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 $550 including utilities, making it suitable for campers traveling with dogs for extended periods. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with toilet access, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Horseshoe Lake prohibits swimming but allows pets at campsites, creating a peaceful environment for wildlife viewing and camping with dogs. The area has several KOA locations that also permit pets, though some maintain separate designated areas for animals. The grounds are well maintained and rangers are helpful and friendly.
Dog-friendly trails around these campgrounds provide excellent walking opportunities for campers with pets. MGM Campground features a small catch-and-release lake surrounded by nature with plenty of grass and trees, creating an ideal environment for dog owners. At Horseshoe Lake State Park, self-service payment systems make camping straightforward, while security staff remain unobtrusive unless assistance is needed. The Granite City KOA includes small dog pen areas in the back of the property with waste receptacles, though these can become muddy during wet weather. Weather considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels. Many campgrounds enforce leash requirements throughout common areas for safety and courtesy to other campers.
"Doesn't allow pets for tent sites"
"Pet runs clean and in good shape. Good air signal for tv."
"Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
"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."
"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"
from $65 / night
"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."
"Nice little lake(catch and release I believe). Surrounded by nature, lots of grass and trees, great for dog owners. Spacious spots."
"It’s a beautiful place with good people but could definitely use some updating on the playground, signage, and drive."
"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."
"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."
from $35 - $60 / night
from $15 - $16 / 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."
from $56 - $61 / night
TravelerCamp Host is very friendly and brought firewood to our site. Bath/shower house was clean. We were in the equestrian campground due to our 73 foot overall length. It was a great stay for visiting family. There are a lot of outdoor activities at the lake area, but no pool.
ScoutMy favorite spot in all of St. Louis! The lady who is the owner and the front desk attendant are wonderful and I have never had a problem here with anything! Free WiFi, laundry, and a public shower and bathroom if needed! There’s also cool walking/biking trails and a park with a children’s playground as well! The gas station is also walking distance for any small necessities
ScoutMy favorite RV spot in St. Charles. It’s pretty quiet minus the cool boats and train but other than that it’s peaceful…also love the price!
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
GuideThis was a beautiful place to spend an evening on our cross country trip. We were able to secure site B7 -a nice level and shady spot on a beautiful tree lined lake. The site was dusty but there was a picnic table and electricity. It was 90 degrees in early October so I can imagine the open spots are really hot during the heat of the summer. Signs tell you to check in with camp host before parking but there was no one at their camper. I called the phone number and a helpful gentleman explained that the sites were first come, first served and someone would be around to collect our $20 fee. One large bathhouse for the campground was a good walk away but was spotless. I would have given this campground a 5 rating but after walking around, we realized that most of the sites by the lake were hard packed dirt, small and not level. However there is a new section I that has 10 long back in gravel pads with electric & water. They are away from the water but close to the shower house. Finally, google coordinates directed us to a private residence just short of the marina. Follow directions to the marina and find the road to the campground at the end of the parking lot.
ScoutNice and easy. Good spacing between sites
TravelerTrails in the area re nice but facilities for this many sites are limited. Sites are close to each other.
TravelerJody, the hostess, is friendly and responsive. We stayed one night in the fall so the many permanent RVs were not occupied. The park is large and surrounded by woods and fields. We had a peaceful night near the cornfields where the short-term RV sites are located. Can hear the train horn in the distance. Note that they are tandem, so pull thru for the first person but back in for the second. We would stay here again.
TravelerCame to Riverside landing on a Tuesday-Thursday for car camping and there was only a few other RVs and one other tent camper. Reserved a spot right on the river, very scenic and quiet. Right by some train tracks so trains do run by, but that was the only loud noise! No restrooms here so bring your own amenities if you aren’t in an RV
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Edwardsville, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 61 dog-friendly camping locations near Edwardsville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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