Tent, RV, and cabin camping options surround Chester, Illinois, with sites ranging from basic to full-hookup across the Mississippi River valley. The region features several state parks within a 40-mile radius offering diverse terrain from pine forests to lakeside spots. Camping season typically runs March through November with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Swimming and fishing at Rend Lake: South Sandusky Campground provides direct access to Rend Lake's swimming beach and fishing areas. "We love tent camping at South Sandusky. Many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous," notes camper Gina J., who recommends water shoes for the sometimes rocky shoreline.
Hiking forest trails: Hawn State Park Campground offers multiple hiking trails through pine-filled valleys. "The trails are amazing with big boulders and beautiful creeks," shares Megan M. The park's rugged Whispering Pines trail includes significant elevation changes, with Chad K. noting that "the hiking in this state park is fantastic."
Historical exploration: Washington State Park Campground features Native American petroglyphs and structures built by African-American CCC stonemasons. "The prehistoric Petroglyphs nearby are a must see," advises Phil W. The park also offers river recreation with Lindsey R. mentioning, "We kayaked here and it was amazing! Probably the best short trip you could take on a kayak."
What campers like
Shaded, quiet camping: St. Francois State Park Campground provides heavily wooded sites. "Nice camping area. It was not overly crowded," reports Kristen R., who visited in June. The campground connects to the river with Leah H. sharing, "We had a beautiful campsite with soft grassy ground... within walking distance of the river and trail access."
Lake views: South Marcum Campground offers direct lakefront sites at Rend Lake. "Spot 56 has a crazy lake view and is on the tip of an outlook with pretty nice privacy!" exclaims Eli R. The campground maintains well-spaced sites with Kent F. noting, "Great camp ground.. 50 amp service, some with water and some with Full hookup... Dump stations are EZ access on the way out."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses and grounds. "Very clean, nice shower houses, playgrounds, picnic tables, fire pits. Quiet, shady, paved roads," reports Ed H. about camping at Giant City State Park. At Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, campers note "nice large shaded sites" and "showers and restrooms are nice" with "lots of hot water."
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Most state parks require advance booking while some wildlife refuges operate first-come, first-served. At Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Tracie E. explains, "All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."
Site privacy differences: Campground layouts vary significantly in this region. At St. Francois, Cody S. notes "the campground has oddly shaped campsites causing a crowded feel" and can be "loud on the weekends especially if there are races at the nearby Bonne Terre drag strip." Similarly, sites at Washington State Park have limited privacy with April D. observing, "you can see everyones business because there is maybe 1 tree in between each site."
Highway noise at some locations: Campgrounds near interstates can be noisy. The Benton KOA has sites "not even a hundred yards off I57" according to Mary T., who adds, "thought all night one of those trucks would come into the campsite if they went off the road." However, she discovered "another portion of this campground across the road... Quiet, newer, some money spent on that side."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Perryville RV Resort offers multiple play areas. "Great place to go. Lots of shade and always clean. Has a nice pool," notes Chris G. Another visitor, Jamey W., adds "The pool is better then most hotels and the giant trampoline looked like it would be my daughters favorite thing if she were with us."
Camping near playgrounds: When booking at South Sandusky, request sites near the recreational areas. Missy D. shares, "We love the large beach. The campsites have a nice set up and are a decent size. The kids loved the playground. There were kids everywhere and everyone was very friendly!"
Educational opportunities: Giant City State Park combines camping with learning experiences. "Giant City is a great place to go with your family! The trails are fun and interesting while the lodge is fantastic!" recommends Livia W. The park features distinctive geology that Michael M. describes as making you feel "you are in the mountains."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Level sites matter for comfortable stays. At South Marcum, campers note most sites are level with some pull-throughs available. Chris B. shares, "The campground gives campers plenty of room to spread out, lots of open space for the kids to play, and not crowded when we stopped by late July."
Hookup access: Water access varies by campground. MickandKarla W. details Dogwood loop at South Sandusky: "Most sites offer water and electric (50/30/20 AMP), while the Dogwood loop features several full hookup sites in its upper section. Note that the loop has low-sloping ditches on both sides of the road, so precise backing is needed to land on the asphalt pad."
Extended stays: For glamping near Chester, Illinois with longer duration stays, Crab Orchard allows 14-day maximum stays. "The biggest thing about this campground is first come first serve... Most you can spend here is 14 days, which lots of locals do," explains a reviewer, who adds it's "very quiet family friendly with large mostly level spots."
