The best dog-friendly campgrounds near Decorah, Iowa

Welcome to Hipcamp! If you're looking for pet-friendly camping near Decorah, Iowa, you're in luck. With over 468 options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for you and your furry friend. Whether you prefer a quiet retreat or a more adventurous terrain, there's something for everyone. Check out top campsites like Gilles Family Dairy & Woodland (239 reviews), Ranch Retreat (226 reviews), and Quarry in the Mississippi Bluff (209 reviews) to get started. With popular amenities like trash, showers, and toilets, and activities such as whitewater paddling, hiking, and swimming, your camping experience will be one to remember. The average price per night is $35, with options as low as $15. Happy camping!

98% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Welcome to Hipcamp! If you're looking for pet-friendly camping near Decorah, Iowa, you're in luck. With over 468 options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for you and your furry friend. Whether you prefer a quiet retreat or a more adventurous terrain, there's something for everyone. Check out top campsites like Gilles Family Dairy & Woodland (239 reviews), Ranch Retreat (226 reviews), and Quarry in the Mississippi Bluff (209 reviews) to get started. With popular amenities like trash, showers, and toilets, and activities such as whitewater paddling, hiking, and swimming, your camping experience will be one to remember. The average price per night is $35, with options as low as $15. Happy camping!

98% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Whispering Winds Retreat

86%

(7)

41mi from Decorah · 2 sites · Lodging · Spring Valley, MN

Immerse yourself in nature and experience the magic of the lush gardens, free-roaming bunnies, fairy walkway, stargazing area w/ telescope, meditating in the Soul Garden, fishing in the fully stocked trout stream and more. 5 minute walk to City Park w/ frisbee golf, less than 0.5 miles to local restaurants & shops. Come relax, rejuvenate, and live out your best life at Whispering Winds Micro Retreat! (420 & pet friendly) Whispering Winds is a holistic healing micro retreat specializing in nature-based self-care. We believe in caring for the land and ensuring it’s just as magical for future generations as it is for the current ones. And that is incredibly important — this place really does have a certain magic to it. Guests are constantly commenting on the healing energy that seems to blanket the farm. The Fairy Walk sparkles with solar lights in the evening. Hammocks for afternoon naps, a nature trail you can walk barefoot, and an outdoor meditation/yoga area. The Soul Garden includes sound healing with outdoor gongs, wind chimes, bird song, crickets, frogs, and the evening dance of the fireflies, in season. Whispering Winds is also home to many animals and features a horse pasture, ducks, bunnies, cats, chickens, and a fully stocked trout stream. The centrally located Community Kitchen is a shared space with lots of options for cooking: Gas & charcoal grills, wood powered pizza oven, dutch oven, solar cooker, fire pit w/ grill grates, chiminea & a rocket stove. The Kitchen is equipped with a sink, Berkey for filtered water, and has prep & dining areas.

2. Driftless Retreat 🍃 🎶 📚

100%

(20)

35mi from Decorah · 1 site · Lodging · Ferryville, WI

Welcome to Driftless Retreat, a charming Amish-built, Scandinavian-influenced cabin nestled on 3 acres in the heart of the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Tucked away high on a Mississippi River bluff, the property offers privacy and seclusion in a rural setting, but is within easy reach of quaint river towns and villages, major hubs and some of the best spots in the Driftless area. - 5 minutes from Ferryville / Mississippi River - 12 minutes from Lansing, Iowa - 25 minutes from the vibrant, eclectic destination town of Viroqua - 45 minutes from western Wisconsin's largest city, La Crosse - 2 hours from Madison, WI - 3 hours from Minneapolis, MN - 4 hours from Chicago, IL While the cabin is rustic and simple, it is equipped with a number of modern amenities and thoughtful extras to make your stay cozy and comfortable. The ideal spot for bibliophiles and music lovers alike, the cabin has a record player (byo vinyl), an Amazon Echo with SiriusXM, a large collection of reading materials, including 200+ books and 100+ magazines ranging on topics from nature, music, health and wellness, mindfulness, sustainable living and more. There is also a variety of games, puzzles and coloring books and two yoga mats + blocks. The cabin is equipped with a reliable 52 Mbps fiber optic internet connection, perfect for remote work or for those seeking a secluded retreat while staying connected. An Epson projector and pull-down screen make for an intimate home theater experience (byo laptop). Sleeping options include a pullout sofa (full-sized bed) with futon mattress to lay on top for comfort, as well as an Exped self-inflating air mattress if needed. There is NO RUNNING WATER, but the cabin does have an electric water cooler on site that offers both hot and cold water options (bring your own water to fill the 5-gallon container). Additionally, you'll find a small refrigerator with freezer, microwave, two electric heaters for warmth, a hot water kettle, and a Chemex for your coffee brewing needs. Dishes, cookware, blankets and pillows provided (byo sheet set). ***As of August 2024, the property now features a portable toilet ('porta potty') for your convenience, and the compostable toilet is no longer available. Feel free to explore the 3-acre property and discover nearby attractions like Rush Creek State Natural Area, Blackhawk Park, Mt. Hosmer, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Wyalusing State Park, Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Wildcat Mountain State Park, and more. This property is located in a rural setting, so you can expect to hear occasional noise from passing farm equipment and trucks. Across the street, a hobby farm adds to the countryside charm, and you may hear the morning greeting of a rooster and honking of geese. It's not uncommon to see deer on the lawn, as there is an orchard neighboring the south end of the property that they like to frequent, and you'll likely hear coyotes howling in the distance at night. Also note that while we do our best to keep nature outside the cabin, be aware that bugs and mice do sometimes happen. As a guest at Driftless Retreat, you're responsible for leaving the cabin in clean condition. Please wash all dishes, place all furniture in its original setting and remove all trash and recyclables from the property upon departure (take extra care to make sure there is absolutely no food left in the cabin). Driftless Retreat is best suited for solo travelers or pairs. Detailed Guide to Driftless Retreat: https://bit.ly/3XqzmEK Learn more about Driftless Wisconsin at driftlesswisconsin.com.

3. Hideaway Camper by the Cave 2.0

95%

(10)

7.3mi from Decorah · 1 site · Lodging · Decorah, IA

Hideaway Camper by the Cave 2.0 is a clean & quiet camper that is located just a few feet from your private cave & waterfall! KAYAK & CANOE RENTALS AVAILABLE ON SITE by Uncle Jon. A gem that you cannot find anywhere else in Decorah! A secret hideaway for photos, hiking, sightseeing & connecting to nature. A secluded area for easy R&R while listening to water flow, chirping birds & watching deer & horses pass by. 1 queen bed sleeps 2, 1 twin bed sleeps 1, and 2 full bunk beds sleep 2-4. We charge a $25 non-refundable pet fee. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings & have fun! Uncle Jon & Rose

Public campgrounds near Decorah

100%

(3)

Beaver Creek Valley Campground

26mi from Decorah · 51 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Creek Valley State Park

Lakeview Campground

28mi from Decorah · 37 sites · Tents, RVs · in Volga River State Recreation Area

100%

(7)

Big Paint Campground

30mi from Decorah · 139 sites · Tents, RVs · in Yellow River State Forest

100%

(1)

Blackhawk Park Campground

30mi from Decorah · 175 sites · Tents, RVs · in Blackhawk Park

Albany Campground

30mi from Decorah · 45 sites · Tents, RVs · in Volga River State Recreation Area

Stories from the community

L

Lauren

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Hideaway Camper by the Cave 2.0

My boyfriend and I loved this spot. A quiet camper with a waterfall and horses close. Very relaxing if that’s what you’re looking for. John is extremely accommodating and quick to respond to needs. Definitely coming back!

L

Leslye

September 2025

3 nights at Whispering Winds Retreat

From the moment my husband and I arrived with our two pups at Whispering Winds Retreat, we knew we’d found something truly special. Tucked into this lush corner of nature, the land feels alive—towering trees, gentle textures of grass and the rustle of leaves instantly set a peaceful tone. Beverly has created such thoughtful spaces, like the outdoor meditation area, that invite you to pause and breathe. We stayed in the Fantasy Woodland Haven, which was the perfect balance of rustic and comfortable. It felt off-grid enough to be an escape, yet had all the amenities to make our stay relaxing and restorative. Every detail—from the cozy fairy décor to the privacy of the space—was intentional. One of the best parts was how much our dogs enjoyed it, too! Whispering Winds is incredibly dog-friendly, with a private dog park, wooded trails, and little touches that made our pups feel just as welcome as we did. Watching them run, explore, and settle in so happily made our experience even more meaningful. Beverly, the host, is a gem. Her warmth, authenticity, and passion for creating a place of renewal shine everywhere you look. She made us feel so welcome, and we left not only refreshed but inspired. Plan to unplug and let nature set your pace. Bring good shoes, watercolors, maybe a fishing pole—but also be ready to leave expectations behind. Whispering Winds is a rare treasure, and we can’t wait to come back!

Heather

August 2025

With kids

3 nights at Hideaway Camper by the Cave 2.0

What a beautiful hidden gem in the rolling hills of Iowa! We enjoyed the waterfall, the beautiful property, the well stocked RV and the customer service. Thanks for having us!

Heather

July 2025

With pets

1 night at Whispering Winds Retreat

Such a cute little place to stay! Cozy and comfy. My pups loved having an area of their own to run and play. Loved visiting the goat 🐐 and the horse 🐎 too❤️

J

Jess

July 2025

2 nights at Whispering Winds Retreat

I really enjoyed camping the air conditioner was really nice to have there was lots of space for my dog to be off leash i thought the toilet with running water was really a neat way to save on water and be able to wash your hand ls RJWas nice I will definitely come back again

Barb

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Whispering Winds Retreat

Whispering Winds was the weekend away we didn't know we needed. The dog park was incredible for our tripod who we have difficulty taking to actual dog parks!! She loved the resident and non resident animals! The lands are beautifully curated and designed with the human and dog in mind. We loved the paths, the community kitchen is such a great bonus! We can't wait to come back!

C

Chris

December 2024

Weekend Trip to Driftless Retreat 🍃 🎶 📚

My partner and I absolutely fell in love with this charming little cabin, and the ravine adjacent to the property provided a lush natural view as well as a fun place to explore. We love hunting for cool rocks and fungi, and the ravine delivered. The cabin itself was clean, cozy, stylish, and provided enough amenities to make our stay comfortable and entertaining: the space heaters provided plenty of warmth (to our relief, as our visit fell in late November), the bed was comfortable, and the selection of books was well-curated with titles ranging from classic literature to Lonely Planet travel guides. The refrigerator and hot plate made it easy to keep our weekend getaway budget-friendly without sacrificing all of the modern conveniences, too. The wifi also worked great, and the projector screen was an unexpectedly delightful bonus (as was the little aurora-style light projector for relaxing bedtime ambience). Although there are neighbors across the road, the property itself offers sufficient privacy and immersion in nature, which are always high priorities to me regarding weekend getaway destinations ... I live in the city where you can almost touch the house next door through the window. To top it all off, Marla is a terrific host: her response time to any questions we had was always faster than I expected, and her friendly demeanor made us feel more like welcomed guests than anonymous renters. We will definitely be returning to Driftless Retreat. Thanks, Marla!

R

Rebecca

November 2024

2 nights at Driftless Retreat 🍃 🎶 📚

Lovely getaway from reality! The cabin was exactly as pictured which was just what was needed. My dog joined us and had so much fun roaming around the area while we relaxed!

R

Riley

November 2024

Weekend Trip to Driftless Retreat 🍃 🎶 📚

Truly a wonderful place! Marla has thought of everything you'd need to be comfortable. Definitely would come back again!