Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground provides budget-friendly glamping near Collinsville, Illinois with rates starting at just $8 per night. Located within 15 minutes of downtown Collinsville, this natural setting offers primitive camping with basic amenities in a wooded environment. Despite its proximity to urban areas, the campground maintains a secluded atmosphere with sites spaced for privacy.
What to do
Wildlife watching at dawn: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly during migration seasons. "This is a great place when the geese are migrating thru, I really hope to be back here some day!" notes Kent B. The lake attracts diverse bird species throughout the year.
Fishing excursions without crowds: The surrounding lakes provide fishing opportunities without swimming restrictions. At Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, one visitor observed that "Nice lake for fishing and boating" while another mentioned "The lake is ok but no swimming, boating and fishing only."
Urban exploration with easy returns: The campgrounds serve as convenient baselines for exploring St. Louis attractions without city accommodation costs. A camper at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA noted, "Thirty minute drive into see Gateway Arch. Not a bad swap for some peace and quiet."
What campers like
Budget-friendly glamping options: Multiple campgrounds offer affordable alternatives to commercial glamping sites. At Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, a camper shared, "Great spot and great value" while another praised the value: "Great site 8 dollars a day!"
Spacious site layouts: Many campers appreciate the well-designed sites at Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, with one visitor noting, "Absolutely huge site with old growth trees throughout the campground without lots of space between." This contrasts with more densely packed commercial sites.
Year-round accessibility: Unlike seasonal glamping operations, several parks maintain winter operations. A camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park shared, "Stayed here most of the several weeks we needed to be in St. Louis for family matters. Definitely our favorite place in the area."
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds near transport corridors experience periodic train noise. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, campers report, "Trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice." Another visitor mentioned, "When you first pull down the road you'll be worried you're going to end up in the train yard, but the campground is hidden and actually really quiet and secluded."
Limited shade in newer campgrounds: Some developed glamping sites lack mature tree cover. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, visitors note: "The grounds are clean and pleasant, if a bit sparse with little shade. This will change over the subsequent years, however, as there are many relatively newly planted trees."
Water quality varies seasonally: Early season campers sometimes encounter water issues. One camper at Illini Campground detailed: "Only complaint that I have was the potable water supply... It was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids. I drained the tank and filled with a spicket next to our site and had the same dirty water."
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront sites require early arrival: Lakeside spots at Pere Marquette State Park Campground fill quickly during peak seasons. One visitor advised, "I went to this campsite because they were pictures of sites right by the water. This is not true. You are a couple hundred yards at best to the Waters edge."
Recreation amenities vary significantly: Campgrounds offer different child-friendly facilities. A camper at St. Louis West Historic Route 66 KOA shared, "There is a pool, bike rentals, dog park, movie night, basketball court, and more," making it suitable for families seeking structured activities.
Halloween camping requires advance planning: Illini Campground hosts special seasonal events that draw large crowds. A visitor explained, "They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site... Better get there at least a week in advance for the halloween festivities- it fills up!"
Tips from RVers
Bathroom access considerations: Some campgrounds have limited facilities relative to size. At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground, a visitor warned, "There is one main bathhouse with free showers that was very clean. There are also two vault toilets located in the campground. The campground is open year-round but the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn't open until the spring."
Leveling challenges at state parks: Several glamping locations require preparation for uneven sites. At Pere Marquette State Park Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "Some lots are not level," while another at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA stated, "Sites are mostly level. Nice staff. Appears cabins are going through some refurbishing efforts."
Security features vary: Some glamping sites near Collinsville offer enhanced safety features. A camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park appreciated that "Staff on duty at all hours is awesome!" while others noted the presence of park rangers at some state facilities.
