Camping options near Bargerville, Illinois include several facilities within Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge where sites are positioned directly on the lakeshore. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 400-600 feet above sea level and experiences hot, humid summers with winter temperatures that regularly drop below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area maintain gravel or concrete pads with variable spacing between sites.
What to do
Fishing at Crab Orchard Lake: Multiple access points allow for bank fishing and boat launches at Crab Orchard Lake Campground where anglers frequently catch catfish and crappie. "Fishing was good (especially catfish and crappie)," reports one camper who stayed five nights at Site A5.
Hiking nearby trails: Several hiking paths within 10-30 minute drives from campsites offer varied terrain options. "There is a nice trail across from the primitive camping site which also has a pond for fishing as well," notes a visitor to Giant City State Park Campground who stayed at the primitive site area.
Local wineries: The Alto Pass region (approximately 30 minutes from Carbondale) features multiple wineries worth visiting. "Locals told us they are open more hours during summer," mentions one camper who found them closed on a Tuesday in early April.
What campers like
Spacious lakefront sites: The waterfront camping areas provide generous spacing and natural settings. At Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR, "We spent 5 nights on Site A5... The 2 nearest to us we saw on Sunday (Easter) and the only 1 more time during the 5 days," indicating minimal crowding despite full occupancy.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept shower buildings and restrooms. "The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground," reports a camper who visited Giant City State Park during Easter weekend.
Affordable pricing: Campsite rates run lower than the regional average. "Cheap campground that is clean and quiet. The back in site we had overlooked the lake. For the price, you can't beat the view," writes a visitor to Crab Orchard Lake describing their value assessment.
What you should know
First-come, first-served availability: Several campgrounds don't accept advance 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 about the system at Crab Orchard.
Highway noise varies: Traffic sound can affect certain sites more than others. At Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney, one reviewer noted "The highway is also extremely close and can be heard at all times," while another mentioned "It is right off from the interstate, so there is some noise."
Wildlife considerations: Snake sightings occur occasionally in warmer months. "Someone in one of the sites by the lake (A9, A11 or A13 I think) said they saw snakes but we never saw any and our dogs would have noticed," reports a camper who stayed at Crab Orchard in early April.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several rv sites near Bargerville, Illinois offer dedicated play areas. At Archway RV Park, "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," according to a recent visitor.
Recreation options: Some campgrounds provide unique entertainment features. "The park is clean and well maintained. They put in a new swimming pool in this past summer. I did not try it but it looked nice," writes a September visitor to Perryville RV Resort.
Educational opportunities: Rangers sometimes provide activities for younger campers. "Friendly staff sometimes host little educational presentations for kids," mentions a reviewer about Giant City State Park Campground's programming.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: Several campgrounds offer drive-through spots that eliminate backing requirements. At Saline Creek RV Park and Campground, "Sweet RV campground! Very clean, quiet, and beautiful. New sites, tables, and a beautiful creek," reports a camper who stopped while traveling to Florida.
Site spacing considerations: Some properties provide more room between units than others. "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," advises a visitor to Archway RV Park.
Cell service quality: Remote work capability varies by provider and location. At Crab Orchard, "We have AT&T and had full bars (we also have a booster, which may have contributed to a strong signal)," reports a camper who visited in April 2023, indicating viable connectivity options.
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