Map showing campground location near Murphysboro, Illinois

Camper submitted image from Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground

Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground

Lake Murphysboro State Park, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, contains a campground that draws anglers, paddlers, and group campers to a 145-acre lake in southern Illinois. The layout is somewhat unconventional: some fire pits sit directly next to power sources, and a handful of sites are positioned close together, so choosing a spot carefully matters. The campground is open year-round and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet with electric, water, and sewer hookups, though at least one reviewer noted finding only electric available at their site, so confirming hookup availability at booking is worth doing.

Fishing and canoeing are the main draws on the water, and the park provides free firewood along with hiking access. Cleanliness comes up repeatedly in reviews, with most campers finding the main campground well-maintained. The shower house, located near the boat ramp rather than within the campground itself, draws more mixed assessments, particularly on busy weekends when it sees heavy use from non-campers as well.

Group camping has a dedicated, separate area that gives larger parties their own space. The road through the campground is hilly and narrow, which is worth keeping in mind for longer rigs. Joel R. sums up the activity slate as "lots of free fire wood, hiking, fishing and canoeing." Campers exploring campsites near Murphysboro will find this park a solid base for water-focused trips. The campground works best for anglers, paddlers, and groups who have the lake itself as their primary destination.

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Map & DirectionsLake Murphysboro State Park Campground is located in Illinois near Murphysboro

Public Campground

Directions

Located in Jackson County on the north side of Rt. 149, approximately 2 miles west of Murphysboro. From Rt. 13, 127, and 149 junction, take Rt. 149 west 2 miles to the entrance of Lake Murphysboro State Park/Kinkaid Lake. From Rt. 3, take 149 east approximately 5 miles to the entrance of Lake Murphysboro State Park/Kinkaid Lake.

Address

52 Cinder Hill Drive
Murphysboro, IL 62966

Coordinates

37.77771054 N
89.38854475 W

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Connectivity

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 5 users
Last on 9/7/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 9/7/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 9/7/26

Connectivity

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 5 users
Last on 9/7/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 9/7/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 9/7/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

49 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
1 hr 15 min from Paducah, KY
1 hr 39 min from St. Louis, MO
2 hrs 5 min from Evansville, IN

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

A laid-back state park offering quiet camping with basic amenities including electric hookups and pit toilets. Guests frequently mentioned concerns about facility maintenance and mixed site conditions between RV and tent areas.

Mark C.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2025

State park with beautiful view

We stayed in rv campground. The spot we chose had a beautiful view! The layout is a bit strange as some firepits are next to power source. Some sights are on top of one another. The

Site009

Month of VisitJune

Mich T.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 2, 2021

In need of attention. Illinois needs to invest in parks

State park...really not much to do if you do not fish. Pit toilets that need attention shower house by the boat ramp ( outside of campground) that were filthy. They are used by everyone...not just campers so the abuse was evident. Many large groups camped together which was cool....but the drinking and loud parties after hours was disappointing,

Wineries in the area are worth visiting...but would find a different place to stay/

Site131

Month of VisitMay

Chelsea D.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 6, 2019

It's your average state campground

Electric only, no water or sewer hookups. Pit toilets. Nice and clean. People kept cutting through our campsite on their way to the playground, which is whatever, but some people are bothered by that kind of thing. Very laid back place overall.

Lindsay J.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 21, 2019

Peace & Quiet

A group of 15 of us stayed here a few years ago. Very quiet and peaceful. We were the only people in the campground and I don't remember even seeing a ranger or anyone at all. We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers. I would come back again.

Joel R.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 11, 2019

Good fishing and caoening

I’ve camped here several times with family and also with Boy Scouts. The regular campground is ok. Regular state park stuff. The group camping area was very nice. It is a large, separate area. We had the whole area to ourselves each time we took the scouts. There were pit toilets, but the guys didn’t care. Also lots of free fire wood, hiking, fishing and canoeing!

Stephanie B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2018

We stayed there in Oct. and I can’t remember it.

We stayed there for a day or two. Apparently. Our travel page states that. But I don’t remember it. There was an armadillo. And deer.

Month of VisitOctober

Jamie E.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2018

Murphy lake

Camper area is well cared for but tent camping needed to be mowed desperately. Lots of bug spray required. the area is very hilly and narrow to drive through. Over all very nice place to camp!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lake Murphysboro Campground?

Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground offers electric hookups for RVs, but no water or sewer connections. The campground has pit toilets throughout the camping areas, with shower facilities located near the boat ramp outside the main campground. The park features a playground for children, though it's worth noting some campers report the restroom facilities can be inconsistently maintained. The campground layout includes fire pits at each site, though their placement varies relative to the power sources.

Are there any reviews of Lake Murphysboro State Park worth reading before visiting?

Lake Murphysboro State Park receives mixed feedback about visitor experiences. Points worth noting include the varied campsite quality (some with beautiful views, others close together), inconsistent maintenance of facilities (particularly restrooms and shower buildings), and the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the quiet, peaceful environment, especially in the group camping area. Some mention the narrow, hilly roads can be challenging to navigate. Overall, most visitors find it offers a basic state park camping experience with some maintenance issues to be aware of.

What activities can I enjoy at Lake Murphysboro State Park?

Fishing is the primary activity at Lake Murphysboro State Park. The park also offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, with visitors reporting sightings of deer and even armadillos. There's a playground for children within the campground. While specific trail information isn't detailed, the park's natural setting provides opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. The lake likely offers additional recreation possibilities, though visitors note that if you're not interested in fishing, activity options may be somewhat limited.

What are the camping options and fees at Lake Murphysboro?

Lake Murphysboro offers both RV and tent camping options. The RV campground provides electric-only sites (no water or sewer hookups). There's also a separate group camping area that's particularly spacious and often allows groups to have the entire section to themselves. This group area features pit toilets. The regular campground has a somewhat unusual layout with some sites positioned very close together while others offer more privacy and scenic views. For exact fees, contact the park directly as this information may change seasonally. Tent campers should note that site maintenance can vary, with occasional reports of unmowed areas.

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