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Millpoint Park accommodates tent campers, RV travelers, and cabin guests with pets. Several spacious sites along the Illinois River allow dogs with minimal restrictions. The full-hookup campground features large, shaded spots with fire rings and picnic tables where campers can enjoy time outdoors with their pets. Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area similarly welcomes pets throughout its primitive camping area, with vault toilets and sanitary dump stations available. The levee trails surrounding both parks provide excellent opportunities for dog walks with water views. Many campers report the grounds are typically quiet and uncrowded, allowing ample space for pets to enjoy without disturbing others.
The 3-mile hiking route along the levees at Woodford offers pets and owners scenic wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for spotting waterfowl like wood ducks and Canadian geese. Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area provides electric sites for pet owners who prefer hookups, though campers should note the proximity to a busy rural highway when exercising pets. During hunting seasons, pet owners should exercise caution when hiking trails near these conservation areas and ensure pets wear bright colors for visibility. Water at some campgrounds contains high iron content, so bringing separate drinking water for pets is advisable. Carl Spindler Campground and Chillicothe RV and Recreational Area round out the pet-friendly options with full hookup sites where leashed pets are welcome to join their owners.
"Perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing"
"If you’re looking to stay close to Peoria and enjoy beautiful sunsets and the water this place has it. Big trees, deep shade and it’s right on the Peoria Lake on the Illinois River."
from $18 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The campground itself is small and simple, offering spacious, mostly shaded sites with EZ access to the Illinois River, where anglers set up early and kayakers glide past with that slow, content rhythm"
"The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."
"Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies. The campsite has three main loops with RV pads and electric goo ups."
"This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that"
"It was also a short walk to the Illinois River!!!"
"They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises. They also said to let them know if others were too loud."
"With the river curving gently nearby and tall trees leaning in as if to welcome you with the non-stop shower of falling leaves in a kaleidoscope of Autumn colors, there’s a soft kind of stillness that"
from $8 - $12 / night
Check Availability"This place is very clean with the lake nearby for swimming or fishing. Very clean restrooms and friendly staff. There are hookups at each site and a few spots for pump out."
"This is a beautiful, off-the-beaten path ‘no frills’ campground that comes very close to being called primitive, yet offers water pit privies and a designated sanitary dump station in addition to in-ground"
"Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"
"Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $59 - $89 / night
Check Availability"Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."
"Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."
TravelerVery friendly host at the gate! Just what my wife and I were looking for. Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!
ScoutWhat a find! Beautiful CG. So green; so quiet. Very nicely organized with children placed near the very appealing playground and volleyball facilities, campers with pets near the wonderful dog park. The WiFi is very functional. There is a laundry facility in the camper services building. There’s a lovely community fire pit with the most pleasant rocky fountain. The sites are spacious and offer a nice mix of sun/shade. Best of all, the grounds are spotless. No wait, the best part is how nice the staff is. Or maybe it’s how lush the foliage looks. I don’t know. Go check it out yourself and see if you can decide.
GuideBeautiful spot for our single overnight. Staff were great; friendly and helpful. Park was well kept, with lots of green around RV and tent sites. Nice pool, dog park, store, and even a stream system that wanders through the park (no swimming in the stream). Also close to Starved Rock State Park for some neat scenery and hiking. The only downside side is that some of the RV sites are a little close together - didn’t impact our stay though. Two thumbs up! :)
TravelerStayed here in early June during a trip to Starved Rock, which is a quick 10-15 minute drive. Camp hosts are very nice and the the grounds well maintained. I stayed on site 5 which is a full hookup but best for a small camper. I have a 14 foot travel trailer and it just fit with my SUV in front. The spots are very tight and you have very little room between you and your neighbor. With all the rain this year, many sites flooded during a storm while we camped and they had to be moved to other areas that were not actual sites so it was a bit crazy...hosts did a great job taking care of everyone effected. Campground has a cute dog park and a beautiful stream that runs through it. I would stay here again!!
GuideWe stayed here last year and will likely stay there again this year when we are back in Illinois. The park has two sides, one side closer to the stage. We haven’t been there when they have shows, so I can’t speak to what that is like. When we were there it was lovely. There is plenty of shade, sites are large enough for our Class A and they are pet friendly.
ScoutMy Husband were traveling to Montana and this campground was right off the freeway. The grounds are well maintained and the hosts were amazing. They helped you get to your site and get lined up. All sites are pull thru with full hookups. The grounds have lots of mature trees so shade is plenty. There is a very large area to walk your dogs and they have centrally located pet disposal can. They have a pond which was nice to walk the dogs around. I liked that the campground was quiet as we went to bed early in order to get an early start the next day. Keep in mind there are no showers which for us wasn’t an issue but some people might not have that option. We will use them again for sure!!
LegendLet me begin by saying that I scored this Love's RV Stop as high as I did not because it is my ideal camping spot - it isn't - and I don't think anyone looks for a spot to camp out on next to a super busy highway next to a commercial big rig gas station, but if you are doing some heavy duty highway traveling with your RV or 5th wheel and simply need a place to hold up for the night, then this place really is pretty amazing. With that in mind, hopefully you'll pay this place a visit, stop, get fueled up, rest for the night and enjoy the convenience and easy on- and off-access that this place provides. With this in mind …
This spot is brand spanking new, incredibly flat and offers up all the flat poured concrete where you want it and freshly poured gravel where you drive and all the other parts are surrounded by freshly sodded grass that has already grown in to near maturity everywhere else. Conveniently located on the highway axis where I39 / US51 meets I55, here in central Illinois in the city of Bloomington, Love’s RV Stop is an incredibly convenient and easy access spot to drop your RV anchor for the night. Extra points to Love’s RV Stop for providing gated key-pad entry and 24 hour CCTV security delivering a real feeling of safety throughout your roadside RV or 5th Wheel stay.
The convenient app-managed reservation system is seamless and provides for an incredibly simple, remote check-in and payment process. You’ll find back-in or pull-through as well as ADA accessible sites with full hook-ups with water, sewer and choice of either 30 or 50 amp electrical at every site. At the main kiosk where you’ll check-in, there’s a brand new spartan clean single person shower facility as well as individual men and women’s restrooms in addition to a coin-operated laundry facility. Additionally, the property has 2 covered pavilions with picnic tables and gas-powered BBQ grills, community firepit that can easily seat a dozen people, 2 pickleball courts, kid’s playground and a dog park with real grass for the pups to do their business on. Now granted, you'll be enjoying all of these amenities right next to all of the swooshing highway traffic, but surprisingly, we all got over this very quickly!
Because Love’s RV Stop is connected and managed by the neighboring Love’s Truck Stop, you’ll have nearby access to their full convenience store, as well as ATMs, Bojangles Restaurant (mediocre BBQ at best), as well as additional shower facilities along with, but of course, all the gas you can pump by the gallon. But if it’s something simple like firewood, ice, sundries or snacks, you can get these items back at the Kiosk and there are 2 soda vending machines as well as an ice machine behind this small building as well.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) As you are literally on the corner of one of the busiest highway intersections in the entire Land ‘O Lincoln, there is no escaping where you are at, no matter how high they build the fence or how many bushes and trees they place between you and the 8-lanes of rushing passerby traffic and there’s not a single site here to escape the noise, so bring your earbuds if it bothers you or crank up some Van Halen;(2) If you are looking for something more than the stale coffee or the Bojangle’s food they are serving up at the truck stop, there are endless chain options like Starbucks, Dunkin’, Moe’s Southwest Grill nearby as well as further afield; (3) If you want my top recommendations for restaurants that are worth the drive, try out Giordano’s for Chicago deep dish pizza or Portillo’s for their Italian beef & sausage sandwich (don't ask, just order and send me your thanks later); and (4) If you are looking for something to do with the kiddos, head on over to Miller Park Zoo for the wild animals, performances and mini-golf or try out Grady’s Family Fun Park, which is an amusement park with rides and games.
While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:
Convenience: 5
Safety & Security: 5
Quality: 5
Peace& Quiet: 4
Amenities: 5
Overall, I scored this location a 5.
Happy Overnighting!
LegendPerched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing a sublime encounter with nature on top of offering direct waterfront sites that will frame one of the most beautiful sunsets as you look west to Peoria during Happy Hour. In all, there’s about 80 sites – all of which are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks – to choose from at Millpoint, where a slow meandering gravel lane will have you navigating around the campground where you’ll take good note of the excellent shade that is provided everywhere.
From an amenity standpoint, Millpoint Park packs a punch with a combination of back-in and pull-thru sites offering up standard water, sewage and electric hook-ups, relatively new picnic tables and in-ground fire rings as well as a designated dumpster upon exiting the grounds. There’s a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night. In fact, you don’t even need to get into a boat, by accessing one of 2 small little lakes where you can simply cast a line in from the dock or around the perimeter. The meticulously clean restroom / bath house facility is located near the front adjacent to the main office, where next to this are 3 cabins that can be rented, just in case you forgot your tent or RV. Additionally, there’s decent hiking paths to explore both north and south of the property, with the latter offering up a small beachhead at Funks Run. The place also sells firewood, but if you need anything else, you’ll need to head south towards town where there’s no shortage of shops and restaurants.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a tent camper, there’s 3-4 designated areas for primitive camping, but if you’d like something less primitive and with access to water and electricity, then book yourself into one of the 5 designated tent sites: #233-#237, of which I recommend #236 and #237 as they have a small waterfront area flanking the southern perimeter; (2) The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don’t attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it’s fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you; (3) If you haven’t camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay; and (4) The owner, Don, is quite possibly one of the most accommodating and friendly campground owners I have ever met– so don’t be shy if you need anything at all during your stay, including a discount to his pizza restaurant.
Happy Camping!
ScoutClean and well maintained facility. Staff was organized and friendly. Pet friendly. We want to come back when we can stay longer.
Campsites surrounding Chillicothe, Illinois offer direct access to the Illinois River waterfront, with elevations typically under 600 feet across the region's mostly flat terrain. Summer temperatures average 83°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping periods provide milder conditions in the 60-70°F range. The local waterways create a network of backwater lakes and sloughs that provide habitat for numerous waterfowl species throughout the camping areas.
Fishing from shoreline spots: At Millpoint Park, shorelines provide accessible fishing without a boat. "This is a beautiful, off-the-beaten path 'no frills' campground that comes very close to being called primitive, yet offers water pit privies and a designated sanitary dump station in addition to in-ground fire rings with fold-up BBQ grills along with decent standard-issued picnic tables," notes a visitor to Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Hike the levee trails: The 3-mile trail system at Woodford offers excellent wildlife viewing. "There are a series of levees that circle around the campground. Locals came in all day long to fish. Some launched their boats but most stayed on shore. We walked along the levees to explore the area," reports one camper at Woodford State Conservation Area.
Kayaking and boating: Launch from one of several boat ramps for water access. "The boat launch was just a short walk away. It's very cool that the folks at Comlara put that dock there for the tent campers to use," explains a visitor to Comlara County Park.
Spacious waterfront sites: Most campgrounds offer generous site dimensions. "We got a beautiful spot right on the lake. The campground is very big with lots of sites and since we were there at the end of October, there were not many other people around," shares a visitor at Comlara County Park.
Natural solitude: The primitive camping areas provide more seclusion than the developed sites. "We had the entire campground to ourselves on a cold weekend stay. There isn't much area to explore- just the campground and the river shoreline within it. However we witnessed the most spectacular sunset over the river. It was well worth the night's adventures," reports a visitor to Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Affordable camping options: Most sites maintain reasonable rates. "The best part about this lakefront getaway – apart from the incredibly cheap prices for an overnight stay – was hands down, the very friendly staff who offer up everyone a very strong dose of Midwestern hospitality," notes a visitor to Carl Spindler Campground.
Water quality issues: Several campgrounds report high iron content in water. "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," mentions a camper at Millpoint Park. "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you."
Seasonal flooding risks: Low-lying areas near rivers can flood during heavy rainfall. "This location is quite popular with local fishermen and gets absolutely jam-packed, particularly on the weekends, so don't be surprised by a long parade of F150s hauling their boats on trailers that begin entering the park as early as 5am," advises a camper at Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Road noise at some locations: Certain campgrounds experience traffic noise. "A main road runs right behind the campsites. They have a wood fence on the electric side but not on our side. It obscures some of the headlights. Sound died off pretty early even with a few locals pulling in to meet up with friends in the parking lot," explains a Marshall State visitor.
Playground availability varies: Limited playground options at most sites. "There are a few playgrounds for the kids to stay busy as well as small marked trails to follow. Not too populated," shares a Comlara County Park visitor.
Swimming locations: Several campgrounds offer lake access for swimming. "This place is very clean with the lake nearby for swimming or fishing. Very clean restrooms and friendly staff," notes a camper at Chillicothe RV and Rec Area.
Insect protection essential: Ticks and gnats can be problematic, especially in summer. "If you haven't camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay," advises a Woodford State visitor.
Level sites availability: Site conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. "Site 28 unlevel. Requires several lifts. Site is very large however. Does have nice shade," reports a Comlara County Park visitor.
Hookup configurations: Electric-only and full-hookup options exist throughout the area. "The sites are very new since they just opened for business in 2021. Concrete pad is very large, depending on your rig, you could probably fit 3 or 4 cars at the site, to give you an idea of the size. The firepit is built with pavers and an insert. All sites are full hookup. We had 20, 30, and 50 amp hookups," explains a Sankoty Lakes camper.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds have dump stations but locations vary. "Has dump station a little down the road," notes a Marshall visitor. "They supposedly pickup your garbage each morning, although it had not yet been picked up after staying two nights."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chillicothe, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chillicothe, IL is Millpoint Park with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chillicothe, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 65 dog-friendly camping locations near Chillicothe, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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