Tent camping is available in the Collinsville, Illinois area with several established campgrounds within driving distance. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground in Wildwood, Missouri offers tent sites about 30 miles west of Collinsville, while Klondike Park in Augusta provides tent-specific camping options approximately 45 miles away. Rainey Park in Carrollton, Illinois also accommodates tent campers looking for a more basic setup.
Most tent sites at Babler Memorial State Park feature concrete pads with picnic tables and fire rings, though some tent campers note the challenge of finding level grassy spots. The park provides drinking water, showers, and toilets during the main season (April-October), with more limited facilities in winter months. Klondike Park offers a mix of drive-in and walk-in tent sites, with some campsites requiring campers to carry gear from parking areas to their sites. Water availability varies by season and location within these parks, so tent campers should plan accordingly.
The tent camping experience near Collinsville provides access to various hiking trails and outdoor activities. Klondike Park features tent sites with views of a small lake and bluffs, offering a scenic setting for primitive tent camping. Sites like #19 and #20 at Klondike provide more seclusion and privacy with better tree cover than other locations. Walk-in tent sites at Klondike Park create a more immersive outdoor experience, though they require additional effort to transport gear. According to one visitor, "Klondike park is a gorgeous park along the Katy Trail in Augusta, MO. The campsites are very quiet, very family friendly park. On site restrooms, hiking trails, and a small lake with overlooking bluffs."
from $15 - $16 / night
"There is hiking trails which was wonderful. There is a winery nearby. My campsite was amazing, it was clean and wasn't too far from the restrooms. There is picnic tables and fire rings."
"A few drive up sites and lots of hike in spots around a quarry turned lake. Beautiful and clean setting. We stayed in site 24. There were picnic tables and a fire pit at our site."
from $10 - $65 / night
"Stayed at a walk-in site for a night and enjoyed it. Some sites are closer to the highway and cars flying down the road can make it hard to sleep but after midnight, they stopped."
"The campground is located in a gym of a park located along the Missouri River. Reservations are required and the sites are in high demand. Tent camping only. There is water available in the park."
ScoutMy favorite spot in all of St. Louis! The lady who is the owner and the front desk attendant are wonderful and I have never had a problem here with anything! Free WiFi, laundry, and a public shower and bathroom if needed! There’s also cool walking/biking trails and a park with a children’s playground as well! The gas station is also walking distance for any small necessities
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
ScoutNice and easy. Good spacing between sites
TravelerTrails in the area re nice but facilities for this many sites are limited. Sites are close to each other.
TravelerJody, the hostess, is friendly and responsive. We stayed one night in the fall so the many permanent RVs were not occupied. The park is large and surrounded by woods and fields. We had a peaceful night near the cornfields where the short-term RV sites are located. Can hear the train horn in the distance. Note that they are tandem, so pull thru for the first person but back in for the second. We would stay here again.
TravelerThis campground is very well taken care of. The kids had plenty of things to do to stay busy and entertained outside.
ScoutIts fine. Nothing snazzy. Its in more of an industrial area so its kind of loud with the trains going by and whatnot. Mostly an RV site. 9 tent sites (first come first serve on spot) and a handful of cabins.
GuideCamping area is closed until further notice. Construction
LegendThis 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.
Tent camping options near Collinsville, Illinois range from basic sites to more developed campgrounds within a 45-mile radius. The region sits at the edge of the Mississippi River floodplain, with camping areas typically between 400-600 feet elevation. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for campers seeking more comfortable outdoor experiences.
Hiking on varied terrain: St. Charles County Klondike Park offers multiple trail types for different skill levels. "Trails are beautiful and perfect for families wanting to just come to a park for a day and hikers," notes Jake K., who appreciates the different terrains available throughout the park.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds feature accessible fishing spots without requiring long hikes. The World Shooting and Recreational Complex includes "a lake to boat, kayak or fish from the bank," according to Christi L., making it convenient for campers who want to stay close to their sites.
Wine country excursions: Klondike Park positions campers near Missouri's wine region. Marty C. explains that "This Campground places you in the heart of Missouri Wine Country and there's a perfect base for visiting the wineries and restaurants along highway 94."
Biking access: The Katy Trail connection provides excellent cycling opportunities. "I have bike-packed along the Katy and this is an excellent spot for an overnight(s) stay," shares Mike L. about St. Charles County Klondike Park, though he warns "It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail."
Shower facilities: The basic amenities at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park include "one main bathhouse with free showers that was very clean," according to Nancy W., who noted the park is open year-round though winter access to facilities is limited.
Secluded sites: Some campgrounds offer more private options. At Klondike Park, Shawn M. points out that "sites like #19 and 20 were more secluded, offered more trees and privacy" compared to other more exposed sites.
Affordable rates: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value. Jake K. says about St. Charles County Klondike Park: "Can't go wrong for a 10$ a night campsite with restrooms and water available."
Natural settings: Many sites offer scenic surroundings despite proximity to urban areas. Lahree C. describes Babler State Park as "a hidden gem. Tucked away, not far from St. Louis, you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city."
Reservation requirements: The best tent camping near Collinsville requires planning ahead. Marty C. notes about Klondike Park: "Reservations are required and the sites are in high demand. Tent camping only."
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife can be a nuisance if proper precautions aren't taken. Mike L. warns: "Make sure to store your food securely overnight - the racoons are pretty thick and hungry at night" at St. Charles County Klondike Park.
Walk-in sites: Not all tent sites allow vehicle access. Jake K. mentions "Stayed at a walk-in site for a night and enjoyed it," though this requires carrying gear from parking areas to the campsite.
Seasonal facility changes: Amenities vary throughout the year. Archie S. found at Babler Memorial State Park: "Not having water available except at the camp host, and no open restrooms and showers until after April 1, regardless of when the last freeze is was inconvenient for a spring break trip."
Quiet settings for kids: World Shooting and Recreational Complex offers peaceful surroundings. Christi L. notes the campground is "Quiet but can be dry and hot in the summer. Fun place to gather with friends."
Exploring options for children: Some parks have features specifically appealing to younger campers. Jonathan P. says about St. Charles County Klondike Park: "My kids loved exploring out there," giving it "a solid 5 stars."
Short, manageable trails: Look for hiking options suitable for various ages. Scott M. says about Babler State Park: "The trails are not too long but can be challenging for small kids or folks that are not used to hiking."
Space considerations: Some campgrounds have limited site separation. Annie C. explains that at Babler State Park: "Sites are not very private, and some are right on top of the next," suggesting families may want to research specific site numbers for more room.
Site specifications: Rainey Park has changed over time. Barbara P. clarifies: "This is a paved lot past the ballfields. Pull in at the sign and follow the road," noting "No tent camping allowed" despite what older listings might suggest.
Winter camping considerations: Year-round campers should note facility limitations. Nancy W. explains that at Babler State Park "the campground is open year-round but the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn't open until the spring. During the winter the only water spigot is available located near the camp hosts at site #36."
Site dimensions: Some areas have specific RV size constraints. According to Nancy W., at Babler State Park "Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around," suggesting campers should consult with hosts about appropriate spots.
Limited services: Many campgrounds require self-sufficiency. Mike L. advises about St. Charles County Klondike Park: "If you need it, grab food in Augusta or Defiance before arriving. There are no services in the park."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Collinsville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Collinsville, IL is Countryside Escape with a 1-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Collinsville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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