Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Junction, IL
Looking for the best Junction pet-friendly camping? The Dyrt can help you find the best campsites for you and your dog. Search nearby campgrounds that allow pets or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Junction, IL (80)
1. Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground
Karbers Ridge, Illinois52 Reviews•208 Photos•498 SavesOne of the most photographed locations in the state, Garden of the Gods' scenic beauty is extraordinary. In the recreation area you can hike, camp, nature watch or picnic.
The Observation Trail features unique sandstone rock formations and panoramic views of the surrounding Garden of the God Wilderness. Interpretive signs explain the geological history. The 1/4-mile trail is made of natural sandstone and takes about an hour to walk. It contains short, steep grades and steps; benches are located along the trail and as a whole the trail is not tiring. Caution should be used due to the high cliffs in the area.
Overnight parking allowed at Backpacker's Parking Lot only (Indian Point Trailhead). Pets are allowed only on a leash. Picnic areas and Observation Trail are open 6am-10pm. Use trash receptacles where available. Pack It In, Pack It Out while on trails. Camp only at designated sites in the campground. Disposable food and beverage containers are not permitted on the Observation Trail. Stay on the designated trail and leave the beauty of the rocks and plants for others to enjoy.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
$10 / night
2. Pine Ridge
Karbers Ridge, Illinois17 Reviews•62 Photos•83 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
$10 / night
3. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs
Eddyville, Illinois32 Reviews•142 Photos•305 SavesBell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. It contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs and an abundance of vegetation unique to Illinois. The trail system consists of eight miles of interconnected trails featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil's Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge. Hiking this system of trails is a favorite activity because of the rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs and lush flora and fauna.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$15 / night
4. Harmonie State Park Campground
New Harmony, Indiana34 Reviews•99 Photos•76 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$30 / night
5. Cave-in-Rock State Park
Cave-In-Rock, Illinois13 Reviews•68 Photos•128 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
6. Jackson Falls
Shawnee National Forest, Illinois20 Reviews•66 Photos•420 SavesJackson Falls offers many opportunities for technical climbing and is a beautiful scenic area of the Shawnee National Forest. It is in the general forest area located east of the small town of Ozark, IL. This non-developed area has a small trailhead with a vault toilet. A short trail leads from the trailhead to the top of Jackson Falls. There are high dangerous bluffs in the area, visitors should be cautious and aware of their surroundings. Camping is allowed here at no cost, since this is part of the general forest area and not a developed campground. Access: A narrow gravel road leads to the Jackson Falls Trailhead, but then the road becomes dirt and deadends past the trailhead.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Trash
- WiFi
- Toilets
7. Shawnee Forest Campground
Vienna, Illinois33 Reviews•69 Photos•192 SavesLocated in the Middle of Southern Illinois just Off I-24 it is a great place to stay while you explore all the the Shawnee Forest. From Giant City to Garden of the Gods. The Tunnel Hill bike trail is a half mile away and Cache River is just down the road. We have 60 Full Hook up sites. Large pull through sites up to 120 feet long. We have Shower Houses and Laundry Facilities. Our Campground is Open Year Round.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$40 / night
8. Lake Glendale Recreation Area
Grantsburg, Illinois12 Reviews•43 Photos•174 SavesLake Glendale If you are looking for a place in the center of the Shawnee National Forest, then Lake Glendale Recreation Area is for you. Its central location makes it easy to visit main attractions on either side of the forest or any place in-between. Surrounded by tall pine trees and mixed hardwood forests, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers a wide range of recreation opportunities including hiking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing and bicycling. The picnic area has a large picnic shelter near the lake with party grills for group gatherings. Recreation Area brochure/map Lake Glendale Campgound Map
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$12 - $44 / night
9. Tower Rock Campground
Cave-In-Rock, Illinois6 Reviews•28 Photos•47 SavesLocated along the banks of the Ohio River, Tower Rock Campground offers beautiful scenery and close proximity to water activities like fishing and boating. The 1/4 mile trail can be accessed near the boat launch. Be aware this area is prone to flooding when river levels fluctuate.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
10. High Knob Campgrounds
Karbers Ridge, Illinois4 Reviews•10 Photos•6 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
Recent Dog-Friendly Reviews in Junction
569 Reviews of 80 Junction Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
Legend
Shawnee Forest Campground
Built on an Old Golf Course
We’d seen signs for Shawnee Forest Campground (CG) many times as we headed out and back from our St. Louis home base and wanted to check this CG out. We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go. We checked in at the little office and were given the choice of pull through sites with FHUs 12 or 21. We chose site 21. The gravel roads are slightly narrow with some trees but we did not have any issues getting to site 21. The water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) are at the back of the gravel pad. There are two sewer hookups, which was nice. The water pressure was good around 50 psi. Their WiFi was very good. There are mature trees here and there in the CG, so satellite should not be an issue. We got two bars on Verizon. Each of the bath houses have a washer and dryer. Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps. There are some nice sites in this CG but we were not offered one of the better ones even though there were plenty of sites open in the upper 26- 50 site area. If we come back, we’ll know where to ask for a site. They have a small lake and two ponds for fishing. There's no formal dog area, but there are paved trails around the large CG area, which made it nice to walk our dogs.
Kim L.
Ranger
Fern Lake Campground and RV Park
Pleasant campground on a small lake
Quiet setting by a pretty lake. Stayed only one night on a road trip. Paducah a nice town, visited the quilt museum. Nice toilets and showers.
- JJeff F.
Traveler
Gun Creek
Beautiful Sunsets over the Lake
What a beautiful campground, it’s our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them
Scott G.
Scout
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Devil's Kitchen Group Campground
Supposed too
Be free camp sites listings for state parks
Shiner T.
Guide
Murphy Park
Municipal park for small rigs
Don’t even try it with anything larger than a 20 ft travel trailer. Super convenient. 110v. 15amp electrical. Shared water. Gravel somewhat level pads. Poor communication. Info kinda available on the municipal website. 1st come.
Rodarius S.Traveler
Dispersed Campsite Shawnee National Forest
Nice spots on the highway
Love this spot! It's easily accessible by all rig types. Backs up to the open forest and you pull right back onto the highway.
Greg D.Guide
Hilltop Campground
Decent overnight stop
Hosts were friendly, but didn’t brief us on information such as where is the trash bin, what is the WiFi password. Restroom was old but relatively clean. There’s only one valve in the showers so all you get is lukewarm water. Not good on a cool or cold day. Some of the long term people have too many dogs, one had 6 little yippers, kind of annoying. And I’m not against dogs
Jonathan H.Scout
Dutchman Lake Camp
Weeke d at the lake
Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing.
Wanda E.Scout
Outback RV Resort
Great stay
This park was very quiet, easy to access and owners were very friendly. The grounds we very well kept. Showers and bathrooms immaculate. We will definitely stop again in the future.
- LLisa M.Scout
Whittington Woods Campground
We stay every year on our way through
Great overnight stop. We make it our must stop spot. Super easy in and out. Trees and lovely grounds.
Kenda A.Guide
Beall Woods State Park Campground
Great park
We had a great experience with the park itself. The grounds were very well maintained with trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. We were there on a Sunday night and were the only campers in the park.
The star I knocked off was for the pit toilets. They had not been limed in a while as evidenced by the bugs swarming inside the pits and larva swimming in the bottom. If I didn’t have a portable travel potty of my own, I would have not given even four stars. I may not have camped here.
Scott B.RangerHilltop Campground
Nice stop
Stopped here for the night driving through the area. Nice campground, clean, safe, and right off the interstate.
JASON L.Guide
Grayville KOA Grayville IL
Excellent KOA in Grayville I-64
We stayed here on the way to and on the way home from The Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It is a fairly new KOA with so many enjoyable amenities, family fun, food, ice cream, mini golf, full hookups and shady spots if you ask for one. We want to go back and stay at a patio lot with a swing. Staff is friendly and helpful. Nearby services, fuel, farm store, etc.
- EEric W.Scout
Shawnee Forest Campground
Great place to camp!
We stayed 4 days and had a great time. The camp was clean and well maintained. The staff are very friendly and helpful and was more than happy to offer places to visit in the area, places to eat and provide assistance as needed. The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk (twice around the lake from our site was 3 miles). :) We plan to visit again!
Barbie G.Traveler
Harmonie State Park Campground
Great campground with persistent raccoons
Harmonie State Park looks like a great place for a family vacation. In addition to the campground with at least 2 playgrounds, there are trails, picnic areas and a boat ramp. We only stayed 1 night. Site 166 is big and on the end of a road. There's a restroom and water spigot within walking distance. They have showers but we didn't use them. Our only problem was 1 or more raccoons kept coming into our site. We shooed them away but they kept coming back. I'm sure they were just looking for food.
Matthew Z.TravelerDutchman Lake Camp
Road trip break
Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway
- Wil V.Scout
Benton KOA
Loud
1 side is directly on the freeway VERY loud, the other is in between the sewer treatment plant and municipal airport. If you're a light sleeper might want to stay away Full video review on YouTube https://youtu.be/QpuNpA7UVZI
- Denton T.Scout
Union County Fair
Kentucky Bike Ralley
I stayed here and camped for a bike rally. I think you can only camp during an event. And cost is different from each event. Nice place
Brian F.ScoutShawnee Forest Campground
Great and clean!
Great little stop, everything is clean and a fresh shower was refreshing.
- JJames N.Traveler
South Marcum Campground
Great Campground
Only $26 a night for full-hookups is amazing. Cell service for AT&T is marginal at 2 bars LTE. Only issue that I have is that site 49 is very hard to get level in, make sure that you bring extra leveling blocks if possible
Siegfried M.Guide
Cave-in-Rock State Park
Awesome Campground
Was the only one there $ 20 with Electricity, what a Deal Steve is a great Host Also had free Music….. Cicadas
Tina L.ScoutHarmonie State Park Campground
Camp site #83
It had electeic hook up but we were tent camping early May 2024. The campsite is mostly hill with a wash out running through it. It is also the breeding site of thousands of Miner Bees. They were docile and no one got stung but they were everywhere from sun up to sun down the entire site hummed with bees. The entire ground was full of holes that they were coming in and out of. Close to bathroom/showers and a playground, fresh water source across the road.
Lucy P.Ranger
Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Probably nice in a big rig, sucks otherwise
This campground was essentially an RV park. Only big rigs, some sites well spaced physically but no privacy in between so feels like everyone staring at each other. Some of the waterfront sites okay privacy-wise, but not most. Hookups work well, but bathrooms in terrible condition - especially showers.
The whole place also smells like dead fish. We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite so be careful what you leave out, also tons of geese and saw two baby copperheads.
The lake is at least really pretty and there’s a small beach area.
Matt V.Traveler
Jackson Falls
Love this place!
This is a spectacular place if you are looking for private and semi-private dispersed campgrounds that you can drive up to. Great hiking around the area.
The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy but we had no problem in a 4x4, also saw volvos and subarus do just fine. Sprinter vans would be fine. Was pretty dry when we visited, could see the road getting a little sketch after big rain. Definitely not gonna be fun for even small RV's. Tough turnarounds for large trailers or 5th wheels.
Jon H.ScoutHarmonie State Park Campground
Nice, clean, state park.
Everything was well kept and clean. Multiple bath/shower houses on each loop. Push button showers. Takes about a minute to get water hot, but good after that. Dated, but clean and functional. The lights stay on 24/7 so bugs are in the shower house.
Multiple walking trails and bike trails. Nice shelter houses and picnic areas. Multiple playgrounds. Nature center in the campground. Many events scheduled for summer. New Harmony (town) is close by and a must stop. Nature walks, lots of unique history you will find nowhere else, quaint shopping, coffee shops, wine bar, dining, etc...
The pool has been filled in at the park. Very disappointing.
I was demolished by mosquitos and was covered in deet. Tried picaridin too. If you get the biters off you, the gnats were all over me too. Not sure if just time of year or maybe always this way (did rain multiple times).
Couldn't use mountain bike trails and most hike trails as it was too wet.
Suggest calling before making reservations because many of electric sites are not level, at all. Ask which would be best.
- Jon H.Scout
Oak Point Campground
Nice national park campground
Location is everything and this is well in the middle of a great area in Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the gods, Bell Smith springs, Ferne State park, and on and on. You can spend a week here and not see everything.
There are primitive and electric (with water) sites. There are no sites with sewer hookup. There is a dump station at the entrance.Sites are generally level and well kept. Very large rigs (35+) will be challenging, but I've seen them - more towards the front. There are some lake front spots that can be had. Sites are first come and there are no reservations taken. During the week, no problem. Weekends would be iffy.
Large lake with swimming, fishing, kayaking. Also has a bike trail around it - maybe 2 miles.
Shower houses are kept clean, but as of this posting, they need some maintenance work.
All in all, this is a must stop if you want to enjoy what the area has to offer.
Barb N.RangerGun Creek
Blue Jay #49 Water site
Love this state park! Clean, quiet, water views and lots of bike paths to ride.
Guide to Junction
Explore the great outdoors with your furry friends at some of the best pets-allowed camping spots near Junction, Illinois. These campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and activities that cater to both you and your pets.
Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and natural beauty
- At Pine Ridge Campground, you'll find rustic sites surrounded by beautiful trees, perfect for your dog to explore.
- Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground offers a clean environment with plenty of space for your pet to roam while you enjoy the scenic views.
- Cave-in-Rock State Park features large grassy areas where your dog can play and relax.
Pet owners like convenient amenities for a hassle-free stay
- Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area provides electric hookups and drinking water, making it easy to keep your pet comfortable.
- At Moffitt Rec Area, you can enjoy a peaceful environment with essential amenities while your pet enjoys the outdoors.
- Rosiclare City Park Campground offers electric hookups and toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your pet.
Tips for camping with dogs near Junction
- Always keep your dog on a leash at Tower Rock Campground to ensure their safety and the comfort of other campers.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet, especially when visiting Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground, where amenities may be limited.
- Make sure to clean up after your dog at High Knob Campgrounds to maintain the natural beauty of the area and respect fellow campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Junction, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Junction, IL is Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Junction, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 dog-friendly camping locations near Junction, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.