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Dog-Friendly Camping near Percy, IL

3 campgrounds with availability next weekend

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    Pet-friendly camping near Percy, IL spans from developed sites with electric hookups to free primitive camping, giving dog owners flexible options across the region. Dog-friendly campgrounds in the area include a mix of RV sites with full hookups, tent-only areas, and rustic primitive spots that welcome leashed pets. Lake Campalot campground features multiple pet-friendly sites with tent and RV accommodation options across its quiet, community-oriented grounds. The campground provides both electric and non-electric sites at reasonable prices, with staff who help campers find suitable spots for their specific needs. Randolph County State Recreation Area also welcomes pets throughout its 51 Class BE sites, 95 Class C sites, and four primitive camping areas. Pets must be leashed and under control at all times in both locations. The shower facilities at Lake Campalot are notably clean and spacious, while Randolph County maintains well-shaded areas with tall trees that provide excellent coverage for pets sensitive to heat. Many campsites include fire rings, picnic tables, and easy access to drinking water.

    Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground offers scenic fall views with pet-friendly camping options and adequate space between sites. Several forest trails throughout the area accommodate leashed dogs, particularly at Johnson Creek and Pyramid State Recreation Area, which features multiple lakes and clear hiking paths. Turkey Bayou Campground provides free primitive pet camping with basic toilets and picnic tables for those seeking a more rustic experience. The World Shooting and Recreational Complex features cabins that accept pets alongside tent sites with full hookups available. Campers note that Johnson Creek's trails can become overgrown with poison ivy during peak seasons, so pets should be kept on designated paths. Most campgrounds in the region maintain clean pit toilets, with several offering shower facilities, particularly at Lake Campalot where bathrooms receive consistent positive reviews from pet owners.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Percy (81)

      1. Randolph County State Recreation Area

      4.1(8)11mi from PercyRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Located five miles northeast of Chester, Randolph County SRA lies in the rolling hill country of southern Illinois."

      "This campground is located on a small lake in Southern Illinois and managed by the department of natural resources. Good place for Camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and boating."

      2. Pyramid State Recreation Area

      4.2(5)11mi from PercyRVs, Tents

      "Much enjoyed driving around exploring this large state park in IL. Seems to be awesome for fishing as there are many lakes. Great access to the lakes for canoe & kayak."

      "The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer."

      3. Lake Campalot

      4.5(2)1mi from PercyRVs, Tents

      "We got a nice little spot to ourselves across the lake to put our tent. Its like a little community. I loved it. If your wanting out in the wilderness this is not for you."

      4. Johnson Creek

      3.2(6)14mi from PercyRVs, Tents

      "single, double, and triple camping spots set up on three loops in this small campground nestled in the corner of shawnee national forest. there's a central bath house located near check in. only amenities"

      "The site was fairly secluded, and right on Kincade lake."

      5. Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground

      4.7(6)16mi from PercyRVs, Tents

      "A very old and historic cemetery is next to the campground. There is electric hookups 30 and 50 amp. No water/sewer but does have a dump station. Vault toilets."

      "Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site is located on the remains of historic Fort Kaskaskia, constructed by the French in the 1700s to defend the town of Kaskaskia."

      from $8 - $18 / night

      6. Washington County State Recreation Area

      4.2(13)23mi from PercyRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This is a nice little park in southern Illinois. It is surrounded by cornfields, however the park is wooded. The park surrounds a very pretty lake and I have attached a picture."

      "This is a small lake management by the state of Illinois. The campground is usually not crowded, but some weekends do get busy. There is a shower/bathroom that was clean each time we were there."

      7. Kaskaskia Jerry F. Costello Lock and Dam (formerly the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam

      3.6(5)18mi from PercyRVs, Tents

      "Water was available close to the restrooms and is accessible to fill campers. Parking area at each site could accommodate two vehicles. The capsites were located next to the Kaskaskia River."

      from $10 / night

      Check Availability

      8. Turkey Bayou Campground

      4.3(15)26mi from PercyRVs, Tents

      "We took a chance camping here since we hang hammocks but we found a site that had some trees nearby. We were pleasantly surprised to see a port-a-pottie at the campground."

      "Stayed during the eclipse so crowds were intense but the hosts lets us camp where we could find room, the site was clean and the pond was beautiful (as always bring the bug spray when camping near the"

      9. World Shooting and Recreational Complex

      3.5(2)14mi from PercyTents, Cabins

      10. Johnson Creek Campground

      3.0(2)14mi from PercyRVs, Tents

      "As with all of southern Illinois it’s very senic rock formations neat trails and fishing."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Percy, IL

    592 Reviews of 81 Percy Campgrounds

    • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 30, 2026

      Whittington Woods Campground

      Decent Campground

      We 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.

    • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 29, 2026

      Marion/Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday

      Different than Most KOA Holidays

      We were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.

    • Ronald C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      South Marcum Campground

      Large site

      Great campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer

    • Scott M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 13, 2026

      COE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area

      Excellent campground

      What 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!

    • Randy H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 27, 2026

      Gun Creek

      Great Digs

      Rend 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.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 25, 2026

      Giant City State Park Campground

      Good staff & clean facility.

      I stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.

    • Jay L.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 19, 2026

      Pine Hills

      Great

      Great campground, no reservations required and has bathrooms available. Overall good location and an occasional train but overall great spot.

    • Rodney W.
      Sep. 14, 2026

      Old Bates Campground Llc

      Amazingly quiet and peaceful

      I 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.

    Guide to Percy

    Camping options near Percy, Illinois range from shaded forest sites to lakeside locations with varying levels of amenities. The area sits within the rolling hills of southern Illinois at elevations between 400-600 feet, with hot, humid summers and mild spring and fall seasons. Most campgrounds in this region experience peak visitation between May and September when temperatures consistently reach above 85°F.

    What to do

    Hiking trails with clear paths: Pyramid State Recreation Area provides multiple lakes and well-maintained hiking trails. "Much enjoyed driving around exploring this large state park in IL. Seems to be awesome for fishing as there are many lakes. Great access to the lakes for canoe & kayak. Did a nice long walk along one trail late May and there was a lot of bird activity," notes one visitor to Pyramid State Recreation Area.

    Fishing opportunities: Lake Kinkaid and Johnson Creek offer good fishing spots for multiple species. "This is a small lake management by the state of Illinois. The campground is usually not crowded, but some weekends do get busy. We listened to Whip-por-will calls around the campfire," reports a camper at Washington County State Recreation Area.

    Stargazing: Sites away from urban light pollution provide excellent night sky viewing. "The campground is pretty far from any big metro area, so the sky was real dark, great for picking out constellations," mentions a Washington County visitor.

    What campers like

    Clean, spacious facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "The shower house was very well kept and clean. Showers ran cold at first but after a few mins it gets warmer! There were plenty of pit toilets throughout the campground and trash cans," says a camper at Washington County State Recreation Area.

    Helpful staff assistance: Camp hosts at several locations provide support finding appropriate sites. "The staff (Sharon) was so helpful. She took us to several sites she had to make sure we were happy with our spot. The showers were super nice and spacious," mentions a visitor at Lake Campalot.

    Wildlife viewing: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Percy offer opportunities to observe local animals. "We heard several owls calling in the trees around us when we went to bed, so we stayed up listening for awhile. In the middle of the night we were startled awake by a pair of owls in the tree right above us," reports a camper at Johnson Creek.

    What you should know

    Variable trail conditions: Some trails become overgrown during summer months. "The trails were VERY unkept and there was poison ivy at nearly every step, the entry map shows a beach- there might have been 5 years ago but now absolutely nothing that even resembled a place to swim," warns a Johnson Creek visitor.

    Primitive site limitations: Free camping areas have minimal amenities. "There is no toilet and or water spigots, so bring your back country shovel and fresh water. What this campground does have is beauty, a lake, and the Big Muddy River nearby," explains a visitor to Turkey Bayou Campground.

    Seasonal water access: Some facilities shut down water during certain periods. "All of the water is shut off and it appears that the dump station hasn't worked in years. The pit toilets were very clean but it's a good thing they didn't need water to keep them that way," notes a Johnson Creek camper.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playgrounds access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Easy walk to the lake with a gorgeous view, 2 different playgrounds walkable distance from campground. The workers were super nice and helpful, the nature is beautiful and cute little forest bunnies running around!" shares a visitor at Randolph County State Recreation Area.

    Wildlife education opportunities: Bring wildlife guides to identify local species. "We camped here mid-April and the campground water spigots had not been turned on yet. Camping is $10 a night - self check in. No need to worry about finding firewood, as it is plentiful within the forest," mentions a Johnson Creek camper.

    Affordable pricing: Many pet-friendly camping areas offer reasonable rates. "This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toilets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping," notes another Johnson Creek visitor.

    Tips from RVers

    Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. "Getting around is a little tight for bigger rigs but still doable as long as you're careful. Make sure you fill up at the dump station before you get to the campground because there's no easy way to turn around if you miss it," advises a Randolph County visitor.

    Concrete pads available: Some locations offer hard-surface parking for easier leveling. "Large level sites with electric. Water available mid campground and at dump station. Good antenna service, 2 bars T Mobile. 2 large handicapped sites with concrete pads," mentions a camper at Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground.

    Utility hookups vary: Check specific amenities before arrival. "This is a very clean campground with electric only hook-up. It had nice big concrete pads, a large picnic table and large fire pit/grill at each site. Water was available close to the restrooms and is accessible to fill campers," shares a visitor to the Kaskaskia area.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Percy, IL is Randolph County State Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 81 dog-friendly camping locations near Percy, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.