Jarrett G.
Traveler
TravelerVeterans 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!
Dog-Friendly Camping near Sparta, WI
116 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Leon Valley Campground welcomes pets at all sites with grassy areas for walking dogs throughout the property. Located just 5 minutes south of Sparta, this family-run campground offers clean facilities including a swimming pool, picnic pavilion, and large playground. Pet owners appreciate the well-maintained grounds and proximity to Sparta's bike trails. Whiskey Creek Family RV Park also accommodates pets with spacious sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. The park provides walking trails along Whiskey Creek where dogs can enjoy nature walks. Both campgrounds maintain pet waste stations and require pets to be leashed at all times. Justin Trails Resort offers pet-friendly accommodations in both tent sites and cabins, with llamas on property that campers can feed while walking their dogs.
Hiking trails near Sparta provide excellent options for exercising dogs, with the Elroy-Sparta State Trail accessible from multiple campgrounds. The area's rural location offers peaceful walking routes without crowds, making early morning and evening walks comfortable for pets. Pine View Campground at Fort McCoy permits pets in all accommodation types including cabins, with paved sites that stay clean even in wet weather. Most campgrounds require proof of current vaccinations, and Sparta's veterinary services are available within short driving distance of all camping locations. Veterans Memorial Park & Campground features waterfront sites where pets can access the river under supervision. Winter camping options remain available at several parks that operate year-round, with heated cabin facilities providing comfortable accommodations during colder months.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Sparta (116)
1. Pine View Campground - Fort McCoy
"Situated within short distance of the Mississippi surrounded by trails and kayak friendly rivers."
"Near-by La Crosse has baseball and softball teams from the Northwoods collegiate summer league."
2. Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail
"This is a walk-in campground intended for very light camping, particularly for those biking the Elroy-Sparta or Lacrosse Trails, as it is right on the Elroy-Sparta trail and only a 10 minute bike ride"
"After biking 47 miles was a welcome respite on our first day of biking the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail. We spent a second night on our out and back along the trail."
from $18 - $50 / night
Check Availability3. Neshonoc Lakeside
"This campground came to us through Thousand Trails Collection. At first we only had a W/E site and later was able to move to a full hook up site. "
"It was spacious and very well kept, with a great view of the lake. Wry easy to back in and get set up, almost level and took very little adjustment to get our spot in order."
4. Whiskey Creek Family RV Park
"Sparta (Walmart plus other shops) is less than ten minutes away. The park is near an Amish community giving the region a great country feel."
"Situated on 30 acres, there is plenty of room to roam. There is river access, walking trails, and so much more. This is the perfect place for your next family vacation or solo travel stop-over."
from $45 - $185 / night
Check Availability5. Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground
"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."
from $18 - $110 / night
Check Availability6. Veterans Memorial Park & Campground
"Playground for kids and a very nice dog park. Right off the river. Will definitely be back!"
"Vet's Park has direct access to the La Crosse Great River Trail where you can connect onto Elroy/Sparta Trail to the east and it directly to La Crosse Great River Trail to the northwest."
7. Leon Valley Campground
"It is only 5 minutes south of Sparta, WI where one can ride on a nice WI State bike trail too."
from $45 / night
Check Availability8. Justin Trails Resort
9. Pigeon Creek Campground — Black River State Forest
"All the Wisconsin State Parks are great. This one has a nice man-made lake with good fishing and lots of turtles."
"Bugs were sometimes bad but it was June in the woods in Wisconsin. Nice space and enjoyed the beach area with the kids."
from $21 / night
Check Availability10. Great River Bluffs State Park Campground
"Had a site right next to the bathroom big enough for 2 tents and 2 vehicles. Hikes here offer great views of the river and bluffs and the fall colors are gorgeous!!!"
"I enjoy camping away from the hub bub of the family campground and opting for the backpack or cart in sites. Luckily, Great River Bluffs has some of the nicest cart ins I have encountered."
from $24 / night
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Drive Time
- 24 min from La Crosse, WI
- 1 hr 15 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 16 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 1 hr 57 min from Wausau, WI
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Sparta, WI
48 Photos of 116 Sparta Campgrounds
Whiskey C.
Whiskey Creek Family RV Park
Michael V.
Justin Trails Resort
Alicia V.
Veterans Memorial Park & Campground
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Lost Falls Campground
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Westfork Sports Club & Campground
Nicole K.
Castle Mound Campground — Black River State Forest
Guy R.
Mill Bluff State Park Campground
Lynn R.
Bryes Bad Axe Glamping
Name
Sidie Hollow County Main Campground
Tori K.
Great River Bluffs State Park Campground
Charles C.
East Arbutus Camp
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Sparta, WI
507 Reviews of 116 Sparta Campgrounds
- RRebecca R.Traveler
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.
David G.TravelerPrairie 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.
Diana R.TravelerHo-Chunk RV Resort & Campground
Convenient RV Stay Near the Dells
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells RV Park is a nice option if you want an easy RV stay close to the casino and Wisconsin Dells attractions. I like that it feels convenient and low-hassle, with full hook-up sites, Wi-Fi, showers, laundry, a playground, pet area, and access to some hotel/casino amenities.
Pros: great location, full hook-ups, convenient amenities, close to entertainment.
Cons: it is more practical than scenic, and it is RV-only, so no tent camping.
Overall, it’s a good pick if you want a comfortable RV base near the Dells instead of a rustic campground.
- Lynn N.
GuideHixton - Alma Center KOA
Nice Place
Small, clean campground! Very friendly staff, very well kept! Dog park. There's also plenty of activites to do! You can swim in the pool, fish in the pond etc. Bathrooms are very well kept and clean! Showers are hot! Sites are good sized, and well spread out!
- Kim L.
RangerOakdale KOA
Right on the highway
It’s early in the season so the campground is mostly empty, but this KOA is a convenient stop off the highway for local adventures at the nearby state parks or Elroy Sparta bike trail. The basic amenities are good- level sites, fire pit, a tree, nice store, playground, and a pool in warmer weather. It’s more of a place to park your camper than a destination. The campground is right off the highway, so we can see and hear trucks through the night. But they have some nice perks, like goats and chickens on site. The staff let the kids pet the goats and chickens, and loaned us discs to play disc golf. They have one practice basket in the back. There is a small but very nice playground, bathrooms and showers, and laundry facilities. So I would recommend staying here if you want to visit nearby parks and want the convenience of full hookup spots. Great for an easy pull off the highway on your way to more exciting locations. Since most things are closed due to Covid-19, I can’t comment on nearby activities. A clean and convenient location with very nice owners and staff. We would stay again if passing through.
- Jarrett G.Traveler
Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground
Sweet place
Very cool secluded walk in sites, pet friendly, awesome trails.
Amy G.
LegendShady 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.
- JJamee H.Traveler
Sparta Walk-In Campground — Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Good for light/bike camping
This is a walk-in campground intended for very light camping, particularly for those biking the Elroy-Sparta or Lacrosse Trails, as it is right on the Elroy-Sparta trail and only a 10 minute bike ride into the town of Sparta. We are a family of 4 that camped from Friday through Sunday while we attended a swim meet in Sparta. We had site 3 (103 on the DNR campground map), which was about a 600 yard hike in from the parking lot, down a trail that can get quite muddy, especially during rain (which it did while we were breaking camp). Some of the sites are even further down the trail. The site was small, but we did manage to fit a 4-person tent, two 2-person tents, a screen-house, and 5 bikes. I was advised by our camp neighbor that their site was equally small. Water, trash, and bathroom access was great and clean. No noise from other campers, and there was even a boy scout troop on site while we were there. The most disappointing factor for me was the highway noise. I had read about that from another reviewer, and it was indeed bad, all weekend long. I had to wear noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the noise in order to sleep. So, it is a great site for someone biking in and/or carrying a very light load into the campsite and, I would say (only because of the highway noise), if there are no other camping options. I should mention that although there are no showers here, I saw that the Sparta Aquatic Center (10 minute bike ride) allows shower access for $3 (at time of this review). Also, the Sparta Family Restaurant is a great place to eat, having good food, service, and prices.
Guide to Sparta
Pet friendly camping options near Sparta, Wisconsin offer diverse experiences across the Driftless Region's unique topography. Located in western Wisconsin, Sparta sits at 790 feet elevation surrounded by dramatic limestone bluffs carved by ancient glacial meltwater. Camping in this area provides access to extensive biking and hiking trails, with several campgrounds allowing direct access to the 32-mile Elroy-Sparta Trail through three historic railroad tunnels.
What to do
Kayaking on the Kickapoo River: A slow, peaceful paddling experience at Veterans Memorial Park & Campground where the La Crosse River wraps around the grounds. One camper noted, "I think whether you stop with your family for a day or stay a week you will not be disappointed. The park was very clean well-kept and organized."
Disc golf and farm experiences: Try the disc golf course at Justin Trails Resort where one visitor mentioned, "Beautiful place, tent camping is available. Great breakfast and romantic setting for our anniversary. They sell wine and food in the store. The llamas are fun to feed."
Swimming in unique waters: Pigeon Creek Campground offers swimming in a distinctive root-beer colored lake. A visitor explained, "The water is a fun shade of root beer, this is from the trees and mosses leaching into the water. The water is tested weekly to make sure that it is safe to swim in."
What campers like
Direct trail access: Many campers appreciate Veterans Memorial Park's location right on the state bike trail. One reviewer highlighted, "Great location! Family camping on the banks of the La Crosse River with shaded grassy sites, directly on State Bike Trail, and easily accessible from I-90."
Clean facilities with activities: Whiskey Creek Family RV Park earns praise for its well-maintained amenities. A camper noted, "Clean bathrooms! Some of the nicest I have seen with free showers. Planned themes and activities on the weekends, great fun for the whole family. Enjoyed the nature trails and fly fishing for trout on the riverbank."
Private, wooded campsites: Pine View Campground - Fort McCoy offers secluded sites. As one visitor described, "The sites were paved and level. Nicely wooded and made it easy to setup a hammock as well. The site had full hook ups."
What you should know
Military base presence: Pine View Campground is on a military base with unique sounds. A camper explained, "We did have an alarm every morning with the sound of bugle three or fore time throughout the day and evening. North impact area is North of campgrounds. Mortors shooting one evening when we was there. Reveille, call to mess, retreat, tattoo and taps daily."
Seasonal timing matters: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with Neshonoc Lakeside specifically open "April 15 to October 15" according to their listing information.
Ticks are common: When camping at state forest sites like Pigeon Creek, be prepared for insects. One visitor warned, "LOTS OF TICKS be aware to check yourself and any pets you may bring. Site was nice, hike felt transformative and lake was incredible to jump in after."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with diverse activities: Oakdale KOA offers numerous family-friendly amenities. A camper shared, "There's a small store with snacks, tshirts, novelty ice cream, and camping items of both necessity and novelty. There's also a playground, pool, bounce pad, and game room, which has low and no cost games."
Choose parks with swim areas: Many local campgrounds feature swimming options. At Whiskey Creek Family RV Park, a visitor described, "They also have a beautiful white sand beach around a 1-acre swim pond. The water was the color of the Caribbean with these huge blow-up toys and slides in the middle. Kids loved it."
Reserve sites near playgrounds: Veterans Memorial Park provides multiple play areas. A camper reported, "Large campground with many amenities. Playground for kids and a very nice dog park. Right off the river."
Tips from RVers
Level sites with amenities: Pine View Campground offers well-maintained RV areas. A camper mentioned, "A great campground for a nice getaway, Cabins are affordable and packed with amenities. There is a small camp store and boat rental where firewood is available."
Easy highway access: Oakdale KOA provides convenient access for RVers traveling through. A visitor noted, "The campground is super easy to get to as it is adjacent to I-90 which means you'll also deal with highway noise. The noise becomes just background after a while and the full hookups mean running the RV air conditioner at night somewhat blocks the traffic sounds."
Seasonal site options: Neshonoc Lakeside has both short-term and long-term options. A camper described, "The site are all level, have a fire pit and picnic table. They are pretty open, so you're close to your neighbors and little shade or privacy. Super easy back ins, plenty of space for extra cars or shade tents on the site."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Sparta, WI?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sparta, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sparta, WI is Pine View Campground - Fort McCoy with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
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What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sparta, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 116 dog-friendly camping locations near Sparta, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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