a very nice dog park that you receive admission to if you have a campsite.
Dane County has many parks in their system and we have stayed at several and all are great.
ScoutMy first time at a campsite and new to the rv life. 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 gallons of hot water. We did 3 months at the camp!
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.
TravelerGreat 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.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
Kettle Moraine State Forest near Palmyra, Wisconsin features glacier-formed terrain with distinct kettles and moraines at elevations between 750-1,000 feet. The region receives average annual rainfall of 36 inches with summer high temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F. Winter camping is available at select locations with temperatures often dropping below freezing from December through February.
Hike observation trails: The Scuppernong section of the Ice Age Trail offers panoramic views of the surrounding forest. "The campsite was close to our intended hiking trail — the Scuppernong section of the Ice Age Trail. It's absolutely gorgeous and will be why we come back again," notes Linda N. from Ottawa Lake Campground.
Visit natural springs: Springs with clear freshwater can be found on short hikes from several campgrounds. "Hiking to see the natural springs which is the coolest!! Drank fresh spring water!" writes Autumn S. about her experience at Ottawa Lake.
Fish in small ponds: Multiple fishing opportunities exist throughout the forest. "There is a small pond with lots of fish and frogs; my kids had a blast catch & release finishing," reports Laura B. from Circle K Campground.
Winter camping options: For those seeking off-season solitude, winter camping is available. "No showers in winter but awesome," shares David H. about Ottawa Lake Campground, which maintains year-round accessibility unlike some seasonal options in the area.
Spacious, secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites with natural barriers. "The sites were far enough apart for some privacy and the trails were very well kept up," explains Charles M. from Pinewoods Campground.
Diverse terrain options: Campsites vary from pine forests to open meadows. At Mukwonago Park, "Sites are large and well spaced out. The campground is clean and well kept. Great landscape and wildlife. We were lucky enough to have a couple of Sandhill Cranes walk through our camp early one morning," reports Abbe W.
Group camping facilities: Some campgrounds accommodate larger gatherings with specialized amenities. The Southern Unit Horseriders Campground features "a large shelter with picnic tables and very convenient roll-up sides that can be used to protect people during inclement weather," according to Josh F.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and common areas. "Bathroom and shower facilities were well maintained! Our campsite had a table and fire pit," shares Maaya Y. about Kettle Moraine South Camping.
Pet policies vary by loop: Not all camping loops allow dogs, despite being in pet-friendly campgrounds. Art S. advises about Pinewoods: "Firstly- don't reserve a spot in loop 1 if you have a dog. It was easy enough to change but now we know to aim for loop 2 or 3."
Weekend crowds: Summer weekends see significant visitor increases. "Nice, clean, well-run campground with some electric sites and several bathroom/shower buildings if needed. Gets very busy on the weekends!" notes Neysha R. about Ottawa Lake.
Road noise concerns: Some campsites experience traffic noise. At Big Foot Beach State Park, Alexandria P. mentions: "The beach is tiny tiny, bordered by loud highway."
Winter camping considerations: While winter camping is available, amenities are reduced. David H. points out that Ottawa Lake has "No showers in winter" though the camping experience remains worthwhile.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Kettle Moraine South Camping, "There is a playground right next to them as well," observes Wendy Z. about the shower facilities.
Educational opportunities: The forest offers learning activities for young campers. Jill G. recommends: "Pick Up the activity book for kids it is a great adventure lots to do at the lake!!!"
Swimming options: Multiple water features provide swimming opportunities. Matt N. reports about Ottawa Lake: "Walked down by the beach but it was too cold to go in. Sandy beach but looked like a rock bottom. Kids lived it."
Wildlife viewing: The forest supports diverse animal populations visible from campsites. Abbe W. notes at Mukwonago Park that "We were lucky enough to have a couple of Sandhill Cranes walk through our camp early one morning."
Site selection for leveling: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring careful placement. At Scenic Ridge Campground, Steven P. cautions: "Our site was downhill so that presented quite the challenge to level out."
Electric site availability: Electric hookups are limited at some locations. "Not all sites here have electricity so be mindful of that while booking," advises Linda N. about Ottawa Lake Campground.
Seasonal RV considerations: The area hosts many long-term RV residents. Steve K. shares: "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."
Dump station access: Plan for potential wait times at dump stations during peak periods. Kyle K. warns about Scenic Ridge: "Upon leaving, we were in line at the dump station for about 40 minutes which was frustrating, and the road up to the dump station did not allow for cross traffic."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Palmyra, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Palmyra, 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 Palmyra, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near Palmyra, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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