Camping sites near Belleville, Illinois offer options ranging from affordable primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks with urban amenities. The region sits along the Mississippi River floodplain at approximately 400-500 feet elevation, with summer temperatures often reaching above 90°F between June and September. Most campgrounds near Belleville operate with seasonal restrictions due to potential flooding during spring months.
What to do
Fishing and boating at Horseshoe Lake: Located 30 minutes from Belleville, Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers affordable waterfront camping with lake access for $8 per night. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," reports camper Helge.
Visit Six Flags amusement park: St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA provides family-friendly camping just minutes from the popular attraction. As one visitor noted, "Stayed here for trip to six flags, well taken care of. People are friendly, has a nice and clean pool. Little shop with all sorts of stuff."
Rent recreational equipment: At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, campers can rent paddleboats, kayaks, canoes and various bikes to use on the 4+ mile trail around the lake. "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles). There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish," explains one reviewer.
What campers like
Budget-friendly primitive camping: Tent campers appreciate the affordability and simplicity at Horseshoe Lake State Park. One camper shared, "Peaceful tent camping on Walkers Island at $8 per day," while another noted the natural setting: "Very primitive camping. Toilets only, but the campsites are spaced comfortably apart. The grounds are well maintained."
Gateway Arch views: Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park offers unique urban camping with views of St. Louis landmarks. A reviewer mentioned, "Even though this RV park is in a city, we felt safe. And its view of the Gateway Arch can't be beat. Easy check in, but the camp host said the shaded spots were too narrow, they were not."
Active security presence: Multiple campgrounds feature regular security patrols, providing peace of mind for visitors. At Casino Queen, one camper noted, "Security rolled through frequently." Similarly, at Horseshoe Lake, "The nice thing is the campground is staffed by rangers in the day, and at night they sometimes take a security swing through the campground."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding closures: Several campgrounds in the Belleville area experience periodic closures due to flooding, particularly in spring. At Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, campers should check conditions before visiting as "there are times this park cannot be accessed because of flooding."
Urban campground noise: Train and highway noise affects many camping locations near Belleville. At the St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, one camper reported, "There are few campgrounds with full hook-ups in the Edwardsville, IL area, so we were pleased to find this one. Yes, trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice."
Military ID requirements: Scott AFB FamCamp serves active and retired military personnel only. Navigation to the base can be tricky as noted by one visitor: "If you put Scott FamCamp in google maps, it will take you there, BUT google maps will take you to no longer operational entry gates. It takes you to gates that have been closed for years. So put in Commissary to get on base."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with children should consider campgrounds with play areas. Cahokia RV Parque features "a playground, pool and pond area to walk around" according to one reviewer, while another mentioned, "Oh and an awesome playground for the kids!"
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities for summer visitors. At Illini Campground, "There is a swimming pool and campground store. The pool was closed when we were there but looked nice," and another reviewer added that there's "a nice large zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends."
Halloween camping events: Plan ahead for special seasonal activities. One camper shared that Eldon Hazlet "has a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site. The campground also provides pumpkin painting contests and other fun activities. Better get there at least a week in advance for the halloween festivities- it fills up!"
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup placement: Pay attention to hookup locations when selecting sites. At Casino Queen RV Park, "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper."
Water pressure variations: RV campers should be prepared for different water pressure levels. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, one camper noted, "The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!"
Gate code access: Several RV parks near Belleville use electronic gate systems requiring advance registration. At Casino Queen, "You need a code to get in the gate, so you must register in advance," while another visitor emphasized, "No staff on site, book via camplife and they send you a gate code."
