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Best Campgrounds near Highland, IL

363 Reviews

Several campgrounds near Highland, Illinois provide camping access along the shores of Carlyle Lake, the largest lake in Illinois. Major established options include Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area's Illini Campground, Dam West Campground, and Coles Creek Recreation Area, all offering tent, RV, and some cabin accommodations. Rustic Acres Jellystone, located about 15 miles northwest of Highland, provides family-oriented camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Tomahawk Campground in Pocahontas offers year-round camping approximately 8 miles from Highland.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Dam West Campground specifically operates from March 30 to October 30, while Boulder Recreation Area runs from April 13 to October 12. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, water access, and sanitary dump stations for RVs. Shower and toilet facilities are available at most established sites, though amenities vary by location. A camper wrote, "Dam West Campground is heavenly and peaceful. Lots of migrant waterfowl. Pelicans, egrets, blue herons."

Lakefront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Highland area, with multiple campgrounds offering waterfront sites along Carlyle Lake. Dam West Campground receives particularly high ratings for its lakeside sites, which provide direct water views. Scott AFB FamCamp, while primarily serving military personnel, offers a quieter alternative with lake access about 25 miles southwest of Highland. Campers frequently mention the region's wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly bird watching along the lake shores. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, located near Granite City, provides another option with electric hookups and basic amenities. A recent review noted that at Dam West, "We camped right on the lake with a great view. This site and the site next to it are the best sites in the campground with a pull through layout for a great setup for a lake view."

Map showing campgrounds near Highland, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Highland, Illinois (60)

    1. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-3015

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Water and dump at the entrance. Shower houses. Very nice pool and camp store. Hosts scattered and occasionally hard to find to pay for your spot. Wildlife galore. Next to largest lake in Illinois."

    "This State Park is located outside Carlyle,Illinois. This park offers playground areas and more. Cabins, campsites with power or no power the choice is yours."

    2. Tomahawk Campground

    1 Review
    Highland, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 669-2781

    3. Rustic Acres Jellystone

    4 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 456-1122

    "We chose this campground because it was near our route and we needed a place to stay for one night."

    4. Dam West Campground

    9 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-4410

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Full hookups, reservable sites, walk up sites, and all sites are large! Full hookup sites are booked solid so make sure you go online 6 months out or you are out of luck."

    "We camped right on the lake with a great view. "

    5. Dam West Spillway

    10 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-5253

    $30 / night

    "It is directly on Carlyle Lake, ,the largest lake in Illinois. It has activities for children on the weekends."

    "Right next to the marina and with many sites right on the lake, you can’t go wrong here."

    6. Coles Creek Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3211

    $20 - $250 / night

    "This is our favorite campground in Central/southern illinois. The sites are very nice and most have shade. There is a beach for campers to use, and a really nice playground."

    "Coles Creek is a nice, large campground located on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. It has full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!"

    7. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Collinsville, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-0270

    "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."

    "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."

    8. Love's RV Hookup-Hamel IL 578

    1 Review
    Edwardsville, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 633-2883

    9. Scott AFB FamCamp

    4 Reviews
    Mascoutah, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 256-2067

    "You are on the entire opposite side of the base, away from everything, absolutely everything.."

    "GREAT location for camping, especially if you run out of items and need to get something close by. Very natural, and amazing views and the feel is spectacular."

    10. Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground

    13 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3586

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Boulder is a lovely campground tucked away on Carlyle Lake. It has it's own marina where you can rent a slip for your boat. The sites are well spaced and have a beautiful view of the lake and sunsets!"

    "The bathrooms, showers, and laundry all close by. Good hot water in the showers. The host was friendly and helpful. I’d go back again!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Highland, IL

45 Photos of 60 Highland Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Highland, IL

363 Reviews of 60 Highland Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Sundermeier RV Park

    This RV park could be great but they have a bad wiring problem with some 30A receptacles and the office staff is extremely rude.

    I've stayed here a couple times and generally like the park. I appreciate owners investing in urban RV parks and I don't expect much for amenities in these kinds of settings. The staff were pleasant on a pre-arrival phone call and at check-in—but once there was an issue, the office staff member became very argumentative and rude, consistent with other online reviews.

    ELECTRICAL SAFETY WARNING DO NOT use the 30A receptacles here unless you have a surge protector with an Electrical Management System (EMS) that explicitly confirms correct wiring before connecting your RV. My equipment detected a Line/Neutral Reversal on some 30A receptacles; the 50A receptacles appeared to be wired correctly.

    When I reported this life-safety hazard, the staffer’s response was, “Don’t use your surge protector—they’re not compatible with our system.” As a licensed Electrical Engineer with 30+ years of experience, I can state that this is 100% nonsense. The surge protector was correctly doing its job by flagging a major wiring fault. Do not follow the staff's advice when they tell you not to use your surge protector to "make it work." That is irresponsible advice that is literally endangering your safety.

    The staff also insisted that they don't have a problem because previous 30A users without surge protectors had “no problems.” This is plausible because a Line/Neutral reversal doesn’t usually affect RV operation but the statement shows their complete lack of understanding of the actual problem.

    A Line/Neutral reversal energizes the neutral side of the RV's electrical system. This means the RV chassis, appliance housings, and internal neutrals, which should be near ground potential, all become live, creating a serious shock or electrocution hazard if someone touches those RV components while grounded.

    The sites are basic with level concrete pads in good condition and other utilities (water/sewer) were fine. Excellent location near the historic St. Charles district. WiFi is unusable—bring your own Internet source. Restrooms and showers are dated and not in great condition. There was also no hand soap at the bathroom sinks all weekend.

    This park should be a 7/10 rating, but the electrical hazard drops it to a 5/10. The staff bring the rating down further to a 3/10.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Sundermeier RV Park

    Resort quality campground

    Very nice park. This is a big busy campground they have plenty of staff to handle the rush. Level concrete sites with FHU will definitely stay here again

  • M
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Carlyle lake

    Great for Boating and Open Camping in Illinois

    The main draw here is the water itself. With great opportunities for fishing and boating, it's an ideal destination for anglers and families with small boats. The nearby Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area provides convenient camping and shoreline access, making it easy to turn your visit into a weekend trip.

    level devil

  • S
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Dam West Campground

    Beautiful campground at a minimum $

    This campground is heavenly and peaceful. Lots of migrant waterfowl. Pelicans, egrets, blue herons….

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Pere Marquette State Park Campground

    Fun Little Getaway

    Pere Marquette Campground is a little gym, just past Grafton, Missouri. It is located in the Great River Road, and within 10 minutes to restaurants and bars. There is a Lodge located next door which also serves a wonderful breakfast.

  • Chip
    Sep. 2, 2025

    World Shooting and Recreational Complex

    Lot's of full hookups

    This was our first camp in our new to us travel trailer. Not many trees.  Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue.  This is the site of the American Trap Shooters Association "Grand" Event.  During that event the first couple weeks in August the campground is full.  We were here last weekend in August. Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning.  There is a shower house I believe but could not access a couple of the doors I tried.  I imagine they had some unlocked but I didn't try all the doors when I was there.

  • Mickie S.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great experience

    This is a great campground and the owners are awesome! My husband and I are riding our bicycles cross country. The day we checked into the campground,he had a Crohn's flare/bowel block and went to the hospital for 4 days. The owners stored our bikes, watched our tent, and even picked us up from the hospital! Such nice people! The campground is clean, has a great showerhouse, lots of trees, and even has recliners in the laundry room. I highly recommend staying here!

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Dam East - Mcnair Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Another really nice COE campground. With our pass for seniors, we only paid $10 for electric. The sites were a little closer together than normal COE’s but still plenty of room. Water spicket’s were placed throughout the park but not at each site. There was a lake with a swim beach and two playgrounds. Sites were very level. Nice and shady. Close to town. Well maintained showers.

  • Natasha T.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Very clean place with reasonable prices. price

    They were so accommodating. Even on the phone I didnt feel like a burden

Guide to Highland

Camping near Highland, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Explore St. Louis: Just a short drive away, you can visit the Gateway Arch and enjoy the vibrant city life. One camper mentioned, "The campsite is 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis, and a great place to stay if you’re looking to go check out the gateway arch or go to a Cardinals game" at the St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA.
  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Enjoy the beautiful trails at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "Beautiful state park and campground. Nice hiking. Lots of room between sites - fun camp weekend!"
  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Okaw Valley Kampground, offer fishing areas and paddle boats. One visitor shared, "Family owned with a nice little fishing area (no license required catch and release)."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Double J Campground and RV Park stated, "The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A camper at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground said, "Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!"
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having enough room to spread out. A review for Pere Marquette State Park Campground mentioned, "Lots of room between level sites, quiet campground."

What you should know:

  • Power Issues: Some campgrounds may experience power outages. One camper at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground noted, "Other than the entire campground losing power Sunday morning and frying my coffee maker, it was a good stay."
  • Limited Shade: If you prefer shaded spots, check the campground layout. A visitor at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park mentioned, "Not many trees for shade but the lake was pretty."
  • Reservations Recommended: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Casino Queen RV Park advised, "Pay attention to email for check-in process and gate code."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and pools. A review for St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park highlighted, "The playground was good for the kiddos."
  • Plan for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during peak times. A retired couple at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA found the park "too noisy for us."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy during downtime. A camper at Okaw Valley Kampground mentioned, "The place is very well taken care of."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your RV has the right hookups for your site. A visitor at Archway RV Park noted, "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Double J Campground and RV Park said, "The campground filled up by 11am on Friday."
  • Stay Connected: Check for cellular coverage if you need to stay connected. A camper at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Decent AT&T cellular coverage (it varies but able to stream, etc)."

Camping around Highland, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family getaway, the campgrounds in this area have you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Highland, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Highland, IL is Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.

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