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Best Dog-Friendly Camping in Illinois

2,851 Reviews

There’s a lot more to Illinois than the great city of Chicago. Along with this exciting urban hub there are many natural areas where locals and residents alike enjoy getting outside. With 141 parks it’s no wonder the DNR created the motto, “State Parks, Great Parks” in 2013. This phrase is the title of their initiative to continue improvements on local natural areas with upgraded campgrounds and additional staff to cater to the more than 44 million yearly visitors looking for hiking and camping in Illinois.

People from all over the state – and even outside the country – take the short 1.5-hour drive from Chicago to Starved Rock State Park, where they can hike 13 miles of trails offering elevation gains on wooded pathways along the Illinois River. The 18 canyons serve as great places to spot waterfalls after a rain and families love ending the day with s’mores around the bonfire at the nearby Starved Rock State Park campsites.

Those looking to learn about the state’s heritage while camping in Illinois may head farther south to Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park & Memorial. This 162-acre park is 12 miles southwest of Decatur near Harristown, IL, and features the land where Abraham Lincoln first resided in the state. If you visit be sure to check out the memorials commemorating this important president.

People who want to mountain bike in this Midwestern state will enjoy heading to Palos Park, a forest preserve known for its excellent biking, hiking and equestrian trails that cover over 50 miles of terrain. When it comes to camping in Illinois, this locale offers beautiful facilities at Camp Bullfrog Lake where you can put up a tent next to a lake and hike short or long loops that end up back at your campsite.

If you want to check out the beautiful Lake Michigan drive to Illinois Beach State Park to spend time in the water along the 6.5 miles of sandy shoreline. The park is 4,160 acres offering ample opportunities for hiking, watersports, picnicking, fishing and camping. With The Dyrt, you can be sure to find the best camping in Illinois during your stay in the Prairie State.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites in Illinois (417)

    1. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $25 - $35 / night

    "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."

    2. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "It pays to drive through the camp ground and note a couple sites that you are interested in and then book your site at the entrance during walk in days. "

    "For us it's close to home, shopping and an RV dealership so it's pefect to "shake out" the camper and we can easily get anything we forgot or get stuff to repair anything that's not working."

    3. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    66 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."

    "Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind.

    I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."

    4. Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    54 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    $10 / night

    "Two of the reviews are not the Illinois subject area but of somewhere in the western US."

    "We did a lot of hiking all around Shawnee but this is by far favorite spot in Illinois!"

    5. Shawnee Forest Campground

    36 Reviews
    Vienna, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-0619

    $40 / night

    "We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."

    "We were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived."

    6. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    32 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $15 / night

    "However, by Saturday morning (Easter weekend) all but 5 sites had cleared out and we had the place nearly to ourselves for the rest of the stay. "

    "They were nice with variety between tucked away and fairly open spots. There are trailheads that lead down to the springs or you can just hike around."

    7. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 824-2565

    $25 / night

    "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."

    8. Comlara County Park

    33 Reviews
    Hudson, IL
    Website
    +1 (309) 434-6770

    "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."

    9. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life.

    Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."

    "What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."

    10. Kickapoo State Recreation Area

    29 Reviews
    Oakwood, IL
    Website
    +1 (217) 442-4915

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Stayed here on Dec. 10, 2021 (yes the night of all the tornadoes throughout the Illinois/Kentucky/Tennessee area), I and everyone else at the campsite got pretty lucky, we were just outside the path of"

    "Great little campground in Central Illinois. Some pretty trails overlooking, beside, and sometimes through water."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos in Illinois

316 Photos of 417 Illinois Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews in Illinois

2851 Reviews of 417 Illinois Campgrounds

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    One night stay while traveling home

    Very 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • A
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    Closed Off Tent Camping

    Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.

  • Chelsea D.
    Apr. 24, 2020

    Marion Campground & RV Park

    Would come back as a last resort...

    This is a stop-over type of campground. The sites are very close together with no privacy. There are some pull-thru sites, which is convenient. It is right next to interstate 57, so unless you're inside your camper, you'll definitely be listening to the highway. This is a pet-friendly campground, and they have a little dog park. They have a shower/laundry facility which is also convenient, especially if you're out on a big trip. Overall, it's certainly not a bad campground, but the highway noise really bothered us.

  • Whistle P.
    Nov. 6, 2022

    The Double J Campground and RV Park

    This place has a great location

    The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean. Our Starlink had zero obstructions worked lightening fast. We LOVED having a dog park to exercise our dogs daily!

    Great location, close to all the Springfield attractions and Slauterhaus Brewing in Auburn, IL (this is the best brewery nearby, better than Buzz Bomb or Obed & Issacs in town!).

  • 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.

  • John H.
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Benton KOA

    Good place for a quick stop

    Not a bad place for a stop between destinations or a couple days at the lake would be fine. Roads and sites were well maintained. The dog park gets muddy quick, it’s mostly moss and dirt. It’s close to the Interstate; we’d stay there again.

Guide to Illinois

Discovering pet-friendly camping in Illinois opens up a world of adventure for you and your furry companions. With numerous campgrounds welcoming pets, you can enjoy the great outdoors without leaving your four-legged friends behind.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include Starved Rock Campground

  • At Starved Rock Campground, pets are allowed, making it a great choice for families who want to explore the scenic beauty of the Illinois River bluff.
  • This campground features spacious sites with a rustic feel, allowing your pets to enjoy the natural surroundings while you relax by the campfire.
  • With nearby hiking trails, you can take your dog on adventures through the park's stunning canyons and waterfalls.

Dog owners appreciate Rock Cut State Park Campground

  • Rock Cut State Park Campground is well-reviewed for its pet-friendly policies, offering ample space for your dog to roam and explore.
  • The campground is surrounded by over 3,000 acres of protected forest, providing plenty of trails for walking and biking with your pet.
  • With a swimming pond nearby, your dog can cool off after a day of hiking and playing in the great outdoors.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

  • At Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park, pets are welcome, allowing you to enjoy beachside camping with your furry friend.
  • The park features trails that are perfect for walking your dog while taking in the beautiful views of Lake Michigan.
  • With picnic areas and a market nearby, you can easily spend a day enjoying the beach and exploring the park with your pet by your side.

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