Cabin camping near Brussels, Illinois offers visitors access to the Mississippi and Illinois river valleys with elevations ranging from 400-800 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers often reaching the 90s and moderate winters. Most cabin facilities maintain availability from April through October, though weather conditions can impact access during spring floods.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: McCully Heritage Project in Kampsville provides fishing opportunities with easy water access. According to one visitor, "We easily fit a dozen people over the 4th of July. Nice fishing and a place for us to launch our paddleboards and kayaks."
Hiking nearby trails: Cuivre River State Park Campground features multiple walking paths around its lake. "Great well maintained state park right outside of St Louis. Park has an awesome trail system around the lake, and it looks like you can rent canoes/kayaks in the summer," notes one camper.
Water activities: Boat rentals are available at several locations. "They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots," explains a visitor to St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Archery practice: Some parks offer designated areas for target shooting. One camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park mentions, "There is a lot to do here. They have an archery range. They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well."
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness receives consistent praise at several parks. A camper at Cahokia RV Parque notes, "We had a great experience in the 4 nights we spent here. The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean."
Proximity to attractions: Several cabins provide convenient access to major attractions. "We chose Cahokia RV Park because of its close proximity to St. Louis Missouri. We stayed in a gravel site with a concrete pad, fire pit, picnic table and full-hookups," shares one reviewer.
On-site dining options: Some campgrounds feature restaurants on the premises. "Our favorite part of this park is the onsite Sawmill BBQ restaurant. While we prepare most of our meals, we were so tired; we decided to give the joint a try and, wow, are we glad we did! Delicious food for a reasonable price!" exclaims a visitor.
Spacious sites: Many locations offer room to spread out. "Campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking," reports a camper at Cuivre River State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect availability: Most cabin accommodations close during winter months. "Park has a small lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section," notes one visitor about Cuivre River State Park.
Noise considerations: Some locations experience noise from nearby highways or trains. A camper at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA reports, "Yes, trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice."
Limited groceries nearby: Stock up before arrival as on-site stores carry minimal supplies. "I was planning on grabbing a gallon of milk when we got there...there really is nothing around the rv park! Maybe a couple gas stations at best, but if you need groceries or anything, stop and get them before you get close," advises a camper.
Varied site privacy levels: Site layout differs significantly between parks. "Spaces are tight but the overall camp ground is decent. Nice pool and an arcade area with plenty of room to hangout inside," shares a camper at Pin Oak RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several locations feature play areas for children. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags, "This is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy spotting local animals. One camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park mentions, "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes."
Organized activities: Some parks schedule special events for children. A visitor notes, "We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available. This is not a rugged style campground as there are many amenities such as a pool, putt putt golf, volleyball, and more. They also host daily kids activities and crafts."
Tick precautions: Be prepared for insects, especially in wooded areas. A McCully Heritage Project visitor advises, "Super inexpensive for the space that you get. Free firewood. We have only stayed at the largest site as it has good fishing and a place for us to launch our paddleboards and kayaks. Watch for ticks."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric and water access points may be positioned differently at each site. "Our water hook up and electric hookup was significantly far apart. May be site specific," shares a camper at Jellystone Park.
Site leveling challenges: Some locations require additional equipment for proper setup. A Pin Oak visitor notes, "The sites are level, and there is plenty of shade. Sites are gravel and close together do not much privacy. They come with water, sewer & electric."
Convenience facilities: Many parks offer on-site amenities for longer stays. "If you are lucky, you can get a site close to the water, but it means the walking trail is right next to your unit. Trade offs, I suppose. One couple I talked to was camping long term and they got a free membership to the St Peter's RecPlex recreation center with their long term spot."
