Searching for the best camping near Chester, IL? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Chester, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"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."
"Booking was easy and price was average. The property itself is beautiful. Spots are intermingled in the trees and it is spectacular in the morning."
"The staff were super friendly and accommodating, and the bathrooms and camp store were extremely nice."
"Ava Illinois +1 618-318-6734 Text your name and number of people on your campsite to reserve your spot.
The Solar Eclipse Event "PARK @ THE MOON"
Extended or early arrivals welcome."
"We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers. I would come back again."
"Regular state park stuff. The group camping area was very nice. It is a large, separate area. We had the whole area to ourselves each time we took the scouts."
"Kind of a bare bones campground but this state park does offer rock climbing (if you have the expertise and your own gear)."
"The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground."
"We have a pull behind travel trailer and pick up truck. Site 107 is where we stayed. Pull thru site,asphalt paved with gravel set up area, burn pit and picnic table."
"In the fall of 2018, we stayed at CG#1, the spot has a nice gravel tent pad with border, picnic table, and a fire pit. The spot also offered a concrete section for a camper and cars."
"Showers ran cold at first but after a few mins it gets warmer! There were plenty of pit toliets through out the campground and trash cans."
"This is a small lake management by the state of Illinois. The campground is usually not crowded, but some weekends do get busy. There is a shower/bathroom that was clean each time we were there."
"There are 21 miles of trails throughout the park and a large lake. The attractions are all relatively close to the road (cave, "hidden" spring, and trout streams)."
"We absolutely love this park. It’s just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views."
"This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings costructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here."
RangerKind of a bare bones campground but this state park does offer rock climbing (if you have the expertise and your own gear). A few picnic shelters and an amazing CCC lodge that has a cabin rentals and a pretty good area restaurant. The park used to have an interp center but I believe the state closed it do to funding. The trails aren't always maintained it definitely depends on the season but the park itself is not to be missed.
LegendThis is a great little campground with a fishing lake. Sites are gravel but well maintained. Sites are fairly close with most shaded. Getting around is a little right for bigger rigs but still doable as long as you’re careful. Make sure you fill up at the dump station before you get to the campground because there’s no easy way to turn around if you miss it. It’s approximately a mile before the campground on your left. Be aware that there are no showers though, only bathrooms. Fifty-one Class BE campsites, 95 Class C campsites, an equestrian site with eight stalls for horses, and four Class D (primitive) campsites are available throughout the area. A group camp area has its own shelter, stone fireplace, electricity and tables. Some campsites at Randolph County SRA can be reserved online through Reserve America at www.reserveamerica.com Randolph County State Recreation Area is a mecca for outdoor recreational activities. Fishing, hiking, picnicking, boating, hunting and camping are just a few of the choices on the 1,101 acres at the site. Located five miles northeast of Chester, Randolph County SRA lies in the rolling hill country of southern Illinois. Offering a cool retreat from hot summer days, well shaded picnic areas, hiking trails and scenic forest stands await park visitors.
Park Information:
West Central Illinois
4301 S. Lake Drive Chester IL 62233
618-826-2706
N: 37.968 W: -89.802 History In 1958, land was purchased and plans started to build a dam and spillway for a 65-acre lake. The lake was completed in 1961, and since that time, recreational facilities have been added to provide picnic shelters, toilets, a boat ramp and a concession stand at Randolph County SRA..
Directions All access to Randolph County SRA is from the west entrance off Palestine Rd. Coming from the North on Route 3, visitors will turn east on Shawneetown Trail south of the town of Ellis Grove. At Palestine, turn south on Palestine Road and proceed two miles, then turn left at the entrance sign. Coming from the north on Route 150, turn west on Shawneetown Trail and proceed to Palestine, then turn south on Palestine Road and proceed to the entrance sign and turn left into the area. Coming from the south from Chester, head north on Palestine Road to the entrance sign and turn right into the area.
TravelerWe absolutely love this park. It’s just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views. Very clean campsites with lots of shade for tent campers & nice level lots. There is even a swimming pool if the river isn’t your thing & a couple playgrounds too. There is a dollar general right outside the park entrance which is super convenient if you forget something or your lighter runs out of fluid like us lol. They have cabins to rents as well as Camper spots and basic lots. Pet friendly! Highly recommend this park. The whole family enjoyed staying here.
GuideReally great campground. Good mix of tents and RVs. Bath house was very well kept and clean. Showers ran cold at first but after a few mins it gets warmer! There were plenty of pit toliets through out the campground and trash cans. My tent site was clean, good flat spot for tent, picnic table and fire pit with attached grill.
The Concession building in the park is closing. No boat rentals, selling everything he has on the shelf.
Caught a few bass and and good amount of hiking. Large trail around the whole lake, smaller trails lead to sites around the different campgrounds.
TravelerWe have a pull behind travel trailer and pick up truck. Site 107 is where we stayed. Pull thru site,asphalt paved with gravel set up area, burn pit and picnic table. Bathrooms and shower house where nice and very clean! We did not have a ORV but did have battery Burromax minbikes. 10 yr old son had an amazing time ridingtoafs with no issues. Pet friendly. Great sewer dump station. Overall it was a very clean and friendly camping experience we will definitely go back even without having a dirtbike or 4 wheeler. Lots of fun!
TravelerPet-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. Louis, and staff was friendly and accommodating. Also, fantastic restaurant right on site -- Sawmill BBQ!
GuideI specifically would like to point out things that I look for when booking because I’m usually already on the road when trying to find a place to stay.
There was after hours check in! But also a so friendly staff in the office. Beautiful coded bathrooms with showers. They were heated and warm and very well marked.
We did get a 30amp spot, because we have a van with solar panels and didn’t need to hook up. From doing this we were placed under street lights so they were always on and bright directly on our van. The next night they let us move to a 50 amp.
The 50 amp spaces were the only ones with firepits. Rvs are close to one another but I was completely okay with that.
There was road noise, quite a bit. But large trash bins and a great bbq restaurant on the grounds!
I was planning on grabbing a gallon of milk when we got there...there really is nothing around the rv park! Maybe a couple gas stations at best, but if you need groceries or anything, stop and get them before you get close. Stop in the town before.
Oh and an awesome playground for the kids!!
LegendWe chose Cahokia RV Park because of its close proximity to St. Louis Missouri. We stayed in a gravel site with a concrete pad, fire pit, picnic table and full-hook ups. The spaces are tighter, but that was expected being closer to a city. There is a playground, pool and pond area to walk around. We were pleased with the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers and had no major complaints. The price reflected what we got out of our stay.
TravelerSmall lake. Has tent camping or cabins. All roads are gravel. We have stayed in the cabins. It was a double bed and also had a set of bunks. So plenty of room. Lake has sandy beaches. Small playset I the water for kids.
Cabin camping near Chester, Illinois offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the cozy amenities of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Chester, IL is Randolph County State Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 7 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 24 cabin camping locations near Chester, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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