Best Glamping near Keyesport, IL

Carlyle Lake glamping options include luxury accommodations at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area and Coles Creek Recreation Area, both offering upscale canvas tent options near the shoreline. The Illini Campground section of Eldon Hazlet features climate-controlled glamping units with comfortable bedding, electricity, and private outdoor spaces for an elevated outdoor experience. "We stayed in site #7 for one night in the spring. Some sites are spacious, others are pretty cramped. The loop that we stayed on was close to the water with views of Carlyle Lake," shared one visitor. Okaw Valley Kampground and Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area also provide boutique camping experiences with premium amenities including kitchenettes and en-suite facilities, all within a short drive from Keyesport.

Scenic waterfront glamping sites around Carlyle Lake offer direct access to fishing, sailing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The lake is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing destinations, with many luxury accommodations positioned for optimal sunrise and sunset views over the water. One guest noted, "Large waterfront campsites, full hookup loop, and 4 other large loops that have electric. Nice new bath house for those who need it." The eco-friendly glamping options typically include private fire rings, picnic areas, and easy access to swimming beaches. Several glamping sites feature seasonal pools, playground areas, and nature trails through wooded sections. Reservations are recommended, particularly for summer weekends, with many premium canvas accommodations booking months in advance.

Best Glamping Sites Near Keyesport, Illinois (19)

    1. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

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

    $15 - $30 / night

    "The shower houses are clean and air conditioned, there's a nice camp store that serves breakfast and basic lunches, and there is a nice large zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends."

    "We had reservations nearly one month ahead, and the campground was full, yet quiet and restful."

    2. Coles Creek Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    6 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."

    "Large waterfront campsites, full hookup loop, and 4 other large loops that have electric. Nice new bath house for those who need it. This is a COE campground and takes our senior pass."

    3. Dam East Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-4410

    "Overall Rating: 4 for cleanliness and location for travels on nearby highway. Spillway is not particularly pretty."

    "Every camping spot has trees surrounding it so it’s very"

    4. Okaw Valley Kampground

    26 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 427-5140

    "We stopped here on our way home for one night, but got in early enough to enjoy a walk and have a camp fire that evening."

    "The pool, the lake, the gigantic playground, the pavilion, the laundromat, the location, the cleanliness in the bathhouse, the gardens… the hosts Barb and Gary work their asses off to upkeep this place"

    5. COE Lake Carlyle McNair Campground

    4 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-2484

    "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."

    "There's miles and miles of walking and biking trails! The sites are pretty generously sized. The host was nice and the price was fantastic! I paid $42 for 4 nights."

    6. Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-8865

    7. Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Kinmundy, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 547-3381

    "Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget."

    "It's a small campground that offers a playground,bathhouse, hiking trails, and a small swimming area. There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park."

    8. Archway RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Mount Vernon, IL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 244-0399

    $60 / night

    "Long first day drive, but so handy and staff couldn’t be more accommodating to our late arrivals. Just far enough from Interstate so noise isn’t an issue. Lots of services at the same exit."

    "Upon arrival I was greeted nicely and checked in quickly. While beginning setup, I noticed an issue with the power at my particular spot and decided to let the staff know of the issue."

    9. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ramsey, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 423-2215

    "The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"

    "Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."

    10. Gun Creek

    21 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $18 - $30 / night

    "Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site."

    "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."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Keyesport, IL

3 Photos of 19 Keyesport Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Keyesport, IL

183 Reviews of 19 Keyesport Campgrounds


  • Aimee T.
    Sep. 6, 2018

    Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    Great family campground

    We LOVE Hazlet! We have a popup camper and camp here often. It's a huge campground with a smaller reservable section and an extensive first come, first serve section. There are usually always spaces available. Sites are pretty level, are gravel, wooded, and spacious. There are several 'loops'' of sites that extend out and have water views. The shower houses are clean and air conditioned, there's a nice camp store that serves breakfast and basic lunches, and there is a nice large zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends. The campground hosts are sprinkled througout the grounds and are always friendly and accommodating. They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site. The campground also provides pumpkin painting contests and other fun activities. Better get there at least a week in advance for the halloweeen festivities- it fills up!

  • K
    Mar. 14, 2019

    Country Bend Campground

    Beautiful family campground

    Family friendly atmosphere, big inground pool, 18 hole putt putt, lots of outdoor games, planned activities on the weekends, shaded sites, and air conditioned cabins! This place is a campers dream with great staff always happy to see you.

  • Barb N.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Gun Creek

    Lots of space by a Lake

    RV or tent, book online at Recreation.Gov not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site. We will be back and book closer to the lake in a level site.

  • Tara L.
    Jul. 25, 2019

    Country Bend Campground

    Great experience!

    Big things happening at Country Bend Campgrounds in Montrgromy Co, IL. This beautiful campground has many things to offer and is only a few minutes from the local drive in movie theater in Litchfield Illinois. It has a pool, swing sets, playground, cabins, ponds with stocked fish, beautiful walking trails, camping, welcome center, baseball field, volleyball, games, horseshoes, paddle boats, miniature golf, and so much more. This family run business is under new management and is welcoming new seasonal campers and day campers with competitive pricing. This beautiful campground is nestled in a scenic area in the country and is pet friendly. It has clean shower houses with warm water. We just purchased our seasonal campsite earlier in the season. Come check out this amazing campground and all it has to offer! Our rough collies will be joining us at this dog friendly campground! There is always something to do here and the owners strive to make it a family place by providing many activities on the weekends. The owners have done an amazing job on this campground and have made it one of the best campgrounds around to create that lasting experience with our children before they grow up!!!

  • Art W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2021

    Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    Beautiful lake

    We had reservations nearly one month ahead, and the campground was full, yet quiet and restful. Our site only had electric hookup, and there were two pit toilets in the cul de sac, and we never found the showers that were supposedly on site. The acorns were falling, and we nearly jumped out of bed when they struck our roof! No fault of the campground, but a mild annoyance nevertheless. There is a camp store but we didn't visit it. The nearby town of Carlyle has a Walmart and several fast food eateries, but only one independent restaurant, Mexican , which came highly recommended. We met campers that return here often, but it was our first time. We would stay again if in the area.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Ok for a one night stay

    The owners are friendly. The pool is well-maintained and pleasant. The campsite is an old KOA frozen in time. It's clean but dated. Water and electricity are available on site with an old picnic table. Only one bathhouse (toilet, shower) is a bit far from our site.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2024

    Dam East Recreation Area

    GREAT LOCATION for STOPOVER

    East Dam ACE, IL: Not an interesting view from here, but well maintained campground . Quiet.
    (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 4 for cleanliness and location for travels on nearby highway. Spillway is not particularly pretty. Price 2024: $9 w interagency pass Security: No gate Usage during visit: 60% during the week Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: No Site Spacing: Good Pad surface: Blacktop Reservations: Required. Can be made upon arrival through rec.gov Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: No Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: At nearby ACE campground Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: In adjacent day use area Showers: No. Nearby - check w host. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: along Kaskasia River/ spillway Recent Weather: 80s Insects: no Host: yes Rig Size: large Sites: Some sites are along the spillway.

  • Russ  G.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great Stop-off

    We stopped here on our way home for one night, but got in early enough to enjoy a walk and have a camp fire that evening. Small park but very long, narrow pull through sites on the full hook up side, there were some smaller water/electric sites that looked to be more of a parking lot that sites, but well spaced out and adequate. The camp host was very friendly and the camp store was well stocked.


Guide to Keyesport

Carlyle Lake offers glamping options situated 618 feet above sea level along its 83-mile shoreline. The reservoir spans 26,000 acres with water depths averaging 11 feet. Winter temperatures in Keyesport can drop to 20°F while summer months often exceed 85°F with high humidity levels during July and August.

What to do

Fishing access points: Gun Creek campground provides multiple shore fishing spots along Rend Lake with exposed tree roots creating natural fishing nooks. "We got there late and had no problems finding a great campsite right next to the lake," notes Jonathan W., who found the electric-equipped sites particularly convenient for overnight anglers.

Swimming options: Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area features a swim beach within walking distance of campsites, though maintenance varies seasonally. "There's a swim beach to swim at and a dock to fish off. A playground for kids," reports one camper who visits the park several times yearly.

Hiking trails: The Dam East Recreation Area offers walking paths connecting to longer trail systems with wildlife viewing opportunities. "There is a little pond where people fished, and a little walking path for little kid 'hikes,'" describes Shirley M., who discovered these amenities during a Labor Day weekend stay.

What campers like

Affordable rates: Coles Creek Recreation Area attracts budget-conscious glampers with senior pass discounts. "This is a COE campground and takes our senior pass. If you are needing a full hookup site, make sure you book early!" advises Rhonda B., highlighting the value at this Army Corps of Engineers location.

Spacious sites: Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area offers generously sized glamping spots, particularly in the Illini section. "Absolutely huge site with old growth trees throughout the campground without lots of space between," notes Jay B., who appreciated the layout during a July 4th stay.

Family-friendly amenities: Okaw Valley Kampground maintains a stocked fishing lake, playground, and swimming pool. "The pool was closed when we were there but looked nice," shares one visitor, while another remarks, "There is a swimming pool and campground store."

What you should know

Water quality concerns: Some areas around Carlyle Lake experience seasonal water quality issues. "I filled my trailer's tank at the drinking water supply when you enter the campground. It was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids," reports Allen S. about his spring visit to Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.

Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between glamping locations. "Cleanest bathrooms ever and heated and air conditioned," praises a McNair Campground visitor, while another camper notes, "The pit toilets that were spread across the campground were in horrendous condition and had wasps, spiders, and other critters hanging out."

Site leveling challenges: Gun Creek requires careful attention to site selection. "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," warns a camper who otherwise enjoyed their stay.

Tips for camping with families

Halloween festivities: Illini Campground hosts elaborate Halloween events. "They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site," explains Aimee T., who recommends arriving at least a week early as the campground fills quickly for these activities.

Playground options: Multiple glamping sites near Keyesport feature playground equipment. "There are three playground areas, a basketball court, sand volleyball and a pool during summer months. Lots of families with kids, bike rides and plenty of other lake and outdoor activities in the area," shares Brooke C. about her October visit.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can enjoy wildlife sightings from campsites. "Oh and lots of deer bed down in the grassy areas at night, which was a fun thing to see!" mentions Chelsea D., adding a memorable nature experience during their family weekend trip.

Tips from RVers

Overnight convenience: Archway RV Park serves as an ideal stopover for RVers traveling through the Keyesport area. "We travel between Charleston, SC and Omaha, NE several times a year and always stay here on return trip. Long first day drive, but so handy and staff couldn't be more accommodating to our late arrivals," shares Robert T.

Campground Wi-Fi reliability: Several luxury glamping sites offer surprisingly good internet connectivity. "Good wifi, phone and cable signals," reports one reviewer about Gun Creek, while another camper at Archway RV Park notes, "The WiFi works great as I was able to stream anything I wanted on Hulu."

Full hookup availability: Many glamping sites require advance booking for premium utility connections. "Large waterfront campsites, full hookup loop, and 4 other large loops that have electric," describes a Coles Creek visitor who recommends early reservations for the most desirable full-hookup locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Keyesport, IL?

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

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Keyesport, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 glamping camping locations near Keyesport, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.