70 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options in the Mascoutah, Illinois area range from military facilities to state parks and private RV campgrounds within driving distance. Scott AFB FamCamp provides year-round camping for military personnel with full hookups and access to base amenities, while Carlyle Lake recreation areas such as Dam West and Coles Creek offer lakeside camping approximately 20 miles east of Mascoutah. Several campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few locations like Cahokia RV Parque and Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area also offering cabin rentals.
Road access varies across campgrounds in the region, with most sites being drive-in accessible while some lakeside areas like Carlyle Lake provide boat-in access. The camping season typically runs from early spring through late fall, with several locations operating year-round. Temperatures in summer can become quite hot and humid, while spring brings occasional flooding concerns near waterways. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer months when facilities fill quickly. Most developed campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, though amenities vary significantly by location. "The campground is clean and convenient to the St Louis area. The Outdoor Recreation unit is very responsive to needs of campers," noted one visitor about Scott AFB FamCamp.
Campers report varying experiences with privacy and noise levels across area campgrounds. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers more primitive camping with limited amenities but greater privacy at an affordable price point. A recent review described it as having "great sites to camp, very private and clean." Sites near Carlyle Lake receive positive ratings for water recreation opportunities, while locations closer to St. Louis provide urban convenience at the cost of increased noise. Casino Queen RV Park, approximately 30 minutes west of Mascoutah, features direct views of the St. Louis Arch but experiences interstate and train noise. Seasonal variations affect camping experiences, with spring offering more comfortable temperatures and fall bringing reduced crowds at popular locations like Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area.
"You are on the entire opposite side of the base, away from everything, absolutely everything.."
"GREAT location for camping, especially if you run out of items and need to get something close by. Very natural, and amazing views and the feel is spectacular."
"It's a centrally located campground in the Metro St. Louis area. It's close to interstates and it's a short drive across the river to Missouri attractions."
"I compared the park to two others near St. Louis on the Illinois side and found this one to be the most pleasant. Most of the sites are sunny, but some have shade."
"Very clean and secure overnight park just outside of STL. Phenomenal views of downtown and the arch, and fairly easy access to I-55/64/70."
"Close to the arch, that’s why we chose this place to stay overnight."
from $65 / night
Check Availability"Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
"Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."
"Water and dump at the entrance. Shower houses. Very nice pool and camp store. Hosts scattered and occasionally hard to find to pay for your spot. Wildlife galore. Next to largest lake in Illinois."
"This State Park is located outside Carlyle,Illinois. This park offers playground areas and more. Cabins, campsites with power or no power the choice is yours."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Conveniently located just outside of St Louis. We camped here for a trip to the city for St Louis cardinals game and zoo. My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park."
"It's not in the prettiest location, very industrial and the train tracks run close. First night one came through blowing its horns around 5am."
"It is directly on Carlyle Lake, ,the largest lake in Illinois. It has activities for children on the weekends."
"Right next to the marina and with many sites right on the lake, you can’t go wrong here."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Full hookups, reservable sites, walk up sites, and all sites are large! Full hookup sites are booked solid so make sure you go online 6 months out or you are out of luck."
"We camped right on the lake with a great view. "
from $20 - $60 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice little park in southern Illinois. It is surrounded by cornfields, however the park is wooded. The park surrounds a very pretty lake and I have attached a picture."
"This is a small lake management by the state of Illinois. The campground is usually not crowded, but some weekends do get busy. There is a shower/bathroom that was clean each time we were there."
"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."
"Coles Creek is a nice, large campground located on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. It has full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!"
from $20 - $250 / night
Check Availability
ScoutIts fine. Nothing snazzy. Its in more of an industrial area so its kind of loud with the trains going by and whatnot. Mostly an RV site. 9 tent sites (first come first serve on spot) and a handful of cabins.
GuideCamping area is closed until further notice. Construction
LegendThis campground was easy to find, as both our GPS and the campground signs led us right to the city park and campground entrance. Check-in begins at 2:00 p.m., but we called ahead and were graciously allowed to arrive an hour early. We checked in and proceeded to back-in Site 426 with full hookups. As the last site in the campground, the curve in the road made for an exceptionally easy back-in. The concrete pad easily accommodated our 40-foot toy hauler and F-450, with utilities conveniently located near the center of the site and no issues connecting two sewer hoses. Water pressure was adequate, and the 50-amp electric performed flawlessly. The campground's four loops have mostly younger trees, so satellite reception should not be a problem in most sites. Although we brought our Starlink, we used our T-Mobile Home Internet instead, averaging 217 Mbps download and 21.5 Mbps upload. The campground information sheet mentioned Wi-Fi, but we never saw a network to join and didn't inquire further since our internet worked well. We received three bars on Verizon and two bars on T-Mobile. The campground has a nice fenced dog park that's large enough to actually throw a ball, plus a paved walking and biking trail that circles the lake. The office also sells ice and firewood, and the dump station is located behind the office. Many sites offer lake views, and the RV sites are generally well spaced. We noticed Loop 100 has all concrete pads, the first two rows of Loop 200 are concrete with the remaining sites primarily gravel except for some end sites, Loop 300 is reserved for primitive camping and tents, and Loop 400 has a mix of concrete and gravel sites. The center rows of the RV loops are pull-throughs. One thing to be aware of is that the campground has begun charging short-term campers for electricity. We weren't informed about it during check-in, although our traveling companions were shown how to monitor their usage online. The information sheet we received only referenced weekly and monthly electric charges. Even with hot weather and occasionally running three air conditioners during our three-day stay, our electric charge was only about $14. We departed without stopping at the office and received a checkout email about an hour after the noon checkout time. The St. Louis area is our home base, and in our opinion, this is the best RV park in the area and the one we most often recommend to our RV friends.
TravelerBL, the camp could use a Camp Host or Mayor. Stayed 1 night. We used the bathhouse and walked the grounds- so did a lot of other people; especially in the morning up to lunch. Quiet camp -Aircraft noise held off until 08:00 (bonus). Men’s shower side had great water pressure and temp- water fixtures were dated, dirty and temperamental (2 shower heads-1 working) also, cozy up to your multi-legged friends (spider webs and bugs were in competition for our shower space), Laundry is $1.50/wash&dry. I’ve stayed at a good many FamCamps: Lake Martin Rec -AL Uchee Creek-GA Destin Army Inf CTR-FL Robins AFB FamCamp-GA Round Pond -NY Kings Creek-VA Ellsworth AFB-SD Blue Angel Rec-FL Anniston Army Depot-AL Sigsbee-FL That’s my starter list! So, I’d like to see this one level up. It’s in a good area (we come through every couple years) and I think it could get a few more interested in it, if it were managed just a little bit better.
GuideFull hook up. Lovely lake. Great paved path. Sites are level. Landscaping is amazing. My only issue is no shade trees. Where else are you getting full hook up with all of these activities for this price?
GuideRight off the freeway. We were going to overnight park at Loves but had problems with our generator. 93 degrees at 11 pm so we splurged for a site and paid $71 for full hookups. It’s a small campground, more like a parking lot, so easy in and out. They have a handful of cabins and a wash house.
There are two unisex bathrooms, each with multiple toilets and showers, which is weird because you have to lock the outer door for privacy while using the facilities. Good for a parent with small children, I guess, but I felt like I was hogging the bathroom.
There is a small pond at the back of the grounds and a kid was fishing it. They also have a fenced in dog park. No shade in that area, but nice touch!
GuideThe location to St. Louis is great, and the utility hookups for RV were convenient, but there was ZERO privacy at the sites and hiking trail were extremely limited. Great coverage for Verizon and Starlink.
TravelerThis place was amazing other than the humidity (mid july). Showed up and the hosts were super nice and helped me to my spot. They have lots of camper spots, most seemed like long term campers. I used a tent and had a great spot near the lake. No other tent campers around. They have a good open spot for tents that you just find a spot and set up. Campers seemed nice and we re quiet.
GuideGreat views. Lots of water view sites. Just not a lot to do in the area. Hosts are very kind
Camping sites near Mascoutah, Illinois range from Army Corps of Engineers lake facilities to state recreation areas within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 400-500 feet above sea level with humid continental climate patterns producing hot summers where temperatures frequently reach 90°F. Seasonal camping availability varies significantly across locations, with peak season running April through October at most facilities.
Fishing opportunities: At Washington County State Recreation Area, the lake provides good bass fishing and hiking trails. "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," notes one camper.
Water recreation: Carlyle Lake at Coles Creek Recreation Area offers swimming and boating access during summer months. "There is a beach for campers to use, and a really nice playground. Their bathrooms and showerhouse were impeccably clean, and many sites are right next to the lake," explains a visitor.
Stargazing: The relative distance from major metropolitan areas creates good conditions for night sky viewing at less developed campgrounds. One visitor to Washington County State Recreation Area mentioned, "The campground is pretty far from any big metro area, so the sky was real dark, great for picking out constellations. We listened to Whip-por-will calls around the campfire."
Urban exploration: For campers wanting to balance outdoor experiences with city attractions, sites west of Mascoutah provide St. Louis access. A visitor at Cahokia RV Parque shared, "Just minutes across the river from St. Louis. They have a shuttle to the various tourist attractions, just ask the staff at the office for details."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates compared to commercial RV parks. "Great spot and great value. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," reports a Horseshoe Lake State Park camper.
Lake views: Many sites at Dam West Campground provide direct water access and scenic vistas. "We camped right on the lake with a great view. This site and the site next to it are the best sites in the campground with a pull through layout for a great setup for a lake view from the side of your camper," explains one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The wetland ecosystems support diverse bird populations. "This campground is heavenly and peaceful. Lots of migrant waterfowl. Pelicans, egrets, blue herons," notes a Dam West Campground visitor.
Security features: Several campgrounds implement safety measures that campers appreciate. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, "You need a code to get in the gate, so you must register in advance. Security is proactive in patrols and are friendly and helpful."
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad disruptions, particularly those closest to East St. Louis. A Casino Queen RV Park visitor reported, "There are trains every 15-30 minutes all day long. A train honked early in the morning."
Water quality concerns: Some facilities have reported issues with water systems. One Dam West camper noted, "The potable water supply. I filled by trailer's tank at the drinking water supply when you enter the campground. It was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids."
Site availability: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "We arrived at Dam West Campground at 11am on a Friday only to find that that the first-come, first-serve sites were already full," warns a visitor.
Utility placement: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup configurations. At Casino Queen RV Park, "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper."
Playground access: Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area offers multiple play structures throughout the grounds. "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 one family.
Swimming options: Some campgrounds provide pool access during summer. "There is a nice large zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends," notes an Eldon Hazlet visitor.
Holiday events: Seasonal programming provides additional entertainment for children. "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!" warns an Illini Campground visitor.
Toilet access planning: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Unless you have a restroom in your rig, be prepared to walk up to the showerhouse. The pit toilets that were spread across the campground were in horrendous condition," reports one family at Eldon Hazlet.
Power considerations: Select the appropriate site for your electrical needs. "Sites have water only and 30&50amp plug in at pedestal," notes a Scott AFB FamCamp visitor.
Leveling preparation: Terrain varies across campgrounds. "A lot of spots are not level, so come prepared. Some spots are shaded. Some spots are in full sun," advises a military camper.
Wind exposure: Lakeside sites may experience strong gusts. "Keep in mind that strong winds can sweep across the lake and pick things up if not secured," warns a Dam West camper.
Distance to amenities: At some facilities, services are widely dispersed. "You are on the entire opposite side of the base, away from everything, absolutely everything. You are only kinda close to the golf course which being Illinois the golf course and golf course cafe run seasonally by days and various hours depending on what month of the year," explains a Scott AFB visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Mascoutah, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mascoutah, IL is Scott AFB FamCamp with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
Keep Exploring
