Camping near Clayton, Illinois centers around Siloam Springs State Park and extends to several nearby recreation areas within western Illinois. The region sits at approximately 700 feet elevation with rolling terrain characterized by hardwood forests and small lakes. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though water access points may close during winter months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: Siloam Springs State Park offers several well-marked trails ranging from beginner to moderate difficulty. "We've redone them numerous times and still enjoy them. My favorite trails are the Red Oak and Hoot Owl!" notes one visitor to Siloam Springs State Park Campground.
Water recreation: The small lakes throughout the region provide various activities without motorboat noise. At Wakonda Lake Campground, "kayaking rentals available, and a swimming beach too. Nice lakes, ranging from half a mile to 3 miles. Great trails too, ranging from half a mile to 3 miles."
Disc golf: Some county parks include disc golf courses alongside traditional camping amenities. "It's a county park, so you have basketball courts, soccer field, disc golf course, and a beautiful reservoir," explains a camper about facilities near Pittsfield City Lake.
What campers like
Private, shaded campsites: Many campgrounds feature mature trees providing natural separation between sites. A reviewer at Pittsfield City Lake mentioned, "Had an excellent time, good views of the lake and not many people. Campsites were decent and the shower/toilet facilities too."
Fishing opportunities: The lakes and ponds throughout the region offer fishing without crowds. "Small lake and good fishing," notes a camper at Siloam Springs, while another mentioned that "people around here loves to catch trout there."
Affordable camping options: County and municipal campgrounds provide budget-friendly alternatives to state parks. "I stayed here for one night in a tent... The campground is right above a lovely [lake], which I rode around on my bicycle in about thirty minutes. The showers are quite nice, with hot water and no additional cost," shared a visitor about Schuy-Rush Park.
What you should know
Limited amenities at smaller sites: Some campgrounds provide basic facilities without extensive amenities. "Not a lot to do but they are trying. Tent camping, RV and a few cabin rentals, boat docks too where you can bring your boat!" explains a camper about rural camping options.
Seasonal facility limitations: Water availability varies by season at most campgrounds. "We stayed 3 knights. The shower was good," noted a camper at Mark Twain Cave & Campground, which operates only from April through November.
Reservation recommendations: Many campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis or have limited reservation systems. A visitor to Pittsfield City Lake explained, "There were only a handful or so of sites available when we arrived on a Friday afternoon and they do not accept reservations."
Cell reception variability: Coverage can be inconsistent throughout the region. One RVer reported, "AT&T coverage varied, with 1-2 Bars of LTE service and speeds between 0.4 and 3.5 MB/s."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some sites offer limited recreational facilities for children. A reviewer of Driftwood Campground noted, "Very cool old metal playground equipment. Clean bathrooms, friendly staff, nice park across street for walking dog."
Consider activity options: Parks with diverse recreation choices keep children engaged. At Wakonda State Park, "kids running around, people walking and running and riding bikes, walking dogs. Great trails too, ranging from half a mile to 3 miles."
Check shower facilities: Family-friendly campgrounds typically maintain clean restrooms. "The bathroom is a little less than to be desired. We opted to use our RV instead of their restrooms due to cleanliness issues," warned one camper about facilities at Mark Twain Cave & Campground.
Pack insect protection: Lakeside campsites often have abundant mosquitoes. A visitor observed, "There were lots of frogs and mosquitos near the lake in which get very close to your site and public area."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Come prepared with leveling blocks at some campgrounds. "Our site was not at all level. Used all my blocks to compensate for the forward and passenger site down slope," noted an RVer at Mark Twain Cave & Campground.
Hookup placement considerations: Some sites have inconveniently placed utilities. A reviewer at Pittsfield City Lake observed, "The electric and water hookups on some sites, at least ours, was at the back and on the wrong side. Our electric cord just reached the post."
Space between sites varies: RV campgrounds offer different spacing between units. "Clean hot showers, nuff said... The grounds is only 2 miles outside of Hannibal and is walkable if fit," mentioned a visitor to Yogi Bears Jellystone Park, one of the more developed options in the region.
Concrete pad availability: Some campgrounds offer improved parking surfaces. "We had a concrete pad for our RV which was nice and a decent amount of room to roam," mentioned a camper about Wakonda Lake Campground.
