Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Edwardsville, IL
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.
