2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Arrowhead Lake Campground in Johnston City offers RV campers level sites with water and electric hookups, including 50 amp service. This highly-rated park operates from February through November and features a sanitary dump station, shower facilities, and big rig friendly access. Just north of Johnston City, Benton KOA provides year-round RV camping with full hookups, while Gun Creek Campground in nearby Whittington accommodates RVs from March through November with 30 amp electric service and sewer connections. Marion Campground & RV Park, located south of Johnston City, offers full hookup sites with 50 amp service for motorhomes and travel trailers, though sites are positioned quite close together. "Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility," notes one Arrowhead Lake visitor.
Most RV parks in the Johnston City area welcome pets and provide picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Cell service varies by location, with stronger signals typically available at parks closer to Interstate 57. Dump stations are available at Arrowhead Lake and Gun Creek campgrounds, while Marion Campground lacks this amenity. Several campgrounds in the region sit alongside lakes, offering fishing and boating opportunities directly from RV sites. During peak summer months and fall foliage season, advance reservations are recommended, especially for weekend stays. Many parks in the area have gravel pads rather than concrete, and some Gun Creek sites require leveling blocks due to uneven terrain. Access roads throughout the region are generally well-maintained and accommodate large motorhomes, though interior campground roads may be narrower with some tree obstacles to navigate.
"Gravel sites arranged like a parking lot but large enough for big rigs. Trees and flowers all about. 50 amps only."
"Lots of space, i used 50 amp, full hookup, no problems."
from $60 - $75 / night
"This actually feels like a campground and not a parking lot even though it’s super convenient to the interstate."
"Nice place clean and quiet Water pressure is only about 30 to 35 psi that is a little week. People were very nice and helpful ."
from $40 / night
from $42 / night
"I was more than satisfied with the facilities and service. I would highly recommend to others."
from $40 - $200 / night
"We hooked into their cable and received 24 popular channels and the WiFi was way above normal. We got 3 bars each on Verizon and AT&T."
"Birdsville Riverside RV Park has a great setup for RVers looking to enjoy the area without being on top of their neighbors. Check them out and share some pics of your stay on the Dyrt!"
from $45 - $65 / night
"I personally use a tent every time I camp but the amenities that were provided here were pretty nice. This place seems like it was made for RV camping."
"Dog friendly, pretty well spaced out campsites but some are used as paths with to get to farther back campsites. Good set up, not too close to neighbors and it’s heavily wooded in between."
"I used this park as a base camp for exploring Shawnee National Forest and the Cache River Preserve. There’s a lot of outdoor things to do in this area. Ferne Clyffe is small."
"Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups."
from $50 - $150 / night
"This little gem is off the beaten path but well worth it! Super nice owner, very clean small park without a lot of extra frills. All open sites waterfront, 30 or 50 amp, sewer and water hookups."
"Sites alternated pull in and back in sharing water and electric pedestals. Lots of space on door side of TT. Trash picked up daily from end of the site."
from $45 - $65 / night
TravelerThis is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
GuideGreat place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
LegendWe had never stayed at Whittington Woods, but several of our camping friends have stayed here over the years while traveling through the area. At a recent RV open house, we talked with the campground (CG) owners and decided to switch our reservation from another private CG to Whittington Woods to check it out. The owners suggested sites 92 or 97, and we were able to reserve back-in site 92 with FHUs for our two-night stay. Site 92 is one of the better sites, with a large yard and good separation from neighboring sites. The CG was easy to find off I-57—follow your GPS or the signs. Check-in was quick, and we were escorted to our site. Unfortunately, one of the CG’s regular guests had set up in our reserved site 92 instead of site 93. After a brief discussion between our owner/escort and the guest, moving him was clearly not going to be a quick process. We were offered a couple of other available sites and decided to take site 93. Site 93 was a significant downgrade, with only a sliver of yard and very little separation from site 94. The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94. The water connection is at the very back, requiring more than 30 feet of hose for our rig. The owners were very nice, probably too nice when dealing with their“regulars,” and made the situation more tolerable by giving us a good discount for site 93. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. We normally get good performance from our T-Mobile internet with two bars, but download speed was only 41.2 Mbps. The CG Wi-Fi was better at 69.3 Mbps download. There are a lot of mature trees, so satellite/Starlink reception could be iffy depending on the site. The CG is conveniently located near I-57 and right off IL-37, although there was quite a bit of highway noise that was manageable for us. The property provides plenty of room for walking, especially with a dog, and has a decent-sized dog park. There are quite a few full-timers and regulars, with some keeping their sites well maintained and others not so much. We also saw some of the same latitude given to“regulars” when it came to keeping dogs on a leash and picking up after them. They have 5 pull throughs that are mainly used for overnighters that are handy but close together. We understand why several of our friends regularly stay here for a night or two while traveling to and from Florida. Whittington Woods is conveniently located off I-57 and offers FHUs, making the CG a practical overnight stop. Our home base is only about an hour and a half away, however, and we have better options in the area when we need a final stop to flush tanks before heading home.
LegendWe were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.
GuideQuiet clean campground, 8 sites, one water spigot, pit toilets, hiking and biking, 9 miles to Garden of the Gods. Campground is right next to road. Local traffic is minimal, most sites will accommodate 30ft trailer or motor home.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
GuideWhat started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
GuideVery small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.
The Johnston City region features multiple camping options situated around local lakes with direct water access. Most campgrounds operate from spring through late fall, closing during winter months except for Benton KOA and Marion Campground which remain open year-round. The relatively flat terrain provides accessible camping throughout the region, with campsites typically positioned on gravel or grass surfaces.
Fishing opportunities: At Gun Creek, waterfront sites offer direct lake access. "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... lots of sites on the lake or with lake views," notes one visitor who appreciates the fishing access.
Walking trails: The lake at Arrowhead Lake Campground features a maintained walking path around the water. "The campground was nice and clean, has a beautiful walking trail, the camp host was nice," reports a camper who enjoyed the outdoor exercise options.
Boating access: Rend Lake provides multiple boat launch options near campsites. A Gun Creek camper notes, "Gun Creek is a great campground with many waterfront sites! It is nicely wooded, with a great boat ramp and boat parking area and close to a nice bike trail!"
Spacious sites: Crab Orchard Lake Campground receives praise for generous camping spaces. "Spacious sites with many right on the water. Gravel lots were level and plenty big for our 38' Class A motorhome + Jeep. We stayed at site B8, which had a massive yard right and on the lake," writes one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained restrooms at Johnston City area campgrounds. At Arrowhead Lake Campground, a visitor states, "The restrooms and showers were super clean. Enjoyed our stay will definitely be back."
Wildlife viewing: Local campgrounds offer opportunities to observe birds and animals. One camper at Crab Orchard notes, "It was a quiet, lovely place with great sunsets over the water, as well as herons, geese, turtles, and deer."
Site leveling: Some campgrounds in the region require equipment for leveling. At Gun Creek, "Absolutely must check how level the spots are before you book, as lots of sites are over 4 inch incline, which seems ok for Smaller rigs."
Highway noise: Marion Campground & RV Park and several other locations experience traffic noise. "Right off the freeway with very tight spots, even for the pull-through sites. Loud freeway noise," reports one reviewer, adding that it's "certainly not a 'destination' or a spot to spend time in."
Cell service: Mobile coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "We have AT&T and had full bars (we have a booster, which may have contributed to strong signal)," notes a Crab Orchard visitor, while connectivity at other sites may be limited.
Site privacy: Many campgrounds feature closely positioned sites. At Gun Creek, "each was fairly small, on top of each other, and lacking the privacy I like when tent camping." Expect to be visible to neighboring campers at most local RV parks.
Playground access: Archway RV Park provides family-friendly facilities. "There is a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond at the location. Great place to stop traveling through or for a weekend," writes one parent.
Swimming options: Crab Orchard Lake Campground offers water recreation for children. "The lake is at least really pretty and there's a small beach area," notes a visitor who appreciates the family swimming opportunity.
Wildlife awareness: Families should prepare for local wildlife encounters. "We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite so be careful what you leave out, also tons of geese and saw two baby copperheads," warns a Crab Orchard camper.
Site selection strategy: At Benton KOA, location within the campground matters significantly. "There is another portion of this campground across the road you come in on... 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."
Utility connections: Several campgrounds offer full hookups but require adapters. At Archway RV Park, "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter."
Late arrival planning: Some campgrounds accommodate after-hours check-ins. An Archway RV visitor reports, "We booked this on the road, and even though the office was closed, a site had been reserved and marked for us. Owner came out early the next morning to check on us."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Johnston City, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Johnston City, IL is Archway RV Park with a 3.9-star rating from 17 reviews.
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