Best Cabin Camping near Columbia, IL

Rustic cabin rentals dot the landscape within an hour's drive of Columbia, Illinois, providing a range of accommodations for overnight stays. St. Charles County Klondike Park offers basic cabins with limited amenities but excellent access to outdoor recreation. Washington State Park Campground features cabins with more substantial facilities, including electricity and nearby shower houses. "The cabins were clean and the Murphy beds allowed for so much space when we weren't sleeping," noted one visitor to Meramec Caverns Natural Campground. Most cabin sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with varying levels of privacy depending on the location and season.

KOA-style cabins are available at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, providing standardized accommodations with predictable amenities. Depending on the campground, cabin options range from primitive one-room structures to more deluxe units with separate bedrooms. Reservations are typically required, especially during summer months when availability becomes limited. Pet policies vary by location, with some cabins permitting dogs for an additional fee while others restrict pets entirely. A recent review noted that Washington State Park Campground has "nice level lots" and is "pet friendly," making it suitable for families bringing their animals.

Most cabins require visitors to bring their own bedding, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations, with some offering only outdoor cooking options while others provide refrigerators and microwaves. Cahokia RV Parque includes cabin rentals with more extensive amenities than wilderness locations. Firewood is typically available for purchase at campground offices or nearby stores. Visitors staying at log cabins should check ahead regarding water access, as some primitive cabins lack running water. Grocery options are limited near most cabin sites, so campers should stock up on supplies before arrival.

Best Cabin Sites Near Columbia, Illinois (27)

    1. Cahokia RV Parque

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 332-7700

    "Pet-friendly, full hookups, space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle. Laundry and propane on site. Spaces were a little close together, but minutes from downtown St."

    "I specifically would like to point out things that I look for when booking because I’m usually already on the road when trying to find a place to stay. There was after hours check in!"

    2. St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA

    13 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-5160

    "We had tram tickets for the arch so we needed a shore power hookup for run the AC for our dog. This was a good spot for that. Some grass and shade, a pool and a playground for the kids."

    "Had shade and a nice concrete pad to park on. Good clean power. Clean bathrooms and pool looked like it was taken care of."

    3. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort At Six Flags

    13 Reviews
    Eureka, MO
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 938-5925

    "We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!!"

    "pros- activities for kids/fam nice pool tons of trees easy access from highway close amenities (Walmart, six flags, etc) close to StL (tons to do) we did grants farm and city museum one day"

    4. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    26 Reviews
    St. Charles, MO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 387-5253

    $35 - $60 / night

    "The nicest spots are the ones by the lake, with only one neighbor and a better view of the lake. The staff are kind and helpful. Water and electric worked fine."

    "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."

    5. Washington State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Cadet, MO
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 586-5768

    "We absolutely love this park. It’s just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views."

    "This park is so rich in Missouri and USA history - from buildings costructed by the African-American CCC stonemasons to Native American petroglyphs, there's some fascinating stuff here."

    6. Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Resort at Six Flags

    3 Reviews
    Eureka, MO
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 938-5925

    "We stopped her for a few nights to check out St. Louis."

    "Everything open except the pool and playground. Hopefully all the amenities will open soon. Showers were well stocked and clean. Good hot water. The store and gift shop has everything you could need."

    7. Pin Oak RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Union, MO
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 962-1501

    "A nice private catch and release pond, an old little mini golf setup, a small (but adequate) swimming pool kept the kids busy."

    "Mini golf, activity room with a pinball machine and pool table. A band played on Saturday night at the pavillion but unfortunately it was very cold and we didn't stay long."

    8. Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    21 Reviews
    Stanton, MO
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 468-3166

    $23 - $38 / night

    "This is a private campground run by Meramec Caverns. The campground is large and shaded, right on the river. There are hook up sites and tent sites."

    "Security patrols around the clock and doesn't put up with any ridiculousness.

    Campsites available on pavement, gravel for campers and RVs and grass for tents."

    9. St. Joe State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Park Hills, MO
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 431-1069

    "We have a pull behind travel trailer and pick up truck. Site 107 is where we stayed. Pull thru site,asphalt paved with gravel set up area, burn pit and picnic table."

    "In the fall of 2018, we stayed at CG#1, the spot has a nice gravel tent pad with border, picnic table, and a fire pit. The spot also offered a concrete section for a camper and cars."

    10. St. Charles County Klondike Park

    5 Reviews
    Augusta, MO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 949-7535

    "It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail. You may have to walk up the hill - challenge made :-) . This is a St. Charles County Park and it is well maintained."

    "Even has a shared camp kitchen very clean showers house very spacious some campsites are close together but everyone seemed nice. Bring your own wood."

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Cabin Reviews near Columbia, IL

224 Reviews of 27 Columbia Campgrounds


  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2018

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    Jesse James hideout camping

    This is a private campground run by Meramec Caverns. The campground is large and shaded, right on the river. There are hook up sites and tent sites. My advice is to try and get a spot all the way to the left of the entrance. These sites seem quieter and more spread out. The down side is that they are pretty far from the shower house and bathrooms. Most of this sites (but not all) have picnic tables, grills and fire pits. There are a few really nice sites right on the river. There is a restaurant, general store, canoe rental, zip line (it goes across the Meramec River, not sure how you get back!), and of course the caverns. The cave tour is a bit hokey, but if you can look past the mannequins and silliness, the caves themselves are really spectacular. You can definitely see why Jesse and Frank James used this as a hideout.

  • Morgan S.
    Sep. 8, 2021

    Washington State Park Campground

    The perfect park

    We absolutely love this park. It’s just under an hour from St. Louis, with river access, amazing hiking trails & great views. Very clean campsites with lots of shade for tent campers & nice level lots. There is even a swimming pool if the river isn’t your thing & a couple playgrounds too. There is a dollar general right outside the park entrance which is super convenient if you forget something or your lighter runs out of fluid like us lol. They have cabins to rents as well as Camper spots and basic lots. Pet friendly! Highly recommend this park. The whole family enjoyed staying here.

  • AC
    May. 16, 2021

    Washington County State Recreation Area

    Shady Rest campground

    Really great campground. Good mix of tents and RVs. Bath house was very well kept and clean. Showers ran cold at first but after a few mins it gets warmer! There were plenty of pit toliets through out the campground and trash cans. My tent site was clean, good flat spot for tent, picnic table and fire pit with attached grill.

    The Concession building in the park is closing. No boat rentals, selling everything he has on the shelf.

    Caught a few bass and and good amount of hiking. Large trail around the whole lake, smaller trails lead to sites around the different campgrounds.

  • Amy D.
    Aug. 6, 2018

    St. Joe State Park Campground

    ORV riding/Super nice

    We have a pull behind travel trailer and pick up truck. Site 107 is where we stayed. Pull thru site,asphalt paved with gravel set up area, burn pit and picnic table. Bathrooms and shower house where nice and very clean! We did not have a ORV but did have battery Burromax minbikes. 10 yr old son had an amazing time ridingtoafs with no issues. Pet friendly. Great sewer dump station. Overall it was a very clean and friendly camping experience we will definitely go back even without having a dirtbike or 4 wheeler. Lots of fun!

  • T
    Nov. 2, 2020

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Nice close park to St. Louis

    Pet-friendly, full hookups, space for our larger rig and parking around for extra vehicle. Laundry and propane on site. Spaces were a little close together, but minutes from downtown St. Louis, and staff was friendly and accommodating. Also, fantastic restaurant right on site -- Sawmill BBQ!

  • K
    Dec. 10, 2020

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Close to STL, beautiful bathrooms, restaurant on site, after hours check in

    I specifically would like to point out things that I look for when booking because I’m usually already on the road when trying to find a place to stay. There was after hours check in! But also a so friendly staff in the office. Beautiful coded bathrooms with showers. They were heated and warm and very well marked.
    We did get a 30amp spot, because we have a van with solar panels and didn’t need to hook up. From doing this we were placed under street lights so they were always on and bright directly on our van. The next night they let us move to a 50 amp. The 50 amp spaces were the only ones with firepits. Rvs are close to one another but I was completely okay with that. There was road noise, quite a bit. But large trash bins and a great bbq restaurant on the grounds! I was planning on grabbing a gallon of milk when we got there...there really is nothing around the rv park! Maybe a couple gas stations at best, but if you need groceries or anything, stop and get them before you get close. Stop in the town before.

    Oh and an awesome playground for the kids!!

  • Carlyne F.
    Feb. 12, 2021

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Cahokia RV Parque, IL

    We chose Cahokia RV Park because of its close proximity to St. Louis Missouri. We stayed in a gravel site with a concrete pad, fire pit, picnic table and full-hook ups. The spaces are tighter, but that was expected being closer to a city. There is a playground, pool and pond area to walk around. We were pleased with the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers and had no major complaints. The price reflected what we got out of our stay.

  • Stacie E.
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Meramec Caverns Natural Campground

    Great Place to camp and enjoy!

    This was our first trip in our camper and a first camp at Meramec Caverns.

    The staff is friendly and helpful. Security patrols around the clock and doesn't put up with any ridiculousness.

    Campsites available on pavement, gravel for campers and RVs and grass for tents. Our site had 30/50 amp service and water on a gravel site facing the Meramec River. It waa a beautiful view!

    Shower house and restroom facilities are clean and maintained.

    A dump station is located just outsIde the main gate of the campgrounds.

    Because of the location, there is no wifi and we had no cell service for the majority of our stay. Once in a while it would get a signal but it was very brief.

    Campsites are separated from the Meramec Caverns tourist attractions so there is not constant traffic coming through the campsite.

    Most campsites had a stone fire ring, bbq grill, and picnic table.

    The cave tour, zipline, boat ride, canoe and float trips and motel are all within short walking distance from the campgrounds.

    The campground store has ice, firewood and basics available. The gift shop at the cave has typical tourist items available. The restaurant is more of a snack bar and not a full service restaurant, so don't rely on it for your meals during your stay!

    The cave tour is interesting and informative and on a hot day the 60 degree temp of the cave is the perfect place to hang out for a while!

    Overall, a very nice place to camp and enjoy the outdoors without being too far from home.

    We will definitely be back for another stay!

  • Mike L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 10, 2024

    St. Charles County Klondike Park

    Fantastic Camping Just Off The Katy Trail

    I have bike-packed along the Katy and this is an excellent spot for an overnight(s) stay. It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail. You may have to walk up the hill - challenge made :-) . This is a St. Charles County Park and it is well maintained. They also have small cabins though pretty basic. Make sure to store your food securely overnight - the racoons are pretty thick and hungry at night. I have also done short bike-packing trips from Chesterfield and St. Charles for an overnight(s) stay. If you need it, grab food in Augusta or Defiance before arriving. There are no services in the park.


Guide to Columbia

Cabin camping near Columbia, Illinois offers a fantastic escape into nature, with a variety of well-reviewed options that cater to different preferences and needs.

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Some Prices for Cabin Camping Range from $50 to $100

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Columbia, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Columbia, IL is Cahokia RV Parque with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Columbia, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 cabin camping locations near Columbia, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.