When you go traveling you take your whole family and that also includes your dogs as well, because they are family. You will be happy to learn that if you visit a state park in Wisconsin you will be able to bring your pet. The only expectation is 3 state parks do not allow pets.
You can bring dogs to Wisconsin state parks if you are able to keep control of your dog, keep them on a leash, pick up their waste, and keep them out of the restricted areas.
There are 3 parks that do not allow any pets. These three are Copper Culture State Park, Heritage Hill State Park, and Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area.
I have the state park rules below for what needs to be followed including some other great information such as swimming locations for your dog, dog parks, and restaurants you can both go to.
Wisconsin State Park Rules for Bringing Dogs
As long as you follow these four rules below you can you bring dogs to wisconsin state parks.
- Keep your dog on its leash. This leash must be under 8 feet.
- Your dog must be under control at all times and be of no disturbance to others.
- You must pick up its waste and get rid of it correctly in a trash can or dumpster.
- Keep them out of the restricted areas to pets.
What Happens If You Break The Rules
Ideally you shouldn’t have to ask what will happen if you break the rules, since rules are there to protect everyone. 🙂
- You may be asked to leave.
- You may be issued a citation.
- Your dog may be taken away from you if they get loose and are subject to local laws regards to stray animals. You may also get a ticket.
If you do lose your dog call the park ranger. Then call the local police and find the nearest stray holding location.
The Following Areas Are Off-Limits to Dogs
Some of the areas lisited below may be okay in some parks in certain areas, such as beachs. If you have a service dog these areas not off limits.
A service animal is defined as “that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”
- Buildings and shelters
- Picnic areas
- Beaches
- Marked nature trails
- Cross-country ski trails when ready to go for skiing
- Observation towers
- Spots that specifically say “pet-free areas”
Take Your Dog Swimming
These 11 Wisconsin state parks have a special place for your dog to be able to get into the water. Just make sure you have a leash on your dog when they are out of the water.
- Buckhorn State Park
- Copper Falls State Park
- Devil’s Lake State Park
- Governor Dodge State Park
- Governor Nelson State Park
- Governor Thompson State Park
- Harrington Beach State Park
- High Cliff State Park
- Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit
- Lake Kegonsa State Park
- Whitefish Dunes State Park
8 WI State Park Picnic Areas For Dogs
For the parks below you can bring your pet in certain picnic areas with you.
- Copper Falls State Park
- Flambeau River State Forest
- Governor Dodge State Park
- Governor Thompson State Park
- Harrington Beach State Park
- High Cliff State Park
- Interstate State Park
- Pattison State Park
Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in WI State Parks
Every state park that a dog can go into also has trails for you and your dog. Please keep in mind though a few trails are off-limits to dogs. These trails will be marked with a sign. So take your dog on a hike or walk with you.
Find a WI state park trail here.
Dog Parks
Since you need to keep the leash on your dog while at the state park because of the rules, I wanted to provide a nearby dog park where your dog can be off its leash to run around. Not all state parks are near dog parks, but I have listed the ones that I have found from Bring Fido.
- Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva
- Council Grounds State Park in Merill
- Lake Kegonsa State Park in Stoughton
- Lizard Mound State Park in West Bend
- Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Devils Lake State Park in Baraboo
- Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay
- Tower Hill State Park in Spring Green
- Governor Nelson State Park in Waunakee
- Kinnickinnic State Park in River Falls
- Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls
- Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau
- Pattison State Park in Superior
Restaurants to Take Your Dog to when near a WI State Park
When you are out exploring with your dog you may want a meal made for you so I gathered these restaurants that allow dogs outside.
- Aztalan State Park in Lake Mills
- Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva
- Copper Culture Mounds State Park in Oconto
- Council Grounds State Park in Merill
- Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville
- Hartman Creek State Park in Waupaca
- Lake Kegonsa State Park in Stoughton
- Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Devils Lake State Park in Baraboo
- Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek
- Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay
- Rock Island State Park in Washington Island
- Tower Hill State Park in Spring Green
- Big Bay State Park in Bayfield
- Governor Nelson State Park in Waunakee
- High Cliff State Park in Shorewood
- Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls
- New Glarus Woods State Park in New Glarus
- Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau
- Newport State Park in Ellison Bay
- Pattison State Park in Superior
- Pike Lake State Park in Hartford
- Terry Andrae State Park in Sheboygan
- Willow River State Park in Hudson
Shopping Places
If you like to go shopping while you are out walking your dog there are a few cities with state parks that allow dogs in some shops.
- Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Devils Lake State Park in Baraboo
- Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay
- High Cliff State Park in Shorewood
- Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau
Resources
These additional resources may be of help for you when you bring dog to wisconsin state parks during your vacation.
- List of poisonous plants in Wisconsin for dogs.
- How to hike safely with your dog.
- DNR Wisconsin Rules for Pet Site
- List of Wisconsin State Parks
- Bring Fido
Also a special thanks to Facebook groups that gave me more ideas as to what others would like to see on here.