2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area allows pets throughout its campgrounds, providing clean sites and reasonable pricing for pet owners. The park features electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at most campsites where dogs can stay with their families. Camping options include tent sites, RV spots with 50-amp service, and some cabin accommodations that accept pets. The equestrian camping area offers water access and toilet facilities, though these sites lack electricity. Bathrooms and shower facilities are well-maintained, and the campground enforces quiet hours to ensure comfortable stays for all campers, including those with pets. Sites are typically well-spaced with adequate room for both human and pet camping equipment.
Trails around Ramsey Lake offer pet exercise opportunities, though owners report trails aren't always clearly marked despite being wide and well-maintained. The playground area provides recreation for families while their pets rest at camp. The campground's location puts it somewhat distant from supply stores, making advance preparation important when camping with pets. Wildlife is present throughout the park, requiring pets to remain leashed and supervised during trail walks and lakeside activities. The nearby Okaw Valley Kampground offers an alternative pet-friendly campground with full hookup sites, a stocked fishing lake, swimming pool, and hiking trails where dogs can join their owners for outdoor recreation. Both campgrounds maintain pet waste disposal systems to keep grounds clean for all visitors.
"There’s a very nice updated playground and a pond with a walking path around it. The place is very well taken care of. If we ever came back this way we would stay again."
"Beautiful walking paths, convenient, great pricing. They filled us up on LP too. Thanks again, Barb and Gary!"
"The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"
"Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."
"Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available. Downsides is wifi is poor, gravel is unlevel, limited menu on DoorDash."
from $30 / night
"We stayed here in our Motorhome but the sites are pretty small and you are right next to your neighbor."
"After a massive disappointment at a nearby state park, we came to Sherwood Forest as a last resort. We were beyond pleasantly surprised!"
from $25 - $45 / night
"We've been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. And that's exactly what we do."
"There are many sites on this campground that are wooded and have views of Lake Shelbyville. Boat ramp to put in your boat or kayaks and sand beach for the kids to go swimming."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $48 / night
"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."
"Timber Trails Campground is a easy layover off of I-70, offering a family-friendly environment. The park provided us an easy in and out, pull-through site that was level and convenient."
"The sun sets behind the camper. Very nice clean restrooms, laundry room and a area you can grill in using their grills."
"Walk-in tent site. Late arrival. Bathrooms are spotless."
from $35 - $999 / night
"Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake."
"At the end of the circles there are some sites right on the lake and the boat ramp is nearby. Nice latrines and showerhouses."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $36 / night
"Right next to the lake. Plenty of room for everyone, from tents to the massive RVs. The pool very clean and never gets over crowded. Staff are knowledgeable and polite. Friendly/quiet dogs allowed."
"Pavilion and picnic area near pool and playground perfect for family gatherings or kids birthdays. Even a small game room. Dog friendly too! Small pond to fish (catch/release). We will be back."
TravelerCamp Host is very friendly and brought firewood to our site. Bath/shower house was clean. We were in the equestrian campground due to our 73 foot overall length. It was a great stay for visiting family. There are a lot of outdoor activities at the lake area, but no pool.
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
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.
ScoutThis campground is primarily for RVs and people with boats, given the lake nearby. There are five tent sites set back into the trees a bit. They are nicely laid out. There are a couple of picnic sites on the lake that are pleasant. What it needs for TLC is give the pit toilets a rehab. The one I used was filthy and the throne was almost completely unbolted. The water pump by the tent sites is inoperative and there seems to be only one location where one works, so you have to use your car to get water. It doesn't have showers but you can use one at a nearby campground if you really need. Bottom line: fix the toilets and water and I'd give this a four.
ScoutThis is such a peaceful and great place to camp.
ScoutBeautiful level campsites! Well kept! Beautiful surroundings! Clean! One of the nicest level sites we have stayed in. Bathrooms are clean and showers are great!
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.
RangerOur campsite was the best! At the end of the road with lake frontage, it was quiet, private and relaxing. Cell service with AT&T was weak with 1 bar. Vault toilet nearby with very clean showers about 500 yds away. Great host!
ScoutClean showers
Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area accommodates pets throughout its campgrounds with electric hookups, picnic tables, and reservable sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. The park maintains clean facilities and reasonable prices, though campers should note it's somewhat distant from supply stores. Nearby Okaw Valley Kampground offers multiple pet-friendly accommodation options including tent sites, RV spaces with full hookups, and cabins. Bathrooms remain consistently clean, and the campground features a fishing lake stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish where dogs can accompany owners during walks around the water.
Dog owners appreciate the walking paths around Okaw Valley's lake, providing exercise opportunities for pets while maintaining the quiet atmosphere most campsites offer. The campground's well-spaced sites include fire rings and picnic tables, allowing comfortable outdoor time with pets. Other pet-friendly options near Ramsey include Coon Creek, Camp Lakewood, and Sherwood Forest campgrounds, all featuring electric hookups, water access, and pet-friendly policies. Though highway noise is minimal at most locations, visitors should bring pet supplies as nearby shopping options are limited. Most campgrounds in the area enforce standard leash policies and require owners to clean up after their pets, with no specific breed restrictions noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ramsey, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ramsey, IL is Okaw Valley Kampground with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ramsey, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 58 dog-friendly camping locations near Ramsey, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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