Kevin M.
Guide
GuideLone Point
A place of memories
One of the first campgrounds I ever went to and when camping in Illinois, my go-to campground and lake. My wife and I love this lake and have a lot of memories here.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Altamont, IL
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Okaw Valley Kampground offers spacious, pet-friendly camping with a well-maintained lake for owners and their dogs to enjoy together. Dogs are welcome throughout the campground with standard leash requirements in effect at all sites. The campground provides full hookup RV sites, tent camping areas, and pet-friendly cabins for travelers with animals. Camp Lakewood and Spring Creek Campground also accommodate pets with generous policies allowing dogs at both tent and RV sites. Bathrooms remain exceptionally clean despite the presence of pets, with dedicated waste disposal stations available throughout the grounds. The gravel sites keep mud to a minimum during rainy periods, providing cleaner experiences for dogs and their owners.
Dogs are permitted at the fishing areas in most campgrounds, though they must remain leashed when near the water. Hiking opportunities exist near several properties, with Hidden Springs State Forest's Possum Creek Campground offering more natural settings for dog walks. Swimming is available at Camp Lakewood where pets can cool off alongside owners during summer months. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, and the level sites make setting up with pets easier. Firewood is available for purchase at nearly all locations, allowing campers to enjoy evening campfires with their dogs nearby. Wildlife is present but rarely poses problems for properly supervised pets. The self-registration process at many campgrounds makes late-night arrivals with pets more convenient.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Altamont (55)
1. Okaw Valley Kampground
"There’s a very nice updated playground and a pond with a walking path around it. The place is very well taken care of. If we ever came back this way we would stay again."
"Beautiful walking paths, convenient, great pricing. They filled us up on LP too. Thanks again, Barb and Gary!"
2. Camp Lakewood
"The sun sets behind the camper. Very nice clean restrooms, laundry room and a area you can grill in using their grills."
"Biggest complaints are that it had a sewery smell and you could hear the highway. They have a bar and store. Firewood bundles were 10$!"
from $35 - $999 / night
Check Availability3. Spring Creek Campground
"Wonderful private campground surround by woods, an open field and a small pond. There is a small playground, covered patio, bathrooms with showers and plenty of lawn space!"
"Far enough away from the interstate you don't hear the traffic. No nearby trains either. The grounds were neat and clean. The fishing pond is great and beautiful. Big rig friendly."
from $15 - $25 / night
4. Percival Springs RV Campground
"Pet friendly. There could be a height problem for people coming off expressway as there is a train track with a 13’10” clearance. No gas within 5 miles. Wasn’t an issue for us."
5. Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area
"Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget."
"Lots of squirrels for the dogs to chase and lots of wood in & around the campground. Hosts told us they were making more space for specific species of trees so “take all you want” from the area."
6. Possum Creek Campground — Hidden Springs State Forest
7. Coon Creek (IL)
"We've been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. And that's exactly what we do."
"There are many sites on this campground that are wooded and have views of Lake Shelbyville. Boat ramp to put in your boat or kayaks and sand beach for the kids to go swimming."
from $18 - $48 / night
Check Availability8. Opossum Creek Campground
9. Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort
"Right next to the lake. Plenty of room for everyone, from tents to the massive RVs. The pool very clean and never gets over crowded. Staff are knowledgeable and polite. Friendly/quiet dogs allowed."
"Pavilion and picnic area near pool and playground perfect for family gatherings or kids birthdays. Even a small game room. Dog friendly too! Small pond to fish (catch/release). We will be back."
10. Lithia Springs
"Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake."
"At the end of the circles there are some sites right on the lake and the boat ramp is nearby. Nice latrines and showerhouses."
from $18 - $36 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 10 min from Champaign, IL
- 1 hr 14 min from Decatur, IL
- 1 hr 15 min from Terre Haute, IN
- 1 hr 33 min from Springfield, IL
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Altamont, IL
25 Photos of 55 Altamont Campgrounds
Dawn W.
Okaw Valley Kampground
Shelly S.
Lithia Springs
Meg S.
Coon Creek (IL)
Tracie E.
Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area
Molly B.
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground
Rach W.
Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area
Mary O.
Fox Ridge State Park Campground
Jay B.
Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Maggie C.
Rend Lake Gun Creek Campground
Cody S.
Dam West Campground
AC
Carlyle Lake Campgrounds
Jeanie H.
Dam West Spillway
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Altamont, IL
342 Reviews of 55 Altamont Campgrounds
Aaron B.GuideEagle Creek State Park Campground
Wooded Solitude / Family Friendly
Review of Drive In Tent Camping Site 2. Showed up on a Thursday night and had our pick of all the drive in and walk in sites. We decided on site 2 in the drive in area. Previous reviews and a book by John Schirle on Tent Camping in Illinois helped us with this decision as well. Decent maintained sites with some older picnic tables and fire rings, but let's be honest this stuff sits outside 24/7. Site 2 seemed to sit back the farthest with site 1 a close second. Both wooded sites that made for great shade and helped some when it was raining. Any two families looking for two sites could certainly set up and share the experience. Nice little cove behind them to try fishing. Just watch the hike down the path or ravine. Dog friendly, fresh water supply (hint put the handle all the way up and wait a few seconds), ability to store stuff in the car close by, outhouse toilets visible at the walk in parking lot, and helpful host for easy check in who even sells fire wood made for a great few days ($5 a bundle). Rated B/S site at a cost of $10 a night.
Debra M.
LegendBo Wood
Four Stars because of the Dog Park
This campground has a dog park and beautiful views, but the sites are very crowded. There are full hook up sites and electric only. If you like the party atmosphere, this place is for you. If you like a more spread out and quiet park, look at Lithia Springs or Opossum. Your park pass from any COE campground will get you in.
Photos view from dog park.
- Chris S.
ScoutBo Wood
Lovely last camping trip of the season
Giving this 4 stars for the awesomeness of the sites themselves. We were in 121. All of the sites we saw in our “loop” were super wide, all gravel and quite level. So well kept.....fire pit with grate, large picnic table....really, the site couldn’t have been better. Beautiful views of the lake! Just all-in-all a well maintained park. So, why not 5 stars? I really wanted good shore fishing and not only was it a long walk, but really not very good/easy to get to, or comfortable standing once you get there. Beautiful dog parks....one for large dogs and one for small, but again, a long walk from the campground. Not feasible for our older dog. One other thing, absolutely no lighting at night along the campground roadways. After dark, we watched a truck go into the ditch looking for the turn out (granted, the occupants sounded like they were well into partying), but the pitch darkness at night made it feel a little unsafe, especially walking the dog after dark. Still, the sites themselves are awesome.
Austin-Tarra G.GuideForrest W. Bo Wood
Good Spot Except for the Large Amount of Sewer Flies
We stayed at Boo Wood Campground for about five days and enjoyed much of their amenities.
The campground featured a dog park which provided room for our dogs to run around. There was also multiple playgrounds and even a small amphitheater. There was a large boat ramp with ample parking. We put in our kayaks on the boat ramp and enjoyed a nice paddle on a portion of the Shelbyville Lake.
We paid less than$25 a night for full hooks up and we had an almost lake view.
Our biggest issue with this campsite was the extensive bugs, once the sun goes down the bugs get horribly bad. We let our dogs out past 8 p.m. and our camper was covered with swarms of psychodidae(sewer) flies. Once we quickly got in our camper, we spent the next hour killing the swarms of sewer flies that entered our camper. We learned our lesson and once the sun went down, we did not leave our camper.
steve T.ScoutCasey KOA
Owner is not good with people
When asked why I couldn't put up a small fence for my dogs he went to great details to tell me why dogs had a bad rep in his park. When I said it wasn't on the website he got extremely angry, came close to attacking me and thru me out of his park and called the police. Don't stay there if you have pets.
- AAbby H.
TravelerSpring Creek Campground
Quiet, serene spot
Wonderful private campground surround by woods, an open field and a small pond. There is a small playground, covered patio, bathrooms with showers and plenty of lawn space! Pet friendly and looks very ADA accessible, I had a great time spending one night here with my dog. $15 for tent/primitive camping, $25 for electric!
patricia D.GuideBo Wood
Serene site
For my Tent only camp site. I loved it. It’s spacious it’s for the most part shaded. It is right next to the lake. I get some views. In the pictures I posted you’ll see what I’m talking about. As far as the campground I did take a drive around it’s pretty big n has a lot of shaded sites. I think it’s over 140 sites. There is a boat ramp on the grounds also the playground there’s a dog park there is also a little amphitheater. I believe I was told the Rangers do events for the kids.  I do like the fact that you can go into a bathroom and it also has the shower so you have that privacy. I also noticed and was told that there are volunteers that are in the campground I guess all season. It seems like they’re spread out like there’s someone in every section. Which made me feel good.  Having someone with the inside access to get help or to have a problem solved sooner than later. Here are just a couple reasons why I did not give a five star. To you out there it may not be a negative for you so you could see this as a five star. For a beautiful campsite to be surrounded by a lake. You can’t really see or Have access to swim in. There is a beach for the lake but it’s outside the campground and down the road. It’s a negative for me. I mean keep the trees maybe get rid of any low hanging branches and the bushes that block most of the view. I really wish they had some air in the bathrooms. Half of my trip was in the high 90s and the sun was just beaming on the building. So it was not pleasurable to use the bathroom or take a shower then. The tent only site that I was at. You had to park your car in a parking lot across the street but from my site it was down a little further.. I like having my car close by so I can access anything that is left in my car throughout my stay.  wi-Fi would’ve been a plus. So I got good phone service. Att
- AAmber G.Scout
Dam West Spillway
Our go to camping spot for trips close to home
Family and pet friendly, nice bath houses, most sites are spacious.
Minutes away from beach access.
Guide to Altamont
Campgrounds near Altamont, Illinois cluster around Lake Shelbyville and smaller waterways throughout the region. Most sites sit at elevations between 500-600 feet above sea level with predominantly oak and hickory forest cover. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with average temperatures between 50-70°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The small pond at Okaw Valley Kampground provides catch-and-release fishing in a controlled environment. "The fishing lake is beautiful and stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish," notes Kimberly Y. in her review.
Swimming options: Camp Lakewood offers swimming from their dock during summer months. According to Riley J., "The swimming area is basically just a dock you can jump off of but it's not crowded at all so plenty of room for my family."
Hiking trails: Trails at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area provide woodland walks suitable for all skill levels. One camper mentioned, "Main trail was nice but could be better marked. Lost our way a few times but still a good hike."
Playground access: Spring Creek Campground maintains a playground in a shaded area for children. Jessi R. commented, "Nice playground in the shade next to a pavilion. Nice mix of shaded and sunny sites."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Spring Creek Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance. According to James C., "Campground is well maintained. All spots are back in. All have electricity but only a few have water. There are clean restrooms with free showers."
Lakefront sites: Many campers appreciate the waterfront camping options at Lithia Springs. "We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake. The site was large and level although it can be tricky to back into," explains b K.
Peaceful atmosphere: Possum Creek Campground provides a quieter alternative to larger recreation areas. "We were the only ones there and I really don't have any negative thoughts about it," says Catherine T., who appreciated the solitude.
Affordable rates: Several campgrounds in the area offer reasonable camping fees. At Possum Creek, "The price to tent/rv camp was 8 bucks. Cheapest we ever been to and we camp a lot," according to Catherine T.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have limited connectivity. At Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, one reviewer noted, "Cell service was only 1-2 bars LTE with AT&T but able to stream with hotspot to the SmartTV with only 1 bar so not bad."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Coon Creek operates from "May 1 to October 13," while others like Opossum Creek Campground run from "May 15 to September 2."
Site types vary: Know what type of site you're booking. At Coon Creek, "The tent campsites are level and there is enough space between the sites to make for a quiet night," reports Chad K.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal variations. Spring can bring occasional flooding at lower elevation sites, while summer humidity requires planning for insects and heat management.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When camping with children, select sites near play areas. At Spring Creek Campground, "The playground is good! Shower house always clean. The family that owns it are great people!" says Sara T.
Kid-friendly fishing: Several lakes provide accessible fishing for children. At Okaw Valley Kampground, "There is a catch and release lake on site," which is perfect for introducing children to fishing.
Swimming options: Camp Lakewood offers family-friendly swimming. "Tent campsites are a decent size but still pretty close together, and our site had water and electric hookup. Cute lake, very family friendly, lots of amenities," notes S.celeste.
Buddy sites: For families camping together, Coon Creek offers specialized arrangements. "We chose a buddy site even though we weren't camping with another family because we like the location. It was right at the end of the peninsula, and it is by far the biggest and beautiful site we have ever stayed in," reports Melissa B.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: RVers should note access challenges at some campgrounds. At Camp Lakewood, John T. observed, "They guided us to our site which was good, I never would have found my site without their help. Like I said, all gravel without clear markings or signage."
Hookup variations: Full hookup availability differs between campgrounds. At Spring Creek, "All spots are back in. All have electricity but only a few have water," while Lithia Springs offers both water/electric and full hookup options.
Level sites: Check for site levelness, particularly at smaller campgrounds. At Percival Springs RV Campground, one reviewer noted, "Huge pull thru sites for about 4 rigs. Lots of grass for 4 legged friends."
Pet-friendly considerations: Most campgrounds in the area welcome pets with standard leash policies. For pet-friendly camping near Altamont, Illinois, you'll find accommodations for your four-legged companions at all listed campgrounds, though specific pet amenities vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Altamont, IL?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Altamont, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Altamont, IL is Okaw Valley Kampground with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Altamont, IL?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Altamont, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 55 dog-friendly camping locations near Altamont, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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