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RV Camping near Carbondale, IL

3 campgrounds with availability this weekend

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    Several RV parks surround Carbondale, Illinois with varied amenities and site configurations. Giant City State Park Campground offers electric hookups with 30-amp service and can accommodate larger rigs, though full hookups are not available. Crab Orchard Lake Campground provides water and electric hookups, operating from April through October with lakefront sites that fill quickly. Marion Campground & RV Park features full hookup sites with 50-amp service and pull-through access, though sites are positioned close together on gravel pads. "Pull thru, 50 amp, full hookup sites are close together. Very loud from constant campers in and out, I57, and a train."

    Most RV parks in the region require reservations through recreation.gov, particularly during summer and fall weekends. Dump stations are available at Giant City and Crab Orchard Lake campgrounds for those without sewer hookups at their sites. Cell service varies across the area with Verizon generally providing stronger coverage than T-Mobile. Interstate access makes Marion Campground convenient for overnight stops, while lakeside parks offer more scenic settings but often with tighter access roads. Pet-friendly policies exist at most parks, though restrictions apply in some public areas. One camper noted that Marion Campground is "right off the freeway with very tight spots, even for the pull-through sites. Loud freeway noise."

    Best RV Campgrounds near Carbondale (87)

      1. Archway RV Park

      3.9(17)43mi from CarbondaleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Gravel sites arranged like a parking lot but large enough for big rigs. Trees and flowers all about. 50 amps only."

      "Lots of space, i used 50 amp, full hookup, no problems."

      from $60 - $75 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Cape Camping & RV Park

      3.0(3)33mi from CarbondaleRVs, Tents

      "We hooked into their cable and received 24 popular channels and the WiFi was way above normal. We got 3 bars each on Verizon and AT&T."

      3. Marion Campground & RV Park

      3.7(7)14mi from CarbondaleRVs

      "This actually feels like a campground and not a parking lot even though it’s super convenient to the interstate."

      "Nice place clean and quiet Water pressure is only about 30 to 35 psi that is a little week. People were very nice and helpful ."

      from $40 / night

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      4. Saline Creek RV Park and Campground

      5.0(1)39mi from Carbondale5 sitesRVs

      "Beautiful, and quiet. New sites, tables, and a beautiful creek. A couple of pony’s too. We will definitely be stopping in again!"

      from $38 / night

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      5. Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney

      4.6(12)38mi from CarbondaleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Great clean campground- easy hook ups- pleasant staff and close to town. Went to Mary Janes for dinner gotta recommend! Campground Has a trail to a hike around lake. Playground was fun and safe."

      "Super family friendly, quiet, clean & everyone who works here is super nice!"

      6. Bubba J’s RV Park

      Be the first to review34mi from CarbondaleRVs

      from $42 / night

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      7. The Landing Point RV Park

      4.2(5)32mi from CarbondaleRVs, Tents

      "Traveling in my 22' Class B, and there are Class A and fifth wheels here, too. Concrete pad, full or partial hook-ups, laundry (reasonable price!)."

      "Shade was adequate lot of permeant and monthly spots. Water park close by (5 minute drive) that was great for the kids on a hot day. Camping spots was all nice and level."

      8. Goatey Goat Ranch RV Park & Campground

      5.0(3)31mi from Carbondale3 sitesRVs

      "The area is clean and quiet. Full hook up, 50 and 30 amp. 6 minutes from town (Perryville). The trail back to the site is truly one of a kind. Highly recommend you will not be disappointed."

      "Perfect star gazing, only 5 to 10 minutes from grocery store & downtown area for drinks & dining, Sunrise & Sunset were beautiful with hilly country views, Plenty of room to pull in our 40ft"

      from $30 - $50 / night

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      9. The Landing Point RV Park

      4.0(1)32mi from CarbondaleRVs, Cabins

      "Easy to navigate the roads, with every site level concrete. ATT & Verizon both worked fine. Wifi & cable included in the price. 10% discount for Good Sam, military & seniors."

      from $45 / night

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      10. Willow Bend Retreat - Temporarily Closed

      5.0(1)27mi from Carbondale3 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "I was more than satisfied with the facilities and service.  I would highly recommend to others."

      from $40 - $200 / night

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    RV Park Reviews near Carbondale, IL

    590 Reviews of 87 Carbondale Campgrounds

    • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 30, 2026

      Whittington Woods Campground

      Decent Campground

      We had never stayed at Whittington Woods, but several of our camping friends have stayed here over the years while traveling through the area. At a recent RV open house, we talked with the campground (CG) owners and decided to switch our reservation from another private CG to Whittington Woods to check it out. The owners suggested sites 92 or 97, and we were able to reserve back-in site 92 with FHUs for our two-night stay. Site 92 is one of the better sites, with a large yard and good separation from neighboring sites. The CG was easy to find off I-57—follow your GPS or the signs. Check-in was quick, and we were escorted to our site. Unfortunately, one of the CG’s regular guests had set up in our reserved site 92 instead of site 93. After a brief discussion between our owner/escort and the guest, moving him was clearly not going to be a quick process. We were offered a couple of other available sites and decided to take site 93. Site 93 was a significant downgrade, with only a sliver of yard and very little separation from site 94. The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94. The water connection is at the very back, requiring more than 30 feet of hose for our rig. The owners were very nice, probably too nice when dealing with their“regulars,” and made the situation more tolerable by giving us a good discount for site 93. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. We normally get good performance from our T-Mobile internet with two bars, but download speed was only 41.2 Mbps. The CG Wi-Fi was better at 69.3 Mbps download. There are a lot of mature trees, so satellite/Starlink reception could be iffy depending on the site. The CG is conveniently located near I-57 and right off IL-37, although there was quite a bit of highway noise that was manageable for us. The property provides plenty of room for walking, especially with a dog, and has a decent-sized dog park. There are quite a few full-timers and regulars, with some keeping their sites well maintained and others not so much. We also saw some of the same latitude given to“regulars” when it came to keeping dogs on a leash and picking up after them. They have 5 pull throughs that are mainly used for overnighters that are handy but close together. We understand why several of our friends regularly stay here for a night or two while traveling to and from Florida. Whittington Woods is conveniently located off I-57 and offers FHUs, making the CG a practical overnight stop. Our home base is only about an hour and a half away, however, and we have better options in the area when we need a final stop to flush tanks before heading home.

    • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 29, 2026

      Marion/Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday

      Different than Most KOA Holidays

      We were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.

    • Ronald C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      South Marcum Campground

      Large site

      Great campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer

    • Scott M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 13, 2026

      COE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area

      Excellent campground

      What started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!

    • Randy H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 27, 2026

      Gun Creek

      Great Digs

      Rend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 26, 2026

      Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

      Nice & quiet primitive site. Great views.

      Very small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 25, 2026

      Giant City State Park Campground

      Good staff & clean facility.

      I stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.

    Guide to Carbondale

    RV campgrounds near Carbondale, Illinois span across rolling hills and hardwood forests in the Shawnee National Forest region. Most sites sit between 400-600 feet elevation with moderate summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F. Seasonal camping options operate primarily April through October, with limited year-round facilities maintaining water systems during winter months when temperatures regularly dip below freezing.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: Crab Orchard Lake Campground provides direct lake access with multiple fishing spots. "We love to fish and camp on Crab. Great Lake. We camp at Blue Heron Campground in Carterville, right on Crab Orchard Lake. Places to eat and shop close by. Pizza can be delivered to campground," notes one camper.

    Hiking trails: Giant City State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks through unique rock formations. "There's about 80 total sites, ranging from electrical hookups to primitive (there's about 15 of these). You can reserve, or walk-in. I went in October and didn't need a reservation. I also chose primitive. Showers and bathrooms are available to all, and sites have fire pits."

    Nature viewing: Wildlife observation opportunities exist throughout the region's parks. "The whole place also smells like dead fish. We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite so be careful what you leave out, also tons of geese and saw two baby copperheads."

    What campers like

    Lakefront camping: Many sites at Crab Orchard Lake Campground provide direct water access. "We stayed at site B8, which had a massive yard right and on the lake. The interior sites had full hookups (but were still just a short walk to the water), while the exterior (lake-side) sites had water and 50A electric."

    Shade coverage: Mature trees throughout campgrounds provide cooling relief. "There are a ton of big trees and it is really shady. We love our time here," reports one visitor to Perryville RV Resort.

    Pet amenities: Archway RV Park includes dedicated pet areas. "Nice doggie park area fenced off too!!" mentions one reviewer, while another notes "there is a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond at the location."

    What you should know

    Reservation requirements: Most RV campgrounds in Carbondale, Illinois use recreation.gov for bookings. "Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov & reservations through them are a must. This is new & when planning the trip the website said 'first come first serve' so we arrived on a Friday evening(4pm) with no reservation."

    Highway noise levels: Several campgrounds experience road noise. At Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney, one camper noted: "The bad parts of this place was the fact that rules didn't seem to apply. Someone was playing loud music till at least 1130pm when we went to bed. We also witnessed dogs being left outside unattended and barking for 20 minutes straight starting at 735am. The highway is also extremely close and can be heard at all times."

    Site spacing variations: Campgrounds offer different privacy levels. "Sites are nice, although all sites face each other meaning you will be 5-10 feet from your neighbors if you are sitting out front. Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter."

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground facilities: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. "The property itself is beautiful. Spots are intermingled in the trees and it is spectacular in the morning. The pool is better then most hotels and the giant trampoline looked like it would be my daughters favorite thing if she were with us."

    Family activities: The Landing Point RV Park offers access to nearby attractions. "Water park close by (5 minute drive) that was great for the kids on a hot day. Camping spots was all nice and level. looked like all the spots was full hook ups. Had a nice fenced in area for dogs to run and play at."

    Educational options: Ranger programs operate seasonally. "Friendly staff sometimes host little educational presentations for kids. They are currently working on some improvements on the campground, so you may see or hear some construction going on."

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: Saline Creek RV Park and Campground provides full-service sites. "We found this Rv campground while cruising through MO on to FL. We enjoyed this place! Beautiful, and quiet. New sites, tables, and a beautiful creek. A couple of pony's too."

    Overnight convenience: Several parks cater to travelers seeking quick stops. "We travel between Charleston,SC and Omaha, NE several times a year and always stay here on return trip. Long first day drive, but so handy and staff couldn't be more accommodating to our late arrivals. Just far enough from Interstate so noise isn't an issue."

    Site specifications: Preparation for specific electrical needs helps avoid issues. "Very well kept and clean campground. Great big trees, very shaded, great store. Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly. Spots are tight (wouldn't want to be here when the park is full)."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular RV campsite near Carbondale, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Carbondale, IL is Archway RV Park with a 3.9-star rating from 17 reviews.

    What is the best site to find RV camping near Carbondale, IL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 87 RV camping locations near Carbondale, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.