2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Several RV parks provide full hookups near Carlyle Lake, Illinois. Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground offers sites for RVs with 50-amp electric, sewer and water hookups, plus showers and restroom facilities. The property includes big rig friendly sites arranged on gravel surfaces. Archway RV Park features full-service RV sites with 50-amp electrical connections, though some visitors note the layout positions RVs very close to neighboring units. Both properties remain open seasonally, with Cedarbrook operating April through October. Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park provides spacious pull-through sites with both 30-amp and 50-amp service options. "Sites are arranged like a parking lot but large enough for big rigs, with trees and flowers all about. 50 amps only."
Advance reservations are recommended for weekend stays during summer months when lakeside camping is most popular. Most RV parks in the region offer sanitary dump stations, though availability varies by location. Many campgrounds provide WiFi service, though connection quality fluctuates across properties. Pets are generally permitted at RV parks throughout the area, with several properties featuring designated pet walking areas. During peak seasons, some parks may experience limited site availability for larger motorhomes requiring pull-through access. For travelers passing through, several locations offer overnight parking with partial hookups at reduced rates. Public RV campgrounds managed by the Army Corps of Engineers can be found around Carlyle Lake, providing more economical alternatives to private parks with comparable amenities.
"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
"Very clean and secure overnight park just outside of STL. Phenomenal views of downtown and the arch, and fairly easy access to I-55/64/70."
"Full hookup sites on a mostly paved RV park. Big rigs fit easily. Some small areas of grass and trees with a dog walking area around the perimeter. Small play area for kids."
from $65 / night
"The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean. The park was quiet, but very family friendly."
"Pet-friendly, full hookups, space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle. Laundry and propane on site. Spaces were a little close together, but minutes from downtown St."
"Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available. Downsides is wifi is poor, gravel is unlevel, limited menu on DoorDash."
from $30 / night
Available next weekend
"Full hook ups. No WiFi or cable or anything fancy. There is a little playground on site as well. Pet friendly."
"Quiet, family friendly, and great for our dogs. We love the dog yard!"
"Just off the highway, but minimal noise. Clean. Well maintained. Pleasant staff. We had a long pull through, but there are a limited number of those."
TravelerThis is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
GuideGreat place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
TravelerCamp Host is very friendly and brought firewood to our site. Bath/shower house was clean. We were in the equestrian campground due to our 73 foot overall length. It was a great stay for visiting family. There are a lot of outdoor activities at the lake area, but no pool.
LegendWe 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.
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
GuideWhat 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!
GuideThis was a beautiful place to spend an evening on our cross country trip. We were able to secure site B7 -a nice level and shady spot on a beautiful tree lined lake. The site was dusty but there was a picnic table and electricity. It was 90 degrees in early October so I can imagine the open spots are really hot during the heat of the summer. Signs tell you to check in with camp host before parking but there was no one at their camper. I called the phone number and a helpful gentleman explained that the sites were first come, first served and someone would be around to collect our $20 fee. One large bathhouse for the campground was a good walk away but was spotless. I would have given this campground a 5 rating but after walking around, we realized that most of the sites by the lake were hard packed dirt, small and not level. However there is a new section I that has 10 long back in gravel pads with electric & water. They are away from the water but close to the shower house. Finally, google coordinates directed us to a private residence just short of the marina. Follow directions to the marina and find the road to the campground at the end of the parking lot.
ScoutRend 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.
RV camping near Carlyle Lake offers access to Illinois' largest man-made reservoir, spanning 26,000 acres with over 80 miles of shoreline. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while winters can bring freezing conditions that limit camping options. Most campgrounds around Carlyle Lake operate seasonally from April through October, with limited year-round options for RV travelers.
Fishing for bass and crappie: Carlyle Lake is known for its fishing opportunities. Visitors staying at Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park appreciate its proximity to fishing spots. "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available," notes one camper.
Visit downtown St. Louis: The Gateway Arch and other St. Louis attractions are within driving distance. Campers at Cahokia RV Parque enjoy this benefit: "They have a shuttle to the various tourist attractions, just ask the staff at the office for details. The staff are friendly, the facility is clean and professional."
Airport watching: For something different, stay near small airports in the region. One visitor to Percival Springs RV Campground shares: "Next door to the little public airport with fairy lights strung about. An open field greats you at your site and you can watch the helicopter or people fly with parachutes."
Clean facilities: Many RV parks maintain well-kept shower and bathroom facilities. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, campers note: "Security is proactive in patrols and are friendly and helpful. No frills but a great view of the arch. Centrally located and across the bridge from downtown."
On-site dining: Some campgrounds feature restaurants, eliminating the need to cook. A Cahokia RV Parque visitor writes: "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!"
Easy highway access: For travelers passing through, accessibility matters. Regarding Kamper Kompanion RV Park, a visitor mentioned: "Easy on off, right by highway, pulled in after dark and they met us to show us to the site and got us settled. Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad."
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks near Carlyle Lake close during winter months. Research opening dates before planning your trip, as they vary by location.
Site spacing varies: Some parks place RVs quite close together. A reviewer at Archway RV Park noted: "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."
Urban camping noise: Parks closer to highways or railways experience noise. One Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park visitor shares: "There is train noise but we couldn't hear it with the air conditioners running."
Limited tent options: Most facilities primarily serve RVs. A visitor to Archway RV Park observed: "I am tent camping as I travel westbound. This is primarily a RV park near I-64 and on a highway. Noisy!! Bad noisy. Camp site was nice. Grassy, level, near a picnic shelter with tables. Shade trees. But only about 2-3 such sites."
Check for playgrounds: Some RV parks offer play areas for children. A visitor to Archway RV Park mentioned: "There is a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond at the location. Great place to stop traveling through or for a weekend."
Consider pool access: During hot summer months, pools provide relief. One camper at Cahokia RV Parque shared: "The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean. The park was quiet, but very family friendly."
Look for spacious sites: Families need room to spread out. At Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground, campers find larger sites, though tent options are limited: "There are only about 6 tent sites at this campground, which makes it not entirely friendly for tent campers. However, the bathrooms were lovely and clean."
Check power connections: Different RV parks offer various electrical hookups. An Archway RV Park visitor noted: "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter. Overall very nice campground, well maintained."
Pull-through availability: Larger rigs need adequate space to maneuver. Kamper Kompanion RV Park provides "a big open flat field with sites and building spread throughout. Cute little fenced in pet area with benches for the pups to stretch."
Utility placement: Pay attention to where hookups are located. One Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park camper warned: "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need reservations for RV camping at Carlyle Lake?
Reservations are highly recommended for RV camping at Carlyle Lake, especially during peak season (late spring through early fall) and on weekends. South Marcum Campground has over 100 reservable campsites with electric hookups, and securing a spot in advance ensures you'll have access to your preferred location. If you're looking for alternatives with good availability, Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground near Mulberry Grove offers reservable sites that can accommodate larger rigs. Most Carlyle Lake campgrounds accept reservations through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance.
What amenities are available at Carlyle Lake RV campgrounds?
Carlyle Lake RV campgrounds offer comprehensive amenities for comfortable stays. Dam East Recreation Area provides electric hookups, water access points, clean shower facilities, and flush toilets. Many sites include picnic tables and fire rings. For full-service options, Country Bend Campground features a swimming pool, playgrounds, stocked fishing ponds, and scenic walking trails. Most Carlyle Lake campgrounds also offer boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, dump stations, and drinking water. Several campgrounds have 30 & 50 amp service available, with select locations providing full hookups including sewer connections.
What is the best time of year for RV camping at Carlyle Lake?
Late spring through early fall (May to October) offers the ideal conditions for RV camping at Carlyle Lake. Summer months provide perfect weather for water activities, though they can be busier and occasionally humid. For a more peaceful experience with comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, consider visiting Okaw Valley Kampground in September or early October when fall colors begin to emerge. Spring camping at Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park provides beautiful wildflowers and moderate temperatures. Most Carlyle Lake campgrounds are operational year-round, but services may be limited during winter months when temperatures can drop significantly.
What are the best RV campgrounds at Carlyle Lake?
Coles Creek Recreation Area is a top choice with 219 sites, most offering full hookups (30 & 50 amp) and good shade. For lakefront camping, Dam West Spillway provides direct access to Carlyle Lake (Illinois' largest lake) with various hookup options including sewer and water on select sites. The campground has weekend activities for children and qualifies for senior pass discounts. Both locations offer the essential amenities RVers need while providing easy access to lake recreation.
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