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Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area permits pets throughout its campground with designated pet-friendly tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. Located about 20 miles north of Somonauk, the park maintains clean facilities with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings at most sites. Starved Rock Campground also welcomes pets with similar accommodations, though campers should note the park can become crowded during peak seasons. Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds offers pet-friendly options with full hookups for RVs and several cabin rentals that accept dogs. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to remain leashed at all times, with leash lengths typically restricted to six feet or less. The campground at Starved Rock provides nicely wooded and picturesque areas similar to northern Wisconsin, making it ideal for camping with dogs who enjoy forest environments.
The Fox River runs adjacent to Rolling Oaks Campground, providing excellent opportunities for dogs who enjoy swimming or wading in water. Trails throughout the region offer varying difficulty levels for hiking with pets, though owners should bring sufficient water during summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 85°F. Most campgrounds provide designated pet waste stations and require immediate cleanup. Wildlife encounters are common in the area, particularly at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks, so keeping dogs leashed protects both local fauna and pets. Veterinary services are available in nearby Sandwich and Ottawa for emergency situations. Campers report that storm shelters at some facilities remain locked during severe weather, which can be problematic when camping with pets during thunderstorm season from May through September.
"If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem"
"All within easy walking distance to the lake. Camp store and two boat rental spots allow for flexiblity on busier weekends."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."
from $18 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"
"Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"bordering Lake Michigan, right?"
"We camp here every year around my daughters birthday and celebrate her birthday out here...there is a lake stocked with fish and also a creek behind the campground as well...we love coming back here year"
"This location has been taken over by new management and they are absolutely the greatest! We will continue to go there for as long as we live in this area."
"bordering Lake Michigan – other than this, finding a proper beachhead is impossible."
"When the lake is open it’s great to bring kids for the water sports. They have dances every Saturday night. It’s mostly an RV park, but really great for the family."
"Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view."
"Spent a couple nights here (site 3) for Vintage Illinois at a nearby park. Quiet, fairly level, gravel sites. Electric worn but fully functional. Lots of trees and shade."
from $12 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Located just 7 miles south of nearby Sandwich, which is by no means a roaring metropolis mind you, but certainly a nice quaint Midwestern town that will offer up a small bit of refuge and resource, should"
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Like most campgrounds in Illinois, Mallard Bend Resort, which is located just outside of Sheridan, completely in the boondocks, by the way, is a seasonal campground (open April 15 until October 15) that"
"Out of the barren, desolate field after field drive-by wasteland that is the Illinois countryside, at least in late Autumn / early Winter, you’ll be heading down winding roads with all sorts of twists"
TravelerVery friendly host at the gate! Just what my wife and I were looking for. Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!
ScoutAlthough we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.
GuideBeautiful spot for our single overnight. Staff were great; friendly and helpful. Park was well kept, with lots of green around RV and tent sites. Nice pool, dog park, store, and even a stream system that wanders through the park (no swimming in the stream). Also close to Starved Rock State Park for some neat scenery and hiking. The only downside side is that some of the RV sites are a little close together - didn’t impact our stay though. Two thumbs up! :)
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.
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!
RangerI was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
TravelerStayed here in early June during a trip to Starved Rock, which is a quick 10-15 minute drive. Camp hosts are very nice and the the grounds well maintained. I stayed on site 5 which is a full hookup but best for a small camper. I have a 14 foot travel trailer and it just fit with my SUV in front. The spots are very tight and you have very little room between you and your neighbor. With all the rain this year, many sites flooded during a storm while we camped and they had to be moved to other areas that were not actual sites so it was a bit crazy...hosts did a great job taking care of everyone effected. Campground has a cute dog park and a beautiful stream that runs through it. I would stay here again!!
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.
Camping near Somonauk offers diverse terrain with elevation changes unusual for northern Illinois. The area sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level with wooded regions interspersed among cornfields and prairie remnants. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90°F during July and August, while spring camping often encounters muddy conditions from snowmelt and rainfall.
Fishing at Lake Shabbona: Located at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, the lake has produced trophy fish for anglers. "The lake has produced a lot of trophy fish, if that's your thing. Otherwise it's quiet and peaceful. We like to go just to chill and read out out in the woods," notes Scott C.
Kayaking on Fox River: Accessible from Rolling Oaks Campground, the Fox River provides excellent paddling opportunities. "Bring your boat or kayak as they have a boat ramp to the fox river. You can fish or swim in the river," suggests Iris A.
Swimming in on-site pools: Many private campgrounds maintain swimming pools for hot weather relief. At Rolling Oaks Campground, "There are also two pools if you'd prefer to cool off in a pool. They have horseshoes, volleyball, two dance halls as well as a game room."
Canyon hiking at Starved Rock: The terrain provides unusual hiking opportunities compared to typical Illinois landscapes. "Amazing views and plenty of trails to keep us busy," according to Jackie T., who visited Starved Rock Campground.
Large, level sites: Big Rock Campground offers spacious areas for setting up camp. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability," reports Melissa C. about Big Rock Campground.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and showers. "Bath/showers are very clean with hot water. Nicely kept grounds with a beautiful lake for dock and boat fishing," says Meg K. about Shabbona Lake.
Availability without reservations: Unlike busy state parks, some local campgrounds offer walk-up availability. "Not too far from Chicago. You can get a site with electrical hookup. The east loop has better tree coverage and more privacy," notes a reviewer about Starved Rock Campground.
Water activities for children: Private campgrounds often feature water play areas. "They have a lake stocked with fish and also a creek behind the campground as well," explains Christie S. about her experiences at Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds.
Weather considerations: Thunderstorms occur frequently during summer months, requiring preparation. "This state park is on a terrific fishing lake. It has first come camping as well as reserved spaces. Some reserved spots have a nice lake overlook," explains Jeff G. about Shabbona Lake.
Limited shower facilities: Some campgrounds have minimal shower options. "The last time I was there most of the holes were dilapidated and shoddy. Too bad, because it could be great," notes one camper about recreation facilities at Jellystone Park Millbrook.
Seasonal operations: Most private campgrounds close during winter months. Mallard Bend RV Resort operates seasonally from "April 15 until October 15" according to Stuart K., who adds the campground is "completely in the boondocks" and "if you don't know where you are going and don't have this destination in your GPS, you will never find it."
Water hookup locations: Several campgrounds have water spigots positioned far from sites. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises Amanda K. about Big Rock Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Family-oriented campgrounds offer organized recreation. "We go every year with another family. We have had sites 105-103 and 123-125 and 29/36. We love it. Tons of activities for kids and pretty chill for adults," shares Erick B. about Hi-Tide Beach & Campgrounds.
Evening entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide structured nighttime activities. "The hay ride is cool, and the outdoor movie is neat. Actually shows pretty current movies," notes Jeff G. about Jellystone Park Millbrook.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Somonauk: Most campgrounds welcome pets with specific restrictions. "My daughter and I stayed here twice. Oct 2019 and Aug 2020. We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting," reports Joel K. about Shabbona Lake, a pet-friendly option for campers with dogs.
Site selection for privacy: Certain areas within campgrounds offer more seclusion for families. "Sites 96 and 97 would be my picks if I could choose: both are private and have large camping pad areas. Avoid the sites by water spouts and roads, there is no privacy when everyone is cutting through your site!" advises a camper about Starved Rock.
Electrical options: Different amperage hookups are available throughout the area. "For $25-35 per night, you can get a site with electrical hookup," notes a reviewer about camping at Starved Rock.
Fill stations and dump locations: Plan for water management before arrival. "There is a place to take on water as you enter the campground. The dump station has two spaces and the lines move right along," advises Jeff G. about Shabbona Lake.
Site leveling concerns: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for proper RV setup. "The spaces are pretty level. The trees will be terrific in about 20 years. There is nothing much to do here, or nearby. It's clean and the comfort stations are new," reports Jeff G. about Big Rock Campground.
Proximity to facilities: Site selection affects convenience during your stay. "For a 30 ft travel trailer, our campsite has just enough room for our slide out and awning. The fire pit was well placed and had a grate for cooking. Electrical was confusing- our site was listed at 50A only. It really was 50/30/20A."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Somonauk, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Somonauk, IL is Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Somonauk, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 dog-friendly camping locations near Somonauk, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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