Best Tent Camping near Johnsonville, IL
Are you planning a tent camping trip to Johnsonville? We've got you covered. Find the best tent camping sites near Johnsonville. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Johnsonville, Illinois (3)
1. Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area
3 Reviews•8 SavesEnfield, Illinois- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
2. North Marcum Day Use Area
2 Reviews•1 Photo•12 SavesRend Lake, IllinoisOverview
Congratulations! Youve just discovered the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events and nature at its best. Even a short visit to Rend Lake will impress you with the versatility of this magnificent area. Whether youre looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, youll find it here.
Natural Features:
North Marcum Day Use Area sits along the banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. Plenty of shade and a large sandy boat in are, make this day use area desirable for a day on scenic Rend Lake. Rend Lake is made up of 18,900 acres of water and 20,000 acres of land.
Wildlife in the area includes white tailed deer, wild turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year.
Recreation:
Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away youll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.
Facilities:
North Marcum Day Use Area features two large picnic shelters with tables, grills, and drinking water. The shelters can accommodate up to 75 guests each, and the area has a boat ramp, playground, and dock all within walking distance.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
3. Spillway Group Area
Be the first to review!•8 PhotosBenton, IllinoisOverview
Congratulations! You've just discovered Rend Lake, the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Even a short visit to Rend Lake will impress you with the versatility of this magnificent area. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. Wildlife in the area includes deer, turkey, fox, raccoon, opossu, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year. Whether you're looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, you'll find it here int he heart of Southern Illinois..
Recreation
Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.
Facilities
Spillway Group Area offers 10 acres for company picnics, weddings, church gatherings, family reunions and many other outdoor events. The area includes a large shelter (250 capacity) with electricity and overhead lighting, an amphitheater (250 capacity), and a small gazebo (30 capacity), a swingset, and direct access to the Rend Lake Bike Trail. The area also offers picnic tables, flush toilets, and drinking water in order to provide a comfortable experience for guests.
Natural Features
Spillway Group Area sits along the banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. Situated to the North East side of the spillway, the spillway group area has one of the best views at Rend Lake. Rend Lake is made up of 18,900 acres of water and 20,000 acres of land.
Nearby Attractions
Rend Lake Dam Rend Lake Visitors Center Rend Lake Project Office
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (618) 724-2493.
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Group
- Picnic Table
$150 / night
Recent Tent Reviews near Johnsonville, Illinois
334 Reviews of 3 Johnsonville Campgrounds
- MMary F.
Scout
South Sandusky Campground
Picture perfect
Full hookups to tent camping and spacious sites. This is a Corps of Engineer Campground so bring your America the Beautiful pass! Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome.
Carrie J.
Guide
South Marcum Campground
Nice and quiet
These sites are pretty run of the mill average camping sites. They're very close to the Illinois state fair grounds. There are tent sites as well as RV sites that are very close to the lake.
- JJake B.
Traveler
Grayville / I-64 KOA
New, clean, great experience
Fairly new campground. Bathrooms and showers were very nice and clean. Tent sites have the most shade I’ve seen at any campsite I’ve been to, very good. Overall great place to crash for the night.
- Tabitha M.Traveler
Okaw Valley Kampground
Ok campground for quick trip
Not a large campground. There’s a catch and release lake on site, but not really any fish. There is a super long carp though. Sites are nice but not many pull in RV sites or tent sites
- jjeriTraveler
COE Lake Carlyle McNair Campground
Fantastic
Cleanest bathrooms ever and heated and air conditioner. Quiet and plenty of trees and a walking path. A beach to swim at and a dock to fish off. A playground for kids. You can tent camp in a.few places but mai.ly for electric campers and.RV's. We camp here several times a year.
S.celesteScout
Camp Lakewood
Very pretty
Tent campsites are a decent size but still pretty close together, and our site had water and eletric hookup. Cute lake, very family friendly, lots of amenities, amazingly clean.
- Julie M.Traveler
Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Quiet, peaceful waterfront escape!
while there are many full service sites available, this campground offers dozens of rustic tent sites right next to Carlyle Lake as well! Our tent site was shaded and our one neighbor was quiet and friendly. We felt secluded yet had easy access to the campground shower house, swimming pool, wooded nature trail, campground hosts and camp store. We were within a few minutes drive of the main lake beach and facilities that include a restaraunt and visitors center. A 7 minute drive gets you into the town of Carlyle which has all the necessities- food, gas and Walmart.
We were incredibly pleased with the quiet tranquility of this site and the views were fantastic. We woke up to hear the lake lapping at the shoreline. We had a nearly private cove to fish as well.
This is a wonderful campground and we will certainly Be back again!
Joel R.
LegendSouth Sandusky Campground
Relaxing spot on the water
South Sandusky campground is a Corps of Engineers campground on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. There are 8 tent sites & 119 sites with electric and full hook-ups. Most of the sites are wooded with space between them, and many have lake views. They are not very level so some adjustments were needed. There is a dump station, flush toilets, showers, a sand beach, boat ramp, 2 picnic shelters, a paved bike trail, and playgrounds. There is no internet. Sites can be reserved on the Internet at www.recreation.gov.
- KKaitlyn H.Traveler
Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground
Not Ideal for Tents
There are only about 6 tent sites at this campground, which makes it not entirely friendly for tent campers. However, the bathrooms were lovely and clean. For those who are allergic, there is a colony of feral cats living outside of the office. OUTDOOR DOMESTICATED CATS ARE TERRIBLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, please do not encourage this behavior.
Frank H.Guide
Archway RV Park
Primarily RV
I am tent camping as I travel westbound. This is primarily a RV park near I-64 and on a highway. Noisy!! Bad noisy. Camp site was nice. Grassy, level, near a picnic shelter with tables. Shade trees. But only about 2-3 such sites. No on sight water or electric. There are 2 private room restrooms with showers & sink. These are shared by all. Basics. Lots of stores & restaurants nearby.
Chad K.Legend
Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area
Nice SP
This state park is a basic but nice state park facility, The tent sites were basic but fairly level and clean. Most of the sites had fire pits and picnic table. The bathrooms were big and clean, At the time of our visit it was raining so we didn't get a chance to explore much but its someplace we will come back to.
- CCrystal H.Guide
Gun Creek
So beautiful
There’s not a bad campsite here. There are sites with electric, water, and sewer. Several sites are right on Rend Lake. Most sites have concrete picnic tables and fire rings. The bath houses are really nice, they are individual shower houses that are clean and well lit. The grounds are very well maintained. The park was full while we stayed there, but was really quiet. You can tent camp or use a camper.
- MMatt M.Guide
South Marcum Campground
Pretty Nice Lakeside CG
This is a very nice Corps of Engineers campground. The RV sites are paved and pretty level. Tent sites look nice too. Bathrooms are nice and clean. Didn’t use the shower facilities. The lake has a lot of boats flying around, but it’s placid after dark. Bugs weren’t bad at all.
No water or sewer hookups on Site 86.
Have fun!
- Gina J.Traveler
South Sandusky Campground
Amazing View
We love tent camping at South Sandusky. many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous. they have quiet hours from 10-6 and the bathrooms and showers are always really clean (but there are still usually lots of small insects). It’s also just a short drive from the South Sandusky swimming beach. It’s sometimes pretty rocky in the water so we usually wear water shoes. If you camp for the hiking though this isn’t my favorite site. There are lots of bike trails but for just hiking there are much better places.
ACGuide
Washington County State Recreation Area
Shady Rest campground
Really great campground. Good mix of tents and RVs. Bath house was very well kept and clean. Showers ran cold at first but after a few mins it gets warmer! There were plenty of pit toliets through out the campground and trash cans. My tent site was clean, good flat spot for tent, picnic table and fire pit with attached grill.
The Concession building in the park is closing. No boat rentals, selling everything he has on the shelf.
Caught a few bass and and good amount of hiking. Large trail around the whole lake, smaller trails lead to sites around the different campgrounds.
- SStef C.Traveler
Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Large Campground, Good Amenities
“Hazlet” has over 300 sites with electric hook-ups and 30+ tent sites. It is a popular destination for locals and those nearby during the summer and fall, but if you are able to choose your site early, there are quite a few options that will offer more privacy. Some sites sit directly on Carlyle Lake.
There are many walking trails in and around the campground, plus a pool and campground store at the entrance. The bathrooms and showers are pretty well maintained and spread out well throughout the large campground.
- Joel R.Legend
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
Quiet camping convenient to I-57
Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. It’s a great place for camping, fishing and bikes. It’s convenient for a short stop if you are traveling through, or as a destination. Although it’s right off the interstate there is no traffic noise. The campground has 40 tent sites and over 240 modern campsites, which offer electrical hookups, water and sewer facilities. Modern sites are $20/night, with 30/50 amp service. Primitive sites are $6. There is no internet. There are a few pull through sites.. there is lots of room and the sites appear to be level. There are 3 shower buildings. Many sites can be reserved online. There is a playground, and boat ramp. The park has hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking and boating. there is a golf course nearby and a lodge. Rend Lake is well-known for crappie, particularly in the early spring, as well as largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill.
- TTaylor L.Guide
Okaw Valley Kampground
Very disappointed
We stopped here because it was right off the highway and had great reviews! However, upon arrival, the woman working in the office was INCREDIBLY rude to me and made me feel very uncomfortable. I’m guessing this was due to my appearance- it was hot and I was wearing shorts and I have tattoos. Anyway she proceeded to tell me that we weren’t allowed a tent site because we were car camping. I told her we don’t use electric or water, we have our own, and she told me we couldn’t stay unless we paid for an electric hookup site. So we did, the site was about 10 ft wide and covered in the sharpest gravel in the world, all dusty white. The gravel dust got on EVERYTHING and was hideous and so hard to park and walk on. I would never stay here again, I’d rather sleep in a Walmart parking lot.
Annie C.LegendGun Creek
Fish and camp on Rend Lake
One of the first campgrounds that you come to at Rend Lake when you get off the highway, this campground has lots of positives and few negatives. Among the positives is that this is a large campground with two loops and two spurs for camping. It didn’t seem to matter where your site was, each was fairly small, on top of each other, and lacking the privacy I like when tent camping. That being said, every site has electric (a plus), and every site looked well maintained. There are quite a few sites on the lake or with lake views, and these seemed to be the most coveted sites. My site was on the lake with a down slope reaching down to the tent/picnic pad (a concern if it was going to rain hard), and littered with sweet gum balls that had not been swept up yet. However, I had plenty of space at my site (#79) to spread out and relax. It was pretty neat to look at the exposed roots of trees along the shore, erosion at work. Not far from the campground is a picnic area and the boat launch. One of the down sides is that you can clearly hear the highway from the campground, and of course if you have a lake site, you will have plenty of boat noise. Speaking of boats, most people seemed to be fishing. The campground does not have a fish cleaning station in it but up near the golf course (you drive past it to get to the campground) there is an almost new looking fish cleaning station.
Mary T.Legend
Benton KOA
Tale of 1 campground 2 different views
OK we are here for 2 days. After the first night this mat have gotten a 2 if I was in a Generous mood. This side traffic noise, a little run down. Out campsite was not even a hundred yards off I57, thought all night one of those trucks would come into the campsite if they went off the road.
We did find a great Mexican restaurant just down the road with great food, cheap and good Marguerites and that was the saving grace.
There us another portion of this campground across the road you come in on. This morning thought as u was taking photos and videos I would walk over. I do have to say it is a totally different area. Quiet newer, some money spent on that side. A pond nice sites even pull through and tent sites. My thought was how much more do I have to pay to get on that side. Did I mention quiet you hardly heard I57.
I am torn if that is the place we stayed it would be toward a 4 in stars.
Internet on this side is non existent and I only have 1 or 2 bars on Verizon. On the other side I did see a few internet towers so they do boost over there wonder if the internet is better there.
Anyway choose 3 stars as it s one campground but 2 different views.
- EElizabeth M.Scout
Gun Creek
Great campground by lake
We camped only one night on our way out west. Arrived just as the sun was setting which was beautiful over the lake. We were in Eagle 81. Large wooded site next to the lake. A short hike to the bathroom (we were in tents) and not much grassy area, but plenty of space to pitch 2 small tents. People were quiet and so friendly. Very nice.
Kevin L.LegendWashington County State Recreation Area
State rec area with 3 campgrounds
Huge area with 3 campgrounds: lonely oaks campground (tent) little bears campground (tent) and shady rest (RV with hook ups). Shady Rest Sites have electrical hook ups for RVs there are good amount of trees and shade — just a basic nice campground spaced out from your neighbors. About 100 sites between all three campgrounds. Arrived mid week in October and only at 25% capacity. Really nice and easy.
- Frank H.Guide
Beall Woods State Park Campground
Pleasant Illinois campground
Nice campground in rural southern Illinois. Pit toilets, water, picnic tables. On a big lake stocked with trout.
b K.GuideIllini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Not good!
Not very well maintained by the State of Illinois. Restrooms are horrible! So many better places to camp in the Carlyle Lake area.
- ccathyGuide
Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Not a good experience
The sites were fine but the pit toilets were filthy. They also have a problem with skunks. One came through in the middle of the night. Luckily it didn’t spray our tent.
Lynn A.GuideIllini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Hazlet-Carlyle Lake
This is a decent place with quite a few spots with lake views. Well maintained. Plenty of shade. Tents and RVs. Crowded most holidays. Close to grocery. Great Mexican restaurant in town.
- ttrishTraveler
Washington County State Recreation Area
Nice find
Nice campsite! Hidden amongst the corn fields…little town of Nashville had ample supplies for restocking! Tent area was flat! Quiet after 10pm. Lots of nature sounds at night.
Guide to Johnsonville
Tent camping near Johnsonville, Illinois offers a variety of well-maintained sites perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature and recreational activities.
Tent campers should check out Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area
- This location features lakeside camping spots and allows for fishing with 15hp motors, making it a great choice for those who enjoy water activities.
Tips for tent camping near Johnsonville
- Be sure to bring your own mattress if you plan to stay in one of the cabins at Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area, as they do not come equipped with bedding.
Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $40
- At the North Marcum Day Use Area, you can find amenities like electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables, enhancing your camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Johnsonville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Johnsonville, IL is Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Johnsonville, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Johnsonville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring