2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Sherwood Forest Campground in Hillsboro accommodates campers with pets across its tree-covered sites. The campground provides full hookups for RVs while maintaining quiet, secluded surroundings that create a resort-like atmosphere for dogs and their owners. Pets are allowed throughout the facility with standard leash requirements. The bathrooms remain clean and well-maintained, creating a comfortable environment for extended stays with animals. Camp hosts demonstrate exceptional friendliness toward visitors with pets, often going beyond expectations to ensure both humans and animals have a positive experience. Country Bend Campground and Kamper Kompanion RV Park also welcome pets, offering spacious sites with grassy areas ideal for dog walking. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard leash policies and request that owners clean up after their pets.
Dog owners find multiple fishing opportunities at area campgrounds, with Rustic Acres Jellystone providing a large pond where pets can enjoy shoreline walks while their owners fish. The campground's grassy sites under mature shade trees create comfortable resting spots for dogs during summer months. Walking trails around Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area provide exercise opportunities for leashed dogs, with paths winding through wooded areas. Most Hillsboro area campgrounds require pets remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside the camping unit. During summer months, early morning or evening walks prove most comfortable for dogs due to hot daytime temperatures. The fenced dog area at Kamper Kompanion provides a dedicated space where pets can exercise off-leash, featuring benches for owners and adequate shade during summer months.
"Pretty scenery to walk around. Plenty of lakes/ponds to fish. We couldn't boat while there due to COVID but look forward to going back and taking our kayaks. Attentive and Friendly camp hosts."
"This beautiful campground has many things to offer and is only a few minutes from the local drive in movie theater in Litchfield Illinois."
from $25 - $40 / night
"We stayed here in our Motorhome but the sites are pretty small and you are right next to your neighbor."
"After a massive disappointment at a nearby state park, we came to Sherwood Forest as a last resort. We were beyond pleasantly surprised!"
from $25 - $45 / night
"Easy on off, right by highway, pulled in after dark and they met us to show us to the site and got us settled. Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad."
"Quiet, family friendly, and great for our dogs. We love the dog yard!"
"There are a lot of outdoor activities at the lake area, but no pool."
"There’s a very nice updated playground and a pond with a walking path around it. The place is very well taken care of. If we ever came back this way we would stay again."
"Beautiful walking paths, convenient, great pricing. They filled us up on LP too. Thanks again, Barb and Gary!"
"We chose this campground because it was near our route and we needed a place to stay for one night."
"The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"
"Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."
"These walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. "
"Lots of trails, Lake Sangchris is very close by for fishing & kayaking. Quiet campground; great place to unwind."
"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."
"Timber Trails Campground is a easy layover off of I-70, offering a family-friendly environment. The park provided us an easy in and out, pull-through site that was level and convenient."
"We LOVED having a dog park to exercise our dogs daily!"
"Nice level site, pull.through for overnighters (thank you) lots of grass and walking areas for pets, pool, playground etc. friendly service and a welcoming place"
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.
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.
ScoutThis campground is primarily for RVs and people with boats, given the lake nearby. There are five tent sites set back into the trees a bit. They are nicely laid out. There are a couple of picnic sites on the lake that are pleasant. What it needs for TLC is give the pit toilets a rehab. The one I used was filthy and the throne was almost completely unbolted. The water pump by the tent sites is inoperative and there seems to be only one location where one works, so you have to use your car to get water. It doesn't have showers but you can use one at a nearby campground if you really need. Bottom line: fix the toilets and water and I'd give this a four.
ScoutThis is such a peaceful and great place to camp.
ScoutBeautiful level campsites! Well kept! Beautiful surroundings! Clean! One of the nicest level sites we have stayed in. Bathrooms are clean and showers are great!
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.
RangerOur campsite was the best! At the end of the road with lake frontage, it was quiet, private and relaxing. Cell service with AT&T was weak with 1 bar. Vault toilet nearby with very clean showers about 500 yds away. Great host!
TravelerThe office staff is very nice and accommodating. The campground is clean and has great amenities. I will stay here again.
Camping near Hillsboro, Illinois offers flat, wooded terrain with elevations averaging 600-650 feet above sea level. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F in July and August, making early mornings ideal for outdoor activities. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October due to cold winter conditions.
**Fishing opportunities: Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area provides multiple fishing spots along its shoreline with well-maintained docks. "Clean and very nice campsites. Several fishing docks in campground. All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake," notes Greg S. about Sangchris Lake State Park Campground.
**Walking trails: Several campgrounds feature walking paths suitable for all ability levels. At Country Bend Campground, visitors appreciate the natural surroundings. "We really loved the bridges with trails to ponds," mentions Kaitlin D., highlighting the water access points along the paths.
**Miniature golf: Family recreation options include on-site activities at several campgrounds. "This beautiful campground has many things to offer...miniature golf, camping, welcome center, baseball field, volleyball, games, horseshoes, paddle boats," explains Tara L., describing the extensive recreation options available at Rustic Acres Jellystone.
**Swimming: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities for cooling off during hot summer days. The Double J Campground features "a huge pool" according to Kaitlin D., while Country Bend Campground provides "a big inground pool" according to Kate T., giving visitors options to escape the summer heat.
**Spacious sites: Campers frequently mention the generous spacing between sites as a major advantage. "The campsites are small and a bit pricey, but it is a great family friendly place," notes Amber H. about Rustic Acres Jellystone, which offers grassy sites despite some space limitations.
**Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and showers receive consistent praise. "Bathroom was the cleanest I have seen at a campsite," comments Shirley M. about Okaw Valley Kampground, highlighting the campground's commitment to cleanliness.
**Privacy options: Some campgrounds offer secluded sites for those seeking more isolation. At Sherwood Forest, Jeff B. found "Our site is very large with an equally large grass lawn area. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there's a large back area right on the lake."
**Friendly staff: Campground hosts receive frequent positive mentions. "Attentive and Friendly camp hosts. Pet friendly. Close to town if you've forgotten anything or want to have a restaurant dinner," shares Sherry W. about Country Bend Campground, emphasizing the helpfulness of staff.
**Weather considerations: Summer temperatures regularly reach the high 80s and 90s with significant humidity. Jessica T. notes about Kamper Kompanion RV Park, "Cute little fenced in pet area with benches for the pups to stretch," providing a dedicated space for pet exercise during hot weather.
**Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Sherwood Forest operates from "April 1 to October 31," while Country Bend Campground runs from "April-November," limiting camping options during colder months.
**Site drainage: Heavy rains can affect site conditions at some campgrounds. Andrea S. cautions about Country Bend Campground: "The sites are sunk down, poorly rocked and extremely narrow...Be prepared for mud and standing water. 4wd a must," highlighting potential challenges during wet weather.
**Reservation needs: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. "We stayed here for two weeks. Nice walking trail, swimming pool, playground, outdoor checkers, basketball court," reports Kelsie L. about The Double J Campground, suggesting longer stays are possible with advance planning.
**Activity planning: Campgrounds with scheduled events provide built-in entertainment. "Great place to stay and feel part of the community. Pretty scenery to walk around. Plenty of lakes/ponds to fish," explains Sherry W. about Country Bend Campground, highlighting community-oriented activities.
**Playground options: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Family friendly atmosphere, big inground pool, 18 hole putt putt, lots of outdoor games, planned activities on the weekends," shares Kate T. about Country Bend Campground, listing multiple child-friendly amenities.
**Pet-friendly considerations: For families traveling with pets, dedicated exercise spaces are important. "It's a very friendly campground with a fenced dog area that provides a dedicated space where pets can exercise," notes a visitor to Kamper Kompanion RV Park, highlighting facilities specifically for four-legged family members.
**Weather preparation: Summer heat requires additional planning for families with young children. "During summer months, early morning or evening walks prove most comfortable due to hot daytime temperatures," advises a regular visitor to pet friendly camping near Hillsboro, Illinois.
**Site selection: RVers should consider specific site features when booking. "We were in site 26 and you have to back between the two other sites into this one. Not difficult in my van but it could get interesting with a camper," warns Shelly S. about Beaver Dam State Park Campground, highlighting potential maneuvering challenges.
**Hookup availability: Various hookup options exist across campgrounds near Hillsboro. "Electric only but water available and nice dump station," notes Greg S. about Sangchris Lake State Park Campground, providing important information for planning RV stays.
**Pull-through access: Some campgrounds specialize in easy access sites. "Called last minute on a Saturday...and a lovely pull through site reserved for a one night stay. The sites are all pull through. Very clean and well-maintained," reports Diane about The Double J Campground, highlighting convenience for larger rigs.
**Seasonal site options: For longer-term stays, several campgrounds offer extended options. "This family run business is under new management and is welcoming new seasonal campers and day campers with competitive pricing," explains Tara L. about Rustic Acres Jellystone, noting opportunities for longer commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hillsboro, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hillsboro, IL is Country Bend Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hillsboro, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 61 dog-friendly camping locations near Hillsboro, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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