Patrick L.
Guide
GuideHorseshoe Lake State Park Campground
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Camping area is closed until further notice. Construction
Camping near Collinsville, IL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options near Collinsville, Illinois include established campgrounds that accommodate a mix of tents, RVs, and cabins within a 30-mile radius of the city. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, located in nearby Granite City, offers primitive tent camping with basic amenities and sits approximately 15 miles northwest of Collinsville. Several private facilities like the St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA and Cahokia RV Parque provide more developed camping experiences with hookups and amenities. The region serves as a convenient base for visitors to St. Louis attractions while maintaining access to Illinois outdoor recreation areas.
Many campgrounds in the Collinsville area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through September. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground operates from May 1 to September 30, while other facilities like MGM Campground and Scott AFB FamCamp remain open year-round. Reservations are recommended at most established campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. The terrain is generally flat with minimal elevation concerns, making most sites accessible without specialized vehicles or equipment. Water levels at Horseshoe Lake can affect site selection and activities. A camper noted, "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast."
Visitors consistently mention the value offered at public camping areas near Collinsville. Horseshoe Lake State Park receives positive reviews for its affordable rates ($8 per night) and privacy between campsites despite basic facilities. The campground provides access to fishing and boating opportunities but prohibits swimming. Several reviews indicate the campground features clean, well-maintained grounds with sufficient spacing between sites. Private campgrounds in the area offer more amenities but at higher prices, with access to swimming pools, playgrounds, and full hookups. Proximity to major highways provides convenient access to St. Louis attractions, including the Gateway Arch, which is visible from some camping areas when conditions permit. One review mentioned, "The campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. Not much to do if you have kids. If you're looking for quiet camping trip this is a great park."
Best Campgrounds near Collinsville (73)
1. Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park
"Very clean and secure overnight park just outside of STL. Phenomenal views of downtown and the arch, and fairly easy access to I-55/64/70."
"Close to the arch, that’s why we chose this place to stay overnight."
from $65 / night
Check Availability2. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground
"Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
"Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."
3. Cahokia RV Parque
"It's a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions."
"I compared the park to two others near St. Louis on the Illinois side and found this one to be the most pleasant. Most of the sites are sunny, but some have shade."
4. St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA
"Conveniently located just outside of St Louis. We camped here for a trip to the city for St Louis cardinals game and zoo. My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park."
"It's not in the prettiest location, very industrial and the train tracks run close. First night one came through blowing its horns around 5am."
5. Scott AFB FamCamp
"You are on the entire opposite side of the base, away from everything, absolutely everything.."
"GREAT location for camping, especially if you run out of items and need to get something close by. Very natural, and amazing views and the feel is spectacular."
6. MGM Campground
"Nice little lake(catch and release I believe). Surrounded by nature, lots of grass and trees, great for dog owners. Spacious spots."
7. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
"I've been to 370 Lakeside Park many times to walk around the huge lake and to hear concerts in the summer, but I had never camped there. Still haven't. I'll explain."
"All hookups were conveniently located. Shower house and restrooms were clean and well maintained/cleaned every day. Had a lakefront site but didn’t get to fish this time."
from $35 - $60 / night
Check Availability8. Sundermeier RV Park
"We were able to park next to our 5th wheel with enough room to not feel crowded while using the picnic bench. Also the site was level. We stayed for a week to enjoy St. Louis, St."
"To hot and tired to walk around but there is aa park and access to a walking trail that looks nice. It is on path of airport it seems but plane noise does not bother us. It was not to bad."
from $56 - $61 / night
Check Availability9. Town and Country Lakes
"It’s a beautiful place with good people but could definitely use some updating on the playground, signage, and drive."
10. Love's RV Hookup-Hamel IL 578
Drive Time
- 13 min from St. Louis, MO
- 1 hr 7 min from Springfield, IL
- 1 hr 43 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
- 1 hr 44 min from Decatur, IL
Recent Camping Photos near Collinsville, IL
81 Photos of 73 Collinsville Campgrounds
Felion
Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground
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St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
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Dam West Spillway
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Dr. Edmond Babler State Park
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Recent Reviews near Collinsville, IL
463 Reviews of 73 Collinsville Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
LegendSt. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
Our Recommended Campground for Visiting the St. Louis Area
This campground was easy to find, as both our GPS and the campground signs led us right to the city park and campground entrance. Check-in begins at 2:00 p.m., but we called ahead and were graciously allowed to arrive an hour early. We checked in and proceeded to back-in Site 426 with full hookups. As the last site in the campground, the curve in the road made for an exceptionally easy back-in. The concrete pad easily accommodated our 40-foot toy hauler and F-450, with utilities conveniently located near the center of the site and no issues connecting two sewer hoses. Water pressure was adequate, and the 50-amp electric performed flawlessly. The campground's four loops have mostly younger trees, so satellite reception should not be a problem in most sites. Although we brought our Starlink, we used our T-Mobile Home Internet instead, averaging 217 Mbps download and 21.5 Mbps upload. The campground information sheet mentioned Wi-Fi, but we never saw a network to join and didn't inquire further since our internet worked well. We received three bars on Verizon and two bars on T-Mobile. The campground has a nice fenced dog park that's large enough to actually throw a ball, plus a paved walking and biking trail that circles the lake. The office also sells ice and firewood, and the dump station is located behind the office. Many sites offer lake views, and the RV sites are generally well spaced. We noticed Loop 100 has all concrete pads, the first two rows of Loop 200 are concrete with the remaining sites primarily gravel except for some end sites, Loop 300 is reserved for primitive camping and tents, and Loop 400 has a mix of concrete and gravel sites. The center rows of the RV loops are pull-throughs. One thing to be aware of is that the campground has begun charging short-term campers for electricity. We weren't informed about it during check-in, although our traveling companions were shown how to monitor their usage online. The information sheet we received only referenced weekly and monthly electric charges. Even with hot weather and occasionally running three air conditioners during our three-day stay, our electric charge was only about $14. We departed without stopping at the office and received a checkout email about an hour after the noon checkout time. The St. Louis area is our home base, and in our opinion, this is the best RV park in the area and the one we most often recommend to our RV friends.
Kalo O.
TravelerKlondike Park
Outdoor Family Fun
My family and I really enjoyed being at Klondike Park Camping. I can't really find anything I didn't like about this place. The camp sites were clean and well maintained, there are bathrooms not to far to get to and a camp kitchen where you can do dishes and cook if needed. I love the off grid feeling of being in the outdoors but when you have children it is nice knowing you have these luxurious not far from your camp site. I also love how easy it is to navigate around Klondike. I never got lost once I figured out the layout. My family and I can't wait until our next adventure at Klondike and we stayed at site 25 if anyone is wondering about the perfect site to camp.
Matthew M.TravelerScott AFB FamCamp
No frills
BL, the camp could use a Camp Host or Mayor. Stayed 1 night. We used the bathhouse and walked the grounds- so did a lot of other people; especially in the morning up to lunch. Quiet camp -Aircraft noise held off until 08:00 (bonus). Men’s shower side had great water pressure and temp- water fixtures were dated, dirty and temperamental (2 shower heads-1 working) also, cozy up to your multi-legged friends (spider webs and bugs were in competition for our shower space), Laundry is $1.50/wash&dry. I’ve stayed at a good many FamCamps: Lake Martin Rec -AL Uchee Creek-GA Destin Army Inf CTR-FL Robins AFB FamCamp-GA Round Pond -NY Kings Creek-VA Ellsworth AFB-SD Blue Angel Rec-FL Anniston Army Depot-AL Sigsbee-FL That’s my starter list! So, I’d like to see this one level up. It’s in a good area (we come through every couple years) and I think it could get a few more interested in it, if it were managed just a little bit better.
Tammy S.GuideSt. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
Great price for what you get!
Full hook up. Lovely lake. Great paved path. Sites are level. Landscaping is amazing. My only issue is no shade trees. Where else are you getting full hook up with all of these activities for this price?
Andrew S.GuideDr. Edmond Babler State Park
Great location, no privacy.
The location to St. Louis is great, and the utility hookups for RV were convenient, but there was ZERO privacy at the sites and hiking trail were extremely limited. Great coverage for Verizon and Starlink.
- WWilliam M.Traveler
Sherwood Forest
Great spot by lake
This place was amazing other than the humidity (mid july). Showed up and the hosts were super nice and helped me to my spot. They have lots of camper spots, most seemed like long term campers. I used a tent and had a great spot near the lake. No other tent campers around. They have a good open spot for tents that you just find a spot and set up. Campers seemed nice and we re quiet.
- Tammy S.Guide
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground
Nice place to relax
Great views. Lots of water view sites. Just not a lot to do in the area. Hosts are very kind
- Tammy S.Guide
St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park
Incredible
Beautiful grounds. Paved level sites. Great path around the lake. Wish there were trees
Guide to Collinsville
Camping options near Collinsville, Illinois extend beyond basic campgrounds into specialized experiences with unique amenities. The area features flat terrain with elevations ranging from 400-450 feet above sea level, creating accessible camping conditions year-round. Winter camping opportunities exist at several facilities that remain operational during colder months, with temperatures typically ranging from 25-45°F between November and February.
What to do
Explore historic St. Charles: Located about 35 miles from Collinsville, Sundermeier RV Park offers direct access to the Katy Trail. "You can literally be parked right at the Katy Trail. Through the gate at the rear of the campground, and you can bike for miles. Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River. Great shops, great restaurants," notes Cheryl K.
Water recreation: The 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters provides multiple water-based activities within 40 miles of Collinsville. A camper shared, "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles). There is fish in the lake and you are allowed to fish."
Family activities: MGM Campground in Granite City (15 miles from Collinsville) features a small lake for recreation. One review mentions, "Nice little lake (catch and release I believe). Surrounded by nature, lots of grass and trees, great for dog owners. Spacious spots."
What campers like
Affordability: Multiple campgrounds near Collinsville offer budget-friendly options. One camper at Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground noted, "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
Proximity to St. Louis: Cahokia RV Parque provides convenient access to St. Louis attractions. As one camper stated, "This is a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions. Getting in after a long drive and seeing the on-site BBQ restaurant was a huge positive."
Security features: Several campgrounds prioritize safety measures. At Casino Queen RV Park, a reviewer explained: "Security is proactive in patrols and are friendly and helpful. No frills but a great view of the arch. Centrally located and across the bridge from downtown."
What you should know
Urban camping realities: The Casino Queen RV Park in East St. Louis provides city amenities with urban challenges. One reviewer reported, "$70 per night, plus $20 pet fee and $5 reservation fee. Stayed two nights passing through to visit Gateway Arch National Park. Casino is pretty old looking on the outside. Park is not staffed, you get a gate code in your email to access the park. Spots are concrete and gravel, very urban camping."
Transportation noise: Train tracks near several campgrounds create noise disturbances. A camper at Casino Queen RV Park observed, "There are trains every 15-30 minutes all day long. Casino has a metro stop that takes you into St Louis over the river."
Winter availability: While some campgrounds close seasonally, options remain available for winter camping. A visitor to MGM Campground noted they "pay $550 a month including utilities," indicating long-term stays are possible at certain facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers recreational facilities for children. "Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night," wrote one family camper. The park includes a small playground and seasonal activities.
Budget-friendly activities: Several parks offer low-cost recreation options. A reviewer at 370 Lakeside Park shared, "We rented a peddle buggy. Those are a lot harder to get moving then they look. Awesome workout for the whole family!"
Weather preparation: The region experiences variable weather conditions. A visitor to 370 Lakeside Park reported, "There was some rough springtime weather expected one day. A park ranger went around to every site and notified every camper of where the shelters were and gave out a flyer about the specific weather forecast!"
Tips from RVers
Utility setup challenges: At Casino Queen RV Park, one RVer noted, "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper."
Military options: Scott AFB FamCamp provides dedicated facilities for military personnel about 20 miles from Collinsville. "This campground is clean and convenient to the St Louis area. The Outdoor Recreation unit is very responsive to needs of campers. The nearby lake is scenic and peaceful," shares a military camper.
Leveling considerations: Some sites require additional equipment. A reviewer at Scott AFB FamCamp mentioned, "A lot of spots are not level, so come prepared. Some spots are shaded. Some spots are in full sun."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Collinsville, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Collinsville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Collinsville, IL is Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park with a 3.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
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