Best Campgrounds near Collinsville, IL

Camping options near Collinsville, Illinois include established campgrounds that accommodate a mix of tents, RVs, and cabins within a 30-mile radius of the city. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, located in nearby Granite City, offers primitive tent camping with basic amenities and sits approximately 15 miles northwest of Collinsville. Several private facilities like the St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA and Cahokia RV Parque provide more developed camping experiences with hookups and amenities. The region serves as a convenient base for visitors to St. Louis attractions while maintaining access to Illinois outdoor recreation areas.

Many campgrounds in the Collinsville area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through September. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground operates from May 1 to September 30, while other facilities like MGM Campground and Scott AFB FamCamp remain open year-round. Reservations are recommended at most established campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. The terrain is generally flat with minimal elevation concerns, making most sites accessible without specialized vehicles or equipment. Water levels at Horseshoe Lake can affect site selection and activities. A camper noted, "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast."

Visitors consistently mention the value offered at public camping areas near Collinsville. Horseshoe Lake State Park receives positive reviews for its affordable rates ($8 per night) and privacy between campsites despite basic facilities. The campground provides access to fishing and boating opportunities but prohibits swimming. Several reviews indicate the campground features clean, well-maintained grounds with sufficient spacing between sites. Private campgrounds in the area offer more amenities but at higher prices, with access to swimming pools, playgrounds, and full hookups. Proximity to major highways provides convenient access to St. Louis attractions, including the Gateway Arch, which is visible from some camping areas when conditions permit. One review mentioned, "The campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. Not much to do if you have kids. If you're looking for quiet camping trip this is a great park."

Best Camping Sites Near Collinsville, Illinois (67)

    1. Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park

    18 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 777-0777

    $65 / night

    "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."

    2. Cahokia RV Parque

    18 Reviews
    Columbia, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 332-7700

    "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."

    3. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Collinsville, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-0270

    "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."

    4. St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA

    13 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-5160

    "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."

    5. MGM Campground

    2 Reviews
    Granite City, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 797-2820

    "Nice little lake(catch and release I believe). Surrounded by nature, lots of grass and trees, great for dog owners. Spacious spots."

    6. Scott AFB FamCamp

    4 Reviews
    Mascoutah, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 256-2067

    "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."

    7. Sundermeier RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Earth City, MO
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 940-0111

    $56 - $61 / night

    "We were able to park next to our 5th wheel with enough room to not feel crowded while using the picnic bench. Also the site was level. We stayed for a week to enjoy St. Louis, St."

    "To hot and tired to walk around but there is aa park and access to a walking trail that looks nice. It is on path of airport it seems but plane noise does not bother us. It was not to bad."

    8. Town and Country Lakes

    1 Review
    Hartford, IL
    14 miles

    "It’s a beautiful place with good people but could definitely use some updating on the playground, signage, and drive."

    9. St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park

    26 Reviews
    St. Charles, MO
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (636) 387-5253

    $35 - $60 / night

    "I've been to 370 Lakeside Park many times to walk around the huge lake and to hear concerts in the summer, but I had never camped there. Still haven't. I'll explain."

    "All hookups were conveniently located. Shower house and restrooms were clean and well maintained/cleaned every day. Had a lakefront site but didn’t get to fish this time."

    10. Love's RV Hookup-Hamel IL 578

    1 Review
    Edwardsville, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 633-2883
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Recent Reviews near Collinsville, IL

438 Reviews of 67 Collinsville Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Sundermeier RV Park

    This RV park could be great but they have a bad wiring problem with some 30A receptacles and the office staff is extremely rude.

    I've stayed here a couple times and generally like the park. I appreciate owners investing in urban RV parks and I don't expect much for amenities in these kinds of settings. The staff were pleasant on a pre-arrival phone call and at check-in—but once there was an issue, the office staff member became very argumentative and rude, consistent with other online reviews.

    ELECTRICAL SAFETY WARNING DO NOT use the 30A receptacles here unless you have a surge protector with an Electrical Management System (EMS) that explicitly confirms correct wiring before connecting your RV. My equipment detected a Line/Neutral Reversal on some 30A receptacles; the 50A receptacles appeared to be wired correctly.

    When I reported this life-safety hazard, the staffer’s response was, “Don’t use your surge protector—they’re not compatible with our system.” As a licensed Electrical Engineer with 30+ years of experience, I can state that this is 100% nonsense. The surge protector was correctly doing its job by flagging a major wiring fault. Do not follow the staff's advice when they tell you not to use your surge protector to "make it work." That is irresponsible advice that is literally endangering your safety.

    The staff also insisted that they don't have a problem because previous 30A users without surge protectors had “no problems.” This is plausible because a Line/Neutral reversal doesn’t usually affect RV operation but the statement shows their complete lack of understanding of the actual problem.

    A Line/Neutral reversal energizes the neutral side of the RV's electrical system. This means the RV chassis, appliance housings, and internal neutrals, which should be near ground potential, all become live, creating a serious shock or electrocution hazard if someone touches those RV components while grounded.

    The sites are basic with level concrete pads in good condition and other utilities (water/sewer) were fine. Excellent location near the historic St. Charles district. WiFi is unusable—bring your own Internet source. Restrooms and showers are dated and not in great condition. There was also no hand soap at the bathroom sinks all weekend.

    This park should be a 7/10 rating, but the electrical hazard drops it to a 5/10. The staff bring the rating down further to a 3/10.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Sundermeier RV Park

    Resort quality campground

    Very nice park. This is a big busy campground they have plenty of staff to handle the rush. Level concrete sites with FHU will definitely stay here again

  • David D.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground

    Awesome campground!

    The views over the Mississippi River are calandar-worthy! Very scenic from up atop the bluffs. A very old and historic cemetery is next to the campground. There is electric hookups 30 and 50 amp. No water/sewer but does have a dump station. Vault toilets.

  • M
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Carlyle lake

    Great for Boating and Open Camping in Illinois

    The main draw here is the water itself. With great opportunities for fishing and boating, it's an ideal destination for anglers and families with small boats. The nearby Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area provides convenient camping and shoreline access, making it easy to turn your visit into a weekend trip.

    level devil

  • S
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Dam West Campground

    Beautiful campground at a minimum $

    This campground is heavenly and peaceful. Lots of migrant waterfowl. Pelicans, egrets, blue herons….

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Pere Marquette State Park Campground

    Fun Little Getaway

    Pere Marquette Campground is a little gym, just past Grafton, Missouri. It is located in the Great River Road, and within 10 minutes to restaurants and bars. There is a Lodge located next door which also serves a wonderful breakfast.

  • Chip
    Sep. 2, 2025

    World Shooting and Recreational Complex

    Lot's of full hookups

    This was our first camp in our new to us travel trailer. Not many trees.  Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue.  This is the site of the American Trap Shooters Association "Grand" Event.  During that event the first couple weeks in August the campground is full.  We were here last weekend in August. Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning.  There is a shower house I believe but could not access a couple of the doors I tried.  I imagine they had some unlocked but I didn't try all the doors when I was there.

  • Eleanor the Airstream R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Purina Farms

    PWD National Specialty

    Stayed the week for the PWD National Specialty trials. Convenient, clean, and solid FHUs.

    "Please note that RV reservations are only accepted for those entered(or those who have dogs/cats entered) in an event that has contracted space, which includes the overnight camping lots."

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Dam East - Mcnair Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Another really nice COE campground. With our pass for seniors, we only paid $10 for electric. The sites were a little closer together than normal COE’s but still plenty of room. Water spicket’s were placed throughout the park but not at each site. There was a lake with a swim beach and two playgrounds. Sites were very level. Nice and shady. Close to town. Well maintained showers.


Guide to Collinsville

Camping near Collinsville, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From serene lakeside spots to well-equipped campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to escape the city.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Hawn State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The hiking is some of the best in Missouri," making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at St. Francois State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "Close access to the river for fishing and kayaking," highlighting the park's water activities.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Cuivre River State Park Campground, you can spot various wildlife. One reviewer noted, "Beautiful prairie view and lots of great trails," perfect for those who love observing nature.

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds, like Hawn State Park Campground, can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. One camper advised, "The sites are in close proximity to one another so it gets crowded during Holiday weekends."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground, may have limited facilities. A visitor noted, "The restrooms and showers are still closed for the season," so check ahead.
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of ticks at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground. One camper warned, "I have never experienced a tick infestation like I did at this park."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park. A parent shared, "The playground was good for the kiddos."
  • Plan for Meals: Many campgrounds have picnic tables and fire pits. One camper at Washington State Park Campground mentioned, "There is even a swimming pool if the river isn’t your thing," making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors.
  • Bring Games: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. A family at Cuivre River State Park Campground enjoyed the spacious area, saying, "Nice big area with several clearings and fire rings."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure your site is level. A camper at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA noted, "The site was not level front to back."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Missouri Hawn State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "Hot water showers in bathrooms" are a plus.
  • Plan for Space: Choose campgrounds with spacious sites. A visitor at Okaw Valley Kampground mentioned, "The place is very well taken care of," which is great for RV parking.

Camping near Collinsville, Illinois, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a family getaway or a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Collinsville, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Collinsville, IL is Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park with a 3.5-star rating from 18 reviews.