Best Tent Camping near Carlinville, IL

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Carlinville and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Carlinville, including sites, reviews, and tips. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Carlinville, IL (6)

    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Camper-submitted photo from McCully Heritage Project
    Camper-submitted photo from McCully Heritage Project
    Camper-submitted photo from McCully Heritage Project
    Camper-submitted photo from McCully Heritage Project
    Camper-submitted photo from McCully Heritage Project
    Camper-submitted photo from McCully Heritage Project

    2. McCully Heritage Project

    5 Reviews
    6 Photos
    47 Saves
    Kampsville, Illinois

    Pitch your tent in one of four widely spaced sites. Each site has enough room for multiple tents and includes a fire pit and picnic table. The sites are just a short walk from our shower/restroom facility. The fishing ponds are just a quarter mile walk from the campsites, and access to the numerous trails throughout our 940-acre property is directly from the campsites. While we have four designated sites, it is rare for all to be full, and likely that you'll be the only campers here most days. We are located in a very remote/rural part of Illinois in a county nestled between the Mississippi& Illinois Rivers, but only 75 miles north of downtown St. Louis. We have been included in John Shirle's"The Best in Tent Camping: Illinois."

    The McCully Heritage Project is a 940- acre environmental center located one mile south of Kampsville in beautiful and remote Calhoun County. We are a private non-profit left as the legacy of Howard and Eva McCully.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group

    $20 - $100 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Countryside Escape
    Camper-submitted photo from Countryside Escape
    Camper-submitted photo from Countryside Escape
    Camper-submitted photo from Countryside Escape

    3. Countryside Escape

    2 Reviews
    4 Photos
    19 Saves
    Edwardsville, Illinois

    Pick from a variety of spots from the lakeside, to secluded forest, to open field for pitching your tent on this orchard land! This property is open to dispersed camping wherever you prefer. Equipped with fire pits, pond for viewing water fowl, and bathrooms with showers inside the house. This is a great spot to spend the night on your way to or from St. Louis, Chicago or Indianapolis. Close to St Louis and all the fun there! Great biking in the area, hiking at Pere Marquette State Park, and swimming and water sports at Horseshoe Lake State Park. Firewood can be bought on site, grocery, convenience stores, restaurants, fast food and gas stations easy drive of 10-15 min.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $15 - $16 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Rainey Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rainey Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rainey Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rainey Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rainey Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Ridge
    • No image available

      6. Sandstone Spring & Camp

      Be the first to review!
      7 Saves
      Swansea, Illinois

      Tent only camping. Deep in 300 million years old Carboniverous sandstone spring bed valley with fossils. Place to relax & take in the nature of this hidden gem in the city of Belleville, IL. No restrooms. No showers. Swimming in areas of spring is limited to shallow pools. But it is enough to cool you off.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • Tents

      $28 - $38 / night

    Show More
    Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

    Recent Tent Reviews in Carlinville

    232 Reviews of 6 Carlinville Campgrounds


    • John H.
      Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
      Sep. 12, 2024

      Waverly Lake City Park

      Nice little lake and camp ground

      I've stayed here a couple times now. Each time there has only been one other person. It's quiet and peaceful, however there's not much to do. As far as I know there's no running water. There are portable toilets that are kept clean. There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit.

    • Aaron B.
      Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
      Sep. 6, 2024

      Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

      Lakeside Relaxation

      These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from.  About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there.  We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well.  A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets.  Park staff and host were great.  A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64.  $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric.  A water source is also by the parking spots.  The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake.  Springfield being so close is a bonus.

      The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there.  Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park.  Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot.  Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.

    • Nathaniel B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
      Aug. 8, 2024

      St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

      Best campsite we've found to explore STL

      Well maintained and well managed park. Staff on duty at all hours is awesome! We called ahead but didn't need a reservation. It is a city park and had that feel... not many trees for shade but the lake was pretty and the playground was good for the kiddos. Five minutes from food and stores. 30 minutes from downtown Saint Louis. I'll

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Timber Trails Campground
      Jun. 25, 2024

      Timber Trails Campground

      Wonderful layover and family friendly

      Timber Trails Campground is a easy layover off of I-70, offering a family-friendly environment. The park provided us an easy in and out, pull-through site that was level and convenient. The campground had a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and recreation. Our experience was hassle-free and enjoyable.

    • Olivia L.
      Camper-submitted photo from Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area
      May. 27, 2024

      Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

      Great

      More about mobile gambling highlights its convenience and accessibility. For insights into mobile gambling trends, visit victorspredict.com for expert analysis and recommendations. With the rise of mobile gaming platforms, players can now enjoy their favorite casino games anytime, anywhere.

    • K
      Camper-submitted photo from Hillbillie Ranch
      May. 18, 2024

      Hillbillie Ranch

      Hillbillie Ranch is not there anymore

      They are no longer a campground. Bought out now private property.

    • SThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
      Apr. 19, 2024

      St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

      Good now, and will be really nice when the trees get bigger

      Stayed here most of the several weeks we needed to be in St. Louis for family matters. Definitely our favorite place in the area. The grounds are clean and pleasant, if a bit sparse with little shade. This will change over the subsequent years, however, as there are many relatively newly planted trees. The nicest spots are the ones by the lake, with only one neighbor and a better view of the lake. The staff are kind and helpful. Water and electric worked fine. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Trash and recycling receptacles are huge and convenient. My only complaint is the poorly thought out sink situation in the bathrooms which make it impossible to wash in a sanitary way as you must hold the tap to keep the water flowing and there are no paper towels to that with, only hand dryers. There is boating and archery on site, a dog run, and a small playground.

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area
      Feb. 1, 2024

      Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

      Clean park, cheap prices. Would definitely come back

      The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores

    • David F.
      Camper-submitted photo from Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
      Nov. 30, 2023

      Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

      State Park away from busier Illinois

      https://camp.exploremoreil.com/ 84 electric RV sites all reservable except 21 First Come sites. 18 sites are full hookup. Several 50 amp sites but majority are 30 amp. Modern Shower house and 7 Vault toilet buildings. Newer Campground so Shade Trees are smaller still. Have camped here 4 times past 3 years. Like the quite agricultural Illinois environment but suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities as most of the few small towns are limited to a Bar and Dollar store.

    • L
      Camper-submitted photo from Kamper Kompanion RV Park
      Nov. 6, 2023

      Kamper Kompanion RV Park

      Kamper Companion Family Favy

      We really enjoyed Kamper Companion! We stay there every time we pass through Litchfield. Quiet, family friendly, and great for our dogs. We love the dog yard!

    • mThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
      Oct. 17, 2023

      Illinois State Fair Campground

      Large campground, good location, good value

      On the state fairgrounds just off gate 10 or 11. Very large number of spaces…older bathrooms/ showers but very clean. All spaces seem to have electricity and water.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
      Sep. 28, 2023

      Illinois State Fair Campground

      Clean, beautiful urban camp

      We always leave late on the first day of a trip and get stressed. This was an easy 3/4 day trip from our house and a great place to relax. Great thick grass carpet spots if you want.Great level paved pads if you want.Friendly checking , friendly security driving around all night. Lots of showers, mine was good and hot. Some traffic noise All kinds of open spots if it isn’t fair week. Don’t just show up fair week.

    • JASON L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
      Jul. 28, 2023

      Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

      Hickory Point Heaven

      There's really no way to describe this campground except for: Accommodating. Beautiful. Clean. Convenient. Peaceful. Relaxing. We have spent many weekends here and have never had a bad experience. Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff and crew do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!!! We appreciate them and this wonderful campground. Our favorite sites are 13, 18, 23. Please visit and enjoy!

    • T
      Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
      May. 19, 2023

      Illinois State Fair Campground

      Comfortable Place to stay

      The showers were clean. Campsites are close together, but not to busy while I was there. Reasonable. Staff friendly. Security regularly drove around.

    • G
      Camper-submitted photo from Sherwood Forest
      May. 4, 2023

      Sherwood Forest

      Nicest hosts around

      The hosts at this campground were really nice. The bathrooms are clean, the place is quiet, and the nature around this place is a plus. As many people have mentioned, it’s a hidden gem!

    • AThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
      Apr. 20, 2023

      St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

      Nice but expensive

      This is a city run camp with like-new amenities. Unfortunately it sits on the wrong side of a levee with not much atmosphere. The water is part of the Missouri river flood control. An overnight site in my opinion.

    • Mike G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
      Apr. 15, 2023

      Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

      Fantastic lakeside camping

      I stayed at the tent sites. They are first come, first served, and a short walk from the parking spots. There are times of RV sites also, although the host said most all are reservable and only a handful are firstcome, first served. There are restrooms and a shower house that are clean.


    Drive Time


    Guide to Carlinville

    Tent camping near Carlinville, Illinois, offers a variety of serene spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature. With options ranging from peaceful lakeside sites to well-equipped campgrounds, there's something for everyone.

    Tent campers should check out Waverly Lake City Park

    • Enjoy a quiet and peaceful experience at Waverly Lake City Park, where you can set up your tent and unwind by the water.
    • This campground allows pets, making it a great choice for families who want to bring their furry friends along for the adventure.
    • With portable toilets available and a limit of four consecutive days for camping, it's perfect for a short getaway.

    Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $20

    • The McCully Heritage Project offers affordable rates, making it a budget-friendly option for families and groups.
    • At this well-reviewed site, you can enjoy amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, enhancing your camping experience.
    • Free firewood is available, allowing you to enjoy cozy campfires without the extra cost.

    Local activities to enjoy while tent camping

    • Take advantage of the fishing opportunities at McCully Heritage Project, where you can launch your kayak or paddleboard for a day on the water.
    • Explore hiking trails nearby, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the scenic views.
    • Visit the playground equipment at the McCully Heritage Project, making it a great spot for families with kids to have fun while camping.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carlinville, IL?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carlinville, IL is Waverly Lake City Park with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

    • What is the best site to find tent camping near Carlinville, IL?

      TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Carlinville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.