Camping options near Jerseyville, Illinois extend beyond the glamping accommodations at Pere Marquette and St. Peters. Located in west-central Illinois about 40 miles north of St. Louis, this area sits at approximately 640 feet above sea level with a moderate climate that allows for year-round camping with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, making camping conditions most favorable from April through October.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: 8 miles from Jerseyville, Horseshoe Lake State Park offers a peaceful setting with multiple fishing spots. "Peaceful tent camping on Walkers Island at $8 per day," notes ML W., making this a budget-friendly option for anglers.
Hiking excursions: 30 minutes from downtown, Cuivre River State Park features "fantastic" trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "This park has plenty of well groomed trails and facilities spread out nicely. You could camp here for a weekend and stay busy," shares Tony M. The park's natural setting provides a contrast to more developed camping areas.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning or evening hours at Horseshoe Lake State Park offer prime opportunities for bird watching. "This is a great place when the geese are migrating thru," reports Kent B. The park's wetland environment attracts diverse waterfowl throughout the seasons.
What Campers Like
Affordable camping: Basic sites start at $8-$13, with Horseshoe Lake State Park offering some of the best values. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," explains Helge Vandel J.
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with natural buffers between sites for more privacy. At Cuivre River State Park, "Campground is quiet and has big campsites. The campground is close to Lincoln Lake for kayaking," according to Cody S.
Historical features: Historic lodges and structures add character to camping experiences. At St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA, "This headlamp first of all comes with a 7 year warranty! [On this trip] we were right across from the creek to take them down to play. Also, kids were catching crawdads!" shares Lindsey R.
What You Should Know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Jerseyville sit close to active rail lines. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, "Yes, trains pass 2 blocks away several times nightly, but after the first night you won't notice," advises Jennifer B.
Seasonal availability: Some facilities close during winter months despite year-round camping. "It seems this is where most of the tent campers like to be. These sites are farther from the main bathhouse but there is a pit toilet in that loop," notes Nancy W. about Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
Flooding potential: Low-lying areas can become inaccessible during heavy rain periods. "One couple I talked to was camping long term (I think they are permanent RV'ers) and they got a free membership to the St Peter's RecPlex recreation center with their long term spot," explains Annie C., who also notes that "it is prone to flooding. It was out of commission for most of the summer of 2019."
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity planning: Schedule around organized events at family-oriented campgrounds. At Country Bend Campground, "Holiday weekends have so many planned activities, some for all ages. We really loved the bridges with trails to ponds, and the jumping pillow," reports Kaitlin D.
Cooling options: Seek shaded sites during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 85°F. "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.
Adventure alternatives: Consider upscale glamping in Jerseyville area for families new to camping. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Resort, "We stayed here last minute for Labor Day Weekend and the staff were great with finding us a good tent site available. This is not a rugged style campground as there are many amenities such as a pool, putt putt golf, volleyball, and more," explains Lindsey R.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific site numbers when making reservations for larger rigs. "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," notes an experienced RVer.
Hookup placement: Bring extra-length water and electric cords as connections may be far apart. "Our water hook up and electric hookup was significantly far apart... may be site specific," warns GW C. about their experience at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Leveling challenges: Pack additional leveling blocks as many sites in the area have noticeable slopes. "The site I was in had full hook ups. The water pressure was so strong that I could barely open the water pump!" explains Susan L. about her experience at a nearby campground.
