When planning a camping trip, it's essential to consider not just where you want to go, but also how your furry friends will fare. Fortunately, there are plenty of great places near lakes that are both pet-friendly and full of enjoyable activities. Whether you're looking for a place to swim, hike, or simply relax and take in the scenery, these five spots have you covered. So pack up the RV and head out for an adventure with your best friend by your side!
Expert Advice
5 Dog-Friendly Places to Camp Near Lakes
Melissa Garcia shares her favorite lake-side campgrounds that are perfect for both humans and their furry friends.
Elkhart Lake, WI
If you are looking for a dog-friendly community to camp in, Elkhart Lake is for you. You will definitely see lots of four-legged fur babies in this community. Elkhart Lake is a 292-acre lake in Sheboygan County Wisconsin. Elkhart Lake has a nice variety of fish for you to catch. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Musky, Panfish, Northern Pike, Trout, and Walleye can be caught here.
The Elkhart Lake area also has plenty of hiking trails for you and your pet to enjoy. You should also check out Elkhart Lake Village Square Park. This is a great park for families as it has plenty of shady picnic areas and a playground for the kids. If you are looking for a dog-friendly place to eat, the Stop InnTavern has plenty of outdoor seating.
You can stay at the Kohler-Andrae State Park. It sits on the shores of Lake Michigan and will provide a base camp for your activities in the area. The park has a 137-unit family campground, including 52 sites with electrical hookups. Marsh Campground near Elkhart Lake also offers 50 sites with water, electric, and dump stations.
Greenleaf State Park Oklahoma
Greenleaf State Park, located in Eastern Oklahoma is a beautiful place to go RVing with your dog. The park offers scenic hiking trails, and plenty of space for your dog to run around. Just remember to keep them on a leash at all times. While you are there you can enjoy Green Leaf Lake. You can swim, fish, kayak, canoe, or even raft in the lake. Fishing boats with motors are allowed. Although motorized watercraft, such as jet skis are not allowed on the lake.
Green Leaf state park has 100 RV campsites. They have some with 50 amp and full hookups. Other amenities include a community building, pavilion, enclosed shelter, outdoor shelter, seasonal marina with grill, and heated fishing dock. All reservations must be made online.
There is also a kid's pond. Kids under 16 can fish there without a permit free of charge.
Madera County, California
Madera County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry friends. With miles of hiking trails, plenty of lakes and rivers for swimming and fishing, and ample opportunities for camping, there's no need to leave your furry friend behind when you go RVing - many campgrounds in Madera County allow dogs. When choosing a campground, be sure to check the pet policy in advance. Some campgrounds may have restrictions on breeds or require proof of vaccination.
Most businesses are welcoming of pets and there are plenty of restaurants that have outdoor seating. It’s a great place to make a “base camp” as there are a lot of things to see in the area. Yosemite National Park is just a short drive away as well which is definitely a must-do. Dogs are allowed in the park as long as they are kept on a leash.
Yosemite RV Resort is a great place to stay and is very dog friendly. They even have a fenced-in dog park so your pet can run around off-leash. They offer 20/50 amp service, water, and more. It is also only about a 30-minute drive through the mountains to Bass Lake. Miller’s Landing at Bass Lake also has watercraft for rent if you need a kayak or boat. It’s a gorgeous area to kayak with your dog. You can also grab a snack and enjoy it with your pet on their patio. Miller’s landing also has a pup-friendly menu with several options your four-legged friends can enjoy.
Lake Lanier, GA
If you're looking for a great place to take your RV and your dog, look no further than Lake Lanier in Georgia about 45 minutes north of Atlanta. This beautiful lake is the perfect spot for a relaxing vacation, and there are plenty of pet-friendly activities to keep both you and dog entertained.
If you are looking at camping at Lake Lanier you should check out the Sawnee Campgrounds. They are located just north of the Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. Sawnee Campgrounds also provide great access for swimming and boating.
If you are looking for more of a “glamping” experience you need to try Margaritaville RV Resort at Lake Lanier. They have a water park, Paradise Beach, and LandShark Landing. You can also rent watercraft or book a margarita cruise!
The parks at the southern end of Lake Lanier are “pet restricted'' but below is a list of parks that are dog friendly.
List of Dog-Friendly Parks Near Lake Lanier:
- Balus Creek
- Belton Bridge
- Bolding Mill
- Duckett Mill
- Mountain View
- Keith’s Bridge
- Little Hall
- Little River
- Long Hollow
- Lula
- Nix Bridge
- Robinson
- Sardis Creek
- Simpson Park
- Thompson Bridge
- Thompson Creek
- Tidwell
- Toto Creek
- Two Mile Creek
- Van Pugh South
- Vann’s Tavern
Great Salt Plains State Park
Great Salt Plains State Park in Oklahoma is a great place to take your dog camping. The park offers over 3,000 acres of land for you and your pooch to explore, and the salt plains are a unique and fascinating ecosystem. The state park offers 64 RV sites and 95 tent sites. This park offers crystal digging, drive-through wildlife refuge, horseback riding, hiking, and more.
The Great Salt Plains Lake offers plenty of opportunities to catch sand bass, catfish, and saugeyes. Its salty waters have been known to have healing properties.
If you’re looking for a new place to camp with your furry friend, we hope this list gives you some ideas. All of these locations are dog friendly and offer plenty of outdoor activities for both of you to enjoy. As always, be sure to research each campsite before making a reservation to ensure that they meet your specific needs. We wish you and your pup lots of fun camping adventures in the future!