Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers primitive camping at $8 per night near Glen Carbon, Illinois. Located in Granite City, the park features basic amenities with pit toilets and no showers or electric hookups at tent sites. The campground operates seasonally from May through September with self-service registration at the office building. Despite the basic facilities, the natural setting and low cost make this location popular for campers seeking an affordable outdoor experience within 15 miles of Glen Carbon.
What to do
Lake activities at Horseshoe Lake: The 2,100-acre oxbow lake provides fishing and boating opportunities without swimming access. A camper noted, "Nice lake for fishing and boating" with convenient lake access from several campsites.
Hiking at Pere Marquette State Park Campground: Located 40 minutes north of Glen Carbon, the park offers multiple hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. A visitor mentioned, "Great hiking in the park, and a bike trail passes by the front. Lots of historical buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's."
Water recreation at Carlyle Lake: Illini Campground at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area provides access to Illinois' largest man-made lake. According to one camper, "There is a swimming pool and campground store. The pool was closed when we were there but looked nice." Boat rentals are available during peak season.
What campers like
Affordability at Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground: Many reviewers highlight the value of camping here. As one camper stated, "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
Privacy at smaller sites: The less developed campgrounds offer more secluded experiences than glamping in Glen Carbon, Illinois. A reviewer at Horseshoe Lake noted, "The campsites are spaced comfortably apart. The grounds are well maintained."
Urban accessibility from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park: This Missouri campground provides camping near urban amenities. A camper observed, "Well maintained and well managed park. Staff on duty at all hours is awesome! Five minutes from food and stores. 30 minutes from downtown Saint Louis."
What you should know
Seasonal closures and flooding: Several campgrounds near Glen Carbon close during winter months or experience flooding. A camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park noted, "It is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded."
Industrial surroundings at St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA: Despite being the closest developed campground to Glen Carbon, this KOA has an urban setting. A reviewer remarked, "It's not in the prettiest location, very industrial and the train tracks run close. First night one came through blowing its horns around 5am."
Limited glamping availability: Premium glamping accommodations often require advance booking, particularly during summer months. Safari-style tents and luxury canvas options fill quickly at popular locations from March through November.
Military restrictions: Some camping options like Scott AFB FamCamp require military credentials. As one visitor explained, "If you put Scott FamCamp in google maps, it will take you there, BUT google maps will take you to no longer operational entry gates."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A visitor to Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area shared, "There are three playground areas, a basketball court, sand volleyball and a pool during summer months. Lots of families with kids, bike rides and plenty of other lake and outdoor activities in the area."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot local animals. A camper at Eldon Hazlet noted, "Oh and lots of deer bed down in the grassy areas at night, which was a fun thing to see!"
Halloween events: For fall camping, consider special events. One reviewer mentioned, "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. The campground also provides pumpkin painting contests and other fun activities."
Tips from RVers
Site selection at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA: For RVers seeking convenience near Glen Carbon, this KOA offers good amenities. A camper noted, "Site was gravel to park on with grass around it. Close to train tracks and highway, but didn't notice with AC on in the camper."
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. A visitor to Coles Creek Recreation Area shared, "A lot of spots are not level, so come prepared. Some spots are shaded. Some spots are in full sun."
Full hookup availability: RVers needing complete services should book early. A camper at Coles Creek advised, "Large waterfront campsites, full hookup loop, and 4 other large loops that have electric. If you are needing a full hookup site, make sure you book early!"
Dog facilities: Several campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated areas. At Historic Route 66 KOA, a reviewer appreciated "Nice, clean campground, level pull-through sites - ours had a paver-patio and grill, a lot of shade throughout, dog park, and a creek to explore."
