Illinois is one of the most well-known states in America to contain some great campgrounds. The state has hundreds of campgrounds that are run by different agencies and organizations, allowing you to find a very good campsite to stay at when camping outdoors in Illinois, no matter what type of environment you prefer. This article will give reviews on the best RV campgrounds in Illinois for your convenience.
1. Casino Queen RV Park
Casino Queen RV Park is one of the best campgrounds in Illinois near a major city. This park offers great amenities and pulls people into the area because of its location just five minutes from downtown East St. Louis and 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis, MO. The Casino Queen RV Park offers free cable and WiFi and is 30 minutes away from Six Flags Amusement Park and 1 hr 45 min to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania.
The casino also offers entertainment such as live music, comedy shows, ice cream socials, karaoke nights every Monday night at 7 PM for free (with your paid campsite), horse races (March through December), bingo games Wednesday through Saturday nights). There are also two indoor heated pools with hot tubs, a fitness center with showers and laundry facility, a full-service restaurant, the Grand Buffet on Friday nights from 6 PM to 9 PM (over 60 items of food), an outdoor patio area with a variety of carnival games & rides all throughout summer.
2. Driftwood RV Park
The Driftwood RV Park prides itself on being one of the best campgrounds in Illinois. It is located just off Route 66, which allows you to explore a huge part of America's history while staying at this great campground. The park offers a swimming pool for guests to take a swim in and cable access if needed. The biggest attraction about this place is that it only takes 10 minutes to get to the famous Meramec Caverns from this park, which allows you to experience underground life without having to drive far away from your campsite.
They also offer free WiFi and cable, laundry facility, front desk service, propane sales, and ice available from 9 AM-6 PM from Memorial Day through Day. There are also two fishing ponds and a great restaurant, the Canyon Grill & Bar that has amazing food to eat, and events almost every night such as poker runs on Wednesdays at 7 PM.
3. Leisure Lake Resort
Leisure Lake Resort is the largest and most popular RV campground in Illinois. It's located on one of the state's largest lakes, near a very large forest preserve. They have hundreds of sites with full hookups for both RV camping and camping in tents as well as several cabins available for rent.
The area is great for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities due to its location within a wildlife refuge so having access to your own vehicle is important - especially since much of the resort property has no cell service and it can be tough to find your way around without directions so getting lost isn't very easy.
Leisure Lake Resort also hosts special events throughout the year including an annual music festival, bike races, cookouts, and more so you'll always have somewhere to go or someone to meet.
If you want the full camping experience without having to leave town, Leisure Lake is also conveniently located near several restaurants and shops within a few miles of the resort property.
4. Sycamore RV Resort
Sycamore RV Resort is located only five miles from Sycamore State University, Sycamore RV Resort offers a unique camping experience for everyone in the family. With amenities such as a pool and clubhouse, you can be sure that your stay will be packed with fun activities during the day and then relaxation in the evening.
Located only five miles from Sycamore State University, Sycamore RV Resort offers a unique camping experience for everyone in the family. With amenities such as a pool and clubhouse, you can be sure that your stay will be packed with fun activities during the day and then relaxation in the evening.
5. Marion Campground & RV Park
Marion Campground & RV Park in Marion, Illinois is one of the best campgrounds in Illinois with gorgeous scenic views of Lake Shawnee. A private lake provides swimming and fishing opportunities to all visitors.
Marion Campground & RV Park's amenities include showers, bathrooms, laundry facilities, sewage hook up, cable TV service, and Wi-Fi access. All spaces include 30/50 amp service for RVs with water and sewage connections as well as a fire ring for each site. Also included are pull-thru sites that accommodate any size vehicle or camper. Pets are allowed at Marion Campground & RV Park if supervised and kept on a leash at all times
The peacefulness of this secluded private campground allows you to relax amidst trees and nature without being too far away from civilization. Marion Campground & RV Park is located just minutes from the Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park, which provides many hiking trails and lakes to explore. Nearby Anna Ruby Falls is another great outdoor activity that can be enjoyed
6. Mississippi Palisades State Park
Mississippi Palisades State Park boasts some of the most breathtaking views in all of Illinois. With its beautiful overlooks, secluded trails, and creek swimming holes, visitors find themselves returning again and again. The camping area is open year-round, though it may be hard to leave your cozy cabin or RV on a chilly winter morning.
Camping at Mississippi Palisades State Park offers much more than just great views. Visitors enjoy fishing opportunities along both sides of the Mississippi River bluffs as well as several hiking trails to explore. Whether you are looking for a place to relax away from the hustle and bustle or want to experience adventure close by - this state park has something for everyone!
7. Archway RV Park
Archway RV Park is located in the American Midwest countryside, just outside of Springfield and Lincoln. The sites are all spacious and well maintained and there is even a pool!
If you are looking for a little taste of small-town Americana, then this is where you should go.
8. Pere Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette State Park in Illinois is a perfect choice for anyone looking to camp without hookups. With over 70 wooded campsites, it can accommodate pretty much any size RV or camper you bring.
The state park offers plenty of activities in the form of biking trails, hiking trails, fishing spots, and picnic areas. If you're interested in seeing some cool wildlife you'll definitely want to check out their bird blinds when visiting Pere Marquette State Park.
If you want a more rustic camping experience, you can choose Pere Marquette State Park. Although not as common, there are campsites for tents at Pere Marquette State Park so you don't have to eliminate camping from your itinerary if you don't have an RV or camper with you.
9. Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park is one of the most beautiful places in all of Illinois. This state park located only an hour outside of Chicago is home to 129 different campgrounds, with many sites offering full hookups for RVs along with electricity and water. All campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis so be sure to visit their website for exact locations and availability before heading out!
The camping area at Starved Rock also has two trails (the nature trail & lucy's loop) that are both wheelchair accessible. They offer tons of activities including hiking, canoeing/kayaking, biking, fishing, and more - there truly is something for everyone here!
10. Kayak Morris Recreations Area
Kayak Morris Recreations Area is a beautiful campground with lots of amenities. It's located in Moro, Illinois, and has great reviews from visitors. They offer full hookups for RVs including water, electricity, and sewer. The campground has a swimming pool and hot tub as well as bathrooms with showers.
Many people visit this park because of its nearby attractions. The area is full of fun things to do, such as biking and hiking trails nearby. There's also a nearby golf course, and the campground even has a mini-golf course on site. Visitors can stay in one place and enjoy lots of activities without ever leaving the recreation area!
11. Cave-in-Rock State Park
Cave-in-Rock State Park in Cave-in-Rock offers big-rig camping options in addition to traditional tent camping, making it an ideal spot for RVs. The park offers 100 sites with electrical hookups and over 25 that are pull-through. Cave-in-Rock State Park is located on the Ohio River just outside of Metropolis Illinois, with easy access to I 64. Enjoy 340 picturesque acres at this waterfront state park complete with hiking trails and rental canoes and kayaks.
12. Pharaoh Campground
Pharaoh Campground is a great campground in Herrin, Illinois. It has all the good things you want from a camping ground. It has clean bathrooms and showers, well-kept grounds, and it is well located next to a river.
This campground's location next to the banks of the Mississippi River makes it easy for people who like to fish or canoe or kayak to enjoy themselves. The nearby city of St. Louis provides even more fun activities for families on vacation - especially kids! There are many popular attractions nearby such as Gateway Arch National Park, Busch Stadium (the home of the St. Louis Cardinals), Grant's Farm (home of Budweiser Clydesdales), Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and many more.
Pharaoh Campground is a great choice for people who love to be outdoors and enjoy the good life in Illinois!
13. Lake Shelbyville
Lake Shelbyville is a wonderful recreational area. With miles of trails and waterways, it is the perfect destination for those who love being outdoors. The lake's many coves and inlets have been transformed into small campsites, each with its own unique rustic style. Sites along the northern shore offer breathtaking views of the White Pines Forest State Park, while those situated to the west look out over a large marshland filled with wildlife.
Taking Highway 127 south from Dundee will bring you to one of Lake Shelbyville's most scenic campsites - the Island View Campground. Lying adjacent to I&M Canal Lock 24, Island View offers visitors easy access to both water activities as well as land-based sightseeing opportunities throughout Central Illinois.
14. Castle Rock State Park
Castle Rock State Park is a camping spot located in Southern Illinois. Located near the Shawnee National Forest, this campground has been ranked as one of the top 100 campgrounds nationally by Reserve America and Campendium and has received TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence four years in a row. Castle Rock State Park offers visitors amenities such as nature trails, fishing, boating and canoeing, an amphitheater for outdoor movies and performances, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits, plus full hookup RV sites (water/electricity).
The park also offers rustic cabins that overlook both the lake and forest preserve. Visitors to Castle Rock can also enjoy two lodges on site: Castlegate Lodge & Conference Center that offers modern hotel-style rooms with all the amenities and Giant City Lodge that offers rustic cabins, sleeping up to six people.
There are over 40 miles of trails in the 1500 acre park so visitors can enjoy hiking or biking before stopping at Long Point Cottage for a lightly prepared meal. The lodge restaurant is open from May to October and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an excellent view of the big lake.
Thank you for reading and we hope that this guide will help in your search to find the best RV campgrounds. If you have any questions or if there is anything else that you would like us to cover, please let us know!