Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Edwardsville, IL

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground provides primitive camping with tent sites for $8 per night where pets are welcome. The park features spacious, well-maintained campsites with cast iron fire pits and convenient water spigots throughout the grounds. MGM Campground, another pet-friendly option near Edwardsville, offers long-term stays with monthly rates around $550 including utilities, making it suitable for campers traveling with dogs for extended periods. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with toilet access, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Horseshoe Lake prohibits swimming but allows pets at campsites, creating a peaceful environment for wildlife viewing and camping with dogs. The area has several KOA locations that also permit pets, though some maintain separate designated areas for animals. The grounds are well maintained and rangers are helpful and friendly.

Dog-friendly trails around these campgrounds provide excellent walking opportunities for campers with pets. MGM Campground features a small catch-and-release lake surrounded by nature with plenty of grass and trees, creating an ideal environment for dog owners. At Horseshoe Lake State Park, self-service payment systems make camping straightforward, while security staff remain unobtrusive unless assistance is needed. The Granite City KOA includes small dog pen areas in the back of the property with waste receptacles, though these can become muddy during wet weather. Weather considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels. Many campgrounds enforce leash requirements throughout common areas for safety and courtesy to other campers.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Edwardsville, Illinois (56)

    1. St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA

    13 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-5160

    "Doesn't allow pets for tent sites"

    "Pet runs clean and in good shape. Good air signal for tv."

    2. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Collinsville, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-0270

    "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."

    "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."

    3. Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park

    19 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 777-0777

    $65 / night

    "70 per night, plus $20 pet fee and $5 reservation fee. Stayed two nights passing through to visit Gateway Arch National Park. Casino is pretty old looking on the outside."

    "I haves stayed at Casino Queen RV Park several times..It’s always very clean and I always feel very safe..it’s easy clean in and clean out…you have to have a code to get into the gate..pets are allowed"

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. Cahokia RV Parque

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 332-7700

    "Pet-friendly, full hookups, space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle. Laundry and propane on site. Spaces were a little close together, but minutes from downtown St."

    "Lots of dogs tied up, but with owners nearby. Some still “bolt” at you when you walk by. Could be less littered. Our site had lots of litter when we pulled in."

    5. MGM Campground

    2 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 797-2820

    "Nice little lake(catch and release I believe). Surrounded by nature, lots of grass and trees, great for dog owners. Spacious spots."

    6. Town and Country Lakes

    1 Review
    Hartford, IL
    7 miles

    "It’s a beautiful place with good people but could definitely use some updating on the playground, signage, and drive."

    7. Countryside Escape

    2 Reviews
    Edwardsville, IL
    9 miles

    $15 - $16 / night

    8. Scott AFB FamCamp

    4 Reviews
    Mascoutah, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 256-2067

    "You are on the entire opposite side of the base, away from everything, absolutely everything.."

    "GREAT location for camping, especially if you run out of items and need to get something close by. Very natural, and amazing views and the feel is spectacular."

    9. Sundermeier RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Earth City, MO
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 940-0111

    $56 - $61 / night

    "We were able to park next to our 5th wheel with enough room to not feel crowded while using the picnic bench. Also the site was level. We stayed for a week to enjoy St. Louis, St."

    "To hot and tired to walk around but there is aa park and access to a walking trail that looks nice. It is on path of airport it seems but plane noise does not bother us. It was not to bad."

    10. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    26 Reviews
    St. Charles, MO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 387-5253

    $35 - $60 / night

    "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!"

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

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Edwardsville, IL

423 Reviews of 56 Edwardsville Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • Zach H.
    Aug. 9, 2020

    St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA

    Good location for exploring St. Louis

    This campground is fairly close to downtown and very close to lots of shopping. A great place to stay to stock up on supplies before heading west. We stayed 2 nights to have a day to visit the Gateway Arch. The pool and playground seemed nice even though we didn’t use them. Nice dog park for smaller dogs. Several cabins are available along with RV sites. The tent sites are next to a river under large trees. Plenty of spaces for big rigs. Our site was no very level but nothing our auto-leveling couldn’t handle.

  • 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.

  • Jan S.
    Apr. 20, 2022

    St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA

    KOA in Eureka, MO

    Nice, clean campground, level pull-through sites - ours had a paver-patio and grill, a lot of shade throughout, dog park, and a creek to explore. This was our 2nd time here. Close to Saint Louis, Six Flags, and hiking.

  • 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.

  • Jan S.
    Jul. 6, 2022

    St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA

    KOA campground near Saint Louis

    This is a KOA, so you know what to expect. Pull through, level sites, lots of shade, dog park, pool, and a creek are all here. Have been here before, will be back!

  • Lindsey R.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA

    LEDLENDSER MH10 and KOA Route 66 review

    Campground review:

    Once googling local campsites at the last minute for a weekend getaway with both dogs, we came route 66 campground. They have a dog park, rv hookup sites, electric tent sites and primitive sites. We stayed at a primitive tent site with both dogs. Site t13, which unfortunately was one of the very few camp spots with zero trees so we're unable to use our hammock. (Most of the other sites had great trees for hammock setups). Other amenities on the campground included a heated pool, bike rentals, basketball courts, a country store for firewood, supplies, and gift shop. Needless to say this was not a "roughing" it type campground. For the dogs though, we were right across from the creek to take them down to play. Also, kids were catching crawdads! Great campsite that is pet friendly and very family friendly!

    Product review:

    Ledlenser mh10

    This headlamp first of all comes with a 7 year warrantly(must register the product)! On top of that all these features: a rechargeable battery with a USB port. Rapid focus system with 2 tough button on headlamp to adjust lighting. The strap is very easy to adjust and fit to comfort, lightweight despise the battery pack attached to the headlamp. The lighting is phenomenal! You also get a green and red additional glass lense that you can screw into the front of your lense for any activity and not disturb others with a bright white light. Me, howsoever, I was able to on this camping trip, use the headlamp to continue to play a game of cornhole... and winter, might I add.. thanks to my headlamp for optimal vision;). Included are some pictures of how bright and fitting the headlamp is. I was highly impressed! Never once did it slip... which I have struggled with in many headlamps that it seems the lamp is too heavy and slowly makes its way down your forehead. The Ledlenser stays in place and is very comfortable! Also, doesn't leave that weird band line on your head... at least I didn't experience it like I have on others. Very impressed overall!

  • C
    Jun. 30, 2019

    St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA

    Lots to do

    There is lots to do at this park. There is a pool, bike rentals, dog park, movie night, basketball court, and more. You can bring your RV, travel trailer, tent camp, or stay in a cabin. Most of the sites are in the shade and are fairly level. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. They have Ele/water and Ele/water/sewer sites. It is close to train tracks, but I only heard the train once at night. It’s close to Six Flags, shopping, and restaurants. They even have a cute caboose cabin you can stay in.

  • 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.


Guide to Edwardsville

Campgrounds near Edwardsville, Illinois offer diverse overnight options within 30 miles of the city. The area sits at approximately 550 feet elevation in Madison County, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 85°F from June through September. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that often drop below freezing, with occasional snow accumulation between December and February.

What to do

Fishing access: 3-mile lake trail surrounds the man-made lake at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, where campers can observe wildlife. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," notes a reviewer. The park offers boat rentals for water activities.

Military history exploration: Located within 25 miles of Edwardsville, Scott AFB FamCamp provides access to military history and nearby attractions. "This campground is clean and convenient to the St Louis area. The Outdoor Recreation unit is very responsive to needs of campers. The nearby lake is scenic and peaceful," reports one military camper.

Historic town visits: Within 30 minutes of many Edwardsville-area campgrounds, St. Charles historic district offers shops and restaurants. "Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," shares one visitor about the accessibility from nearby camping areas.

What campers like

Budget-friendly primitive camping: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers affordable tent sites. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," writes one reviewer. The self-service payment system makes check-in convenient for late arrivals.

Private lakeside settings: Several reviewers appreciate the natural surroundings at campgrounds near Edwardsville. "The campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. 5 ⭐ in my opinion simply because of the overnight price and privacy," comments a visitor at Horseshoe Lake State Park.

Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness rates highly in reviews from campers staying near Edwardsville. "We had a great experience in the 4 nights we spent here. The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean," notes one guest at Cahokia RV Parque, adding "The park was quiet, but very family friendly."

What you should know

Seasonal closures affect availability: Some campgrounds operate seasonally. St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA operates from "Mar 25 to Nov 1" according to listing information, while other facilities remain open year-round.

Industrial surroundings at some locations: Several campgrounds near Edwardsville sit in industrial areas. "It's not in the prettiest location, very industrial and the train tracks run close. First night one came through blowing its horns around 5am," explains a reviewer at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA.

Noise considerations: Environmental noise varies significantly between campgrounds. "You do have to call to make a reservation," notes a visitor at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park. At some locations, reviewers mention: "No major complaints. The price reflected what we got out of our stay."

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: Many campgrounds offer recreation options for children. "My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park. Minimal playground but they still enjoyed it," reports one family staying at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA.

Water activities for children: Town and Country Lakes provides lake access for families. "It's a beautiful place with good people but could definitely use some updating on the playground, signage, and drive," notes a visitor, highlighting both the appeal and limitations.

Safety considerations: Campgrounds with 24-hour security provide peace of mind for families. "The office told me that they have 24 hour on site security also," mentions one reviewer about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, adding value for families concerned about safety.

Tips for RVers

Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds near Edwardsville provide complete services for RVs. "Full hook-up was relatively clean and easy to use," notes one RVer at Sundermeier RV Park. "Full hookups, space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle. Laundry and propane on site," adds another camper about Cahokia RV Parque.

Monthly rate options: For extended stays near Edwardsville, several campgrounds offer monthly rates. "We pay $550 a month including utilities. There are a lot of long term setups. Kind owner," explains a reviewer at MGM Campground, which is particularly pet-friendly for long-term stays.

Site levelness varies: RVers should be prepared for different site conditions. "Sites are mostly level. Nice staff," reports one visitor at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, while another notes about a different location: "Concrete pads with full hookups, as well as dirt pads with full hookups."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Edwardsville, IL is St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA with a 3.5-star rating from 13 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 56 dog-friendly camping locations near Edwardsville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.