87 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Chester, Illinois encompasses a mix of state recreation areas, riverside campgrounds, and RV parks situated along the Mississippi River in southern Illinois. Randolph County State Recreation Area, located five miles northeast of Chester, serves as a primary camping destination with 150 campsites spread across 1,101 acres of rolling hills and woodland. Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground in nearby Ellis Grove and the Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam Recreation Area provide additional camping options with river access. These public lands offer a combination of tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and some cabin accommodations, creating a base for exploring the region where the Kaskaskia River meets the Mississippi.
Most campgrounds in the Chester area are open year-round, though facilities may be limited during winter months. Summer brings hot, humid conditions typical of southern Illinois, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures ideal for outdoor recreation. Randolph County State Recreation Area features a 65-acre lake completed in 1961, providing fishing and boating opportunities. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during peak summer months, particularly at the more developed sites. According to reviews, the dump station at Randolph County is located approximately one mile before the campground entrance, requiring planning for RV campers. Cell service is generally available but can be spotty in more remote areas.
The camping options near Chester vary in amenities and settings. Randolph County State Recreation Area offers electric hookups and water at most sites, with gravel pads that accommodate both tents and RVs. As one camper noted, "Sites are gravel but well maintained, with most shaded." For those seeking more primitive experiences, Turkey Bayou Campground south of Chester provides free camping with minimal amenities in a natural setting along the Big Muddy River. RV-specific facilities like Perryville RV Resort and Saline Creek RV Park in nearby Missouri offer full hookups, including 50-amp service and sewer connections. Equestrian camping is available at select locations, with Randolph County featuring eight horse stalls for riders exploring the trail systems throughout the region.
"Located five miles northeast of Chester, Randolph County SRA lies in the rolling hill country of southern Illinois."
"This campground is located on a small lake in Southern Illinois and managed by the department of natural resources. Good place for Camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and boating."
"A very old and historic cemetery is next to the campground. There is electric hookups 30 and 50 amp. No water/sewer but does have a dump station. Vault toilets."
"Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site is located on the remains of historic Fort Kaskaskia, constructed by the French in the 1700s to defend the town of Kaskaskia."
from $8 - $18 / night
"Close to home. Extra clean. Friendly staff. Lots of trees. Drive Through. Easy access off the interstate. Town close by, and a Walmart."
"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."
"We visited in October and were able to hike several great trails in the park and surrounding area. The campsites are nothing special."
"Hawn is my favorite campground close to St. Louis."
from $15 - $29 / night
Check Availability"Water was available close to the restrooms and is accessible to fill campers. Parking area at each site could accommodate two vehicles. The capsites were located next to the Kaskaskia River."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"The trail back to the site is truly one of a kind. Highly recommend you will not be disappointed."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"single, double, and triple camping spots set up on three loops in this small campground nestled in the corner of shawnee national forest. there's a central bath house located near check in. only amenities"
"The site was fairly secluded, and right on Kincade lake."
"We got a nice little spot to ourselves across the lake to put our tent. Its like a little community. I loved it. If your wanting out in the wilderness this is not for you."
from $38 / 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"
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.
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.
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
ScoutSuper family friendly, quiet, clean & everyone who works here is super nice!
ScoutThis is my first experience RV camping and it was wonderful. They have a Bath House nearby in case you need it but they also have electric and water right here. It is $20 per trip to get in, but only $46 per night. I understand it is significantly less if you are in Indiana resident.
Camping near Chester, Illinois sits at the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi rivers, with elevation ranging from 382 to 603 feet above sea level. The region's upland forests include oak, hickory, and pine stands across terrain shaped by glacial movements. During summer months, campers should expect humidity levels often exceeding 80% with temperatures regularly reaching into the 90s, making early morning activities preferable.
Hiking local trails: Turkey Bayou Campground offers access to nearby Little Grand Canyon trails, as noted by a camper who "pulled in to see many of the large sites available and picked the one with a tree for shade looking over the river. We pitched our tents and then drove to the Little Grand Cayon for a quick hike before dusk."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing spots exist along the Big Muddy and Mississippi Rivers. One camper at Turkey Bayou mentioned, "Bring a fishing pole. No services except a porta potty," while others reported "hearing fish jumping all night" at riverside sites.
Equestrian camping: Randolph County State Recreation Area provides specialized facilities for horse owners with "an equestrian site with eight stalls for horses" according to visitor information, making it one of the few public campgrounds in the region accommodating equestrian campers.
Peaceful settings: Many chester il camping visitors appreciate the quiet surroundings. A visitor to Randolph County described it as "Clean and very quiet," while another mentioned it was "Quiet Chill and Peaceful" with "cute little forest bunnies running around."
River views: Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground offers unique vantage points with "views over the Mississippi River are calandar-worthy! Very scenic from up atop the bluffs." Another camper noted the "large level sites with electric. Water available mid campground and at dump station."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the no-cost options in the area. A Turkey Bayou visitor stated, "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."
Service limitations: Cell coverage varies significantly around Chester camping areas. While Fort Kaskaskia has "Good antenna service, 2 bars T Mobile," other campsites in lower elevations may have spotty coverage.
Seasonal facility changes: Water access points close during winter months at several campgrounds. At Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam Recreation Area, campers note "Water fill available during season and dump station. $20 a night with shower house and vault toilets."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds are poorly marked. One visitor to Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam reported, "There is no signage for this location, the only slight indication is a boat ramp sign that leads to a area by the river." Another advised, "USE THE ADDRESS ON THE WEBSITE, NOT FROM THIS APP."
Playground access: Lake Campalot offers family-friendly amenities with helpful staff. One visitor reported, "The staff (Sharon) was so helpful. She took us to several sites she had to make sure we were happy with our spot. The showers were super nice and spacious."
Kid-friendly activities: Randolph County State Recreation Area has "2 different playgrounds walkable distance from campground" and is close to a lake with a "gorgeous view," making it suitable for families with young children.
Site selection: For families seeking privacy, consider specific campground sections. At Randolph County, a visitor noted "Pine Ridge campground" sites are "very close together, so don't expect privacy or quiet days/evenings." Choose alternate campground sections for more separation between sites.
Dump station locations: Plan your approach carefully at Randolph County, where "the dump station is approximately a mile before the campground on your left" and there's "no easy way to turn around if you miss it."
Site specifics for larger rigs: Perryville RV Resort provides good access for larger RVs but has space limitations. A visitor noted, "Spots are tight and harsh back up angles. Only 3 paved spots" while another mentioned "spots are intermingled in the trees and it is spectacular in the morning."
Off-grid options: For RVers seeking quieter alternatives to established campgrounds, local farms like Goatey Goat Ranch offer "Full hook up, 50 and 30 amp" just "6 minutes from town (Perryville)" with "Plenty of room to pull in our 40ft Motorhome."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Chester, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Chester, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 87 campgrounds and RV parks near Chester, IL and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Chester, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chester, IL is Randolph County State Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chester, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Chester, IL.
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