1. Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground
Murphysboro, IL
I’m starting out with one of our family favorite Southern Illinois campgrounds. We come here quite a bit! The reasons we love this campground are the trees shading the campsites, the fact that the kids can easily ride around the campground on their bikes, there is a playground, and the campsites aren’t all squished together.
Other perks include the dock on the lake (where the bluegill are easy to catch!) and the fact that, during the summer, an ice cream truck sometimes stops by!
About the Campground
- 20 tent sites
- 54 trailer sites (with electric)
- No cabins or lodge available
- Sites are gravel
- Handicap spots available
- Showers and toilets
- Dump station
- Playground with sandbox
- Paved roads
- Leashed pets allowed
- Lake is stocked with bass, bluegill, and crappie
- Boating, kayaking, etc.
- NO SWIMMING
Nearby things to do include boating and swimming on Kinkaid Lake. Visit the beautiful waterfall on Kinkaid Lake.
Walk the 3-mile hiking trail in the Lake Murphysboro State Park. Take the short hike to Pomona Natural Bridge in nearby Pomona, IL, or hike the Little Grand Canyon, which is also very close.
Address
492 Lake Access Road
Murphysboro, IL 62966
2. Giant City State Park Campground
Makanda, IL
Giant City State Park is one of Southern Illinois’ biggest draws. It’s located in the Shawnee National Forest, and full of natural beauty.
About the campground
- 85 Class A sites available
- 14 Class C walk-in sites
- Primitive tent camping
- Cabins available (no pets)
- Handicap spots available
- Sites are gravel
- Showers and toilets
- Leashed pets allowed
- Playground
Things to do include hiking the “streets of the giants” in Giant City State Park, horseback riding at Giant City Stables, rock climbing, fishing.
For the adventurous, try the Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour zipline experience! Visit the Makanda Boardwalk for local shopping and ice cream!
Address
235 Giant City Road
Makanda, IL 62958
3. Devil’s Backbone Park Campground
Grand Tower, IL
Devil’s Backbone is a small campground in Grand Tower, IL, along the Mississippi River. You can see Tower Rock from the bank, which is accessed from the Missouri side of the river.
Although it’s a small campground, with not many amenities, we love camping here with friends, especially when they are having events, like their trick-or-treating during Halloween.
About the campground
- Full hook up sites
- Water + Electric sites
- Water only sites
- Tent sites
- Sites are gravel
- NO SHOWERS
- Playground
Address
1 Bunkhorst Ave
Grand Tower, IL 62942
4. South Sandusky Campground at Rend Lake
Sesser, IL
Rend Lake is one of our favorite family day trips, but we love to camp here as well!
About the campground
The campground has several loops, all are nice, but Pine Tree is our personal favorite loop because the tall trees are just so nice! Campsites are spacious, and many are right on the lake.
- Over 100 electric spots in several loops
- Showers and toilets
- Drinking water
- Sites are gravel
- Dump Station
- Handicap sites available
- Leashed pets allowed
- Paved roads
- Playgrounds
- Boating, kayaking, swimming allowed
Rend Lake is 20,633 acres, so there is plenty of space for boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The swim beach is a big sand beach with a roped-off swimming area, a foot-washing station, bathhouse, a playground, and picnic shelters.
Things to do at Rend Lake include hiking, biking, geocaching (there are several throughout the campground!), swimming, boating, and fishing.
Address
7820 Red Oak Lane
Sesser, IL 62884
5. Camp Manitowa
Benton, IL
Camp Manitowa isn’t a typical campground. It’s a classic summer camp for kids, but they also offer family retreats, day camps, and cabins for rent on Airbnb, as well as a “schoolie” bus to stay in!
During the off-season, cabin renters will have access to Camp Manitowa’s 40-acre lake with canoes, kayaks, a basketball court, hiking trails, and more.
The camp is only 10 minutes from Rend Lake.
They have another location in Makanda, IL, and both locations offer “private accommodations in a beautiful, spread out, outdoor camp setting” as well as cabins and yurts. They even say they can provide the tents for tent camping!
Although this isn’t your typical state park or RV campground, I think this sounds like an amazing place to make family memories, or bring your whole family for a reunion!
Address
12770 North Benton Road
Benton IL 62812
6. Benton KOA Journey
Benton, IL
I know there are families that love their KOA’s!
The perks of staying at this KOA include a snack bar, which will deliver to your campsite, and a swimming pool! KOA’s also have rewards programs.
The Benton KOA is right off the highway, and just minutes from Rend Lake.
About the campground
- Pull-through 50amp RV sites
- Tent sites
- Shower house & toilets
- Swimming pool
- Snack bar
- Fishing pond
- Paddle boats
- Playground
- Basketball court
Address
1500 North DuQuoin Street
Benton, IL 62812
7. Ferne Clyffe Campground
Goreville, IL
Ferne Clyffe is one of our family’s favorite natural playgrounds, and has one of our favorite Southern Illinois campgrounds as well.
About the campground
- 36 sites available
- Tent and electric RV sites
- Sites are gravel
- Dump Station
- Showers and toilets
- Playground
- Leashed pets allowed
Things to do at Ferne Clyffe include hiking and bank fishing for bluegill, bass, and catfish at the pond (no boating or swimming). Hike to the waterfall right from the campground.
Our favorite hikes are the handicap and stroller-accessible Big Rocky Hollow Trail that leads to the base of the seasonal waterfall, and the Hawk’s Cave trailhead that leads to a huge shelter bluff with rocks that the kids love to climb on.
Address
90 Office Drive
Goreville, IL 62939
8. Little Grassy Lake Campground & Marina
Makanda, IL
Little Grassy Lake is located in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. We stayed at this campground over the Easter holiday one year, and loved that they had a campground egg hunt organized! The management were so friendly and said they put on several different events throughout the year!
About the campground
- 14 full hook up RV sites
- 54 water + electric sites
- 35 tent sites
- Most sites are gravel, with a few on concrete pads, and a few dirt
- Dump Station
- Shower and toilets
- General store
- Firewood
At the office and marina, you can rent kayaks and canoes with no prior reservation. Jon boats and pontoons are available to rent by reservation.
Swimming is allowed at the sand beach. Other things to do include fishing and boating.
Devil’s Kitchen Lake is also located in the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, and trout is stocked in the fall. Visit the spillway here for a fun little waterfall outing – just don’t disturb the fisherman!
Address
788 Hidden Bay Lane
Makanda, IL 62958
9. Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Carterville, IL
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 44,000 acres of land and water, full of nature and wildlife.
This is one of the Southern Illinois campgrounds that we haven’t visited yet, but we camp a lot, so I’m sure it’s coming!
The sites at Crab Orchard Lake Campground are first come, first served. Several sites are right on the water. There is a swimming beach, open only during the summer season.
About the campground
- 62 RV sites (full hook ups as well as water + electric sites)
- 7 tent sites
- Handicap sites available
- Sites are gravel
- Showers and toilets
- Leashed pets allowed
Activities include fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, and swimming. There are also biking trails.
Address
10067 Campground Dr.
Carterville, IL 62918
10. Lake Glendale Oak Point Campground
Golconda, IL
The Lake Glendale Campground is located in the Shawnee National Forest, in the Lake Glendale Recreation Area. Sites are first come, first served.
About the campground
- 35 electric + water RV sites
- 24 non-electric sites
- Leashed pets allowed (just not on the swimming beach)
- Showers and toilets
- Sites are gravel
- Dump station
- Playground
- Firewood
Activities include fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and swimming. Canoe, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals are available. The swim beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and has a bathhouse.
Garden of the Gods and Bell Smith Springs aren’t too far.
Address
Lake Road
Golconda, IL 62938
Whether you are just passing through, or live nearby, I hope you found this list of 10 Southern Illinois campgrounds for families helpful!
Check out these related articles next!
- Fun Things to do with Kids in Southern Illinois
- 3 Must-Do Hikes at Giant City State Park
- 13 Things You Need in Your RV (That You Didn’t Think Of!)
- Visit These 5 Epic Waterfalls in Southern Illinois
- Explore Columbus Belmont State Park in Kentucky
- Winter Hike at Pomona Natural Bridge
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