Emmitt B.
Scout
ScoutRice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
fun
it was verry fun for my 2nd time
Dog-Friendly Camping near Virginia, IL
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Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area offers pet-friendly camping across multiple campgrounds, including Prairie Lake Campground and Primitive Campground. All sites welcome pets with standard leash requirements, providing spacious spots with fire rings and picnic tables. The Primitive Campground features seven three-sided shelters available for just $6 per night, while Prairie Lake provides 84 electric sites with 19 featuring full hookups. ['The campground is nice and well maintained with sites fairly well spaced, offering plenty of grass and open areas.'] Both tent and RV campers find suitable accommodations, with cabins available that overlook the water, though these rustic structures lack air conditioning and running water.
The surrounding area provides excellent recreational opportunities for visitors with dogs. Multiple hiking trails wind through the 26,000-acre property, with well-marked paths ideal for morning walks with leashed pets. The campground's lakefront location supports fishing, boating, and kayaking, with some campsites directly overlooking the boat docks. While the newer campground has smaller shade trees offering limited coverage during summer months, the primitive camping area provides more substantial shade along the tree line. Campers should note that the location is relatively remote, with the nearest small towns about 10 miles away, making it advisable to bring all necessary pet supplies. The park maintains clean facilities with modern shower houses featuring locking stall doors and multiple vault toilets distributed throughout the camping areas.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Virginia (41)
1. Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
"Like the quite agricultural Illinois environment but suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities as most of the few small towns are limited to a Bar and Dollar store."
"From our cabin we walked grassy paths to a lovely bridge. Around the pond's perimeter are dispersed sites for tent-camping or possibly day-use."
Check Availabilityfrom $6 / night
2. Crazy Horse Campground
"It is family and pet friendly. The owners are fantastic, friendly and caring. They keep the grounds in great shape and always have fun activities to participate in."
"Right outside of Jacksonville, Ashland, Virginia, and close enough to Springfield. We were there last weekend and will be there again at the end of the month. Happy Camping!"
3. Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground
"Praire Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tentand cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU. 2."
4. Buena Vista Farms Campground
"Had a blast, pond was nice, did some fishing, rode bikes, walked trails. Will definitely go back again."
"You can still here some cars because of the highway but it wasn’t like really crazy. The part is a decent size if you don’t want to hear traffic go further in the back."
Check Availabilityfrom $46 - $121 / night
5. Questing Hills Equestrian Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
"Trails are well marked and maintained over 26 miles of trails."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
6. Lincolns New Salem Historic Site Campground
"Pet friendly. Not 5 stars since we had to leave a day early due to weather. Not their fault but sites became a lake and couldn’t even step outside. Barely any AT&T service."
"a couple cute trails and 1 nice little campground that you can pitch a tent in or drive your RV too. close to the beautiful historic New Salem Village. my dog and I love it here!"
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $30 / night
7. Anderson Lake State Conservation Area
"Good Price, nice location for fishing and kayaking. also."
8. Anderson Lake SFWA
"This time no water due to water break.issue. just a nice place on a beautiful lake. Nice for bird watching."
Check Availabilityfrom $8 / night
9. Lincoln's New Salem Park IL Historic Preservation Agency
"Nor did we know there were hiking trails! The hiking trails are located on the road up the hill directly across from where you turn off of the highway to drive up to the village."
10. Schuy
"There are some hiking trails and pavilions and a softball field. There’s a stage they sometimes have plays and bands."
Drive Time
- 39 min from Springfield, IL
- 1 hr 15 min from Decatur, IL
- 1 hr 20 min from Peoria, IL
- 1 hr 30 min from Bloomington, IL
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Virginia, IL
24 Photos of 41 Virginia Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Pine Campground — Sand Ridge State Forest
Oak Campground — Sand Ridge State Forest
The Double J Campground and RV ParkK
Springfield KOA
Siloam Springs State Park CampgroundE
Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
Twisted Oak Campground — Argyle Lake State Park
Spring Lake Park - Macomb
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Virginia, IL
222 Reviews of 41 Virginia Campgrounds
- Emmitt B.Scout
Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
fun for whole faimly
The camping was great, and fishing was amazing
Jennifer C.
TravelerPine Campground — Sand Ridge State Forest
Sand Ridge Pine Site
Clean and peaceful with an unpolluted night sky.
- Jennifer C.Traveler
Pine Campground — Sand Ridge State Forest
Sand Ridge
Beautiful, clean primitive place! Peaceful. The night sky is majestic.
Chris L.ScoutDeer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park
With a little TLC could be very good
This 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.
- JJoy C.Scout
Springfield KOA
Springfield KOA
Beautiful level campsites! Well kept! Beautiful surroundings! Clean! One of the nicest level sites we have stayed in. Bathrooms are clean and showers are great!
- SStephanie C.Traveler
The Double J Campground and RV Park
Nice place
The office staff is very nice and accommodating. The campground is clean and has great amenities. I will stay here again.
- MMichael T.Scout
Waverly Lake City Park
It's nice and quiet during the week
It one of just a few free campgrounds in the area but it got a lake im not sure how many camping spots but quit a fee from what I seen no showers but port-a-potties spears out
Beth M.ScoutCamp A While
Good overnighter
Pros: Full hookups. I had a long pull through site. Lots of shade. Wifi was good for tv streaming. Cons: No bathrooms, shower, etc. Fairly busy and noisy road just a outside camp area.
Guide to Virginia
The Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area spans 26,000 acres of central Illinois landscape, offering several camping options within a 15-mile radius of Virginia, Illinois. The park features multiple lakes with Prairie Lake being the largest at 210 acres. Located in Cass County, the campgrounds experience seasonal weather patterns with summer temperatures often reaching the mid-90s and high humidity levels.
What to do
Fishing and boating access: At Anderson Lake State Conservation Area, visitors can enjoy direct access to both Anderson Lake and the Illinois River. "Good location for fishing and kayaking also," notes Barry G., who appreciated the wooded campsites with electric and water for tent camping.
Historic exploration: Visit Lincoln's New Salem Historic Site to learn about early pioneer life. "I love to walk through all the old buildings and learn about Lincoln's way of life. They even had horses and a bull out in the pastures! All the kids were feeding one of the horses handfuls of grass over the fence," says Leah H., who also mentions the outdoor amphitheater with evening plays.
Hiking trail access: Multiple marked paths exist throughout the region. At Lincoln's New Salem, "The hiking trails are located on the road up the hill directly across from where you turn off of the highway to drive up to the village. There were really no signs to let you know they are there but once you reach the parking lot all the trails are properly marked and well kept," explains Ashley Y.
What campers like
Lakeside views: Campers appreciate the peaceful water settings. At Buena Vista Farms Campground, "We rented two cabins for the weekend and loved the place. Cabins were modern and clean overlooking the pond. They offer kayaks, canoes, and peddle boats free to campers," Sarah S. reports.
Shade coverage: Many campers with pets value tree cover in summer. "Each site is along the tree line with plenty of shade. These are walk in sites ranging from 0.10 miles to 0.50 miles from the parking lot. Just $6 a night," says Amanda C. about the Primitive Campground at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.
Clean facilities: The campgrounds maintain reliable bathroom access. Jennifer F. notes about Lincoln's New Salem, "Nice, clean bathhouse. Camp host was friendly and diligent about making his rounds." Similarly, at Schuy-Rush Park, Mary H. appreciated the "Friendly staff, clean restroom & showers."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Several reviews mention significant wind at some campgrounds. "This is a really nice campground but the only downside is that it can be pretty windy," J K. warns about Jim Edgar Panther Creek. Lucas T. adds, "Always super windy too!" regarding the same area, noting it's "under developed" and "years always from being fully grown."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely by location. At Crazy Horse Campground, Sarah S. reports "No Verizon wireless service here or anywhere for about a 45 mile radius." Similarly, Kaitlin D. found "Barely any AT&T service. Couldn't use phone as hotspot at all" at Lincoln's New Salem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Virginia, IL?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Virginia, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Virginia, IL is Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Virginia, IL?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Virginia, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 41 dog-friendly camping locations near Virginia, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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