107 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Carbondale, Illinois serves as a gateway to diverse camping areas in southern Illinois, with options ranging from developed campgrounds to more primitive sites. The region includes several notable camping destinations such as Giant City State Park, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, and Little Grassy Lake. Campground options accommodate various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Many campgrounds in the area feature lakeside settings, particularly around Crab Orchard Lake and Little Grassy Lake, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming during warmer months.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the region, with most campgrounds operating year-round or from April through October. Reservations through recreation.gov are required at many developed campgrounds, especially during peak summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. The terrain around Carbondale features a mix of rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and lake environments, creating varied camping landscapes within short driving distances. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, particularly in the Shawnee National Forest regions. A visitor noted, "Little Grassy Lake Campground is a great base camp for the area. We used it for the ten days we were there to visit places as far east as Cave In Rock state park, and south to Paducah KY."
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, which tend to be the most sought-after locations. Several campgrounds offer electric hookups and modern facilities, while others provide more primitive experiences. The Shawnee National Forest area surrounding Carbondale contains unique geological features that distinguish it from typical Midwestern landscapes. A recent review highlighted that "Giant City State Park is surrounded by cornfields, however the park is wooded. All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois." Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant throughout the region's campgrounds, with many sites situated near hiking trails that showcase southern Illinois' distinctive terrain. During weekdays, many campgrounds remain relatively uncrowded, offering a more peaceful experience compared to weekend periods when local visitors often occupy prime sites.
"There is currently walk in only unless you are reserving a horse camp. There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here."
"Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.
All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."
"Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must."
"Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"We took a chance camping here since we hang hammocks but we found a site that had some trees nearby. We were pleasantly surprised to see a port-a-pottie at the campground."
"Stayed during the eclipse so crowds were intense but the hosts lets us camp where we could find room, the site was clean and the pond was beautiful (as always bring the bug spray when camping near the"
"Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."
"This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."
"We've been wanting to explore southern Illinois for a long time, but it's a six hour (min) drive from our home."
"The lake is quiet and clean. A nice hidden gem located a short drive from beautiful hiking trails. We will definitely be back."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Quite quaint and easy access to campground."
"This campground is family friendly and right on the lake. We were lucky to come on a cooler weekend and get a more private campsite."
"Ferne Cliffe State Park is situated in the Shawnee National Forest, in the southern part of Illinois."
"Dog friendly, pretty well spaced out campsites but some are used as paths with to get to farther back campsites. Good set up, not too close to neighbors and it’s heavily wooded in between."
"Had very nice trails, very clean. Forest is beautiful. We camped at the primitive area spot 11. Spots are pretty dam close to each other. There is camping you can walk off to."
"Great campground away from roads and noise. Goreville is small local town with grocery store and service station for supplies. South LOOP sites 1-23 are first come sites."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers. I would come back again."
"Clean and quiet, tight spaces, firewood available for purchase but if you leave wood behind they pick it up and re-sell it."
"Nice spot on the lake. Nice staff. Lots of Geese. 1 washer washer and dryer, need $4 dollar in quarters to do full cycle."
from $23 / night
Check Availability
GuideFull hook up. Level. Parked in large trees. Concerned we might not be able to get our slide out, but it was okay. Shaded. Great water views. Lots of boat activity. Gave we “party cove” vibes. But family friend party cove.
GuideThe views!!! Loved it. Lots to do in the area. Recommend Giant City! Grounds were well maintained. There was a giant snake behind our site. And goose poop everywhere. But we are camping in THEIR homes.
GuideLovely lake. If you have an E-bike, you can ride MILES around the lower portion of the lake.
We were in spot 57. Spectacular views of the lake. Lots of trees. Large spaces. Nice concrete picnic table. But boy oh boy was this space unlevel. We were down 13 inches low in the back. The best we could get it was 6 inches off. A camper may not be as much an issue… but a class A, it’s rough.
GuideWe were on our hike in Shawnee National Forest, and we found this campground. And it was an amazing experience. It has a beautiful view of the sunset, and there are ponds. There are horses on the property, and it’s very cheap for tent camping. The staff was amazing. She showed us around with her 4x4 the whole property, the horses, and the pony or a donkey. The showers were pretty decent and cleaned
I would recommend this place for everyone
LegendBenton KOA Journey is an easy overnight stop just off I-57. Since we were already familiar with the campground layout, we called ahead to ask if we could go directly to our site on the opposite side of the road from the office and check in afterward. The staff gladly accommodated our request. We stayed in Deluxe Full-Hookup Pull-Through Patio Site 65, which made it easy to center our 40-foot fifth wheel on the utilities. The site was slightly off level, but we did not need to use blocks. The gravel patio featured a huge wheelchair-accessible picnic table, fire pit with cooking grate, stand-up charcoal grill, wooden swing, and bench. We received one bar on Verizon and two bars on T-Mobile. There are mature trees around the seven pull-through sites across the road from the main campground, but Starlink should work in most of them if you're able to position the dish around the trees. For this overnight stay, we used our T-Mobile Home Internet, which averaged 358 Mbps download and 2.7 Mbps upload. The campground Wi-Fi was adequate for light browsing. A fenced dog park was conveniently located near our site, and being across the road from the main campground helped reduce interstate noise. Overall, this is a clean, well-run KOA with exceptionally friendly and helpful staff, and a good overnight stop returning to our home base in southern Illinois to rest and dump tanks.
GuideThis hidden gem is worth the visit. It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW! On the trail there is a sign to set up for selfies. With a dog it wasn’t as easy as I’d hope to capture the moment. Ha
ScoutOften empty, free, great hiking near by. Known to flood but it’s volunteer run and you will have to check local weather reports to know.
ScoutI couldn't afford to camp but the man over the camp site was very nice
ScoutAny website or review about this little Opry campground clearly states $15 a night but when the lady came to collect money in the morning at 6:30 in the morning it was 25 and she was very disrespectful and her in the way she responded to the proof of it being only $15 a night due to her lack of marketing
Camping near Carbondale, Illinois offers easy access to waterfront sites where fishermen report bass fishing as a highlight at several area lakes. The Shawnee National Forest surrounding the camping areas features unique limestone formations and sandstone bluffs that create distinctive landscapes across southern Illinois. Many campgrounds in the region operate with first-come, first-served policies during non-peak seasons.
Hiking through unique rock formations: Giant City State Park contains numerous trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. A camper notes, "There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here. The geology is much like the Missouri area near the other bank of the Mississippi river." The park's unique sandstone formations create corridor-like passages between massive rock walls.
Paddling on calm waters: Little Grassy Lake Campground offers canoe and kayak rentals at their marina for exploring the no-wake lake. "Little Grassy is a beautiful lake to explore!" mentions a reviewer who appreciated the tranquil paddling environment. The lake's protected status limits motorized boats to small engines.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Turkey Bayou Campground provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching and observing aquatic wildlife. A camper shares, "While cooking dinner over the campfire, the sun was setting over the lake and caused us to stop what we were doing just to enjoy the show that Mother Nature was providing for us!" The free campground sits directly adjacent to a wildlife-rich pond.
Spacious lakefront sites: Crab Orchard Lake Campground offers generously sized waterfront camping spots. "Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore. This is a national conservation area so our national park passes are accepted meaning only $10 a night for electric and water," reports one camper. Sites along the shoreline provide direct water access.
Clean bathroom facilities: The upgraded facilities at Deer Ridge Campground receive positive reviews for maintenance. "Clean bathrooms and water pumps throughout. Short trail leads from campground to the limestone cliffs," notes a visitor. The campground has undergone recent renovations to improve shower houses and restroom buildings.
Affordable camping options: Turkey Bayou Campground provides completely free camping with basic amenities. "Perfect campground. Clean, right next on the water, only 2 other groups (~20 sites total), and FREE. Though no trash or showers--only porta-potty," writes a satisfied camper. The volunteer-maintained sites offer fire rings and picnic tables at no cost.
First-come, first-served policies: Many campgrounds in the region don't accept advance reservations. A camper at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge notes, "First come first serve..and one loop is closed for renovations. Most you can spend here is 14 days, which lots of locals do." Arriving early on weekdays improves chances of securing waterfront sites.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. Reception tends to be strongest near Carbondale and deteriorates in more remote areas of the Shawnee National Forest.
Seasonal concerns: Spring brings higher water levels and potential flooding at riverside sites. A camper at Turkey Bayou recommends, "I went camping alone and there weren't too many people here but I know if I screamed there would be people that heard me." Safety considerations for solo campers include choosing more populated campgrounds during off-peak times.
Educational opportunities: Touch of Nature Education Center offers structured learning activities for children. A visitor reports, "Camp Amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/fireplaces all with wood supplied, amphitheaters, fishing along Little Grassy Lake, trails, swing set." The center provides ranger-led programs during summer months.
Beginner-friendly trails: Giant City State Park features accessible trails suitable for young hikers. "The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails," shares a family who visited with children.
Swimming beaches: Little Grassy Lake Campground maintains a dedicated swimming area separate from the marina. "We loved the clean beach area. Perfect spot for kayaking. Boats and kayaks were available to rent," mentions a family who stayed at the campground with children. The beach areas typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Site selection considerations: Ferne Clyffe State Park has variable site conditions for larger rigs. "Sites are flat and most are pull through. Giant City has great hiking and wildlife viewing," notes an RVer. The campground is laid out with both back-in and pull-through sites on gravel pads.
Water access logistics: At Crab Orchard Lake Campground, water hookups require planning. "Water only available at few spots and you would need a really long hose to attach if open faucet available," advises an RVer who visited. Many sites require filling tanks before parking.
Electrical hookup variations: Little Grassy Lake Campground is expanding its electrical service. "Our site had a nice firepit slightly downhill with western view of the lake. We were able to tie up our canoe there too. Water & electric are available most sites, with more 50amp sites to be added soon," reports a camper with an RV. Currently, most sites offer 30-amp service with limited 50-amp availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Carbondale, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Carbondale, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Carbondale, IL and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Carbondale, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Carbondale, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Carbondale, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Carbondale, IL.
What parks are near Carbondale, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Carbondale, IL that allow camping, notably Rend Lake and Shawnee National Forest.
Keep Exploring
