41 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kankakee South KOA's pet-friendly facilities welcome campers with dogs of all sizes, with no apparent breed restrictions across their tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Potowatomi Campground at Kankakee River State Park similarly allows pets at campsites, offering spacious, private sites that provide ample room for dogs to settle comfortably near tents or RVs. Both locations maintain standard leash requirements to ensure safety and enjoyment for all guests. Lake Alexander RV Park provides clean, spacious sites for campers with pets, and offers convenient access to the Kankakee River where many visitors allow their dogs to swim during summer months. Despite being close to Chicago, Lake Alexander maintains a quiet atmosphere where pets can relax without excessive noise or crowding. Sites at these locations typically include standard amenities like picnic tables and fire pits where pets can rest nearby while owners enjoy campfires.
Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area Campground provides primitive camping options for pet owners at very affordable rates ($12/night), making it ideal for budget-conscious campers who don't want to leave their dogs behind. The surrounding natural area offers extensive space for on-leash dog walking, though campers should be aware that hunting activities occur in the area during designated seasons, necessitating extra vigilance with pets. The campground's sandy soil drains well after rain, keeping pet paws relatively clean and dry compared to muddier campgrounds. Generators are permitted at Willow Slough, which proves convenient for campers needing to maintain climate control for pets during extreme weather. Most tent campers report quiet conditions on weekdays, ideal for dogs sensitive to noise, though weekend occupancy can create tighter quarters between sites.
"Dog friendly lots of dogs this weekend nice size dog park! You overall great weekend"
"We loved the dog park along with the many activities available. We come here at least once a year. Check out their information on their website."
"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers."
"No real trails but if you don't mind roughing it plenty to explore, hunting, fishing, mushrooms, electric motor only boats on the lake. We bring our kayaks."
"There’s a local bar that was still hopping nearby. Generators are allowed, so there was a hum of one running all night but it was no bother at all. Otherwise, entirely peaceful and quiet."
"Lake Alexander RV Park is a quiet, spacious, family owned and operated campground located near Momence, Illinois, within a 1-hour drive of Chicago."
"She even put me next to a fellow biker. Nice quiet place and you can walk down to the Kankakee river."
from $33 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Clean campground, clean bathrooms (no showers) and a nice lake. Sites do not have any utilities, but there is water available and a dump station."
from $10 - $12 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $1000 / night
"shade canopy and an open feel Well maintained open-grass layout
- Spacious campsites, similar to other IL State Parks we've stayed at
- Quiet (when we visited)
- Boat ramp is accessible via trail"
"No water hookup .But has a swing set for the kids to play a few bike/hike trails. Quiet no street noise . They have a dump station and water too fill your camper."
from $8 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Things changed for me I had surgery and couldn’t sit up the camper so we decided to find a camp site close to home this year."
"Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp."
from $55 - $160 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $65 / night
Check Availability"The park is dog friendly. The campground is clean and quiet. There is no bath house, only port-a-potty's throughout the campground."
"Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability
TravelerSmall campground but very friendly. A plus was the full hookups. The sights are very close together. Management is not over bearing and very friendly. Dog friendly lots of dogs this weekend nice size dog park! You overall great weekend
TravelerMany very nice permanent sites. We loved the dog park along with the many activities available. We come here at least once a year. Check out their information on their website.
If you want a quick local get away this is the place.
ScoutWe’ve been staying at this resort for several months now, and wanted to share some feedback based on our experience.
The pool only opened mid-summer.
Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning. The water is so unclean that our shower develops yellow stains within a day, and we’ve had to install a five-stage filtration system just to make it usable.
We’ve also noticed that rules aren’t enforced consistently, and it sometimes feels like certain guests are treated unfairly. For example, while we were told that personal kiddie pools aren’t allowed, we’ve counted at least six others set up around the park.
Package delivery is only permitted under special circumstances, and only if pre-approved by staff.
Had an incident where a staff member criticized my swimsuit at the pool, despite it being modest and similar to what others were wearing. I wore this swimsuit to many pools for many years. Additionally, the beach area is often closed even during posted open hours, and pool hours or updates aren’t clearly communicated—you have to inquire to get any information.
The storm shelter is typically locked, making it inaccessible in emergencies, which is a major concern.
We’ve also had to fix the swing set at the playground ourselves multiple times, as it’s been broken for a while. Many of the park’s facilities and amenities are showing their age and could benefit from updates and maintenance.
That said, there are aspects we’ve truly enjoyed, and they’re the main reasons we’ve continued our stay: the spacious layout of the RV park, a nice lake, beach, pool, gym, and a dog park.
ScoutGreat stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids. Plenty of space and Convenient. We reserved and checked in online. The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit but it's Nov so no need to run dual ACs minor issue but still make sure your using your EPM devices.
LegendAs we were driving eastbound on I80 that day, we spotted the Love’s RV Hookup, which is a new concept that this oversized fueling depot / travel store has been working on for the past year or so. Having checked out one of their other locations in Bloomington earlier in the year, which I have to admit, I was fairly impressed by, we decided to stop in here to have a look. Located just due east on the outskirts of little known Morris, Illinois just off I80, this little roadside stand isn’t the largest Love’s I’ve ever seen, but it sure does pack a punch.
If you do find yourself hustling and bustling east or west along the I80 corridor and are in need of a pit stop or an overnight stay, then the good folks at the Love’s RV Hookup have you covered. While the other Love’s I have stopped by seem enormous by comparison, this spot felt more like a corner convenience store that also had a fairly large fueling bay (4 double-sided pumps) in the front, primarily for cars and SUVs.
As you pull in, there’s 4 spots earmarked to the right of the entrance for RV’s. As you pull further along in front of the Love’s fueling bay, on the other side, an additional 6 or so slots exist for other RVs to park. In all, there’s 10 back-in RV slots available and inside you’ll find that there’s 7 individual shower stalls (all of which were in pristine, brand-new shape when we stopped by) along with a laundry facility, which we were happily surprised by, as well as a designated RV dump service, propane refill station and all of the typical hook-ups (water, 30 / 50 amp electric and sewage) along with WiFi. Inside, there’s of course the Love’s retail market, which was just decent, an ATM, Hardee’s and Naf-Naf (think Subway, but instead, Middle Eastern food). There’s even a small dog park here. As I hinted at, quite a lot here for such a small location.
If you would like something more substantial to eat, just head back west on I80 to the next exit, where if you head north there’s an IHOP, Chili’s, Bellacino’s Pizza or you can head on back to the TA Travel Center where they actually have a proper sit-down 24 hour restaurant called R-Place. If instead of heading north, you drive south on the main drag (Road 47), there’s a Buffalo Wild Wings, Pizza Hut, Starbuck’s, Wendy’s, Culver’s, Dunkin' and Burger King. But if you want something a bit more memorable, I would recommend either Morris Diner & Pancake House or La Casa Michoacana. And if you don’t mind a slightly longer drive back towards Ottawa, there’s 2 amazing places I would recommend that you won’t soon forget: Hank’s and Lone Buffalo.
Should you want to actually enjoy a bit of the nature around these parts, you can continue to head south on N. Division Street / Road 47 where you’ll come to 2 parks: Goold and Chapin, where either would make for a great place to stretch your legs, walk the dog or grab a picnic. If you’d like something a bit more splendid, then head on over to William G. Stratton SP or Gebhard Woods SP where you will be able to hike the I&M Canal State Trail.
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: 4
Quality: 5
Peace & Quiet: 4
Amenities: 3
Overall, I scored this location a 4.
Happy Overnighting!
TravelerFriendly staff who were quick to respond to any issues. Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad. Near busy road and shipping plant. No wi-fi found except at hotel. Good phone connection. Garbage cans throughout park. Minutes from I & M Canal entrance on Houbolt and from JJC and I-80.
LegendThis campground is right in town. It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town.
Arriving by bicycle is even better. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp. You can stop for a rest or stay the night. It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride.
This campground is surrounded by trees. When we showed up, a classic car gathering was going on. They even set a campfire to use throughout the morning. There are vault toilets and a picnic area too. It should also be noted that you need to walk in to the campsites (parking is really close by).
The maintenance buildings are right next to campsites. Today they were mowing so workers were moving in camp but also out along the trail and park.
This is a nice, shady place to stop along the I & M Canal Trail.
GuideOf all the KOA's so far on my journey was the worst. Not really the campground owners fault for the most part. Stayed on a Friday night, knowing I needed a rest in the trip, booked about 5 days in advance in app. First the camp store really had nothing, second there were some kind of car races until around 9:30, awful noise, third camper near by started banging inside the camper until 11:30! Everytime it would happen it would scare my dogs thinking someone was outside. People walking late at night shining lights towards others rvs around midnight. Needless to say no rest. Wouldn't stay there again.
LegendCampground Review:
This is a pleasant discovery! The drive into the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve winds between a few ponds. We saw many families fishing around each of them. Once at the campground, check in with the camp host. Right now you must register online due to COVID-19. There were no photos of the campsites online so we picked a spot distant from the others(my dog gets finicky). We should have picked a different site. Sites 40- 48 get full sun until around 2 in the afternoon. Luckily it was cool for our visit or we would have melted. Other sites are mostly shaded and beautiful. Some sites give more privacy than others(32 looked nice). There is a swimming beach and playground that were also closed for COVID. Each site has a raised fire pit, picnic table and lantern hanger. Every site comes with electric and still it only cost us $16 for the night. The shower house was also closed but pit toilets were available. There are double sites where small groups can share space. There is also a group camping area(near our site) that has a large open field right in front of it. A theater stage is found long a hiking path that starts near the camp host. Perhaps your family can put on a play :)
The hiking here is interesting! The Oak Burl trail is mostly wooded. We came upon a 8” deep creek to cross (thanks small tree branch to walk across!). We found little offshoots to spots along the Middle Fork River. One couple found a rock bar to lay out on for their own private river-beach. The hiking on the other side goes through a mix of prairie and woods. The prairie is in restoration and we saw some traditional prairie plants among field grass- signs that they are working on things. Going further out brings you right to the fork between Sugar Creek and the Middle Fork river. We hiked these during the morning and still needed water and a rest. The trails are wide but some of the grass was almost a foot tall- its been raining here.
We discovered a couple donut shops in a town about 20 minutes west- one is known for their scones! We enjoyed this campground but would hesitate before camping here during the heat of summer- unless you have a/c.
Product Review: GCI Pod Rocker with Sun Shade in Loden Green
As a Dyrt Ranger, sometimes I get products to review. I am so happy that I found this chair! A good travel chair that is comfy and folds is key to summer-long adventures. The pod rocker folds into its own carrying case(extra tip: I put the case flat on the ground and my dog loves to lay on it away from some of the crawling ants and things). It is simple to push on the 4 corners of the chair and it opens right up. I immediately noticed that there are some extra shocks on the chair. This adds some weight so this chair might not be great for backpacking very far but it is still certainly carryable. 2 legs in front stabilize the pod rocker in a secure position. The first time I went to rock it I felt like I was falling over- there is a gap before you settle onto the flat base that allows the rocking. Once on this extra base, the shock compresses allowing you to rock your heart out! This transition from stable to rocking was easy to get used to and provides a solid base for eating/activity vs. rocking. This isn’t a chair that rocks on its own. You apply consistent force to rock. The sun shade is a retractable part that can rest behind your seat out of the way. It is really easy to click up above your head at different angles. I so often find myself in places without much shade that this is a feature I will continue to enjoy! When it came time to leave camp, the chair was easy to compress and slide into the carrying bag- no struggles at all. The arm rests are not a perfect fit for my body geometry but didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the pod rocker. Tucked under one of the arms I found a cup holder(big enough for my large coffee container) and a slim pocket perfect for my phone. I did enjoy one extra feature that the wide chair provided room for. The chair will allow you room to rock so I used this to turn the chair into a sort of recliner. I propped my feet on a table, scooted my butt forward in the chair and rocked back. My head was now supported by the top of the chair and my feet were up. Perfectly cradled for recovering after a long hike with my dog! Although you might see in the photo/video that my dog seems to like the pod rocker too. Maybe I need another one for her:) The material in the pod rocker feels like it will keep me sitting comfortable for the rest of the summer and in years to come.
Camping near St. Anne, Illinois offers accessible outdoor experiences within the Kankakee River watershed, where sandy soil conditions provide excellent drainage after rain. The region sits at approximately 650 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and moderate humidity. Winter camping opportunities remain available at several year-round facilities, though water systems may be winterized during freezing months.
Fishing opportunities: Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area offers excellent bass fishing in a natural setting. "There are monster bass in this lake, I have got a 19-inch largemouth in 2017," notes camper Xiaojian J. The area provides both lake and river fishing options.
River recreation: Access the Kankakee River for swimming during summer months. At Lake Alexander RV Park, "There's a river that's a 5 min walk from the campground that we swam in and it kept us cool from the heat," shares Maaya Y. The park offers 120 acres along the river banks.
Hiking exploration: The trail system at Kankakee River State Park provides scenic walking paths along the water. "The bike path/hike path is long and wide and very nice," according to Shannon H. The trails connect various sections of the park and offer river views.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping remains available at certain locations, with Kankakee River State Park operating year-round. Hunting seasons at Willow Slough require awareness of designated hunting areas if camping during those periods.
Affordable rates: Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area Campground offers budget-friendly camping at $12 per night. "At $12 a night it is hard to beat," says rick W., noting the campground's clean facilities and spacious grounds.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently note bathroom cleanliness as a standout feature. "Bathrooms were clean and had nice showers," reports Joe B. at Kankakee South KOA, while Linda N. at Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park mentioned "The shower house was good."
Site spacing: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites that provide privacy. "The sites are straightforward and vary quite a bit: some are huge with open green space and others I feel like just for a car and a tent," according to Linda N. This variation allows campers to select sites that match their specific needs.
Natural surroundings: The natural beauty of the area draws repeat visitors. Adam M. describes Willow Slough: "Pretty clean campground run by the DNR, lots of acreage to explore. No real trails but if you don't mind roughing it plenty to explore."
Seasonal water conditions: Water levels can affect recreation options. Marc W. at Kankakee South KOA noted, "Unfortunately the water levels where too high for this trip as warnings had been issued" when planning to kayak on the Kankakee River.
Site selection considerations: Dog friendly campgrounds near St. Anne vary in site quality and layout. At Willow Slough, "some sites are not level so you have to pay attention," advises Scott B. Selecting appropriate sites becomes especially important for RVs or when camping with pets.
Noise factors: Sound carries between sites at some locations. "There were some kind of car races until around 9:30, awful noise," reported Victoria G. about her stay near a racetrack. Weekday camping typically offers quieter conditions than weekends.
Water quality concerns: Water taste varies between facilities. Xiaojian J. warns about Willow Slough: "Do remember to bring power source for you phone such as a power bank and water to drink, the water there taste funny."
Playground access: Oak Lake RV Resort provides excellent amenities for children. "Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp," shares Sadie H.
Wildlife education: The nature center at Kankakee River State Park offers hands-on animal encounters. Linda N. explains, "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!"
Swimming options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near St. Anne offer swimming areas. Nadiehsda B. described Oak Lake's amenities: "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories."
Weather planning: Summer heat can limit playground use at some parks. Linda N. observed at Kankakee River State Park: "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had."
Site leveling: At dog friendly camping areas near St. Anne, site conditions vary considerably. Scott B. notes that at Willow Slough "some sites are not level so you have to pay attention." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended.
Off-season advantages: For RVers seeking quiet conditions, weekday camping during shoulder seasons offers the best experience. Claire C. shared about Willow Slough: "Only a few campers here on a weekday night. Generators are allowed, so there was a hum of one running all night but it was no bother at all."
Hookup availability: Full hookup options exist but vary between parks. Marc W. appreciated Kankakee South KOA's "price point with full hookups," while Emma H. found at Kankakee River State Park that "There were two outlets available" at their tent site, showing electrical access exists even at tent sites.
Check-in assistance: RV campers often receive extra help at certain campgrounds. Nadiehsda B. praised Oak Lake RV Resort: "From the moment you drive up, staff are waiting in golf carts to guide you to your site & even help with setup. We were nervous about fitting our big rig, but pull-through site #17 made it flawless."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. Anne, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near St. Anne, IL is Kankakee South KOA with a 3.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near St. Anne, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 41 dog-friendly camping locations near St. Anne, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
