Campsites near Hartford, Illinois offer varying levels of privacy and access to natural areas. Many locations experience seasonal flooding, particularly in spring, which can impact availability at riverside sites. The region features deciduous forest and prairie landscapes with elevations ranging from 400 to 700 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping environments within short distances of each other.
What to do
Kayaking on local lakes: At St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park, visitors can rent paddleboats and kayaks for water recreation. "We love going here and watching the sunsets. This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city," notes camper Lindsey C. The park also offers bike rentals and an archery range.
Wildlife observation: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground provides opportunities to view migrating birds and local wildlife. "This is a great place when the geese are migrating thru," reports Kent B. The park's lake supports fishing and boating activities with an accessible covered fishing dock.
Hiking trail system: Explore marked trails ranging from beginner to moderate difficulty levels. "The campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" shares Maria E. about her experience at Cuivre River State Park. Many trails connect directly to camping areas, allowing for easy access.
What campers like
Budget-friendly sites: Horseshoe Lake State Park offers some of the most affordable camping in the area. "Peaceful tent camping on Walkers Island at $8 per day," mentions ML W. Another camper adds, "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
Security and management: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park stands out for its management practices. "Well maintained and well managed park. Staff on duty at all hours is awesome!" writes Nathaniel B. Another visitor elaborates: "The grounds are clean and pleasant, if a bit sparse with shade. This will change over the subsequent years, however, as there are many relatively newly planted trees."
Privacy levels: Campsites vary in their spacing and privacy. "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," notes WanderlustDu0 about Cuivre River State Park.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience significant railroad noise. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, "trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice," according to Jennifer B. Another camper mentions, "First night one came through blowing its horns around 5am."
Industrial surroundings: Several campgrounds sit within industrial areas. "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," observes James P. about St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA.
Weather considerations: Spring flooding can impact availability. "It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019 as the entire area was flooded. But the City of St Peters did a great job getting this place back to usable with new sod, a new bathhouse, and some general sprucing up," reports Annie C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "This is truly a hidden gem. Tucked away, not far from St. Louis, you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city. It is clean and feels extremely safe," reports Lahree C. The park includes trails suitable for children and interpretive programs.
Swimming options: Some parks offer swimming areas during summer months. "They have a large lake to swim in and you can kayak as well! Their trails are well marked and a pretty walk," notes Tracie S. about Cuivre River State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for wildlife sightings. "Don't leave anything out at night or raccoons will scavenge," warns Maria E. Another camper at Babler State Park cautions: "The only issue is the raccoons. They dont give a darn who you are. They will walk right up to, smile, and take your chips."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for size: When bringing larger rigs, choose sites carefully. "We ended up dragging our camper through the whole park before we found the road to the campgrounds," shares Archie S. about his experience at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park. "Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around."
Level site availability: Pere Marquette State Park Campground has varied terrain. "Most of the sites were fairly level, but I didn't see any pull through sites," notes Joel R. Another visitor mentions: "The campground is doing some upgrades as of October 2017 and probably will be adding more 50 amp, water and sewer to some sites."
Hookup variations: Check exact hookups before booking. "There is no sewer or water at individual sites but water spigots are scattered throughout the campground and there is a dump station with potable water fill-up," explains Nancy W. about Babler State Park, adding "If this campground had sewer and water, it would get 5 stars."
