Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Vandalia, IL

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Vandalia, IL is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Illinois camping has to offer. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Vandalia and user-submitted reviews.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Vandalia, Illinois (53)

    1. Okaw Valley Kampground

    26 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 427-5140

    "We were tired from the drive though we didn’t realize it until we stopped. There is a little pond where people fished, and a little walking path for little kid “hikes”."

    "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."

    2. Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 283-9700

    $25 / night

    "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."

    3. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ramsey, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 423-2215

    "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."

    4. Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground

    13 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3586

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Boulder is a lovely campground tucked away on Carlyle Lake. It has it's own marina where you can rent a slip for your boat. The sites are well spaced and have a beautiful view of the lake and sunsets!"

    "The bathrooms, showers, and laundry all close by. Good hot water in the showers. The host was friendly and helpful. I’d go back again!"

    5. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-3015

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Water and dump at the entrance. Shower houses. Very nice pool and camp store. Hosts scattered and occasionally hard to find to pay for your spot. Wildlife galore. Next to largest lake in Illinois."

    "This State Park is located outside Carlyle,Illinois. This park offers playground areas and more. Cabins, campsites with power or no power the choice is yours."

    6. Timber Trails Campground

    2 Reviews
    Greenville, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-8264

    "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."

    7. Cedarbrook Camp Ground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    10 miles
    +1 (618) 326-8865

    8. Coles Creek Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3211

    $20 - $250 / night

    "This is our favorite campground in Central/southern illinois. The sites are very nice and most have shade. There is a beach for campers to use, and a really nice playground."

    "Coles Creek is a nice, large campground located on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. It has full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!"

    9. Bonanza Campground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-7261

    "Literally 0’s all around for level on the Levelmate Pro. I didn’t even unhook the trailer, just put the 4 scissor jacks and tongue jack down for stability."

    10. Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-8865
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 53 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Vandalia, IL

370 Reviews of 53 Vandalia Campgrounds


  • Aaron B.
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    Wooded Solitude / Family Friendly

    Review of Drive In Tent Camping Site 2. Showed up on a Thursday night and had our pick of all the drive in and walk in sites. We decided on site 2 in the drive in area. Previous reviews and a book by John Schirle on Tent Camping in Illinois helped us with this decision as well. Decent maintained sites with some older picnic tables and fire rings, but let's be honest this stuff sits outside 24/7. Site 2 seemed to sit back the farthest with site 1 a close second. Both wooded sites that made for great shade and helped some when it was raining. Any two families looking for two sites could certainly set up and share the experience. Nice little cove behind them to try fishing. Just watch the hike down the path or ravine. Dog friendly, fresh water supply (hint put the handle all the way up and wait a few seconds), ability to store stuff in the car close by, outhouse toilets visible at the walk in parking lot, and helpful host for easy check in who even sells fire wood made for a great few days ($5 a bundle). Rated B/S site at a cost of $10 a night.

  • Kevin M.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lone Point

    A place of memories

    One of the first campgrounds I ever went to and when camping in Illinois, my go-to campground and lake. My wife and I love this lake and have a lot of memories here.

  • Debra M.
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Bo Wood

    Four Stars because of the Dog Park

    This campground has a dog park and beautiful views, but the sites are very crowded.  There are full hook up sites and electric only.  If you like the party atmosphere, this place is for you.  If you like a more spread out and quiet park, look at Lithia Springs or Opossum.  Your park pass from any COE campground will get you in.

    Photos view from dog park.

  • Chris S.
    Oct. 6, 2019

    Bo Wood

    Lovely last camping trip of the season

    Giving this 4 stars for the awesomeness of the sites themselves. We were in 121. All of the sites we saw in our “loop” were super wide, all gravel and quite level. So well kept.....fire pit with grate, large picnic table....really, the site couldn’t have been better. Beautiful views of the lake! Just all-in-all a well maintained park. So, why not 5 stars? I really wanted good shore fishing and not only was it a long walk, but really not very good/easy to get to, or comfortable standing once you get there. Beautiful dog parks....one for large dogs and one for small, but again, a long walk from the campground. Not feasible for our older dog. One other thing, absolutely no lighting at night along the campground roadways. After dark, we watched a truck go into the ditch looking for the turn out (granted, the occupants sounded like they were well into partying), but the pitch darkness at night made it feel a little unsafe, especially walking the dog after dark. Still, the sites themselves are awesome.

  • Austin-Tarra G.
    Oct. 11, 2021

    Forrest W. Bo Wood

    Good Spot Except for the Large Amount of Sewer Flies

    We stayed at Boo Wood Campground for about five days and enjoyed much of their amenities.

    The campground featured a dog park which provided room for our dogs to run around. There was also multiple playgrounds and even a small amphitheater. There was a large boat ramp with ample parking. We put in our kayaks on the boat ramp and enjoyed a nice paddle on a portion of the Shelbyville Lake.

    We paid less than$25 a night for full hooks up and we had an almost lake view.

    Our biggest issue with this campsite was the extensive bugs, once the sun goes down the bugs get horribly bad. We let our dogs out past 8 p.m. and our camper was covered with swarms of psychodidae(sewer) flies. Once we quickly got in our camper, we spent the next hour killing the swarms of sewer flies that entered our camper. We learned our lesson and once the sun went down, we did not leave our camper.

  • J
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Archway RV Park

    Great service

    I called a day in advance and was able to schedule a reservation, the lady on the phone was very nice. Upon arrival I was greeted nicely and checked in quickly. While beginning setup, I noticed an issue with the power at my particular spot and decided to let the staff know of the issue. They offered to move us to another spot and were very nice. The WiFi works great as I was able to stream anything I wanted on Hulu. There is a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond at the location. Great place to stop traveling through or for a weekend.

  • patricia D.
    Jun. 16, 2021

    Bo Wood

    Serene site

    For my Tent only camp site. I loved it. It’s spacious it’s for the most part shaded. It is right next to the lake. I get some views. In the pictures I posted you’ll see what I’m talking about. As far as the campground I did take a drive around it’s pretty big n has a lot of shaded sites. I think it’s over 140 sites. There is a boat ramp on the grounds also the playground there’s a dog park there is also a little amphitheater. I believe I was told the Rangers do events for the kids.  I do like the fact that you can go into a bathroom and it also has the shower so you have that privacy. I also noticed and was told that there are volunteers that are in the campground I guess all season. It seems like they’re spread out like there’s someone in every section. Which made me feel good.  Having someone with the inside access to get help or to have a problem solved sooner than later. Here are just a couple reasons why I did not give a five star. To you out there it may not be a negative for you so you could see this as a five star. For a beautiful campsite to be surrounded by a lake. You can’t really see or Have access to swim in. There is a beach for the lake but it’s outside the campground and down the road. It’s a negative for me. I mean keep the trees maybe get rid of any low hanging branches and the bushes that block most of the view. I really wish they had some air in the bathrooms. Half of my trip was in the high 90s and the sun was just beaming on the building. So it was not pleasurable to use the bathroom or take a shower then. The tent only site that I was at. You had to park your car in a parking lot across the street but from my site it was down a little further.. I like having my car close by so I can access anything that is left in my car throughout my stay.  wi-Fi would’ve been a plus. So I got good phone service. Att

  • A
    May. 9, 2022

    Spring Creek Campground

    Quiet, serene spot

    Wonderful private campground surround by woods, an open field and a small pond. There is a small playground, covered patio, bathrooms with showers and plenty of lawn space! Pet friendly and looks very ADA accessible, I had a great time spending one night here with my dog. $15 for tent/primitive camping, $25 for electric!

  • A
    Jun. 15, 2018

    Dam West Spillway

    Our go to camping spot for trips close to home

    Family and pet friendly, nice bath houses, most sites are spacious.

    Minutes away from beach access.


Guide to Vandalia

Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Vandalia, Illinois, opens up a world of adventure for you and your furry companions. With a variety of campgrounds that welcome pets, you can enjoy the great outdoors without leaving your four-legged friends behind.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities

  • At Okaw Valley Kampground, you'll find level pull-through gravel sites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for a comfortable stay with your pet.
  • Coles Creek Recreation Area offers plenty of shaded sites, ensuring your pet stays cool while you enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
  • Timber Trails Campground features a family-friendly environment with easy access to amenities, making it a great choice for pet owners.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include fun activities

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Vandalia

  • Enjoy a relaxing day at the pool and playground at Okaw Valley Kampground, where your pet can accompany you while you unwind.
  • Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park provides easy access to local markets and pet-friendly areas, making it convenient for your camping needs.
  • At Bonanza Campground, you can enjoy a well-maintained environment with spacious sites, allowing your pet to roam freely while you relax.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Vandalia, 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 Vandalia, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 53 dog-friendly camping locations near Vandalia, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.