Best RV Parks & Resorts near Makanda, IL

This is a very clean campground with electric only hook-up. It had nice big concrete pads, a large picnic table and large fire pit/grill at each site. Water was available close to the restrooms and is accessible to fill campers. Parking area at each site could accommodate two vehicles. The capsites were located next to the Kaskaskia River. There is a recreation area with a large pavilion and fishing is accessible from here. By the camping area there is a hiking trail through the woods that ends at the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. This trail is paved for walking, bicycles and wheelchairs. There is also a boat ramp close to campsites.

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.

We stopped here overnight twice because it was close to the highway and had pull-through sites to accommodate our 43’ fifth wheel. We were pleasantly surprised by how nice it was, and you couldn’t even hear the Highway. Our sites both times were in the gravel pull-through area, which seems to be intended for short stays. Even though we were close to the neighbors the sites are angled, so we had a beautiful view of a grassy area with trees out our living room windows. The longer stay sites had gravel and then grass in between the sites, and views of a lake. Very serene, pretty and clean campground.

Paid $35 per night for 2 nights after our Passport America discount. Not sure it would have been worth the full price. Full hookups. 50amp, water (55psi), and sewer. Cell coverage for AT&T and Verizon were both adequate to stream and work. The check-in process was a bit slow. We kinda expected that since it took us a dozen calls just to get someone to pick up the phone to make a reservation. We were first in line at check-in and spent at least 10 minutes going over all sorts of rules and information. Luckily we showed up at 3:05pm because they charge $25 for "early check-in" any time before 3pm. We're full-time RVers and have stayed at nearly 140 campgrounds and that's the first time we've seen something before 3pm called "early" and that's a pretty steep price for check-in. Our entire section of the campground was empty. Our neighbors actually showed up at 2pm and opted to wait an hour in the parking lot to go to their un-occupied site rather than paying $25. But besides the check-in, the campground was beautiful. Plenty of tree cover. The roads are paved and easy to navigate. Many of the amenities are closed for covid but there were still people riding around on their bikes. Definitely a bike-centric park with trails and bike paths around. It's not located next door to Traverse City but it's not far to get to most things. We camped at Timber Ridge Campground & Recreation Resort in a Fifth Wheel.