Best Campgrounds near Clayton, IL

Camping near Clayton, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

• Hiking: Enjoy the trails at Siloam Springs State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The trails are pretty well marked and are best in mid/late fall or early spring."
• Fishing: Many campers love to fish at Wakonda Lake Campground. A reviewer noted, "Great for fishing. There are also full hookups."
• Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Illinois Spring Lake Park. One camper shared, "We had fun fishing and sitting by the campfire in the evenings."

What campers like:

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at Ray Behrens Recreational. A visitor said, "Bathrooms and shower house are cleaned regularly."
• Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the large, well-separated sites at Indian Creek Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Very wooded campsites but large and spaced apart nicely."
• Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff at Mark Twain Cave & Campground. A guest noted, "The office folks here were very nice and accommodating."

What you should know:

• Reservations: Some campgrounds, like Primitive Campground, have reservable sites, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A camper mentioned, "We certainly didn’t expect the Prairie Lake Campground to be full in late October!"
• Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have markets or stores nearby. One visitor at Indian Creek Campground advised, "Suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities."
• Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters, especially raccoons at Indian Creek Campground. A camper warned, "Raccoons visited nightly so secure your food supply and trash."

Tips for camping with families:

• Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and open fields. At Primitive Campground, families enjoyed "kids riding bikes around the loop and some playing wiffle ball in the open field."
• Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and games for cozy evenings. One family at Wakonda Lake Campground mentioned, "The sites are very large and our RV site has a cement pad."
• Plan for Meals: Consider cooking together over a campfire. A camper at Siloam Springs State Park Campground said, "The pines give great cover when hot and add that familiar pine scent to the whole park."

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Levels: Some sites may not be level, so bring leveling blocks. A visitor at Ray Behrens Recreational noted, "Only drawback is finding a level site if you are in a motor home."
• Electric Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups for your RV. One camper at Indian Creek Campground mentioned, "Several 50 amp sites but majority are 30 amp."
• Stock Up Beforehand: Many campgrounds are remote, so fill up on supplies before arriving. A camper at Mark Twain Cave & Campground advised, "You'll want to stock up before you pull in."

Camping near Clayton, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!