Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Thomson, IL

Are you in need of a campground near Thomson, IL? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Thomson campgrounds just for you. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Thomson. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Thomson, Illinois (96)

    1. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 273-2731

    "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."

    "It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."

    2. Thomson Causeway

    15 Reviews
    Thomson, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (815) 259-3628

    $14 - $26 / night

    "We enjoyed our weekend at Thomson Causeway with our popup.  We stayed at site 41.  Although I would have liked the pad to be a little longer, it was still a nice site. "

    "Thomson: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5. Some great water views."

    3. Morrison-Rockwood State Park

    10 Reviews
    Morrison, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 772-4708

    $20 / night

    "We saw an article about "Dutch Days" in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun."

    "We enjoyed the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop. We liked the different loops of campsites with pit toilets every where and a nice modern bathroom/shower house also."

    4. Spring Lake Campground

    4 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 357-0284

    $25 - $35 / night

    "It's like a step back in time in the best way possible."

    "The bike trail is within steps of your site. Hookups for electric and water available. Well maintained portapotties at various points throughout the grounds."

    5. Riverview City Park

    4 Reviews
    Fulton, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 243-1260

    "It is right next to the river and the Clinton Riverfront Park and even fast food restaurants are within walking distance. There is also a walking path next to the river."

    6. Timber Lake Resort and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 244-1600

    "Highly recommend Timber Lake Resort"

    7. South Sabula Lakes County Park

    2 Reviews
    Sabula, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 687-2420

    8. Seven Eagles RV Resort & Campground

    1 Review
    Savanna, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 219-2076

    "We took several walks and bike rides around it. There is also a pool and a club house on property, however we did not visit them. There is ATT service, but not strong."

    9. Rockwood State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Morrison, IL
    12 miles
    Website

    "Nice long trail, friendly people, and a cute little ice cream shop that was a lifesaver after a long hike."

    10. Rock Creek County Marina and Campground

    7 Reviews
    Princeton, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 259-1876

    $14 - $18 / night

    "They put the site number posts at the end of the pad near the road and our site had a tree on the other side, so we had to use the grass across the road to maneuver in and out."

    "Sites include fire rings, tables, gravel backing pads, electric with some right near water edge."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 96 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Thomson, IL

588 Reviews of 96 Thomson Campgrounds


  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2024

    Horseshoe Pond

    Nice smaller CG in City of Maquoketa, Iowa

    CG offers gravel pads, tables, fire rings, electric, sump station, water, small pond with fishing, paddling, dog park. Close to stores for supplies, dining, fuel.

  • D
    Oct. 25, 2022

    Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA

    Great for an overnight

    Gravel pad for one night. Didn’t use facilities, pool was closed for the season. Very nice walk around the lake, dog park was not large, but clean with enough room to run. There were much nicer spots, but we had all we needed for one night.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2021

    Horseshoe Pond

    Small City CG in Maquoketa Iowa

    CG lies within Maquoketa and is seasonal. Has pond for fishing, shelter, dog park, playset, disc golf course. Sites are pulling, have electric and fire pits. Camp supplies including wood in nearby stores. Prairie Creek runs along south of CG.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Lakeside RV Park and Campground

    Travelling overnight stay suggested

    I suggest this site only if you need to get off the road for an overnight stay. Very few amenities, all but a few spots appear to be full-time RV living onsite, has nice playground, gazebo, dog park (small), lake is small but appears well kept, electric/water/septic onsite.

  • Skylar M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2025

    Geneseo Campground

    Stayed for a night passing through

    Great campground. Has full hook ups, and pull through sites. Hosts are very responsive to texts if you need anything. They warned me ahead of time that GPS would navigate me under a 10 ft bridge and gave me directions around it!! They have a dog park, bathroom, propane, and trash. Very nice place

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Geneseo Campground

    Hidden Gem Along Slow-Moving Canal

    This is an incredibly quaint, somewhat out-of-the-way (in a very good way) location that will treat you to a heavy dose of isolation and privacy wherein you’ll feel completely blessed by the nature you will be surrounded by. This incredibly friendly (pet-friendly as well BTW) operation does an excellent job in how it is set up, offering up a few distinct loops that are ear-marked pretty much exclusively for the wheel-toting camping variety (think RVs, rigs, trailers and 5th wheels) providing 59 pull-thru and 12 back-in slots, while also offering up a discreet space flanked towards the front of the property that is simply perfect for mi tent pitchin’ bredren, which is surrounded by mature Oaks. And, just in case you either forgot your tent or RV, Geneseo Campground has 4 super comfy cabins (each sleeps 4 and come with A/C) or an amazing yurt that sleeps 8 that they’ll gladly rent you.

    From an amenities standpoint, there’s an amazing kid’s playground, well-stocked camp store, propane refueling station, kayak & canoe rental, gas grill rental, e-bike, pedal carts & fat tire bike rental, full and partial hook-ups offering 30 / 50 electric amp, water & sewage hook-ups. There’s also a meeting room, WiFi everywhere, enclosed dog park, firewood & ice for sale, arcade games, RV dump station, coin-operated washers & dryers / laundr-O-mat, excellent showers & bathrooms, direct access to the Hennepin Canal and don’t forget the 60 or so miles worth of hiking trails!

    This place is spacious, very well organized, incredibly clean all the while within a short 10 minute drive into nearby Geneseo, which quite frankly, is one of the most idyllic small towns you’ll come across anywhere in Illinois that is both convivial and provincial, but also quite emblematic of a typical Norman Rockwell painting. What I loved most about this place is that while it doesn’t offer up EVERYTHING that you might be looking for while camping, you only need to head due south to Izaak Walton Park (further south of this spot) or to Geneseo Prairie Park, both of which offer up amazing hiking trails as well as good launch spots to access the Hennepin Canal via kayak and canoe.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re reeling, you should expect to catch blue gill, catfish, bass and crappie, and while you can throw your line from the Geneseo Campground property, I would highly recommend you cross the canal to Izaak Walton Park on its east side where there’s a large open canal / lake to cast in; (2) While there’s tons of hiking trails, you don’t want to forget your bikes – there’s 72 miles of biking trails as well as miles and miles of nicely paved empty country roads to pedal on; (3) Maybe you have a kayak or canoe, but in the case you don’t, do yourself a favor and rent one from the good people at Geneseo Campground in which to explore the Hennepin Canal - trust me, you won't be disappointed; and (4) Should you grow weary of eating franks & beans again from your campsite and want to try out some local cuisine, then get yourself over to nearby Geneseo where you can dine out at The Cellar, Sweet Peas Grill & Bar or Geneseo Brewing Company.

    Happy Camping!

  • S
    Apr. 2, 2017

    Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River

    The best campground along the Great River Trail

    As with all the campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail, it is along side Rt. 84, and railroad tracks. That is a part of the Mississippi commerce, and should not be used to withhold points when reviewing this campground. This is one of two Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, and although much smaller than Thomson Causeway, much nicer, and I think much cleaner. Although Thomson has less RR noise, there is the hunting, with parts of the park closed off, and gunfire going from dawn to dusk...I find the trains the lesser of the evils! From this campground you can go north, as far as Savanna. Going south will take you through Hampton, East Moline, Moline, Rock Island, and you can cross over to Davenport, circle Credit Island, and pick up other paths in Iowa. With plenty of sights and restaurants to choose from, it can fill an entire day. For those in to mountain biking, there is the Illiniwek Forest Preserve 5 mile trail, just a mile south of Fisherman's Corners. Some call it the best trail in Illinois. I have never had an issue at this campground, it is as if easy-going, peace loving folks are drawn to it.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 16, 2023

    Rustic Barn Campground RV Park

    Very clean and well-maintained

    General: 58 sites with various amenities. Some are long pull-throughs, some are back-in, some have 30 amp with or without a patio, and some have 50-amp electric with or without a patio. Tents are NOT allowed. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and asked to sign a waiver and given a welcome packet. The rules are extensive, but most are common sense/courtesy and not at all unreasonable. 

    Site Quality: All had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park. Our site had a patio and decent-sized picnic table but it was chilly when we were there so we ate inside. 

    Bathhouse: Very clean as were the showers. 

    Activities/Amenities: There are many activities offered, including a dog park, basketball, horseshoes, games (cornhole, large checkerboard, and others), a barn with a television, a book library, puzzles, and a pool table. Coffee is available after 9 am. There is also a small chapel available 24/7 and a laundry room. WiFi is also available. There is a camp store with ice, ice cream, some camping supplies, clothing, crafts, and more. We were told several restaurants will deliver to the campground. 

    We don’t typically prefer to stay in RV-style campgrounds, but it was conveniently located with easy access off Route 151 just over the Wisconsin border from Iowa, we were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed our short stay passing through. Pride of ownership was evident throughout.

  • Jamie M.
    Jul. 7, 2018

    Canyon Ridge Campground — Apple River Canyon State Park

    Big, clean sites, nice trails, water access

    There aren't signs within the park directing you to the campsite. I found it eventually but I'm glad I wasn't towing a camper because there was a lot of turning around. Some of the sites are able to be reserved. We went Memorial Day weekend so there were quite a few people but it wasn't full so even without a reservation you'd likely find a space. The sites a nice and big. We chose 2 sites that were connected and even then they were a good distance from one another. The sites were also removed from the road so when people walk or drive by it doesnt feel like they're walking through your campsite. There is some nice water access to wade with shallows so kids or pets can play. Nice trails.


Guide to Thomson

If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Thomson, Illinois, there are several great spots where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Pet owners like spacious sites and amenities

  • At Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, you can find well-maintained sites that allow pets, making it a great choice for families traveling with dogs.
  • Thomson Causeway offers electric hookups and plenty of space for your pets to roam, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your furry companions.
  • Morrison-Rockwood State Park features a variety of camping options, including tent and RV sites, all of which are pet-friendly.

Dog owners appreciate the natural surroundings

Tips for camping with dogs near Thomson

  • Always keep your dog on a leash at Crow Valley Campground to ensure their safety and the comfort of other campers.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet while enjoying the amenities at Timber Lake Resort, where you can also find a market for any last-minute supplies.
  • Make sure to clean up after your pet at Prophetstown State Park Campground to maintain the natural beauty of the area and keep it enjoyable for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Thomson, IL is Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 96 dog-friendly camping locations near Thomson, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.