Thomas F.
Ranger
RangerSpitler Woods State Natural Area
Fun Camping
Great sites. Plenty to do. Favorite place to camp in Illinois.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Le Roy, IL
32 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Moraine View State Recreational Area accommodates tent and RV campers with pets throughout the year. Located 27 minutes from Le Roy, this park maintains multiple camping areas with varying levels of privacy and amenities. All sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, with the main campground providing electric hookups and modern restrooms with showers. The primitive tent sites at Catfish Bay offer more seclusion for campers with dogs, though these are first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted. Several reviewers note that water in the campground has a distinct orange color and dirt content, advising visitors to fill potable water tanks at the entrance station before proceeding to campsites.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area and Weldon Springs State Park provide additional pet-friendly camping options within 30 minutes of Le Roy. Both parks maintain hiking trails where leashed dogs are welcome, with Clinton Lake also offering cabin accommodations that accept pets. Campers should be prepared for varying campsite privacy—some reviewers mention closely spaced sites in certain areas while others highlight more secluded options along the water. The area's established campgrounds enforce standard pet policies requiring dogs to remain leashed at all times, properly supervised, and never left unattended at campsites. Seasonal water activities at Moraine View include a swimming beach and boat rentals, though the lake water quality can be problematic during summer months with significant algae growth.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Le Roy (32)
1. Moraine View State Recreational Area
"I never did all of the trails but spent an afternoon hiking with a friend last summer."
"It’s also never super convenient to need to pack up just to go to a dump station but as long as your fine walking to the community restrooms, you should be fine."
from $40 - $20 / night
Check Availability2. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
"This also means in the dog days of summer the breeze is blocked by the trees so get an electric site even with a tent and bring a fan. They have a beach and a boat launch."
"The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach. The sites were spacious, and ours had a path to the lake. Filled with poison ivy, etc, so long pants recommended when waking thru."
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability3. Weldon Springs State Park Campground
"It’s a nice Illinois state park. Very quiet. Clean bathrooms, the consecution stand is closed. So can’t rent boat etc. but a nice lake to paddle canoe/kayak ."
"Good fishing near by with walking trail surrounding pond. Plenty of wildlife friendly locals."
4. Comlara County Park
"Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."
"Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."
5. Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867
"highway next to a commercial big rig gas station, but if you are doing some heavy duty highway traveling with your RV or 5th wheel and simply need a place to hold up for the night, then this place really"
"bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update: Highlights: (1) Closely located"
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability6. Friends Creek Campground
"In mid-Illinois a campground waits for you. Well tended grassy sites with an impeccable grassy picnicking area. There was plenty of room in our site but most of the campground is empty."
"This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek"
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability7. Wildwood Campground
8. D & W Lake RV Park
"The lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass. There's plenty of grass, Fire Pits, Playgrounds and a Dog Park."
"Super easy on and off the highway. With that you do get some noise but not too bad. Office staff is very friendly and efficient. Full hookup sites. Wifi is available."
9. Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground
"10$ a night next to a park on a slightly busy street. I pitched my tent amongst the many rv trailers and had a rest on my motorcycle trip south."
from $10 / night
Check Availability10. Arrowhead Acres
Drive Time
- 17 min from Bloomington, IL
- 29 min from Champaign, IL
- 42 min from Decatur, IL
- 50 min from Peoria, IL
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Le Roy, IL
27 Photos of 32 Le Roy Campgrounds
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Le Roy, IL
218 Reviews of 32 Le Roy Campgrounds
Luna L.
GuideD & W Lake RV Park
Peaceful Evening With Gorgeous Lake
Pulled in about 7pm and immediately was greeted by the manager who showed us to our site, helped us pull in get settled and brought us firewood. The lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass. There's plenty of grass, Fire Pits, Playgrounds and a Dog Park. Wonderful campground and only about 10 min from downtown.
- Shelly W.Guide
Kentuckiana Campground
Great for families or just a quiet getaway!
We stayed here last year and will likely stay there again this year when we are back in Illinois. The park has two sides, one side closer to the stage. We haven’t been there when they have shows, so I can’t speak to what that is like. When we were there it was lovely. There is plenty of shade, sites are large enough for our Class A and they are pet friendly.
Stuart K.
LegendLove's RV Stop-Normal IL 867
Busy RV Highway Outpost
Let me begin by saying that I scored this Love's RV Stop as high as I did not because it is my ideal camping spot - it isn't - and I don't think anyone looks for a spot to camp out on next to a super busy highway next to a commercial big rig gas station, but if you are doing some heavy duty highway traveling with your RV or 5th wheel and simply need a place to hold up for the night, then this place really is pretty amazing. With that in mind, hopefully you'll pay this place a visit, stop, get fueled up, rest for the night and enjoy the convenience and easy on- and off-access that this place provides. With this in mind …
This spot is brand spanking new, incredibly flat and offers up all the flat poured concrete where you want it and freshly poured gravel where you drive and all the other parts are surrounded by freshly sodded grass that has already grown in to near maturity everywhere else. Conveniently located on the highway axis where I39 / US51 meets I55, here in central Illinois in the city of Bloomington, Love’s RV Stop is an incredibly convenient and easy access spot to drop your RV anchor for the night. Extra points to Love’s RV Stop for providing gated key-pad entry and 24 hour CCTV security delivering a real feeling of safety throughout your roadside RV or 5th Wheel stay.
The convenient app-managed reservation system is seamless and provides for an incredibly simple, remote check-in and payment process. You’ll find back-in or pull-through as well as ADA accessible sites with full hook-ups with water, sewer and choice of either 30 or 50 amp electrical at every site. At the main kiosk where you’ll check-in, there’s a brand new spartan clean single person shower facility as well as individual men and women’s restrooms in addition to a coin-operated laundry facility. Additionally, the property has 2 covered pavilions with picnic tables and gas-powered BBQ grills, community firepit that can easily seat a dozen people, 2 pickleball courts, kid’s playground and a dog park with real grass for the pups to do their business on. Now granted, you'll be enjoying all of these amenities right next to all of the swooshing highway traffic, but surprisingly, we all got over this very quickly!
Because Love’s RV Stop is connected and managed by the neighboring Love’s Truck Stop, you’ll have nearby access to their full convenience store, as well as ATMs, Bojangles Restaurant (mediocre BBQ at best), as well as additional shower facilities along with, but of course, all the gas you can pump by the gallon. But if it’s something simple like firewood, ice, sundries or snacks, you can get these items back at the Kiosk and there are 2 soda vending machines as well as an ice machine behind this small building as well.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) As you are literally on the corner of one of the busiest highway intersections in the entire Land ‘O Lincoln, there is no escaping where you are at, no matter how high they build the fence or how many bushes and trees they place between you and the 8-lanes of rushing passerby traffic and there’s not a single site here to escape the noise, so bring your earbuds if it bothers you or crank up some Van Halen;(2) If you are looking for something more than the stale coffee or the Bojangle’s food they are serving up at the truck stop, there are endless chain options like Starbucks, Dunkin’, Moe’s Southwest Grill nearby as well as further afield; (3) If you want my top recommendations for restaurants that are worth the drive, try out Giordano’s for Chicago deep dish pizza or Portillo’s for their Italian beef & sausage sandwich (don't ask, just order and send me your thanks later); and (4) If you are looking for something to do with the kiddos, head on over to Miller Park Zoo for the wild animals, performances and mini-golf or try out Grady’s Family Fun Park, which is an amusement park with rides and games.
While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:
Convenience: 5
Safety & Security: 5
Quality: 5
Peace& Quiet: 4
Amenities: 5
Overall, I scored this location a 5.
Happy Overnighting!
- CCharles M.Guide
D & W Lake RV Park
Highway haven
Super easy on and off the highway. With that you do get some noise but not too bad.
Office staff is very friendly and efficient. Full hookup sites. Wifi is available. Playground and dogrun for the pets.
The pond is 1/2 mile walk around. Bathrooms we clean.
If you need to get off the road and get some rest give them a try. Just north of town and you will be back on the road in no time.
- Stuart K.Legend
Carl Spindler Campground
Waterfront Camping Bliss with City View
This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that is formed where Upper Lake Peoria meets the Illinois River. For campers who want to get away from it all, while still being within close driving distance to civilization, Carl Spindler offers the convenience of a nearby major city (Peoria) while still providing a decent escape for some rest & relaxation within a fairly decent vicinity to nature. The best part about this lakefront getaway – apart from the incredibly cheap prices for an overnight stay – was hands down, the very friendly staff who offer up everyone a very strong dose of Midwestern hospitality.
This pet-friendly CG offers a lot of amenities including: FHUs featuring electric, water and sewage as well as playground, community fire pit, restroom and shower facility that are in pretty good (not pristine) condition, laundry, fresh tap water, boat launch, 2 dump stations, WiFi (although very poor connection) and a beachhead. All sites are very level here and come with a picnic table, fire ring and electric, while a good number of the RV slots have a combination of electric amp options in addition to water and sewage hook-ups. At the marina, you can purchase ice, small sundries and camping supplies and / or simply use this spot to launch your boat, kayak or canoe from. There’s also options to rent a slip, store your boat and / or trailer for the winter. There’s even a deluxe cabin to rent in case you don’t have a tent or RV.
While most of Carl Spindler is designed more for the RV-driving or 5th Wheel toting kind – and to be honest, some of these look like longer-term residents and / or traveling professionals – offering up some 55 individual slots (some of which I would definitely describe as ‘very snug’), this outfit does provide 2 different options for decent camp sites with me tent pitchin’ bredren in mind, both of which sit right in front of the Illinois River. In these areas, and actually for the entire campground, there’s not much (if any) shade, tree cover or brush that contributes to an overall lack of privacy – so whatever your activities might be, you and your camping brood will be on full display to the rest of the campground. At least if you chose to set up your tent over in the primitive camping area, this area is still pretty underdeveloped (for now), so over in these parts, you’ll have a greater feeling of solitude, peace & quiet.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’d like to knock some pins down while slurping some delicious local cold brew, head on over to Landmark Bowling Center; (2) Should you be looking for some decent trails to hike check out nearby Powerton Lake State Park; (3) You will want to time your sundowners correctly, because if you do, you’ll be sipping Mai Tais leaning back in your camp chair listening to some Amy Winehouse watching the sun set in the west over the Illinois River as the twinkling stars come out to shine their brightest all with a crackling bonfire keeping you warm and lit on a gorgeous Midwestern night; (4) While I always pack a long 100 foot electrical cord for all of my electricity needs, I’ve never had to use it, except here, where the electrical outlet in the primitive tent camping area is shared by all 4 sites and ours was the furthest away – so we got lucky; and (5) In the event that you grow weary of conjuring up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge and want to check out some local flavor, there’s a handful of options, but all will require a bit of a drive, of which I highly recommend Avanti’s Ristorante for their excellent pizza and Italian subs, the Blue Duck BBQ Tavern for outstanding smoked brisket and Obed & Issacs Microbewery for the finest local taps as well as their signature dish, Kitchen Sink Pie (don’t ask, just order).
Happy Camping!
Art S.LegendFriends Creek Campground
Hidden among the farms - well-manicured camping
In mid-Illinois a campground waits for you. Well tended grassy sites with an impeccable grassy picnicking area. There was plenty of room in our site but most of the campground is empty. It would feel more crowded when full due to a lack of vegetation between sites. We grabbed a non-electric site but most have electric. The showers/restrooms are centrally located and could be crowded if the camp was full.
We set up and walked some in the trails. The conservation area extends across the road and that’s where most of the trails are. Start at the one room schoolhouse and make your way down wide trails. They aren’t that long but take a few and they add up. Stay on the camp side of the road and you can find large grassy areas with playgrounds and picnic shelters. A few trails are on this side too.
Clinton Lake Recreation area is just down the road if you want to fish or bring some watercraft.
One note: if you reserve a camping spot it’s just to have a site. Specific campsites aren’t reserved. Get here early and you have your choice.
This is a nice mid-Illinois campground!
- KKate O.Guide
Friends Creek Campground
Wonderful Gem in Farm Country
This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek, gentle rolling hills, trees, birds & wildlife and a small bridge. Best place to stop in central Illinois - 13 miles from Decatur
- Stuart K.Legend
Walmart - Peoria Supercenter
Bumper Car Parking Lot
This is one of the larger Walmart stores that I have across in my travels and is conveniently located right off of I74 just due south of Peoria and across the Illinois River. You will immediately discover that this Walmart is easily accessible from just about any entrance point that completely surrounds this blue big box retailer. And even though this retail outlet is massive, as is its accompanying oversized parking pad, the place was very frenetic, and jam-packed with lots of traffic zipping around in multiple directions.
But hey, if lots of ping-pong match-style traffic doesn’t dissuade you from parking here, then you’ll be treated to a decent ton of amenities as you are situated within a massive retail complex that is surrounded by other big box retailers like Lowe’s and Bass Pro Shop, a number of gas stations as well as a decent assortment of smart restaurants, like Texas Roadhouse, Childer’s Eatery and Godfather’s Pizza. Of course, there’s no shortage of drive-by fast food joints nearby like McDonald’s, IHOP, Bob Evans, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, but take it from me, you’d be better off crossing the Illinois River into Peoria to check out some better haunts like Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery or Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer.
Should you decide to park at this oversized discount retailer parking haven, I would suggest parking either on the southern or northern perimeters as while they are next to their own respective inner 2-lane roads, the traffic is slow-moving and isn’t stopped for any lights around those areas, making for less noise pollution. You’ll find that the lot is very flat and level, well-paved albeit dated as well as offering really great lighting at night along with very good rotating security that remain constantly vigilant in this overgrown shopping mecca.
While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:
Convenience: 3
Safety & Security: 2
Quality: 3
Peace & Quiet: 2
Amenities: 3
Overall, I scored this location a 3
Happy Overnighting!
Guide to Le Roy
Le Roy, Illinois sits in central Illinois at approximately 820 feet elevation with a humid continental climate marked by four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures average 74-86°F while winters range from 17-32°F. The surrounding terrain consists primarily of flat to gently rolling prairie land with scattered woodlands near water features, creating diverse camping environments within short driving distances.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Friends Creek Campground offers excellent fishing access with a nearby creek. "This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek, gentle rolling hills, trees, birds & wildlife and a small bridge," notes Kate O.
Hiking trails: Weldon Springs State Park Campground maintains well-marked paths ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "Great camping and great fishing. Scenic little park. Tent and trailer camping here, but the real reward is in the primitive backpacking sites," explains Bree C. The park offers multiple trail options surrounding a pond with newly constructed fishing decks.
Lake activities: Comlara County Park provides boating opportunities on Evergreen Lake, though boat rentals require planning ahead. "This park is mainly flat grounds. Camping plots are very open with options very close to the water. You can rent boats and kayaks to take out on the lake during the day and grills throughout the park to have a bbq at night with friends," says Sage C. Note that boat rentals can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
What campers like
Secluded tent camping: Several parks offer more private tent camping options away from RV areas. At Moraine View State Recreational Area, Ryan M. points out: "Upon finding the rustic tent sites, we'd wished we'd known about that area before going. Those were still a little close together but were at least wooded and you could walk from your car." For even more seclusion, he adds "The dispersed camping sites were the closest to what I'd been used to coming from New Hampshire."
Fall foliage: Autumn camping delivers spectacular views around Le Roy. Jennifer M. describes her experience: "This campground surprised us. We got there in the dark and woke up to Fall colors, Canadian geese, trails, playgrounds. We got in without a reservation and upgraded to a beautiful spot on the water."
Quiet evenings: Friends Creek Campground receives consistent praise for its peaceful atmosphere. "Level sites, clean restrooms and showers and friendly staff," writes Kevin C. Another camper, Lisa S., adds: "We are so fortunate to have this campground in our back yard - only 20 minutes away. The host is super friendly and accommodating, the bathhouse and flushing toilets were always clean, and with it being a smaller campground it was always quiet."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Several lakes in the region experience seasonal algae issues. Julie notes about Moraine View: "Nice place no alcohol. 'Lake' has had a lot of algae over the last couple years." At Clinton Lake, water conditions vary throughout the season.
Campsite selection strategies: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area offers diverse camping loops with significantly different experiences. Stacia R. explains: "There are several different loops within the campground, some are alcohol free and others have direct access to the lake. The bathrooms are basic vault toilets but kept very clean...The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more open with a prairie type view."
Beach facilities: Swimming areas typically charge separate fees beyond camping costs. At Comlara County Park, Marcie J. notes: "Good rates but the kicker is the $20.00 fee per boat/kayak to get on the lake plus the fee for the swimming area was a bit much for us."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: D & W Lake RV Park features kid-friendly amenities close to Le Roy. According to Ron D., "Stayed here 2 nights on our way to Northern Illinois, easy access off the interstate, sites are spacious, grounds are well maintained, staff was very courteous and friendly, nice lake with trail around it."
Shower facilities: When camping with children, reliable bathrooms matter. At Friends Creek, one camper reports: "Very clean with soap, paper towels, and a shelf for toiletries." Lisa S. adds, "The bathhouse and flushing toilets were always clean. They said they clean and sanitize the bathrooms daily and I believe it."
Budget options: For families watching costs, Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground offers affordable camping. "10$ a night next to a park on a slightly busy street," says Eric P. Another camper notes the convenient location near local attractions: "There is a STRICT no alcohol rule in the tent sites. A sign said coolers are subject to inspection, but from our experience and the vibe of the place, I don't see this really being an issue unless your group gets kind of rowdy."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: For pet friendly camping near Le Roy, Illinois with larger rigs, D & W Lake RV Park offers complete amenities. Dave P. notes: "Sites are level and in good condition. Owner greets you on entering and then guides you to your site. Signage to get to the campground is excellent. The bath house is clean and up to date with lots of hot water."
Electric hookup considerations: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area has limited full-hookup sites that book quickly. Tim F. explains: "Have stayed here numerous times. Always very clean. We have only stayed in the electric only sites as the full hookup sites are hard to come by." For those needing reliable power, he recommends booking well in advance.
Overnight convenience: When traveling through with pets and needing a quick overnight stop near Le Roy, Love's RV Stop provides easy highway access. Stuart K. notes: "Extra points to Love's RV Stop for providing gated key-pad entry and 24 hour CCTV security delivering a real feeling of safety throughout your roadside RV or 5th Wheel stay."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Le Roy, IL?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Le Roy, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Le Roy, IL is Moraine View State Recreational Area with a 3.9-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Le Roy, IL?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Le Roy, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 dog-friendly camping locations near Le Roy, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring