92 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Crab Orchard Lake Campground provides spacious, pet-friendly sites with many positioned directly on the water. Dogs are welcome throughout the campground with standard leash requirements, and the grassy areas offer plenty of space for walking pets. The campground maintains clean facilities with functional bathrooms and showers, though some visitors note the occasional wildlife encounter—including raccoons passing through campsites and sightings of baby copperheads, requiring extra vigilance with pets. Full hookup sites cost $25, while water and electric sites on the lakefront run $20, offering excellent value for pet owners wanting lakeside camping.
Giant City State Park Campground and Marion Campground & RV Park also accommodate pets with varying amenities. Giant City features tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options in a natural setting where pets can enjoy the outdoors. Marion Campground provides a dedicated unfenced dog area for exercising pets, though the close proximity to Interstate 57 creates significant noise that might disturb sensitive animals. The surrounding region offers numerous hiking opportunities at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, where dogs on leashes can explore trails within a 10-30 minute drive from most campgrounds. Fishing spots along Crab Orchard Lake provide additional recreation where pets can join their owners, though the occasional fish smell might be strong during certain seasons. Wildlife sightings are common, so keeping dogs leashed and supervised is essential for their safety and to protect local fauna.
"There is currently walk in only unless you are reserving a horse camp. There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here."
"Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.
All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."
"Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."
"Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."
"This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."
"Little swings for the littles and lots of room to walk your dog.."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"We've been wanting to explore southern Illinois for a long time, but it's a six hour (min) drive from our home."
"The lake is quiet and clean. A nice hidden gem located a short drive from beautiful hiking trails. We will definitely be back."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Ferne Cliffe State Park is situated in the Shawnee National Forest, in the southern part of Illinois."
"Dog friendly, pretty well spaced out campsites but some are used as paths with to get to farther back campsites. Good set up, not too close to neighbors and it’s heavily wooded in between."
"Had very nice trails, very clean. Forest is beautiful. We camped at the primitive area spot 11. Spots are pretty dam close to each other. There is camping you can walk off to."
"Great campground away from roads and noise. Goreville is small local town with grocery store and service station for supplies. South LOOP sites 1-23 are first come sites."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"North and South Sandusky campground is located in southern Illinois on Rend Lake. It is a large state park with tons to do. From boating and swimming to hiking and relaxing."
"Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome."
from $16 - $28 / night
Check Availability"Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility."
"The grounds were nice, we walked a nature trail and down by the lake. There were ducks and geese, and it was a lovely reprieve from our travels to walk along the edges of the lake."
"This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake."
"They're very close to the Illinois state fair grounds. There are tent sites as well as RV sites that are very close to the lake."
from $16 - $44 / night
Check Availability
GuideQuiet clean campground, 8 sites, one water spigot, pit toilets, hiking and biking, 9 miles to Garden of the Gods. Campground is right next to road. Local traffic is minimal, most sites will accommodate 30ft trailer or motor home.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
GuideWhat started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
GuideVery small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.
GuideI stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.
GuideBathroom and showers are super clean. Some Verizon cell signal. Quiet. You can faintly hear train sounds in the distance. Hosts are extremely welcoming.
GuideGreat campground, no reservations required and has bathrooms available. Overall good location and an occasional train but overall great spot.
TravelerI believe this is one of the best campgrounds I've been to. It is safe friendly, theres laundry, lp fill, close to rend lake, 20 mins from walmart, a great place to relax and visit, vacation, whatever you like.
Camping opportunities near Bargerville, Illinois center around the Shawnee National Forest region where limestone bluffs and sandstone formations create distinctive landscapes. The area receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winters dropping to the 20-30°F range. Several campgrounds offer water access to Crab Orchard Lake, Little Grassy Lake, and Rend Lake where fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish is popular.
Hiking trails year-round: Giant City State Park offers hiking options for various skill levels, with terrain featuring unique rock formations. "There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here. The geology is much like the Missouri area near the other bank of the Mississippi river," notes Michael M. from Giant City State Park Campground.
Rock climbing opportunities: Southern Illinois offers climbing options for both beginners and experienced climbers. "For climbers, there is a ton of nearby trad and sport climbing. The main wall stays wet for a while so if it has recently rained you may need to find somewhere else," explains Josh M. who stayed at Giant City State Park.
Kayaking and canoeing: Little Grassy Lake provides calm waters ideal for paddling with rental options available. "The lake is too small for speedboats, and is great for fishing, canoeing & kayaking. There's also a beach, separate form the marina that's quite nice and secluded," according to Brian O. from Little Grassy Lake Campground.
Wildlife observation: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge hosts numerous bird species and other wildlife. "Lots to see and do. We love to fish and camp on Crab. Great Lake. We camp at Blue Heron Campground in Carterville, right on Crab Orchard Lake," shares Joel H. who visited the refuge area.
Lakeside camping sites: Water access sites are highly rated by campers at several locations. "Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore. This is a national conservation area so our national park passes are accepted meaning only $10 a night for electric and water. Full hookups $12.50," reports Greg M. from Crab Orchard Lake Campground.
Clean facilities at state parks: Maintained bathrooms and shower facilities receive positive reviews. "Campground here has both electric sites for campers and primitive sites for tents. All are shaded and quiet. Showers/bathrooms are really nice and clean," Kyle K. states about Giant City State Park.
Seasonal nature experiences: Fireflies create memorable summer displays in wooded areas. "Clean open campground with little privacy. Well kept bathrooms and water pumps throughout. Short trail leads from campground to the limestone cliffs. Once darkness hit the fireflies in the forest were magnificent!" writes Stephanie S. about her stay at Deer Ridge Campground.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning programs for visitors. "Friendly staff sometimes host little educational presentations for kids. They are currently working on some improvements on the campground, so you may see or hear some construction going on," notes Chelsea D. about Crab Orchard Lake Campground.
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Little Grassy Lake Campground operates from April 1 to October 31, requiring advance planning for visits outside peak months.
Wildlife precautions: Native wildlife requires proper food storage and awareness. "The whole place also smells like dead fish. We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite so be careful what you leave out, also tons of geese and saw two baby copperheads," warns Lucy P. from Crab Orchard Lake Campground.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds use recreation.gov while others are first-come, first-served. "Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must. This is new& when planning the trip the website said 'first come first serve'," explains Steve G. about Crab Orchard Lake.
Highway noise considerations: For light sleepers, some campgrounds experience road noise. "It is right next to interstate 57, so unless you're inside your camper, you'll definitely be listening to the highway," notes Chelsea D. about Marion Campground & RV Park.
Water recreation options: Beaches and swimming areas provide summer cooling opportunities. "We really loved this site! There was a lot of goose poop but other than that it was great! Cool breeze off the lake!" shares Samantha P. who camped at Crab Orchard Lake.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "We love the large beach. The campsites have a nice set up and are a decent size. The kids loved the playground. There were kids everywhere and everyone was very friendly!" reports Missy D. about South Sandusky Campground.
Cave exploration for kids: Nearby caves offer exciting adventures for supervised children. "Really, this state park is a must for anyone who lives nearby or is driving through. It's just that gorgeous! The campground is wonderful! There are lots of well maintained trails to hike... hikes that include bluffs, caves, creeks, etc. Our favorite is Hawk's Cave Trail. It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!" writes Dani B. about Turkey Ridge Campground at Ferne Clyffe State Park.
Trail difficulty ratings: Know which trails are suitable for younger hikers. "The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails," advises Shana D. about trails near Giant City.
Hookup availability varies: Research utility options before arrival. "They have electric sites, and water is available but you need to fill your tank before setting up camp. Sites are flat and most are pull through," explains Joel R. about Giant City State Park.
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require significant leveling. "Most of the sites are wooded with space between them, and many have lake views. They are not very level so some adjustments were needed," notes Joel R. who stayed at South Sandusky Campground.
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have narrow or challenging access roads. "Using your GPS of choice, you can reach this campground off I-57 via Benton or the IL-154/Sesser exit. Note that the loop has low-sloping ditches on both sides of the road, so precise backing is needed to land on the asphalt pad," explains MickandKarla W. about South Sandusky.
Pet-friendly camping areas: Most campgrounds accommodate pets with varying amenities. "Very spacious, pet-friendly sites with fiber internet being installed, boat ramp, primitive cabin, tent camping, large children's playground. Very nice, quiet, clean," describes Lori W. about Arrowhead Lake Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bargerville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bargerville, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bargerville, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 92 dog-friendly camping locations near Bargerville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
