Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Johnston City, IL

Arrowhead Lake Campground provides multiple pet-friendly camping options within Johnston City limits. The campground features water and electric hookups with both 30 and 50 amp service available for RV campers, while also accommodating tent campers and offering cabin rentals that welcome pets. Sites are generally level with picnic tables, and many reviewers note the exceptionally clean facilities, including well-maintained restrooms and showers that close at 8 pm. The campground enforces standard leash requirements for dogs, with a beautiful lakeside setting that includes a walking trail circling the water where many campers exercise their pets. The campground maintains reasonable rates at approximately $25 per night for full hookup sites, with no additional pet fees reported.

The walking path surrounding Arrowhead Lake provides an ideal route for dog walking, with multiple campers noting encounters with local waterfowl including ducks and geese along the shoreline. Other nearby options include Marion Campground & RV Park, which offers a dedicated unfenced dog area for pets, though its proximity to Interstate 57 means traffic noise may disturb sensitive dogs. Crab Orchard Lake Campground, located about 20 minutes away, offers lakeside sites where pets can enjoy access to the water, though owners should be aware of seasonal wildlife considerations including large goose populations that frequent the shoreline areas. Most campgrounds in the region maintain standard quiet hours starting between 10-11 pm, which helps prevent excessive barking disturbances among camping dogs.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Johnston City, Illinois (93)

    1. South Sandusky Campground

    19 Reviews
    Sesser, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $16 - $26 / night

    "North and South Sandusky campground is located in southern Illinois on Rend Lake. It is a large state park with tons to do. From boating and swimming to hiking and relaxing."

    "Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome."

    2. Crab Orchard Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bargerville, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 997-3344

    $10 - $25 / night

    "Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."

    "Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale 

    Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must."

    3. South Marcum Campground

    16 Reviews
    Benton, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $16 - $44 / night

    "This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake."

    "They're very close to the Illinois state fair grounds. There are tent sites as well as RV sites that are very close to the lake."

    4. Gun Creek

    21 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $18 - $30 / night

    "Pet friendly and beautiful lake views from many of the camp sites. I recommend checking the grade of the camp site because some of the ones next to the lake were at a pretty big angle."

    "One of the first campgrounds that you come to at Rend Lake when you get off the highway, this campground has lots of positives and few negatives."

    5. Benton KOA

    13 Reviews
    Benton, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 439-4860

    "Not a bad place for a stop between destinations or a couple days at the lake would be fine. Roads and sites were well maintained. The dog park gets muddy quick, it’s mostly moss and dirt."

    "Yes, there is highway noise. It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs. That said, excellent staff, clean, professional KOA"

    6. Arrowhead Lake Campground

    5 Reviews
    Johnston City, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (618) 983-3535

    "Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility."

    "The grounds were nice, we walked a nature trail and down by the lake. There were ducks and geese, and it was a lovely reprieve from our travels to walk along the edges of the lake."

    7. Marion Campground & RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Johnston City, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 997-3484

    $40 / night

    "Little swings for the littles and lots of room to walk your dog.."

    8. Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-4836

    "There is currently walk in only unless you are reserving a horse camp. There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here."

    "Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.

    All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."

    9. Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

    6 Reviews
    Bargerville, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 985-4983

    "Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."

    "This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."

    10. Whittington Woods Campground

    12 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 435-3401

    "This campground is beautiful with lots of gardens and potted plants at a lot of the campsites The host is very friendly, the pool is well maintained, they have a dog park The Host even led us to our"

    "Short drive to Rend Lake, bike trails, kayaks, fishing. Also, a fun winery about 1 mile north! I do recommend this campground!"

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Johnston City, IL

656 Reviews of 93 Johnston City Campgrounds


  • Chelsea D.
    Apr. 24, 2020

    Marion Campground & RV Park

    Would come back as a last resort...

    This is a stop-over type of campground. The sites are very close together with no privacy. There are some pull-thru sites, which is convenient. It is right next to interstate 57, so unless you're inside your camper, you'll definitely be listening to the highway. This is a pet-friendly campground, and they have a little dog park. They have a shower/laundry facility which is also convenient, especially if you're out on a big trip. Overall, it's certainly not a bad campground, but the highway noise really bothered us.

  • John H.
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Benton KOA

    Good place for a quick stop

    Not a bad place for a stop between destinations or a couple days at the lake would be fine. Roads and sites were well maintained. The dog park gets muddy quick, it’s mostly moss and dirt. It’s close to the Interstate; we’d stay there again.

  • L
    Jun. 14, 2019

    Whittington Woods Campground

    Well maintained

    This campground is beautiful with lots of gardens and potted plants at a lot of the campsites The host is very friendly, the pool is well maintained, they have a dog park The Host even led us to our spot..

  • J
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Archway RV Park

    Great service

    I called a day in advance and was able to schedule a reservation, the lady on the phone was very nice. Upon arrival I was greeted nicely and checked in quickly. While beginning setup, I noticed an issue with the power at my particular spot and decided to let the staff know of the issue. They offered to move us to another spot and were very nice. The WiFi works great as I was able to stream anything I wanted on Hulu. There is a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond at the location. Great place to stop traveling through or for a weekend.

  • G
    Oct. 23, 2020

    The Landing Point RV Park

    Real nice RV Park with easy access

    Real nice RV park orientated toward rigs of all sizes. Easy to navigate the roads, with every site level concrete. ATT & Verizon both worked fine. Wifi & cable included in the price. 10% discount for Good Sam, military & seniors. Right off a hiway (W) and a bit noisey, but all in all a nice park, especially for a night over. Sites are reasonably spaced, many with large trees. Not real far off 55. Would stay here again for a nioght ofer and even an extra night. They also have a dog park area.

  • Greg M.
    Jul. 14, 2018

    Crab Orchard Lake Campground

    Excellent lakeside sites

    Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore. This is a national conservation area so our national park passes are accepted meaning only $10 a night for electric and water. Full hookups $12.50. (Double the fee if you do not have a pass.) Boat ramps available. Very friendly and accomodating management. You will like it. Pets allowed. Internet accessible with my smartphone.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2022

    Gun Creek

    Lake Views

    We loved staying here. Pet friendly and beautiful lake views from many of the camp sites. I recommend checking the grade of the camp site because some of the ones next to the lake were at a pretty big angle. Our site was nice and flat so no issues there. We loved it and would definitely stay again.

  • J K.
    Aug. 6, 2019

    South Marcum Campground

    Best campground on Rend Lake!

    This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake. With hundreds of sites to choose from with some being tucked into the woods and others sitting right on the lake including some walking intense fights this campground is one of the nicest that you’ll find in Illinois. Plenty of bathrooms and bath houses as well as playgrounds and spacious campsites for larger RVs and plenty of access to the lake.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Camp Cadiz Campground

    Dusty, rustic camping at the edge of Shawnee

    This small, rustic camp is at the edge of Shawnee and only had a few campers staying multiple nights with us. Then the turkey hunting season came upon us and the sites filled.

    We had site choices that ended up being along the gravel forest road that goes by camp. This put us away from other dogs but caused other issues. Every vehicle that went by generated dust which then coated everything in our camp. If you come here, we suggest taking the site that is furthest from the road (it's right next to the small forest road that heads off to the hiking trails. They had shade as well as sun and no dust. 

    The sites are large but there isn't any foliage between them. Luckily the dogs were in camps further away from our dog so she was able to relax. The water pump got frequent use and the twin vault toilets were plenty for the campground. 

    The hiking trails that headed out from the camp were wonderful. We even hiked down the forest road and found a hidden cemetery tucked away. The river to river trail heads out from camp too - we saw a group of backpackers leave their cars and head off for the night. Garden of the Gods area is a short drive away for more hiking options.

    Choose your time wisely. Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey. Once we realized what was going on, we put our dog's bright shirt on. Everyone was wonderful and we had some interesting conversations. It was also morel mushroom time so some people were hunting for them.


Guide to Johnston City

For pet owners looking to enjoy the great outdoors near Johnston City, Illinois, there are several welcoming campgrounds that allow pets, ensuring a fun and memorable experience for both you and your furry friends.

Pet owners like spacious sites and amenities

  • At Giant City State Park Campground, you'll find well-maintained campsites with plenty of shade from trees, perfect for your pets to relax.
  • Gun Creek offers large, pet-friendly sites with electric hookups, making it convenient for longer stays with your furry companions.
  • South Sandusky Campground features spacious sites and a friendly atmosphere, ideal for families traveling with pets.

Dog owners appreciate nearby activities

Tips for camping with dogs near Johnston City

  • Always keep your dog on a leash while at Benton KOA to ensure their safety and the comfort of other campers.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet when visiting Crab Orchard Lake Campground, as some areas may not have immediate access to fresh water.
  • Make sure to clean up after your pet at Marion Campground & RV Park to maintain the campground's cleanliness and ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Johnston City, IL is South Sandusky Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 19 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near Johnston City, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.