Pet friendly camping near Quincy, Illinois ranges from riverside locations along the Mississippi to forested state parks with multiple lakes. The area sits at approximately 600 feet elevation with humid continental climate featuring warm summers and moderate rainfall. Seasonal considerations affect campground availability with most locations operating from April through November, though several remain open year-round.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 4 miles from Ray Behrens offers access to Mark Twain Lake with designated fishing areas. "Each parking site has steps down to the lake for bank fishing. There are also John boats and kayaks for rent," notes Charlie S.
River activities: Explore the Salt River at The Meadow Campground with on-site kayak rentals. "Can fish off the gravel ramp into the river. There is a stage for bands that come in," reports one camper. The campground features both tent sites and RV spaces with river views.
Trail systems: Multiple hiking trails at Siloam Springs State Park connect throughout the property. "The Red Oak Backpacking Trail... landscape was beautiful and varied from flat areas to valleys and some creeks," says Lindsey P., noting the trail system has varying difficulty levels with some stairs built into steeper sections.
What campers like
Concrete pads: Large, level sites at Wakonda Lake Campground provide stable camping surfaces. "The concrete slab was large enough for our camper and rug along with the picnic table! A lot of room!" mentions Kaye R., highlighting the spacious setup and proximity to fishing.
Privacy options: Some campgrounds offer secluded sites with natural buffers. Indian Creek Campground provides "lots of greenery between campsites. Many established trees," according to zannie P., while another camper notes "Multiple camp spots but enough trees/shrubs to make you feel secluded."
Park cleanliness: Sites are regularly maintained across the region. "Very well kept park with lots of fishing areas," says Elisha P. about Wakonda Lake. At Driftwood Campground, a tent camper observed "The showers and restroom were impressively clean. The hosts could not have made me feel more welcome."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings during peak season. Indian Creek "is a reserve only now so be sure to pick your spot before you show up," advises Amie M., adding that site photos on recreation.gov accurately represent what to expect.
Weather considerations: Seasonal flooding can affect riverfront campgrounds. Canton City River Park occasionally closes temporarily due to high water on the Mississippi River, with some campground roads potentially underwater during peak flooding periods.
Insect preparation: Bug protection is essential, especially near water. At Indian Creek, one camper warns it's "Very much a mosquito paradise," while another mentions experiencing "bugs that were everywhere" requiring proper preparation.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Ray Behrens, "We ended up with a spot that we loved since it was close to the playground... the basketball court was open to roll and the field was open so the kids could run around and play catch," shares Jennifer F.
Water recreation: Swimming beaches provide family-friendly water access. "There is a sandy beach for swimming" at Wakonda Lake, while Ray Behrens offers "a lake beach entry to swim" a short drive from the campground, according to campers.
Kid-friendly biking: Paved roads at some campgrounds create safe cycling areas. "The kids bike around on the pavement and play in the little park," notes a camper about Ray Behrens, mentioning the well-maintained paths are ideal for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Some riverside locations require additional equipment. At Canton City River Park, one RVer noted "Had to use blocks site goes down hill," while at Wakonda, Chelsey M. appreciated that "We had a concrete pad for our RV which was nice and a decent amount of room to roam."
Hookup variations: Full service sites aren't universal at all campgrounds. Ray Behrens offers different price points, with one camper noting "Electric hookup only. 91 degrees needed fan air movement. Water and dump are $24 a night." At The Meadow Campground, "No individual sewer hook up sites available. All sites are back in only."
Big rig access: Larger RVs require careful site selection. Driftwood Campground's concrete pads accommodate larger units, while Mark Twain Cave Campground offers "level gravel" pull-through sites though some campers note they can be "way too close together" in certain sections.
Guide
