Best Tent Camping near Mascoutah, IL

Tent campers visiting the Mascoutah, Illinois area can find established sites at two primary locations. The World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta offers basic tent camping approximately 30 miles southwest of Mascoutah, while Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park provides more developed tent sites about an hour's drive west in Wildwood, Missouri. Both locations accommodate tent camping year-round with varying levels of amenities and natural surroundings.

Tent sites at the World Shooting Complex feature minimal shade with few trees and primarily serve as camping areas during shooting events. Fire rings are provided and fires are permitted, but the grounds lack drinking water, toilets, and shower facilities. In contrast, Babler Memorial State Park offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to showers and toilets during the main camping season (April through October). A camper noted that "there are miles of hiking and biking trails right outside your doorstep and plenty of woods to explore" at Babler State Park, making it popular for weekend tent camping trips.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between these locations. Babler State Park provides a more traditional camping environment with spacious sites set among trees offering good shade coverage and privacy, particularly in the sites numbered 52-75 which tent campers often prefer. Weekend visitors to Babler should expect more crowds, while the World Shooting Complex remains quiet outside of shooting events when the campground can fill completely. Most tent sites at Babler feature level tent pads with a mix of sun and shade. During summer months, tent campers should be prepared for ticks, especially at Babler where one reviewer warned of significant tick activity despite using insect repellent. Neither location offers immediate water access for activities like fishing or boating within the campground boundaries.

Best Tent Sites Near Mascoutah, Illinois (3)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mascoutah, IL

14 Photos of 3 Mascoutah Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Mascoutah, IL

308 Reviews of 3 Mascoutah Campgrounds


  • Jessica B.
    Apr. 4, 2022

    Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground

    Our 1st Trip In Our Camper!

    We loved our stay at Babler, aside from the snow & wind - the park is great! Review below ⬇️

    ⛺️ S I T E R E V I E W ⛺️

    📍 Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park Wildwood, MO

    💰 $12-$21/night

    🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022

    Site 48 ⚡️💧

    🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)

    ➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access, Gated Overnight with access code

    ➖Small/Close Sites, No Water in Off Season, Only Vault Toilets - No Showers in Off Season

    📶 AT&T Service 4 out of 5

    🚮 Dump Station located behind bathhouse. NO WATER during off season!

    🚻AMENITIES •Playground •Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails •Wood & Ice •Interpretive Programs •Visitor Center •Special Use Area •Laundry, Flush Toilets & Showers ON SEASON ONLY!

    🏕SITES Reservable 12 Months-FCFS in off season 72 Reservable 8 Accessible sites Basic - Electric Concrete Back In Lantern Hook, Picnic Table & Fire Ring

    ⏰ HOURS/DATES April - October 7:am - 9:pm Nov - March 7:am - 6:pm

    🔺Park Office 8:30am - 4:pm M-F

    🔺Visitor Center April - Oct 9:am - 4:30pm W - Sun Nov - March 9:am - 4:pm - Sat-Sun Dec - Feb CLOSED

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Saw no Beaver

    Beaver Dam State Park, Il

    We did an overnighter here. We arrived in time to get a hike in before dinner meal.

    The trail map is very basic and not totally accurate. The trails are poorly marked but with basic knowledge of your compass points you can figure them out. Staff may be limited due to Corona , so the trail maintenance may have suffered, it is overgrown in several areas. The overlook to the marsh is pretty cool. I found no mileage for the trails , there may be a purchasable map with more information or of course a trail App. The lake is picturesque and busy. Lotsa fisher people here. The trail goes all the way around the lake with several fishing spots. Theres a boat ramp near the parking area and several docks to use across the lake. A nice feature is located next to the boat ramp, a fish cleaning pavilion complete with pull down hoses.

    The campground had an interesting set up. The sites in the loops are gravel and you have room but not a lot of privacy. I was in site 26 and you have to back between the two other sites into this one. Not difficult in my van but it could get interesting with a camper. I don’t think you would have the room to pull in and circle out. Electric at these sites , no water. There were hydrants spaces throughout for your water needs. The fire “rings” were interesting, with a flat “platform” to set your coals/fire on. Nice campground, I felt like somewhat of an outsider here, the occupants were possibly locals who obviously use the entire 14 day stay limit. Otherwise nice, basic, water activity centered campground. I did not see any swimming areas.

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

    Dam East - Mcnair Campground

    Location Great for Travel

    McNair ACE: Tate 4 for cleanliness and stopover location for travels on nearby highway. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 4 Price 2024: $ 9w interagency pass Security: no Usage during visit: 1/3 Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: no Site Spacing: closer Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: Required Campground Noise: No Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: yes Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: yes Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: Nice flush Showers: small private Cell Service (AT&T): 2-3 bars Setting: near lake Recent Weather: 80s Insects: no Host: yes Rig Size: large Sites: Outside sites are by far the best. 16,17,18 are favorites .

  • 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.

  • AC
    May. 16, 2021

    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.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground

    Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area

    Nice little campground close to down town St Louis (when the leaves are down I bet you can see the Arch). Campsites are nice and flat with the standard picnic tables and fire rings. No showers, but decent toilets. The nice thing is the campground is staffed by rangers in the day, and at night they sometimes take a security swing through the campground. Nice lake for fishing and boating.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2016

    Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground

    Babler State Park

    Nice state park close to St Louis. Good, if short, trails. The campground is used a lot by RV and campers, not so much by tenters. Lots of campsites had electric. All had the standard pininic tables and fire rings, and the campground has a decent and clean shower house. You might end up pitching your tent on a parking pad as many tent sites don't have level grassy spots for your tent. Sites are not very private, and some are right on top of the next. I like sites 65 and 58 for their privacy or grassy tent spots.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2021

    St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    Great stop over with dozens (hundreds?) of sites

    We stayed here as we blitzed across the country (16 hour days!!) This was the perfect flat spot right off of the highway for us to pull in, open our roof top tent, eat some freeze dried food and go to bed. 

    There is a 24/7 security guard who takes you to your site (Security and maybe because one could easily get lost?) Showers and restrooms are located throughout the campground. 

    Truthfully, we were only there for maybe 8 hours before we got back in the car and took off again. I would definitely stay again in our larger trailer if we find ourselves in the area because of it's location to St. Louis it's a clear draw for those who want to visit the city and stay... not in the city.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2020

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Nice campsites

    All sites are shaded and mostly level with pull-thru or back-in parking. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a grate over it. Each site has electric, however the water spigots are scattered about. The restroom and shower house is very clean.

    There is a nice walking trail path that goes around the exterior of the lake. The lake has boat access and some good fishing spots. There is also a restaurant and store on the lake. The breakfast at the restaurant is great! Mosquitoes are bad, remember to bring repellent.


Guide to Mascoutah

Tent camping opportunities near Mascoutah, Illinois range from basic sites with minimal amenities to more developed campgrounds with full facilities. Located in southwest Illinois approximately 30 miles east of St. Louis, this area experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters. Fall camping is particularly popular due to moderate temperatures and reduced insect activity in the region's mixed hardwood forests.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, campers can access a lake for fishing and boating activities. According to one visitor, the complex offers "a lake to boat, kayak or fish from the bank," making it suitable for anglers seeking nearby water recreation.

Hiking trails: Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park offers multiple hiking trails ranging from easy to moderately challenging. A reviewer notes: "The trails are not too long but can be challenging for small kids or folks that are not used to hiking." The park provides both hiking and paved biking trails accessible directly from the campground.

Weekend retreats: Babler State Park serves as a convenient base for St. Louis area residents. One camper described it as "a hidden gem" where "you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city" despite its proximity to metropolitan areas. The park's location makes it ideal for weekend camping trips when time is limited.

What campers like

Privacy levels: At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, tent campers appreciate the varying levels of seclusion. One reviewer specifically recommends sites 65 and 58 "for their privacy or grassy tent spots," while another mentions that "sites 13-33 are popular open and sunny campsites with nice grassy areas between them."

Quiet camping: The World Shooting Complex provides exceptionally quiet camping when events aren't scheduled. A camper reported: "Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning." This makes it ideal for campers seeking solitude outside of shooting events.

Convenient location: Babler State Park offers a natural setting with urban convenience. A reviewer appreciated that "you feel like you are in a nice wooded setting but not too far from surrounding amenities" and that despite being close to St. Louis, "it is clean and feels extremely safe."

What you should know

Site characteristics: Many tent sites at Babler State Park lack level grassy areas. A reviewer warns: "You might end up pitching your tent on a parking pad as many tent sites don't have level grassy spots for your tent. Sites are not very private, and some are right on top of the next."

Seasonal considerations: Facilities at Babler State Park vary by season. One camper noted: "Not having water available except at the camp host, and no open restrooms and showers until after April 1, regardless of when the last freeze is was inconvenient for a spring break trip." Winter campers should expect limited services.

Wildlife awareness: Raccoons are active at Babler State Park, particularly around food. A visitor warned: "They dont give a darn who you are. They will walk right up to, smile, and take your chips. Scandalous!" Proper food storage is essential when tent camping in this area.

Tips for camping with families

Trail selection: For families with children visiting Babler State Park, choose hiking trails carefully. One camper advises that the trails "can be challenging for small kids" despite not being particularly long. The park's visitor center can provide recommendations for child-appropriate routes.

Weekend planning: Anticipate higher occupancy on weekends at Babler State Park, especially during summer. A reviewer mentioned: "The campground is not very large. Most of the sites are small." Arriving early on Friday or making advance reservations helps secure suitable sites during peak periods.

Spacing considerations: Families needing more space should research specific site locations. According to one camper: "This works well for me since I like to talk and meet other campers. However, if you prefer some space while camping, this one may not be for you." Sites in the 52-75 range generally provide more privacy between camping parties.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At the World Shooting Complex, RVers note the open layout. One camper observed: "Not many trees. Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue." The lack of shade makes air conditioning essential during summer months.

Navigation challenges: First-time visitors to Babler State Park should be aware of potential navigation issues. A camper reported: "The signage is not great and the visitor center was closed so there was no one to ask directions. We ended up dragging our camper through the whole park before we found the road to the campgrounds."

Utility availability: When searching for the best tent camping near Mascoutah, Illinois, RVers should note the utility differences between campgrounds. At Babler State Park, "If this campground had sewer and water, it would get 5 stars," while the World Shooting Complex offers "Lot's of full hookups" but limited amenities otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mascoutah, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mascoutah, IL is World Shooting and Recreational Complex with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Mascoutah, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Mascoutah, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.