Dog-Friendly Camping near Sturtevant, WI

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    Cliffside Park Campground accommodates pets throughout its 92 campsites near Sturtevant. Each site provides water and electric hookups with clean, well-maintained facilities where pets remain welcome. Richard Bong State Recreation Area offers additional pet-friendly options at both Sunrise and Sunset Campgrounds, allowing dogs in tent sites, RV spaces, and select cabins. Bathrooms and showers are consistently clean, with several visitors noting the campground staff maintains excellent standards even during busy periods. Sites at Cliffside feature gravel pads, picnic tables, and fire pits in a layout that provides adequate space between neighbors. The park enforces standard pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal, though dogs must remain within the campground area and cannot access other sections of the park.

    The hiking trails near Cliffside Park include a short one-mile path to Lake Michigan with moderate terrain suitable for most dogs. Many campers report the mosquitoes can be voracious during summer months, so pet owners should bring appropriate repellent for themselves and pet-safe options for their animals. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Caledonia provides an alternative with pet-friendly cabins and RV sites about 7 miles from downtown Racine. The campground's concrete spots are particularly spacious and level, accommodating larger RVs with pets. Both locations maintain quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, and visitors with pets should note that Cliffside's trails feature some ravine geography with beautiful views of the lake from cliff tops, requiring proper leash control for dog safety. Veterinary services are available within a short drive of both campgrounds.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Sturtevant (44)

      1. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

      4.1(67)19mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents

      "They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."

      "Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind. I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."

      from $25 / night

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      2. Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

      4.2(24)12mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I would recommend this for anyone for starting to step out of the comfort zone for the outdoors. very simple, many paths to walk, jog, or ride a bike. a small lake is near the further parking lot. dogs"

      "Pros: great hiking trails, nice lake to kayak on, family friendly beach and picnic areas Cons: Not great fishing, no dog friendly swim area, the beach/fishing pier/boat launch are all pretty far from"

      3. Cliffside Park Campground

      4.3(19)10mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents

      "We took our dogs on all the trails (oops) but saw other people doing the same. Short drive to local attractions and all the normal things you need."

      "The campground is located about 8 miles from I-41/94 so while it is a little distance from the interstate, the drive was worth it because the park was very quiet and made for a nice restful evening. "

      from $32 - $35 / night

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      4. Sunrise Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

      4.0(22)12mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents

      "Rocket launch (bring your own,) atv (no rentals-bring your own), water fowl hunting (during season), fishing, wildlife watching, swimming at the beach, playground for kids, and my favorite- nice trails"

      "Plenty of space & foliage between sites and a nice network of trails surrounding the campground. Close to some small towns and the interstate as well, but not close enough to hear traffic."

      5. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Caledonia

      3.9(12)9mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This location did not dissapoint. We have not gone to this location during the warmer months but looks to be a great campground"

      6. Happy Acres Kampground

      2.6(12)12mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly."

      "we’ve been RV camping here for 2 months now and love it. the bathrooms are older but still nice and cleaned daily. the pool is fantastic, lots of fun playgrounds around, and there’s a neat walking trail"

      7. Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      4.3(52)33mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      8. Muskego Park by Waukesha County Parks

      3.8(8)19mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents

      "Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area."

      "I did not stay at this park, but did drive and walk through it to get a feel for it. There are a number of sites I'd love to tent camp in. This park is bounded by a lake with a nice beach."

      from $25 - $80 / night

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      9. Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      3.9(14)23mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"

      "Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"

      10. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

      3.9(13)23mi from SturtevantRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

      "You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Sturtevant, WI

    489 Reviews of 44 Sturtevant Campgrounds


    • jennifer Z.
      Oct. 22, 2023

      Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

      Surprising secret camp ground

      We 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.

    • Annabelle G.
      Jul. 29, 2019

      Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      Our all-time favorite place

      Absolutely 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

    • K
      Jul. 5, 2022

      Menomonee Park by Waukesha County Parks

      Nice park

      Great 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.

    • J
      Aug. 14, 2022

      Happy Acres Kampground

      Great for families

      Staff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.

    • Kaitlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 20, 2025

      Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

      Relaxing but no water hook up

      We love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.

    • W
      Aug. 31, 2018

      Pinewoods & Group Camp — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      Campsite 034

      We liked this site because it was on the "quiet loop." No radios or pets allowed. I'm not sure about children! :) The sites are fairly close together and the trees are sparse, but it was a beautiful site and wonderfully quiet for the long weekend over the 4th of July 2017.

      You can walk over to an area that has hiking trails right out of the campsite. State park mountain biking trails are also close by, but you would need to drive to them. The showers were clean and when we used them, available. There is a playground right next to them as well.

      The campsite itself had a good log-stopper so you wouldn't drive too far into the woods, great fire ring, and picnic table. We had nice flat areas for our tents.

      I am not so sure I would have enjoyed myself if I'd been in another loop. The quiet was perfect!

    • Addison G.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 29, 2024

      Ottawa Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      Great spot for hiking Kettle Moraine

      Campsites are kept up and quite clean. 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. Family friendly (parks, beach, pet friendly)

    • K
      Aug. 28, 2025

      Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

      Not communicable, fraud administration

      I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

    • Hilary S.
      Oct. 11, 2020

      Pinewoods & Group Camp — Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit

      Love the Quiet Loop

      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). There are a few walk-in sites (site 16 isn't a very far walk), but most are drive-in. Most sites have hammock-able trees and are quite shady. Pit toilets are available in loop 1, otherwise you can walk to the other loop to have running water. 

      Note that check-in is at Ottawa Lake - I arrived too late for check-in to be open this year (not sure if it ever was due to the pandemic), but had no issues just going to the site I'd reserved online.


    Guide to Sturtevant

    Richard Bong State Recreation Area forms the core of camping options near Sturtevant, Wisconsin, featuring over 4,500 acres of natural space with wetlands and prairie landscapes. Located approximately 10 miles from Sturtevant, the area experiences typical Midwest seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and humidity levels that support diverse wildlife. Winter camping remains available at select locations with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing from December through February.

    What to do

    Water activities at Wolf Lake: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers access to a swimming area with a sand beach about 20 miles from Sturtevant. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," notes a visitor to Turner Lake South.

    Hiking trails through diverse terrain: Multiple paths run through woodlands and prairie areas surrounding most campgrounds. At Muskego Park, trails offer varied terrain. "Trails that took you through woods and then prairie and then up a decent elevation for an amazing view of the surrounding area," according to one camper. The trails range from easy woodland paths to more challenging routes with elevation changes.

    Fishing opportunities: Most camping areas provide access to fishing, with certain locations offering equipment rentals. "This is a great campground. The bathroom facilities have a bit to be desired but still very functional. If you like to kayak or canoe this is a great place to be. There is a water way fee per kayak or canoe per year but it is well worth it," shares a review of Honeysuckle Hollow.

    What campers like

    Accessible bath facilities: Most campgrounds maintain clean restroom buildings with regular maintenance. At Fox Den Campground, "It has the electrical hookups that we need and has a bath house that is close to where you camp (hundreds of feet versus getting into a car and driving to it)," one camper notes, highlighting the convenience compared to other locations.

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: The wetland areas attract numerous bird species and small animals. "What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private... we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky," says a camper at Turner Lake South.

    Site spacing and privacy: Several campgrounds offer well-separated sites with natural barriers. At Cliffside Park Campground, "Went on our maiden voyage with a new trailer and loved this place. Flat sites, some shade in the center sections. Outer sites backed to woods for most sites... so much space between sites it didn't feel like we were crowded," reports one visitor.

    What you should know

    Weather preparedness: Summer brings mosquitoes and humidity, while spring camping often means muddy conditions. A visitor to Sunrise Campground at Richard Bong State Recreation Area cautions, "Expect to be breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an army full mosquitos. Couldn't even sit outside at the site really. It would be better if they could cut back some."

    Reservation timing: Weekend spaces fill quickly during peak season (May-September). "This IL state campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer. The best sites for those hoping for privacy are in Turner Lake South and Mud Lake East... it seems like a lot of people go early on Thursday or even Wednesday to secure their sites for the weekends," advises a frequent camper.

    Wildlife concerns: Raccoons remain active at night and may target improperly secured food. "The raccoons at night here are no joke. The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," warns a family that visited Chain O' Lakes.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children of different ages. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Caledonia, "Plenty of things to do all day with the rec dept staff and lots of sightings of Yogi, Boo Boo, and Cindy Bear! Pool and Bear Paw beach are both nice, the kids had a blast at both," shares one family.

    Pet friendly camping options: Most sites near Sturtevant, Wisconsin welcome leashed dogs with standard waste disposal requirements. "The campground takes reservations 7 days out or drive up. We saw a lot of bigger rigs but so much space between sites it didn't feel like we were crowded... The park is clean, lots of shade, host on site and very well maintained," notes a visitor at Cliffside Park.

    Tick prevention: The region has a significant tick population, especially in wooded camping areas. "SO many ticks. With a baby crawling that needed to be set free, we were constantly doing checks. Luckily our screen house pop up on a tarp that was sprayed ahead for tick repellent plus a blanket on top of that did the trick, but they literally fall out of the trees into people," warns a family who camped at Honeysuckle Hollow.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup access: Water and electric posts may not align with parking areas at some campgrounds. Fox Den receives praise from RVers: "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts too far from parking pad. Fox Den also has more space between sites, more level pads and each site is tucked away with trees."

    Dump station timing: Holiday weekends create long lines at sanitary stations during checkout times. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping," notes an RV camper who stayed at Honeysuckle Hollow for a week.

    Level sites: Most dedicated RV areas provide reasonably flat parking pads. At Cliffside Park, visitors appreciate that "All sites are the same having 50/30/20 amp electric, water, gravel pads, a grassy patio, picnic table, and a fire pit but no sewer. Campsites can fit up to a 45' RV, and while tents are allowed, there is not a separate tent section."

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sturtevant, WI is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 44 dog-friendly camping locations near Sturtevant, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.