Tent camping near Fairview Heights, Illinois offers several options for campers seeking seclusion within an hour's drive. The terrain ranges from Mississippi River bluffs to former quarry sites repurposed as parkland. Many campgrounds close seasonal facilities from November through March, with water sources often limited during winter months, though most maintain vault toilets year-round.
What to do
Fishing and paddling: Access the small lake at Klondike Park for fishing from shore or launching small watercraft. "The lake is beautiful" and "there is a sandy beach area surrounding the water, making it a great place either lay in the sun or to go fishing," according to camper Alisha M.
Hiking trail networks: Explore forested trails at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park where paths connect directly to many campsites. One camper noted "The hiking trails are plentiful and quiet," while another mentioned that trails "can be challenging for small kids or folks that are not used to hiking."
Cycling opportunities: Ride sections of the Katy Trail at St. Charles County Klondike Park, where you can bike directly from your campsite. "This is an excellent spot for an overnight stay. It is a tough, but short, climb from the trail. You may have to walk up the hill - challenge made," according to cyclist Mike L.
What campers like
Secluded sites: St. Charles County Klondike Park offers walk-in tent sites with more privacy. A camper reported, "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."
Clean facilities: Many campers note the cleanliness of park amenities. At St. Charles County Klondike Park, one visitor praised "very clean shower house, very spacious" despite the fact that "some campsites are close together."
Proximity to wineries: Several campgrounds serve as good bases for exploring Missouri wine country. "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," notes Marty C. about St. Charles County Klondike Park.
What you should know
Food storage requirements: Raccoons are active at many area campgrounds. At St. Charles County Klondike Park, campers warn to "store your food securely overnight - the raccoons are pretty thick and hungry at night."
Tent pad surfaces: Some campgrounds have concrete or paved tent pads rather than soil. At Babler State Park, campers should "expect to pitch your tent on a parking pad as many tent sites don't have level grassy spots."
Seasonal closures: Water sources and shower facilities typically close during colder months. At Old Cove, which focuses on group camping, services are limited to weekends only by reservation: "They are only open on weekends and by reservation. They only offer group campsites, which is why the camping rate is so high. It is $50/night for 10 people."
Tips for camping with families
Consider site spacing: Campgrounds vary in how close sites are positioned. Scott M. notes about Babler Memorial State Park: "Most of the sites are small. This works well for me since I like to talk and meet other campers. However, if you prefer some space while camping, this one may not be for you."
Look for dedicated tent sections: When booking, seek out tent-specific areas that tend to be more shaded. At Babler State Park, "sites 13-33 are popular open and sunny campsites with nice grassy areas between them. In contrast sites 52-75 are much more treed and have a private feel to them."
Pack for self-sufficiency: World Shooting and Recreational Complex near Sparta offers tent camping with lake access but limited facilities. "Quiet but can be dry and hot in the summer," notes Christi L., so bring adequate water and sun protection.
Tips from RVers
Check seasonal facilities: Winter camping requires planning for limited services. One camper at Babler State Park reported: "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."
Navigation challenges: Some parks have confusing layouts for larger vehicles. A visitor to Babler Memorial State Park noted: "The signage is not great and the visitor center was closed (presumably due to COVID concerns) so there was no one to ask directions. We ended up dragging our camper through the whole park before we found the road to the campgrounds."
Site selection for large rigs: Ask camp hosts about appropriate sites for your vehicle size. "Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around. The camp hosts we encountered are very helpful and have a list of site lengths and can tell you which ones are appropriate for large RVs."
