52 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Illini Campground at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area features multiple pet-friendly sites with electric hookups and water access for dogs. Campground rules require pets to remain leashed at all times on designated walking paths throughout the park's extensive trail network. Rustic Acres Jellystone and Tomahawk Campground also welcome pets with spacious, shaded sites under mature trees for comfortable camping during hot summer months. The spacious sites at Tomahawk provide ample room for pets to relax while still adhering to leash requirements. Camping options include RV sites with full hookups, tent camping areas, and select pet-friendly cabins at properties like Dam West Campground and Jellystone. Campers consistently note the clean, well-maintained grounds and peaceful atmosphere conducive to camping with pets.
Lake Carlyle provides numerous pet recreation opportunities at Dam West Campground and Boulder Recreation Area, with designated shoreline areas where leashed dogs can swim and cool off. McNair Campground's beach access remains popular among pet owners seeking water activities. Scott AFB FamCamp requires military ID for access but offers exceptional value with pet-friendly accommodations at $7 per night for seniors with electric hookups. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground permits pets in most areas except public buildings and beach zones. During summer months, early morning and evening walks are recommended to avoid hot ground surfaces. Most campgrounds maintain strict quiet hours after 10pm when barking must be minimized. The nearest emergency veterinary services are located in Belleville, approximately 25 minutes from Highland.
"Water and dump at the entrance. Shower houses. Very nice pool and camp store. Hosts scattered and occasionally hard to find to pay for your spot. Wildlife galore. Next to largest lake in Illinois."
"This State Park is located outside Carlyle,Illinois. This park offers playground areas and more. Cabins, campsites with power or no power the choice is yours."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"We chose this campground because it was near our route and we needed a place to stay for one night."
"Full hookups, reservable sites, walk up sites, and all sites are large! Full hookup sites are booked solid so make sure you go online 6 months out or you are out of luck."
"We camped right on the lake with a great view. "
from $20 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Family and pet friendly, nice bath houses, most sites are spacious. Minutes away from beach access."
"It is directly on Carlyle Lake, ,the largest lake in Illinois. It has activities for children on the weekends."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"You are on the entire opposite side of the base, away from everything, absolutely everything.."
"GREAT location for camping, especially if you run out of items and need to get something close by. Very natural, and amazing views and the feel is spectacular."
"Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
"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."
"This is our favorite campground in Central/southern illinois. The sites are very nice and most have shade. There is a beach for campers to use, and a really nice playground."
"Coles Creek is a nice, large campground located on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. It has full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!"
from $20 - $250 / night
Check Availability"Boulder is a lovely campground tucked away on Carlyle Lake. It has it's own marina where you can rent a slip for your boat. The sites are well spaced and have a beautiful view of the lake and sunsets!"
"The bathrooms, showers, and laundry all close by. Good hot water in the showers. The host was friendly and helpful. I’d go back again!"
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Doesn't allow pets for tent sites"
"Pet runs clean and in good shape. Good air signal for tv."
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.
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
ScoutGood showers 10 dollar tenting fire pits and park benches at each site. Dump stations and there are flushing and pit toilets on site
TravelerThis campground is very well taken care of. The kids had plenty of things to do to stay busy and entertained outside.
Carlyle Lake campgrounds offer diverse options for outdoor recreation near Highland, Illinois at 445 feet elevation. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October with limited winter accessibility.
Fishing access points: Several campgrounds provide direct lake access for fishing. At Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground, "this campground offers many sites that are right on the lake. Beautiful views. Also boasts the best shower house/bathrooms around. They are air conditioned and cleaned regularly."
Swimming areas: The lake has designated swimming spots for cooling off. Dam West Campground features "a beach very near the campground that is within walking distance. There are also pools located near to the campground that can be used by the public."
Hiking trails: Explore the surrounding landscape with trails of varying difficulty. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area includes "a wooded nature trail" with access to "the main lake beach and facilities that include a restaurant and visitors center."
Spacious campsites: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Highland offer room to spread out. At Coles Creek Recreation Area, "large waterfront campsites, full hookup loop, and 4 other large loops that have electric" provide ample space for campers and their dogs.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. One reviewer noted that Boulder Rec. Area is "a quiet, clean, COE camp on Lake Carlyle. Well kept, well tended."
Family activities: Campgrounds offer structured activities for children. At Illini Campground, "there are three playground areas, a basketball court, sand volleyball and a pool during summer months. Lots of families with kids, bike rides and plenty of other lake and outdoor activities in the area."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. A Dam West Campground visitor advised: "We arrived at this campground at 11am on a Friday only to find that the first-come, first-serve sites were already full. Our advice would be reserve a spot ahead of time and do some months in advance if possible."
Seasonal closures: Many facilities operate on limited schedules. "This campground is not open year-round" applies to several locations, with most closing from late October through early April.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have inconsistent water quality. One camper at Eldon Hazlet reported: "Only complaint that I have was the potable water supply. I filled my trailer's tank at the drinking water supply when you enter the campground. It was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids."
Halloween events: Rustic Acres Jellystone and other dog-friendly campgrounds near Highland host special seasonal activities. At Illini Campground, "they have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site. The campground also provides pumpkin painting contests and other fun activities."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Rustic Acres Jellystone offers "kid fun and themed activities, bounce trampoline pillow, pool, etc. Friendly staff and good security."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites provide nature education. At Horseshoe Lake, numerous waterfowl species can be spotted, including "pelicans, egrets, blue herons" according to one visitor, making it ideal for nature-loving families.
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Tomahawk Campground, sites are described as having a "down home feel" with "improvements daily" by new owners, though leveling equipment is recommended.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at some locations. At Coles Creek, visitors note "if you are needing a full hookup site, make sure you book early!" as these premium sites are in high demand.
Dump station congestion: Plan accordingly for departure day. One visitor to Coles Creek mentioned "the ONE dump station for this massive campground" can create delays during busy checkout times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Highland, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Highland, IL is Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Highland, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dog-friendly camping locations near Highland, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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