Midwest travel with dogs

Dog-friendly weekends in the Midwest

Find a state park, check its pet rules, and compare the cost of a cabin or an RV delivered to your campsite.

Orange and gold trees seen through the observation tower at Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park, IndianaDiego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

The park finder

Find your next state park

Browse by state, then open a park guide for trails, campsites and dog-friendly dining. Each guide includes park pet rules and reservation links.

7 parks shown

Layered canyon walls and a shallow pool below a waterfall at Starved Rock State Park
Yinan Chen · Public domain

Illinois

Canyon trails

Starved Rock State Park

Near Utica

CampingThe campground offers electric hookups. Check park alerts for trail and campground closures.

DogsBring a leash for self-guided hikes with your dog.

Sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park
BassistenSchmidt · CC BY-SA 3.0

Michigan

Lake Michigan dunes

Warren Dunes State Park

Near Sawyer

CampingMount Randall has electric sites. Hilldebrandt has rustic sites.

DogsUse a six-foot leash on the pet shoreline north of the northernmost swim buoy.

Tall trees and green undergrowth in Hartwick Pines State Park
Guettarda · CC BY-SA 4.0

Michigan

Old-growth pine forest

Hartwick Pines State Park

Near Grayling

CampingChoose a wooded or pull-through site. All sites have electric service, and some have full hookups.

DogsKeep your dog on a six-foot leash and check posted trail rules.

The St. Croix River seen from the Minnesota campground at Interstate State Park
Tony Webster · CC BY-SA 2.0

Minnesota

St. Croix River

Interstate State Park

Near Taylors Falls

CampingCamp near the river and glacial pothole trails. Some campsites have electricity.

DogsPets are welcome at campsites. Check posted rules before taking your dog on a trail.

Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave spilling into a pool in Hocking Hills State Park
See1,Do1,Teach1 · CC BY 2.0

Ohio

Gorges and waterfalls

Hocking Hills State Park

Near Logan

CampingCamp near Old Man’s Cave. The campground has full-hookup, electric and non-electric sites.

DogsOhio DNR allows pets at the campsites. Check the rules for any cabin you consider.

Devil’s Lake and its wooded northern shore seen from above in Baraboo, Wisconsin
CrispAir · CC BY 3.0

Wisconsin

Lake and bluffs

Devil’s Lake State Park

Near Baraboo

CampingQuartzite campground has electric and non-electric sites and operates year-round.

DogsLook for the designated dog swim areas by the north and south shore boat launches.

Park photos are resized and cropped for display.

Check site fit

Match the camper’s length and power needs.

Tell the host West Gate

Indiana DNR directs RVs to the SR 46 entrance.

Pack a six-foot leash

The park’s leash rule applies at the campsite too.

Brown County RV delivery guide

Plan the site and camper together

Compare both on the same dates before you commit. A campsite with power still needs room for the specific camper you choose.

  1. Pick a campsite that fits

    Search for Brown County State Park in the Indiana DNR reservation system. Open the specific site to check maximum equipment length and electrical service. Check water and sewer separately if you need them.

    Check DNR campsite availability
  2. Find a host who delivers and allows dogs

    Search your dates near Nashville, Indiana. Use the delivery and pet-friendly filters where available. Ask the owner about delivery to your campsite, the full setup and pickup price, and limits or fees for your dog.

  3. Line up arrival and pickup

    Compare cancellation terms and confirm both checkout totals. Give your host the campground loop, site number and handoff time. Indiana DNR directs RVs and tow vehicles to the West Gate on State Road 46, west of Nashville.

    Verify the park entrance

Campsite maps

Start with the loop map

Use the map to see where a site sits. Use the reservation listing and the RV owner to confirm fit and hookups.

Buffalo Ridge

Electric sites. The map identifies accessible sites and campground facilities.

Buffalo Ridge map

Raccoon Ridge

Use the map and the site listing together to confirm whether the site has electric service.

Raccoon Ridge map

Taylor Ridge

The electric campground map shows site numbers and campground roads.

Taylor Ridge map

Traveling with a dog

Check two sets of pet rules

Ask the camper owner about pet fees and limits. Indiana DNR’s six-foot leash rule applies on park property, including campsites. A portable fence doesn’t satisfy the leash rule.

Read Indiana DNR’s pet rules

Prefer a cabin? Compare dog-friendly cabins with fenced yards.

Weekend cost planner

Compare a cabin and a delivered RV

Enter either quote to see its total, or add both to compare. Use the same dates and include each fee once. Add pet fees, cleaning charges and taxes to the applicable fees field.

Both quotes use the same number of nights.

Delivered RV

Estimated total

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Enter the camper and campsite rates.

Cabin

Estimated total

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Enter the cabin rate.

Compare your stays

Enter both quotes to see the difference.

Check the final total on the booking site for your dates.

Before you go

Brown County RV questions

Do I need a tow vehicle?

If the owner agrees to deliver, set up, and pick up the camper at your site, you can arrive in your own car. Confirm the exact delivery address and what setup covers with the owner before booking.

Does booking the camper also reserve the campsite?

Reserve the park campsite separately through Indiana DNR’s reservation system. Check the campsite and rental for the same nights and compare their cancellation terms before you commit.

Will every pet-friendly camper take my dog?

Each owner sets their pet terms. Confirm size and number limits, fees, and any rules about leaving a dog in the camper. Indiana DNR’s pet rules apply in the park.

Brown County State Park

Ready to compare dates?

Use the same dates for the campsite and the camper. Confirm the host’s delivery address and pet terms before booking.

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