Camping options near Godfrey, Illinois range from state parks with hiking trails to RV-focused facilities within 30 minutes of St. Louis. The region sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, with elevations around 400-600 feet and a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and cold winters. Winter camping remains available at several locations, though water systems may be winterized from November through March.
What to do
Hiking trails with river views: Pere Marquette State Park offers several difficulty levels of hiking. "The campground has 88 sites total 1-85 are either 30 amp or 50 amp electric sites. These are the class A sites $20 a night, they also have about 15 Class C sites for tents with no electric for $8 a night," writes Michael M. Another visitor notes, "Pere Marquette has many options for your stay. The campground may need a little attention and some lots are not level, but the area is worth the hassle."
Fishing opportunities: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers affordable fishing access. "Good fishing, trails and memories waiting to be made. 8$ a night," reports one visitor. The primitive camping setup works well for anglers seeking a budget-friendly option. Another camper mentions, "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
Urban exploration: The proximity to St. Louis allows for city adventures with camping as your base. One camper at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park shares, "Located about 25 minutes from St Louis. They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots." Another visitor notes, "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes. There is a walking trail around the lake (4+ miles)."
What campers like
Affordable primitive sites: Several campgrounds offer budget-friendly options under $10 per night. At Horseshoe Lake, campers appreciate the value: "Very primitive camping. Toilets only, but the campsites are spaced comfortably apart. The grounds are well maintained." Another visitor points out, "The campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. 5 ⭐ in my opinion simply because of the overnight price and privacy."
River access: Sundermeier RV Park provides direct access to the Katy Trail along the Missouri River. "You can literally be parked right at the Katy Trail. Through the gate at the rear of the campground, and you can bike for miles. Easy ride in to St. Charles a wonderful historic river town on the Missouri River," notes Cheryl K. Another camper adds, "Good spot for an overnight. There is a park and lots of trails. Clean facility, store and nice paved spots."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds in the area offer wildlife observation opportunities. One visitor to Horseshoe Lake notes, "This is a great place when the geese are migrating thru, I really hope to be back here some day!" Pere Marquette also offers wildlife viewing, with a camper mentioning, "Beautiful hiking on dirt trails with gorgeous views of the Illinois River. The lodge has a restaurant and giant chess board!"
What you should know
Train noise: Many campgrounds in the region experience railroad noise due to their proximity to major rail lines. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, one camper notes, "Trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice." Another mentions, "First night one came through blowing its horns around 5am."
Industrial surroundings: Some campgrounds are situated in more industrial areas. One camper at Sundermeier RV Park observed, "Very industrial around the park. Very urban environment." Similarly, a KOA visitor noted their campground was "in an industrial area off the beaten path a little."
Seasonal considerations: Flooding can impact campgrounds near the rivers. At 370 Lakeside Park, a camper noted, "One of the downsides to this location is that it is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded." Winter camping remains possible at several locations, though with limited services during colder months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cahokia RV Parque offers family-friendly amenities. One visitor notes, "There was 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." Another family camper adds, "The grounds, pool, laundry, and bathrooms were all in excellent repair and clean. The park was quiet, but very family friendly."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates for families. At Horseshoe Lake, campers note the value for families seeking a quieter experience: "Not much to do if you have kids. If you're looking for quiet camping trip this is a great park to camp." Pere Marquette offers reasonably priced options with one camper noting, "The only reason I'm giving it four stars is because it was $20 a night."
Recreation rentals: Families appreciate the rental options at 370 Lakeside Park. One visitor shares, "Kids had a blast riding bikes. Even finding a few little frogs jumping around and fireflies at night." Another camper mentioned the diverse rental options: "The park/campground rents paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes in addition to different kinds of bikes."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At MGM Campground, RVers appreciate the layout. "Spacious spots. Surrounded by nature, lots of grass and trees, great for dog owners," notes one visitor. This makes MGM particularly suitable for pet friendly camping near Godfrey, Illinois.
Hookup configurations: RVers should note hookup placement at some campgrounds. At Casino Queen RV Park, one camper warns, "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."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional preparation for RVs. At Pere Marquette, one camper notes, "The campground may need a little attention and some lots are not level, but the area is worth the hassle." Town and Country Lakes campers similarly note that the facility "could definitely use some updating on the playground, signage, and drive."
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