Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Carlinville, IL

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Beaver Dam State Park Campground welcomes pets throughout its shaded, spacious campsites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Located just 35 minutes from Carlinville, this state park offers both tent and RV camping options with pets permitted at no additional fee. The campground provides clean shower facilities, though bathroom maintenance can be inconsistent according to regular visitors. Country Bend Campground in nearby Litchfield also accommodates pets with full hookup sites and cabin options, featuring multiple fishing ponds and walking trails where leashed dogs can explore. The dog yard at Kamper Kompanion RV Park receives positive mentions from traveling pet owners seeking a convenient overnight stop.

Pet owners appreciate the walking trails surrounding Beaver Dam Lake where dogs can get exercise on leash, with the trail extending completely around the water. Each campground maintains specific pet policies requiring owners to clean up after their animals and keep them leashed when outside the RV. Sherwood Forest in Hillsboro offers additional pet-friendly camping from April through October, with tent and RV sites available. During summer months, pet owners should monitor for ticks and mosquitoes which can be problematic in these wooded Illinois campgrounds. The Waverly Lake City Park campground allows pets with basic facilities including picnic tables and fire rings, though without electric hookups or shower facilities. Most campgrounds in the area remain within a 30-minute drive of veterinary services in Carlinville or Litchfield.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Carlinville, Illinois (47)

    1. Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Carlinville, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 854-8020

    "The trail map is very basic and not totally accurate. The trails are poorly marked but with basic knowledge of your compass points you can figure them out."

    "There is a nice walking trail path that goes around the exterior of the lake. The lake has boat access and some good fishing spots. There is also a restaurant and store on the lake."

    2. Country Bend Campground

    10 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    13 miles
    Website

    $25 - $40 / night

    "Pretty scenery to walk around.  Plenty of lakes/ponds to fish.  We couldn't boat while there due to COVID but look forward to going back and taking our kayaks.  Attentive and Friendly camp hosts."

    "This beautiful campground has many things to offer and is only a few minutes from the local drive in movie theater in Litchfield Illinois."

    3. Kamper Kompanion RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 324-4747

    "Easy on off, right by highway, pulled in after dark and they met us to show us to the site and got us settled. Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad."

    "Quiet, family friendly, and great for our dogs. We love the dog yard!"

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. The Double J Campground and RV Park

    20 Reviews
    Chatham, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 483-9998

    "We LOVED having a dog park to exercise our dogs daily!"

    "Nice level site, pull.through for overnighters (thank you) lots of grass and walking areas for pets, pool, playground etc. friendly service and a welcoming place"

    5. Sherwood Forest

    6 Reviews
    Hillsboro, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 532-5211

    $25 - $45 / night

    "We stayed here in our Motorhome but the sites are pretty small and you are right next to your neighbor."

    "After a massive disappointment at a nearby state park, we came to Sherwood Forest as a last resort. We were beyond pleasantly surprised!"

    6. Rustic Acres Jellystone

    4 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 456-1122

    "We chose this campground because it was near our route and we needed a place to stay for one night."

    7. Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Rochester, IL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 498-9208

    "These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. "

    "Lots of trails, Lake Sangchris is very close by for fishing & kayaking. Quiet campground; great place to unwind."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    8. Lazy Days RV Park & Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Litchfield, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 324-3233

    $40 / night

    10. Waverly Lake City Park

    3 Reviews
    Woodson, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 435-4611
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Carlinville, IL

300 Reviews of 47 Carlinville Campgrounds


  • E
    Jul. 15, 2019

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Spacious

    Primitive tent camping area is very spacious but bathrooms were dirty and gross.  The women’s bathroom near T3 didn’t have toilet paper the entire three days we stayed there.  I drove to other restrooms while we stayed there.   Shower house was nice, with one small shower stall and large ADA shower stall.  Camp host was friendly and helpful. The campground is just a few minutes from Carlinville Walmart and restaurants.

  • Home. W.
    Jul. 8, 2021

    St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    Heaven!

    This park is very well kept, the natural lake is completely surrounded by a paved trail to bike, run, or walk on! They have a fenced in dog park and level sites!

  • Whistle P.
    Nov. 6, 2022

    The Double J Campground and RV Park

    This place has a great location

    The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean. Our Starlink had zero obstructions worked lightening fast. We LOVED having a dog park to exercise our dogs daily!

    Great location, close to all the Springfield attractions and Slauterhaus Brewing in Auburn, IL (this is the best brewery nearby, better than Buzz Bomb or Obed & Issacs in town!).

  • J
    Apr. 20, 2021

    St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    Great place to camp

    Large grassy camp sites, dog park and clean restrooms/shower house. Lake is very pretty and great staff.

  • Paul B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2022

    St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    Convenient to St. Charles

    Easy off I-370, campground is new and large. It is on a lake with bike trails, kayak rental, and kids splash pad. Staff were helpful. I received about 5 pieces of paper when checking in. You need a code to get into the dog park. Shopping nearby. Used this as a base to visit historic St Charles.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2022

    St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    Really nice overnight stay

    We spent one night here (May 11, 2022). This is a very nice easy access CG with wide, spacious, and level pull through and back-in gravel sites (25 paved). There are a lot of activities available: archery, boating, fishing, dog park, biking (wish I brought my mtn bike), walking, playground, horseshoes and volleyball. We did not have time to visit the clubhouse and did not make use of the bathrooms or showers. It is a great base camp to visit the area. The WiFi was great as was cell phone reception. We would definitely stay here again.

  • Sherry W.
    Jun. 11, 2020

    Country Bend Campground

    Great family friendly campground

    Great place to stay and feel part of the community.  Pretty scenery to walk around.  Plenty of lakes/ponds to fish.  We couldn't boat while there due to COVID but look forward to going back and taking our kayaks.  Attentive and Friendly camp hosts. Pet friendly. Close to town if you've forgotten anything or want to have a restaurant dinner. Close to the highway for easy access.  Full hookup available. Monthly or Season also available.

  • Tara L.
    Jul. 25, 2019

    Country Bend Campground

    Great experience!

    Big things happening at Country Bend Campgrounds in Montrgromy Co, IL. This beautiful campground has many things to offer and is only a few minutes from the local drive in movie theater in Litchfield Illinois. It has a pool, swing sets, playground, cabins, ponds with stocked fish, beautiful walking trails, camping, welcome center, baseball field, volleyball, games, horseshoes, paddle boats, miniature golf, and so much more. This family run business is under new management and is welcoming new seasonal campers and day campers with competitive pricing. This beautiful campground is nestled in a scenic area in the country and is pet friendly. It has clean shower houses with warm water. We just purchased our seasonal campsite earlier in the season. Come check out this amazing campground and all it has to offer! Our rough collies will be joining us at this dog friendly campground! There is always something to do here and the owners strive to make it a family place by providing many activities on the weekends. The owners have done an amazing job on this campground and have made it one of the best campgrounds around to create that lasting experience with our children before they grow up!!!

  • Kaitlin D.
    May. 24, 2022

    Lincolns New Salem Historic Site Campground

    Great area

    We loved this campground. Was all paved sites and roads. Pretty level sites. Utilities harder to get to but all in all a great family campground. Pet friendly. Not 5 stars since we had to leave a day early due to weather. Not their fault but sites became a lake and couldn’t even step outside. Barely any AT&T service. Couldn’t use phone as hotspot at all.


Guide to Carlinville

Camping facilities near Carlinville, Illinois span elevations between 500-650 feet across undulating Macoupin County terrain. Located within the Springfield Plain division of the Till Plains, this area features a mix of wooded lowlands and grassy uplands. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience moderate rainfall averaging 3-4 inches monthly.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Sangchris Lake State Park Campground provides lakeside access with dedicated fishing docks. "Fish were bitting early and often. Nice walk around paved campground road," notes Jason W. about the campground's proximity to prime fishing spots.

Trail exploration: Beaver Dam State Park Campground offers several trail options. "The trail map is very basic and not totally accurate. The trails are poorly marked but with basic knowledge of your compass points you can figure them out," reports Shelly S., adding that "the overlook to the marsh is pretty cool."

Miniature golf: Family activities abound at Country Bend Campground with its 18-hole putt-putt course. One visitor explains, "Family friendly atmosphere, big inground pool, 18 hole putt putt, lots of outdoor games, planned activities on the weekends, shaded sites, and air conditioned cabins!"

What campers like

Clean facilities: The shower facilities at Double J Campground and RV Park receive positive mentions. "Shower house is clean, camp ground is well run, they even escort you to your site so that your facing the right way and take a route that best suites your rig," notes Gary S.

Spacious sites: Campers appreciate room to spread out at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground. One camper describes their experience: "Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. Electric but no water at site. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there's a large back area right on the lake."

Quiet atmosphere: Less-crowded options include Waverly Lake City Park. One camper reports, "I've stayed here a couple times now. Each time there has only been one other person. It's quiet and peaceful, however there's not much to do. As far as I know there's no running water."

What you should know

Bathroom maintenance: Facility upkeep varies significantly between campgrounds. At Beaver Dam State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "Primitive tent camping area is very spacious but bathrooms were dirty and gross. The women's bathroom near T3 didn't have toilet paper the entire three days we stayed there."

Site spacing: Some campgrounds have tight quarters. "Tight spots and dirty looks. Regulars welcome, everyone else stay home," reports one camper about their experience at Beaver Dam State Park.

Seasonal restrictions: For pet friendly camping near Carlinville, Illinois, note that Sherwood Forest operates seasonally from April 1 through October 31, limiting late fall and winter options for campers with pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Carlinville, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Carlinville, IL is Beaver Dam State Park Campground with a 3.4-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Carlinville, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 47 dog-friendly camping locations near Carlinville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.