108 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Governor Dodge State Park campgrounds accommodate pets at all sites with specific guidelines for responsible ownership. Twin Valley Campground and Cox Hollow Campground maintain clean, well-marked trails where dogs can explore on leash throughout the 5,000+ acre park. Both campgrounds offer electric and non-electric sites suitable for tents and RVs with pets, featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and access to shower facilities. The park's backpacking sites also permit dogs on trails leading to Stephens Falls and various natural rock formations. Sites generally maintain good spacing between neighbors, though some walk-in sites require passing close to other campsites when traveling to and from parking areas.
Nearby Toms Campground provides a pet-friendly alternative with full hookup options in a rural setting about 7 miles south of Ridgeway. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the property, and pet waste disposal stations help maintain cleanliness. Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring Green offers additional pet-friendly options including cabin rentals where dogs are permitted for a nominal fee. Many campers appreciate the park's multiple hiking paths suitable for dogs, particularly the Lost Canyon Trail with its scenic bluffs and small waterfalls. The well-maintained toilet and shower facilities throughout Governor Dodge remain open late in the season when other Wisconsin state parks have closed amenities, making fall camping with pets more comfortable. Raccoons in the area are notably bold and aggressive, so proper food storage is essential when camping with pets.
"Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water."
"This is another Wisconsin gym sitting in Southern West Wisconsin."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The sites on the "inside" of the loop are rather close to one another. 21 has a nice view of the lake, and you can walk back to the fence to look over the bluff 24 is quite private and very large 26,"
"I randomly picked this campground, after trying to book Devil's Lake with no luck. WE LOVED IT! Sites are very private, some in the woods, and some have sun/shade."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Lakes, trails, kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, fishing. Hidden gem of Wisconsin. The campsites are pretty private, nestled in trees. Some shaded, some have sun and shade."
"Site 271 was just enough of a walk to feel remote but not so far that I couldn't carry all my stuff."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"This is a popular place in the area, the human beaches are full and the small pet beach area was well used by my husband, myself and our two dogs; Odinn & Frigga over Memorial Day."
"Tons of forest with cross country, equestrian, and hiking trails. One of the best lakes in Wisconsin for fishing along with a nice beach, and pet area. There is a free gun range."
from $18 - $110 / night
Check Availability"It's up on a hill, so there's good views of the driftless area of Wisconsin. Plenty of open walk up camp sites, but it might be more full in the summer."
"The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay.
- Well-kept vault toilets.
- Close to a many points of interest."
"Lots of access to pit toilets and water fountains from primary camping sites!"
"Great hike threw out the state park. 2 main lakes with great fishing is a plus. Lots to do for the whole family"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"We needed a place after visiting the House on the Rock and couldn't find anything with hookups nearby. We stumbled upon Tom's Campground hoping to find a site."
"There is also a man-made lake with a beach for swimming and bigger kids to enjoy the large inflatable slides and swim platforms."
"The camp fire was located under a tree. We didn’t have a fire. It’s a little unusual location. I think the pull Thru are more fit for travel trailers not more 31 feet."
from $32 - $170 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $18 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $90 / night
Check Availability
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.
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!
TravelerA central playground and pool are the biggest draws for families with kids. There's also a prospecting 'sluice' that you can buy for the kids to look for 'fossils' and interesting rocks.
The campground is located just north of the main attractions of Wisconsin Dells.
Campsites are not overly generous in size -- typical KOA, where some are 'stacked like cordwood'. Don't go there if you want any privacy from your neighbors.
Cabins are available for those wanting to 'camp' without a camper.
Very small dog park area.
Friendly check in staff. However, we were given a map with our campsite noted and told to wait for a person driving a golf cart to escort us and help us get situated. We waited...and waited...and waited...golf carts came and went, but passed us by. We finally gave up waiting and found out site by ourselves.
GuideThis is a popular place in the area, the human beaches are full and the small pet beach area was well used by my husband, myself and our two dogs; Odinn & Frigga over Memorial Day. The hiking is amazing , particularly the Oakgrove trail, plenty to see with beautiful views. There is boating, canoeing, etc. Bring the strongest mosquito repellent you can get, Wisconsin in summer can be rough. We tried our Black Diamond poles and Thule day bags and we got to try cooling vests for the dogs from Ruffwear. It was so much fun. Note that there are sites to camp, cabins nearby and plenty of Hipcamp sites near. Strongly recommend Riverview Bottoms, which sits in a 500 acre property and is 10 min away.
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.
LegendGeneral: 58 sites with various amenities. Some are long pull-throughs, some are back-in, some have 30 amp with or without a patio, and some have 50-amp electric with or without a patio. Tents are NOT allowed. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and asked to sign a waiver and given a welcome packet. The rules are extensive, but most are common sense/courtesy and not at all unreasonable.
Site Quality: All had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park. Our site had a patio and decent-sized picnic table but it was chilly when we were there so we ate inside.
Bathhouse: Very clean as were the showers.
Activities/Amenities: There are many activities offered, including a dog park, basketball, horseshoes, games (cornhole, large checkerboard, and others), a barn with a television, a book library, puzzles, and a pool table. Coffee is available after 9 am. There is also a small chapel available 24/7 and a laundry room. WiFi is also available. There is a camp store with ice, ice cream, some camping supplies, clothing, crafts, and more. We were told several restaurants will deliver to the campground.
We don’t typically prefer to stay in RV-style campgrounds, but it was conveniently located with easy access off Route 151 just over the Wisconsin border from Iowa, we were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed our short stay passing through. Pride of ownership was evident throughout.
RangerWe were in Site# B1. We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-thru. We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site. My jeep though did not fit. The site was easy to level.
Our site was shaded with lots of trees. This was a larger sized lot with our neighbors not too close (but we did choose a premium site with a patio and paid extra to be on the end).
This specific lot comes with a concrete patio The lot comes with a picnic table and fire hole in the ground.
They have a community Outdoor kitchen-y area with picnic tables.
They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster.
You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. There is really not a need to have a Golf cart because it is a smaller campground.
They do have a Swimming pool.
There is a Playground. They also offer horseshoes and a volleyball court.
They have a great general store.
The streets are gravel so not great for riding bikes but there are great places to ride bikes outside of campground, especially around Middleton and Madison.
They have cabins for rent and tent areas.
They have one shower house. The shower house has the typical stalls. These are kept mostly clean.
There is a laundry facility. It is a cash only facility, but they have a change machine.
They have a fenced in dog park and many grassy areas to walk dogs.
There were no trails to hike in the campground.
Some fun things to do outside of the campground are the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Madison and multitude of bike trails.
Governor Dodge State Park spans over 5,000 acres of Wisconsin's Driftless Area, an unglaciated region characterized by steep hills, valleys and rock formations. Camping sites near Ridgeway are positioned at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, creating microclimates that often provide cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Fall camping remains comfortable as local parks maintain facilities later than other Wisconsin locations, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 45-65°F in October.
Hiking to canyon views: Lost Canyon Trail in Governor Dodge State Park features unique geological formations not found elsewhere in the region. "Beautiful hiking trails everywhere for different levels of hiker," notes Mallory M., who visited the nearby Blue Mound State Park. The canyon trail combines natural bluffs with small waterfalls and moss-covered rock formations.
Kayaking on Wisconsin River: Located just 20 minutes from Ridgeway, Wisconsin Riverside Resort offers water recreation options with equipment rentals. "They will shuttle you as far up the river as you'd like to go, and you float or paddle back while enjoying all the sand bars along the way," explains Kim L. The river features numerous sandbars for rest stops during warm-weather paddling trips.
Fire tower climbing: Blue Mound's observation towers provide panoramic views reaching nearly 15 miles across the Wisconsin River Valley. "Climb up into the firetower if you get a chance," recommends Grace M. The elevation creates distinctive blue-tinted views of distant hills, particularly at sunrise and sunset when light conditions enhance the effect.
Spacious walk-in sites: The walk-in sites at Twin Valley Campground offer seclusion without requiring extensive hiking. "While the walk-in site I stayed at with my son (263) really isn't all that far from where you park, it still leaves you surrounded by trees, and secluded from seeing other campers," writes Paul N. These sites feature distinct elevation changes and valley views not available at drive-up locations.
Year-round access: Several campgrounds maintain facilities beyond the typical Wisconsin camping season. "While other Wisconsin state parks have shut off most water & closed their shower houses, this park kept these amenities available this late in October; that was a nice surprise," shares Fred S. about Twin Valley Campground. Fall camping benefits from reduced crowds and extended facility access.
Lightning bug displays: Tower Hill State Park offers seasonal natural light shows. "We enjoyed chasing lightning bugs," notes Kay K. about summer camping at the park. The riverside location creates optimal firefly habitat, with peak activity occurring during June and July between 9-11pm.
Uneven terrain challenges: Many campsites throughout the region feature significant grade changes. "Not all 'driveways' are level which, unfortunately, we discovered in site 33. We slept with our heads lower than our feet in our camper van," explains Lee D. who stayed at Cox Hollow Campground. Sites may require additional leveling equipment, particularly for campers using rigid sleeping systems.
Bold wildlife: Beyond raccoons, the area hosts diverse wildlife that may approach campsites. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD," cautions Jen L. about Governor Dodge State Park. Encounters typically increase during peak summer months and require secure food storage in hard-sided containers rather than coolers.
Variable shower facilities: Shower amenities differ between campgrounds in the region. "There is a change machine in the laundry facility," notes Kim L. about Wisconsin Riverside Resort, while Tom's Campground has "showers that cost 25 cents for a 7 minute shower," according to g T. Water pressure and temperature consistency vary across facilities.
Swimming options: Blue Mound State Park Campground offers unique water recreation for families with young children. "The pool is awesome, and the splash pad is absolutely incredible. This is a great place to camp with little kids," shares Mallory M. The splash pad features multiple spray features and requires no swimming skills to enjoy.
Dog-friendly beaches: Several parks accommodate pets at water recreation areas. "My boyfriend and I brought our two dogs here to camp. They had a dog beach for them to swim in which was a huge plus," reports Sarah B. who visited Governor Dodge State Park. Pet swimming areas typically have designated shoreline sections separate from human swimming beaches.
Group camping setup: Multiple parks offer specialized group camping arrangements. "Had 2 different group sites and both were awesome! A lot of space and not close to other group sites," explains Amanda J. about Governor Dodge State Park. Group sites typically accommodate 15-25 people and require advance reservations, especially for summer weekends.
Site selection for larger rigs: Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground accommodates varying RV sizes but requires careful site selection. "If camping with a trailer or RV check to make sure you will get a campsite that is level enough for your vehicle. Lots of the campsites are uneven and larger vehicles may have issues getting level," advises Jeanne M. Sites along the main loop typically offer better accessibility than those on secondary roads.
Electric hookup locations: Most pet-friendly campgrounds with electrical service offer 30-amp connections. "We stayed in a pull thru site. The camp fire was located under a tree... I think the pull thru are more fit for travel trailers not more than 31 feet," explains Juliana R. about Wisconsin Riverside Resort. Hookup placements may require additional cord length depending on site layout and RV configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ridgeway, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ridgeway, WI is Blue Mound State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ridgeway, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 108 dog-friendly camping locations near Ridgeway, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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