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Millpoint Park offers riverfront pet-friendly sites with full hookups at a reasonable rate of $44 per night. The spacious, shaded pull-through spots accommodate tent camping, RVs, and dog owners seeking natural surroundings near Peoria. Carl Spindler Campground similarly welcomes pets with its riverside location and clean facilities, allowing multiple dogs per site with standard leash rules in effect. Both campgrounds feature gravel or paved pads, picnic tables, and fire rings, with mature trees providing ample shade for pets. The camping areas maintain a quiet, relaxed atmosphere where dogs can enjoy the outdoors without crowded conditions or excessive restrictions. While the campgrounds don't offer designated dog parks, the spacious sites provide enough room for pets to move around comfortably. The area has very few permanent residents during peak seasons.
Trails near these pet-friendly campgrounds provide excellent walking opportunities for dogs, with natural paths connecting to the Illinois River shoreline. Carl Spindler's nature trail starts as a boardwalk over marsh areas before transitioning to a primitive path leading to waterfront views, perfect for daily dog walks with minimal crowds. Water access points allow dogs to cool off during summer months, though owners should be prepared with drinking water as the campground water has high iron content and isn't suitable for consumption. Both campgrounds enforce standard quiet hours that help prevent excessive barking issues. Millpoint's riverfront access provides fishing opportunities while keeping dogs nearby, and the surrounding areas offer enough space for exercise without dedicated pet facilities. Veterinary services are available within a short drive to East Peoria or Peoria proper.
"Perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing"
"If you’re looking to stay close to Peoria and enjoy beautiful sunsets and the water this place has it. Big trees, deep shade and it’s right on the Peoria Lake on the Illinois River."
from $18 - $100 / night
Check Availability"This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that"
"It was also a short walk to the Illinois River!!!"
"Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."
"Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."
"Nice staff, quiet enough for being somewhat close to the highway. The trees seemed to block the noise well. They have a pool that was closed because of a virus or something."
"bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update: Highlights: (1) Closely located"
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."
"Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies. The campsite has three main loops with RV pads and electric goo ups."
"We stayed here last year and will likely stay there again this year when we are back in Illinois. The park has two sides, one side closer to the stage."
"When Unhitching if there is anyone waiting to drive by, you feel kind of rushed. Don’t let it make you forget wheel chocks or something important. They have a nice pond."
"They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises. They also said to let them know if others were too loud."
"With the river curving gently nearby and tall trees leaning in as if to welcome you with the non-stop shower of falling leaves in a kaleidoscope of Autumn colors, there’s a soft kind of stillness that"
from $8 - $12 / night
Check Availability"The campground itself is small and simple, offering spacious, mostly shaded sites with EZ access to the Illinois River, where anglers set up early and kayakers glide past with that slow, content rhythm"
"Nestled in the verdant rolling hills of central Illinois, you’ll discover Hickory Hills Campground located just a short drive west of I39 and completely off the grid, due to the slight incline of this"
"This seems to be more of a full time camping location. Lots of buildings and I was offered a lot for sale. Golf carts seem to be the most common mode of travel as there are plentiful."
from $26 - $40 / night
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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!
GuideWe stayed here last year and will likely stay there again this year when we are back in Illinois. The park has two sides, one side closer to the stage. We haven’t been there when they have shows, so I can’t speak to what that is like. When we were there it was lovely. There is plenty of shade, sites are large enough for our Class A and they are pet friendly.
ScoutMy Husband were traveling to Montana and this campground was right off the freeway. The grounds are well maintained and the hosts were amazing. They helped you get to your site and get lined up. All sites are pull thru with full hookups. The grounds have lots of mature trees so shade is plenty. There is a very large area to walk your dogs and they have centrally located pet disposal can. They have a pond which was nice to walk the dogs around. I liked that the campground was quiet as we went to bed early in order to get an early start the next day. Keep in mind there are no showers which for us wasn’t an issue but some people might not have that option. We will use them again for sure!!
LegendLet me begin by saying that I scored this Love's RV Stop as high as I did not because it is my ideal camping spot - it isn't - and I don't think anyone looks for a spot to camp out on next to a super busy highway next to a commercial big rig gas station, but if you are doing some heavy duty highway traveling with your RV or 5th wheel and simply need a place to hold up for the night, then this place really is pretty amazing. With that in mind, hopefully you'll pay this place a visit, stop, get fueled up, rest for the night and enjoy the convenience and easy on- and off-access that this place provides. With this in mind …
This spot is brand spanking new, incredibly flat and offers up all the flat poured concrete where you want it and freshly poured gravel where you drive and all the other parts are surrounded by freshly sodded grass that has already grown in to near maturity everywhere else. Conveniently located on the highway axis where I39 / US51 meets I55, here in central Illinois in the city of Bloomington, Love’s RV Stop is an incredibly convenient and easy access spot to drop your RV anchor for the night. Extra points to Love’s RV Stop for providing gated key-pad entry and 24 hour CCTV security delivering a real feeling of safety throughout your roadside RV or 5th Wheel stay.
The convenient app-managed reservation system is seamless and provides for an incredibly simple, remote check-in and payment process. You’ll find back-in or pull-through as well as ADA accessible sites with full hook-ups with water, sewer and choice of either 30 or 50 amp electrical at every site. At the main kiosk where you’ll check-in, there’s a brand new spartan clean single person shower facility as well as individual men and women’s restrooms in addition to a coin-operated laundry facility. Additionally, the property has 2 covered pavilions with picnic tables and gas-powered BBQ grills, community firepit that can easily seat a dozen people, 2 pickleball courts, kid’s playground and a dog park with real grass for the pups to do their business on. Now granted, you'll be enjoying all of these amenities right next to all of the swooshing highway traffic, but surprisingly, we all got over this very quickly!
Because Love’s RV Stop is connected and managed by the neighboring Love’s Truck Stop, you’ll have nearby access to their full convenience store, as well as ATMs, Bojangles Restaurant (mediocre BBQ at best), as well as additional shower facilities along with, but of course, all the gas you can pump by the gallon. But if it’s something simple like firewood, ice, sundries or snacks, you can get these items back at the Kiosk and there are 2 soda vending machines as well as an ice machine behind this small building as well.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) As you are literally on the corner of one of the busiest highway intersections in the entire Land ‘O Lincoln, there is no escaping where you are at, no matter how high they build the fence or how many bushes and trees they place between you and the 8-lanes of rushing passerby traffic and there’s not a single site here to escape the noise, so bring your earbuds if it bothers you or crank up some Van Halen;(2) If you are looking for something more than the stale coffee or the Bojangle’s food they are serving up at the truck stop, there are endless chain options like Starbucks, Dunkin’, Moe’s Southwest Grill nearby as well as further afield; (3) If you want my top recommendations for restaurants that are worth the drive, try out Giordano’s for Chicago deep dish pizza or Portillo’s for their Italian beef & sausage sandwich (don't ask, just order and send me your thanks later); and (4) If you are looking for something to do with the kiddos, head on over to Miller Park Zoo for the wild animals, performances and mini-golf or try out Grady’s Family Fun Park, which is an amusement park with rides and games.
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: 5
Quality: 5
Peace& Quiet: 4
Amenities: 5
Overall, I scored this location a 5.
Happy Overnighting!
LegendPerched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing a sublime encounter with nature on top of offering direct waterfront sites that will frame one of the most beautiful sunsets as you look west to Peoria during Happy Hour. In all, there’s about 80 sites – all of which are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks – to choose from at Millpoint, where a slow meandering gravel lane will have you navigating around the campground where you’ll take good note of the excellent shade that is provided everywhere.
From an amenity standpoint, Millpoint Park packs a punch with a combination of back-in and pull-thru sites offering up standard water, sewage and electric hook-ups, relatively new picnic tables and in-ground fire rings as well as a designated dumpster upon exiting the grounds. There’s a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night. In fact, you don’t even need to get into a boat, by accessing one of 2 small little lakes where you can simply cast a line in from the dock or around the perimeter. The meticulously clean restroom / bath house facility is located near the front adjacent to the main office, where next to this are 3 cabins that can be rented, just in case you forgot your tent or RV. Additionally, there’s decent hiking paths to explore both north and south of the property, with the latter offering up a small beachhead at Funks Run. The place also sells firewood, but if you need anything else, you’ll need to head south towards town where there’s no shortage of shops and restaurants.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a tent camper, there’s 3-4 designated areas for primitive camping, but if you’d like something less primitive and with access to water and electricity, then book yourself into one of the 5 designated tent sites: #233-#237, of which I recommend #236 and #237 as they have a small waterfront area flanking the southern perimeter; (2) The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don’t attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it’s fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you; (3) If you haven’t camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay; and (4) The owner, Don, is quite possibly one of the most accommodating and friendly campground owners I have ever met– so don’t be shy if you need anything at all during your stay, including a discount to his pizza restaurant.
Happy Camping!
LegendWhile we are sure never to fully know, I am quite positive that if the great Norwegian scientist Thor Heyerdahl, who masterminded the concept behind Kon-Tiki, would have shuttered in sheer horror at the name of this otherwise quite lame roadside RV despot being confused with his inaugural expedition to navigate the currents of the mighty Pacific Ocean from its western coast of South America’s birth to its ultimate destination to the Polynesian island of Tahiti. Whatever the reason behind the name of this roadside eye sore, let’s be clear that this experience won’t end with a beautiful sunset or savory cocktail with one of those colorful toothpick handled umbrellas.
Located in north central Illinois, and literally just a stone’s throw (or car honk away) from the very busy 4-lane highway of Interstate 80, you will discover the fairly dilapidated state of Tiki RV Park, where letters are clearly missing from the sign upon entry, followed by the paint chipping away at the decrepit two-story white front office building along with the earthquake-like cracks that exist in the single stretch of pavement that you will need to navigate before arriving to the war-torn, pot-hole riddled single lane that forms the small loop circumnavigating this otherwise gutted, quite abrasive-looking RV wasteland. And sure, while you can park your RV or 5th wheel here, where there are just the very basic of amenities including all of the traditional hookups (30 / 50 amp electric and water), the real question is, why would you?
While I could wax on about all of the amazing experiences you will be able to access while being in these parts - like boating on the Illinois River of hiking in Mattheissen SP, grabbing the world's best fried chicken at nearby Rip's in Ladd or rappelling at Starved Rock State Park - I won’t as I sincerely hope that you read this review and choose to stay somewhere – anywhere else – where the place is actually not falling apart, where you won’t hear the white noise of speeding traffic and where you can step out of your mobile camping carriage and actually breath in fresh air, embrace nature and experience what a glorious patch of earth this special part of the Midwest has to offer.
Insider’s tips? Just one … mosey on from this very sad location and find somewhere else to drop anchor for the night.
Happy Camping!
LegendThis waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that is formed where Upper Lake Peoria meets the Illinois River. For campers who want to get away from it all, while still being within close driving distance to civilization, Carl Spindler offers the convenience of a nearby major city (Peoria) while still providing a decent escape for some rest & relaxation within a fairly decent vicinity to nature. The best part about this lakefront getaway – apart from the incredibly cheap prices for an overnight stay – was hands down, the very friendly staff who offer up everyone a very strong dose of Midwestern hospitality.
This pet-friendly CG offers a lot of amenities including: FHUs featuring electric, water and sewage as well as playground, community fire pit, restroom and shower facility that are in pretty good (not pristine) condition, laundry, fresh tap water, boat launch, 2 dump stations, WiFi (although very poor connection) and a beachhead. All sites are very level here and come with a picnic table, fire ring and electric, while a good number of the RV slots have a combination of electric amp options in addition to water and sewage hook-ups. At the marina, you can purchase ice, small sundries and camping supplies and / or simply use this spot to launch your boat, kayak or canoe from. There’s also options to rent a slip, store your boat and / or trailer for the winter. There’s even a deluxe cabin to rent in case you don’t have a tent or RV.
While most of Carl Spindler is designed more for the RV-driving or 5th Wheel toting kind – and to be honest, some of these look like longer-term residents and / or traveling professionals – offering up some 55 individual slots (some of which I would definitely describe as ‘very snug’), this outfit does provide 2 different options for decent camp sites with me tent pitchin’ bredren in mind, both of which sit right in front of the Illinois River. In these areas, and actually for the entire campground, there’s not much (if any) shade, tree cover or brush that contributes to an overall lack of privacy – so whatever your activities might be, you and your camping brood will be on full display to the rest of the campground. At least if you chose to set up your tent over in the primitive camping area, this area is still pretty underdeveloped (for now), so over in these parts, you’ll have a greater feeling of solitude, peace & quiet.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’d like to knock some pins down while slurping some delicious local cold brew, head on over to Landmark Bowling Center; (2) Should you be looking for some decent trails to hike check out nearby Powerton Lake State Park; (3) You will want to time your sundowners correctly, because if you do, you’ll be sipping Mai Tais leaning back in your camp chair listening to some Amy Winehouse watching the sun set in the west over the Illinois River as the twinkling stars come out to shine their brightest all with a crackling bonfire keeping you warm and lit on a gorgeous Midwestern night; (4) While I always pack a long 100 foot electrical cord for all of my electricity needs, I’ve never had to use it, except here, where the electrical outlet in the primitive tent camping area is shared by all 4 sites and ours was the furthest away – so we got lucky; and (5) In the event that you grow weary of conjuring up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge and want to check out some local flavor, there’s a handful of options, but all will require a bit of a drive, of which I highly recommend Avanti’s Ristorante for their excellent pizza and Italian subs, the Blue Duck BBQ Tavern for outstanding smoked brisket and Obed & Issacs Microbewery for the finest local taps as well as their signature dish, Kitchen Sink Pie (don’t ask, just order).
Happy Camping!
GuideWe were late reserving a campsite for Memorial Day Weekend. But Don had a spot for us. We are glad we stayed.
The campground sits along the Illinois River: many campsites face it. It's secluded and quiet. Campsites are spacious and well-distanced.
There is much to do on site. The campground is situated between a nature preserve with nice walking paths and a beach. There is also an old barge to explore.
A little further away is Old Mill Vineyard. Well worth the 20 minute drive! The wine and ambiance are very nice. Ask for Ellen.
The campground only had two restrooms available during our stay. But they were nice. And don't forget your RV water filter! The water here is very rusty.
LegendThis is one of the larger Walmart stores that I have across in my travels and is conveniently located right off of I74 just due south of Peoria and across the Illinois River. You will immediately discover that this Walmart is easily accessible from just about any entrance point that completely surrounds this blue big box retailer. And even though this retail outlet is massive, as is its accompanying oversized parking pad, the place was very frenetic, and jam-packed with lots of traffic zipping around in multiple directions.
But hey, if lots of ping-pong match-style traffic doesn’t dissuade you from parking here, then you’ll be treated to a decent ton of amenities as you are situated within a massive retail complex that is surrounded by other big box retailers like Lowe’s and Bass Pro Shop, a number of gas stations as well as a decent assortment of smart restaurants, like Texas Roadhouse, Childer’s Eatery and Godfather’s Pizza. Of course, there’s no shortage of drive-by fast food joints nearby like McDonald’s, IHOP, Bob Evans, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, but take it from me, you’d be better off crossing the Illinois River into Peoria to check out some better haunts like Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery or Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer.
Should you decide to park at this oversized discount retailer parking haven, I would suggest parking either on the southern or northern perimeters as while they are next to their own respective inner 2-lane roads, the traffic is slow-moving and isn’t stopped for any lights around those areas, making for less noise pollution. You’ll find that the lot is very flat and level, well-paved albeit dated as well as offering really great lighting at night along with very good rotating security that remain constantly vigilant in this overgrown shopping mecca.
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: 3
Safety & Security: 2
Quality: 3
Peace & Quiet: 2
Amenities: 3
Overall, I scored this location a 3
Happy Overnighting!
Camping sites near Washington, Illinois offer a mix of riverfront and prairie locations across varied elevations ranging from 450-700 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching into the 90s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Local campgrounds follow the natural contours of the Illinois River valley, creating diverse camping environments from open meadows to wooded riverbanks.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct access to fishing in the Illinois River and connected lakes. At Comlara County Park, "You can rent boats and kayaks to take out on the lake during the day and grills throughout the park to have a bbq at night with friends." The park offers both lake and pond fishing options with different species available.
Hiking local trails: Explore the natural areas surrounding campsites with trails suited for different abilities. "There is a nice nature trail that leaves directly from the area. The trail starts off as a boardwalk over an interesting marsh area and then transitions to a primitive trail eventually leading you to the lake shoreline," notes a visitor to Carl Spindler Campground. These trails provide good exercise and wildlife viewing.
Local attractions: Visit nearby historic sites or small towns for day trips. "Should you be looking for some real outdoor tent camping or really great hiking or care to dip your kayak into some really nice fresh water, then head on over to nearby Comlara Park, featuring Evergreen Lake," suggests a camper staying at Kamp Komfort. The area offers several conservation areas within driving distance.
River views: The sunset visibility across the Illinois River receives frequent praise. At Carl Spindler Campground, campers appreciate that "sites that are close to the river have a great view of the skyline at night." Another reviewer mentioned, "The view of Peoria at night is beautiful," making this a popular feature for evening relaxation.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area provide generous camping spaces compared to more crowded facilities. One camper noted that Millpoint Park has "about 80 sites – all of which are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks." Another mentioned, "We were on 2 huge pull-thru sites with just our 2 tents and we were the only tent campers I saw."
Reasonable rates: The area offers good value for camping compared to many other regions. A reviewer at Millpoint Park appreciated "Full hookups at a reasonable price. Each site also has a picnic table and fire pit." At Carl Spindler Campground, a camper found "The price of $27/night for full hook-up was a great rate."
Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have reported high mineral content in their water supply. "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," warns a camper at Millpoint Park. Another notes, "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you."
Limited shower facilities: Some campgrounds have minimal bathroom facilities relative to their size. At Jubilee College State Park Campground, a camper reported, "Bathrooms clean, but shower house water smelled like sulfur." Planning ahead for bathroom needs is advisable when selecting campsites.
Highway noise: Proximity to major roads affects some campgrounds. "A main road runs right behind the campsites. They have a wood fence on the electric side but not on our side. It obscures some of the headlights," explains a visitor to Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area. Road noise typically diminishes in the late evening hours.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children to burn energy. At Timberline Campground, "They have a jumping pillow and several playgrounds. Nice campstore." Another family camper noted, "Fun campground. Plenty of activities for kids! Camp ground slightly packed, but would still return back. Great for families with kids."
Beach and swimming areas: Water access provides recreation during hot summer months. At Comlara County Park, "There is a small fishing pond off the road a bit," and the park also offers swimming areas, though "Beach costs extra and all boats were rented out by 9am on a Saturday" according to one visitor.
Safety considerations: Some locations require extra vigilance with children. A camper at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area warned, "Wouldn't recommend if you have young kids," due to the "very busy rural highway" nearby. Consider campground layout when booking with young children.
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric service, but full hookups vary by location. At Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground, "The perfect blend of peaceful private camping and amenities! Full hook up, pool, laundry, beautiful bathrooms." Another reviewer appreciated that "The owner met us when we arrived and took us to our lot."
Leveling requirements: Site preparation differs across campgrounds. At Carl Spindler, "The roads are paved and easy for us to navigate in our 45' RV. Our site was paved with a picnic table and fire pit and all the hook-ups worked well." Meanwhile, a visitor to Millpoint Park noted, "We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping comfort throughout the year. "We were looking for a quick place to spend the night, like a Walmart or gas station when we found this gem. It is only a few miles off the highway, making it super convenient for a quick overnight stop," reported a late-season camper at Comlara County Park, noting the emptier campground during cooler months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Washington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Washington, IL is Millpoint Park with a 4-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Washington, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 62 dog-friendly camping locations near Washington, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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