2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Archway RV Park features a dedicated fenced dog area within its maintained grounds, providing pets with room to exercise off-leash while staying at the full-hookup sites. The park accommodates campers with dogs in all available accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots with 50-amp service, and pet-friendly cabin rentals. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground also welcomes pets throughout its spacious sites, which offer significant distance between neighbors for comfortable outdoor time with animals. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with standard leash requirements outside designated pet areas. The sites at Archway are arranged in a face-to-face configuration with shared grassy strips between sites, while Wayne Fitzgerrell provides more spacious, private camping areas with paved pads. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Rend Lake provides excellent water access for dogs and owners with boat-in camping options and shoreline areas where pets can cool off during warmer months. Whittington Woods Campground and Benton KOA round out the pet-friendly options in the region, both offering year-round availability for campers traveling with animals. The nearby South Sandusky Campground provides additional options with tent, RV, and glamping accommodations that welcome pets from March through early November. Some campgrounds experience seasonal crowding, with visitors often claiming sites early by placing coolers or tents before formally registering. Trails around Rend Lake offer walking opportunities for dogs, though bathroom facilities at some parks may require a considerable walk from campsites. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound at these campgrounds, with cardinals and other birds frequently spotted along walking paths around ponds and lake areas.
"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."
"They also have a fenced in dog park. No shade in that area, but nice touch!"
from $60 - $75 / 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."
"This is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $30 / night
"Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. It’s a great place for camping, fishing and bikes."
"Many of the sites are walk up only. The sites have a lot of room to enjoy a relaxing weekend or set up yard games. Rend lake is a good size lake with numerous areas to explore the water."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $44 / night
"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"
"The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $28 / night
"Hundreds of campsites, marinas with boat rentals, beaches and stores nearby in case you need something. This area is truly a southern Illinois gem!"
"Large spacious sites, close to swimming beaches, although not walking distance. Tree covered and offer some privacy. Great place to meet with family and friends."
"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."
"There are mature trees around the seven pull-through sites across the road from the main campground, but Starlink should work in most of them if you're able to position the dish around the trees."
"North Sandusky Campground is a gem in Southern Illinois. Many of the sites are backed up to Rend lake and the others back up to the woods. The sites all seem to be fairly well maintained and roomy."
"has a great view of the lake from almost every camp site. close to southern IL. great leasure campsite to take the kids"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $28 / night
"Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees."
"We have had deer playing on an adjacent site to us. Fun place to camp with family and friends. Never want to leave."
from $30 / night
TravelerThis is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
GuideGreat place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
LegendWe had never stayed at Whittington Woods, but several of our camping friends have stayed here over the years while traveling through the area. At a recent RV open house, we talked with the campground (CG) owners and decided to switch our reservation from another private CG to Whittington Woods to check it out. The owners suggested sites 92 or 97, and we were able to reserve back-in site 92 with FHUs for our two-night stay. Site 92 is one of the better sites, with a large yard and good separation from neighboring sites. The CG was easy to find off I-57—follow your GPS or the signs. Check-in was quick, and we were escorted to our site. Unfortunately, one of the CG’s regular guests had set up in our reserved site 92 instead of site 93. After a brief discussion between our owner/escort and the guest, moving him was clearly not going to be a quick process. We were offered a couple of other available sites and decided to take site 93. Site 93 was a significant downgrade, with only a sliver of yard and very little separation from site 94. The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94. The water connection is at the very back, requiring more than 30 feet of hose for our rig. The owners were very nice, probably too nice when dealing with their“regulars,” and made the situation more tolerable by giving us a good discount for site 93. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. We normally get good performance from our T-Mobile internet with two bars, but download speed was only 41.2 Mbps. The CG Wi-Fi was better at 69.3 Mbps download. There are a lot of mature trees, so satellite/Starlink reception could be iffy depending on the site. The CG is conveniently located near I-57 and right off IL-37, although there was quite a bit of highway noise that was manageable for us. The property provides plenty of room for walking, especially with a dog, and has a decent-sized dog park. There are quite a few full-timers and regulars, with some keeping their sites well maintained and others not so much. We also saw some of the same latitude given to“regulars” when it came to keeping dogs on a leash and picking up after them. They have 5 pull throughs that are mainly used for overnighters that are handy but close together. We understand why several of our friends regularly stay here for a night or two while traveling to and from Florida. Whittington Woods is conveniently located off I-57 and offers FHUs, making the CG a practical overnight stop. Our home base is only about an hour and a half away, however, and we have better options in the area when we need a final stop to flush tanks before heading home.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
GuideWhat started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
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.
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
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.
TravelerI believe this is one of the best campgrounds I've been to. It is safe friendly, theres laundry, lp fill, close to rend lake, 20 mins from walmart, a great place to relax and visit, vacation, whatever you like.
Camping options around Rend Lake provide diverse terrain across multiple access points with varying site configurations. Campers find spacious lots at several Corps of Engineers sites surrounding the 18,900-acre lake, which maintains a maximum depth of 35 feet. Winter temperatures average 30-45°F with summer highs reaching 85-95°F, creating distinct camping considerations throughout the year.
Fishing access: Gun Creek offers excellent fishing opportunities directly from lakefront sites. "Great rates and even better campsites. We got there late and had no problems finding a great campsite right next to the lake," notes Jonathan W. Bass and crappie are common catches for anglers.
Hiking trails: The paved bike paths connecting the Rend Lake recreation areas provide accessible walking routes. At COE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area, campers appreciate the convenient routes. "There's a biking trail that we also used as a walking trail. Beautiful scenery along the way," shares Phil W.
Bird watching: Wildlife viewing opportunities extend beyond campsites with dedicated natural areas. Campers report significant bird activity, especially in morning hours. "We have had deer playing on an adjacent site to us. Fun place to camp with family and friends," reports Carol B. about the woodland encounters.
Spacious sites: Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground offers well-spaced sites for comfortable camping. "Sites are well spaced apart," notes Matthew B. The campground features paved pads with grassy areas between sites.
Waterfront views: Many campers specifically seek sites with direct lake access. At South Marcum Campground, the lakefront locations stand out. "If I was in any other spot this would probably be a 4/5, but spot 56 has a crazy lake view and is on the tip of an outlook with pretty nice privacy!" reports Eli R.
Easy highway access: For travelers passing through the area, accessibility matters. "Quick overnight stay on our way West. Staff was friendly and welcoming on check in. Easy on and off Interstate 64," shares Angie R. about her experience at a local RV park.
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds surrounding Rend Lake operate from March through early November. "March 28 to November 2" is the typical operating season for Corps of Engineers campgrounds, with limited winter camping options available.
Site claiming practices: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly during peak season. "Basically people show up and throw a cooler or tent onto a site to claim it and then leave. They have to pay for the spot by 8pm," explains Blake M. about his experience at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park.
Bathroom access: Facility location varies significantly between campgrounds. At South Sandusky Campground, "Bathhouses were a little bit of a walk. With our 40' diesel we did not have to use them," reports Tina J. Plan accordingly if tent camping.
Beach options: South Sandusky provides dedicated swimming areas for families with children. "We love the large beach. The campsites have a nice set up and are a decent size. The kids loved the playground. There were kids everywhere and everyone was very friendly!" shares Missy D.
Playground access: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Mount Vernon include play facilities. "Nice sites, great amenities," notes Juli W. about Whittington Woods Campground, which maintains year-round availability for families.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours offer optimal wildlife sightings. "Abundant Wildlife... We had 3 of the sites closest to the lake with only electric. The campground is well kept, about 20 minutes from any groceries so come with your necessities," advises Tina J.
Site leveling: Many campers note elevation challenges at certain campgrounds. "Lots of sites are over 4 inch incline, which seems ok for Smaller rigs," reports Never Sitting S. about their Gun Creek experience. Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain.
Electrical service: Check for compatible electrical connections before booking. "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter," advises James N. about site configurations at local campgrounds.
Highway noise: Consider site location relative to interstate proximity for pet-friendly campgrounds near Mount Vernon. "There is highway noise. It's convenient off the interstate, but also noisy due to the interstate being right there," notes Ellen S. Choose sites farther from roadways for quieter stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mount Vernon, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mount Vernon, IL is Archway RV Park with a 3.9-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mount Vernon, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 68 dog-friendly camping locations near Mount Vernon, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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