Best Campgrounds near Cobden, IL

🌳 Highlights

Welcome & Hospitality Newly opened in October 2020 and family-run by Rick & Glenda Wilson, guests often highlight their warm, friendly service . One reviewer said:

> “Owners and staff all super friendly, engaging and kind.”

Campground Quality Features include full hookups (30/50 amp, water, sewer), gravel pull-through sites for big rigs (up to ~43 ft), free WiFi, dump station, propane fill, fire pits, picnic tables, laundry, and a shower house .

On‑site Country Store & Deli A notable perk is the store with fresh deli items and daily lunch specials—particularly Friday catfish dinners—plus occasional breakfast on Saturdays .

⭐ Guest Reviews Snapshot

Mick & Karla (30 Mar 2025)

Booked same-day, chose pull-through site, enjoyed 40 psi water, decent WiFi/cell service.

Friendly staff and solid amenities, though gravel/dirt sites got dusty or muddy depending on weather.

Road noise from nearby I‑57 noted. Felt $40/night was a bit high.

CatTrailzz (24 Jul 2024)

Quiet despite being near the freeway. Loves the deli (noting salads and pulled pork).

Clean facilities, new shower room.

Plans to stay again.

QueenMartell (16 Mar 2024)

Friendly check-in, excellent service.

Accommodated a 43 ft fifth wheel with ease.

Highly recommends, loves the Friday catfish.

Other reviewers (Kitty, Kyla D, Tergeo)

Consistently mention friendly owners, clean/gravel sites, good common areas, and a strong likelihood to return .

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros 👎 Cons

Warm, personal service Sites are gravel/dirt—can be dusty or muddy Full hookups and big‑rig friendly Road noise from I‑57 On-site deli with fresh food & catfish dinners Wi-Fi and cell coverage are serviceable but not exceptional Clean shower/laundry facilities Price (~$39–40/night) might be a bit high for basic amenities

Summary

Magnolia Campground is a great overnight or short-term stop if you’re looking for friendly hospitality, solid basic RV hookups, and the novelty of a country store with good food in southeast Missouri. It’s particularly suited for large RVs, travelers who enjoy a welcoming vibe, and those who appreciate a Friday catfish dinner. It’s not a destination resort, so if you're seeking plush amenities or a quiet nature getaway, plan accordingly.

Bottom Line

If you're rolling through with an RV and want a hassle-free, friendly, quick stay with full hookups and good food, Magnolia is a solid choice. For longer stays, be prepared for gravel underfoot and some road noise—but clean facilities and warm hosts might still make it worth it.

If you'd like help booking, directions, or comparisons to nearby campgrounds, just let me know!

We came on Memorial Day weekend, almost backed out due to rain but very glad we didn’t. We stayed in the basic campground, spot 50. There was hardly anyone else here. Spot was secluded and quiet. There’s a short hiking trail down to the lake, fun walk through nature in the area. Beautiful look out over the Mississippi River. Park ranger drove through the campsite around 9:30pm, I really liked that, made it feel safer. Had a cute furry friend make a visit a few times during the night. Didn’t catch any fish in the lake but we probably didn’t bring the right bait. Very enjoyable experience, bathrooms were extremely clean. Only downside was the shower house being closed. Really recommend this spot!

Using your GPS of choice, you can reach this campground off I-57 via Benton or the IL-154/Sesser exit. The area includes both North Sandusky and South Sandusky COE campgrounds, clearly marked and easy to find. We arrived around 2:00 PM and found the check-in gate closed, but since we had a reservation, we proceeded directly to our back-in site 123 with full hookups. Most sites here 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. There’s one full hookup pull-through site in the Dogwood loop—a long, slightly curved pad with sewer and power connections on the yard side, and water on the standard side. Both North and South Sandusky COE campgrounds offer a wide variety of site types, including lake views, varying utility setups, and well-spaced sites. Paved bike trails run throughout the area. We've been coming here for years, and this campground remains one of our favorites close to home.