Camping sites near Edwardsville, Illinois offer access to the confluence region where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers meet. This strategic location places campers within a 45-minute drive of over a dozen established campgrounds, with summer humidity indexes regularly reaching 90-100% during July and August. Most campground access roads remain open year-round, though seasonal flooding can affect availability at lower elevation sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 3-mile trail around lake: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park maintains a stocked lake where campers can fish while enjoying a paved walking path. "You can see all kinds of wildlife in and around the lake- deer, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, snakes," notes Annie C., who visited the park multiple times.
Racing events: Friday night entertainment: The St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA sits near a local racetrack, providing unexpected evening entertainment. "During modified car racing season, Friday nights are roaring loud from the racetrack nearby," shares one reviewer, while another mentions, "Pretty nice campground, but is near a racetrack. Loud engine noises can be heard past 10pm."
Archery range: family activities: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers diverse recreation options beyond standard camping. "There is an archery range. They rent out peddle boats, bikes and peddle cars/buggies as well. We rented a peddle buggy. Those are a lot harder to get moving then they look. Awesome workout for the whole family!" writes Barbie B.
What campers like
Affordable primitive camping: $8 nightly rate: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers budget-friendly camping options within 20 minutes of Edwardsville. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," reports Helge Vandel J.
BBQ restaurant on premises: Cahokia RV Parque features an on-site dining option that receives consistently positive reviews. "Do NOT miss the BBQ place in the parking lot... fantastic food and a 10% discount for park customers," writes Lee T., while another camper notes, "There was after hours check in! But also a so friendly staff in the office. Beautiful coded bathrooms with showers."
Urban camping with full amenities: St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA provides creature comforts in an industrial setting. "We stayed in a tent spot... Had shade and a nice concrete pad to park on. Good clean power. Clean bathrooms and pool looked like it was taken care of. Tent spots have Charcoal grills, table and benches, and a nice metal cover to sit under if it rains," shares Peter H.
What you should know
Industrial setting affects ambiance: Several campgrounds near Edwardsville sit in commercial areas. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, one camper reported, "A run down KOA. Sites are mostly level. Nice staff. Appears cabins are going through some refurbishing efforts. In the middle of a commercial area."
Noise considerations vary by location: Train activity affects multiple camping locations. "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," notes Jessica N. about Cahokia RV Parque.
Security measures in place: Several campgrounds implement security features. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, "Security rolled through frequently. Your gate code can be used for the pool and gym at the casino in addition to the bathroom and laundry area," notes Robert F., while another reviewer appreciated that the park "is not staffed, you get a gate code in your email to access the park."
Tips for camping with families
Look for bounce pads and pools: The St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA offers family-friendly amenities. "The pool, playground and bouncepad were nice and there was no road noise, however, a train honked early in the morning," reports Stephanie S., adding "bathrooms were good but the bathroom entrance was hidden and it made me wary about the kids going alone."
Consider playground accessibility: Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park offers urban camping with limited play areas. "Small areas of grass and trees with a dog walking area around the perimeter. Small play area for kids. Clean restroom/showers, but only a few of them," shares one camper.
Weather planning essential: Park staff often provide weather updates during severe conditions. At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, "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 (the restrooms/showers) and gave out a flyer about the specific weather forecast!"
Tips from RVers
Utility layout considerations: Check hookup placement before setting up. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, "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."
Water pressure varies dramatically: Be prepared for strong water pressure at certain campgrounds. One RVer at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park noted, "The site I was in had full hook ups. The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!"
Long-term stay benefits: Some campgrounds offer extended-stay perks. At Scott AFB FamCamp, "One couple I talked to was camping long term and they got a free membership to the St Peter's RecPlex recreation center with their long term spot (they said something about having to book a least a month out to get this perk)."
