Southern Illinois camping near Campbell Hill offers year-round opportunities with distinct seasonal advantages. The area sits at the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest where terrain varies from flat lakeshores to sandstone bluffs with elevations between 400-700 feet. Campgrounds in this region remain open from March through November, with some facilities maintaining winter operations with seasonal decorations and themes.
What to do
Fishing at Rend Lake: Multiple campgrounds provide lake access with diverse fishing opportunities. "We went fishing caught 29 total, 6 catfish and 23 crappie not bad for being gone camping since April 15 to May 30," notes a visitor at North Sandusky Campground.
Rock climbing for experienced climbers: Some parks offer natural climbing opportunities for those with proper equipment. "For climbers, there is a ton of nearby trad and sport climbing. The main wall stays wet for a while so if it has recently rained you may need to find somewhere else," mentions a camper at Giant City State Park Campground.
Hiking to sandstone formations: Trail systems accommodate various difficulty levels. "There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains. The geology is much like the Missouri area near the other bank of the Mississippi river," reports a visitor to Giant City State Park.
What campers like
Level, spacious lakefront sites: Many campgrounds feature direct water access. "North Sandusky Campground is a gem in Southern Illinois. Many of the sites are backed up to Rend lake and the others back up to the woods. The sites all seem to be fairly well maintained and roomy. Site 42 is very spacious," shares a camper at North Sandusky Campground.
Clean facilities with modern amenities: Campground infrastructure receives regular updates. "South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just off I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites. Sites have 30 & 50 amp Electric hookups. There is a dump station, hot showers, flush toilets, and drinking. Also a playground in the Whispering Pines loop," notes a visitor at South Marcum Campground.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more seclusion. "We came down for a spontaneous camping trip to explore SNF and found Giant City to be a great place to stay. We stayed in the primitive camp site, while there were others there, everyone was dispersed far enough that it felt private," reports a camper at Giant City State Park.
What you should know
First-come, first-served policies: Not all campgrounds accept reservations. "The biggest thing about this campground is first come first serve...and one loop is closed for renovations. Most you can spend here is 14 days, which lots of locals do," explains a camper at Crab Orchard Lake.
Site levelness varies significantly: Bring leveling equipment. "Overall a great stay, very busy as it was full the entire time we were there while the state park down the road was empty. Absolutely must check how level the spots are before you book, as lots of sites are over 4 inch incline, which seems ok for smaller rigs," warns a visitor at Gun Creek.
Highway noise affects some campgrounds: Consider site location carefully. "Yes, there is highway noise. It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs," acknowledges a camper at Benton KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with recreational amenities: Some sites offer structured activities. "Very well kept and clean campground. Great big trees, very shaded, great store. Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly. Spots are tight. Nice park for kids, hiking trail and jump pad (trampoline)," shares a visitor at Perryville RV Resort.
Consider swimming access: Beaches provide water recreation options. "We love the large beach. The campsites have a nice set up and are a decent size. The kids loved the playground. There were kids everywhere and everyone was very friendly! Fun spot!" reports a camper at South Sandusky.
Choose campgrounds with playground facilities: Several sites include play areas. "This COE campground is conveniently located and just a quick off ramp from the Interstate. I stayed here one night as I headed south from Chicago. The restrooms were a short walk across the road and up the slope from site 30," notes a visitor at Gun Creek.
Tips from RVers
Reserve full hookup sites early: Premium sites book quickly during peak season. "Using your GPS of choice, you can reach this campground off I-57 via Benton or the IL-154/Sesser exit. Most sites here offer water and electric (50/30/20 AMP), while the Dogwood loop features several full hookup sites in its upper section," advises an RVer at South Sandusky Campground.
Check site dimensions before booking: Some sites have challenging layouts. "Note that the loop has low-sloping ditches on both sides of the road, so precise backing is needed to land on the asphalt pad. There's one full hookup pull-through site in the Dogwood loop—a long, slightly curved pad with sewer and power connections on the yard side, and water on the standard side," details a camper at South Sandusky Campground.
Plan for seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate March through November. "This was a great place. The staff were super friendly and accommodating, and the bathrooms and camp store were extremely nice. The draw backs for us were how close it was to the interstate, and the fact that it's just not what we're used to when camping," shares a visitor at Perryville RV Resort.
