Campgrounds near Murphysboro, Illinois offer diverse options from lakeside sites to forest settings. The region sits at approximately 400-500 feet elevation with typical Midwest seasonal weather patterns - hot, humid summers reaching 90°F and winter temperatures that occasionally drop below freezing. Cell service varies widely between campgrounds, with most state parks maintaining spotty coverage in valley areas compared to RV parks near highways.
What to do
Fishing at Crab Orchard Lake: Multiple fishing spots accessible directly from Crab Orchard Lake Campground. Bass fishing is particularly popular, with one regular camper noting, "We camp at Blue Heron Campground in Carterville, right on Crab Orchard Lake. It is my husband's favorite place to Bass Fish."
Hiking trails with geological features: The sandstone formations in the area create unique hiking experiences. As one camper at Giant City State Park Campground explained, "Lots of amazing, beautiful hikes in this park, especially if you're into bluffs and large boulders. Easy drive to many other picturesque and unique parks."
Dog-friendly activities: Several campgrounds provide designated pet areas. Archway RV Park has "a nice doggie park area fenced off," while The Landing Point RV Park offers "a nice fenced in area for dogs to run and play at."
What campers like
Spacious lakefront sites: Water access remains a top draw for campers. A visitor to Crab Orchard Lake Campground shared, "We stayed at site B8, which had a massive yard right and on the lake. The interior sites had full hookups, while the exterior (lake-side) sites had water and 50A electric."
Accessibility for overnight stays: Many campers appreciate the convenient location for travel breaks. One reviewer of Archway RV Park stated, "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."
Cleanliness and maintenance: Well-kept facilities receive consistent praise. A visitor to Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney reported, "Very well kept and clean campground. Great big trees, very shaded, great store. Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Proximity to neighbors differs between campgrounds. At Marion Campground, sites are "graveled sites are close together," while at Goatey Goat Ranch, campers enjoy an "awesome secluded area with nice views."
Weather considerations: The area experiences typical Midwest seasonal patterns. Spring brings frequent rain that can affect campsite conditions. One camper noted their site "was pretty muddy, but they had been experiencing lots of rain."
Reservation requirements changing: Some campgrounds have switched from first-come-first-served to reservation systems. A Crab Orchard Lake Campground visitor explained, "Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov & reservations through them are a must. This is new & when planning the trip the website said 'first come first serve'."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities. Archway RV Park features "a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond," while Perryville Campground offers "a pool, playgrounds, a pond, and some tiny home type cabins that look like fun."
Seasonal activities: Some campgrounds offer special events during holidays. As one camper at Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney noted, they were "Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly. Spots are tight (wouldn't want to be here when the park is full). Nice park for kids, hiking trail and jump pad (trampoline)."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water recreation. Crab Orchard features "a swimming beach (though it was closed till Memorial Day)," and another visitor mentioned "a little beach for campers to enjoy."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. A visitor to Marion Campground & RV Park specified, "Pull thru, 50 amp, full hookup. Bar, gaming, laundry, wifi, and showers on site. Military rate was $35 a night."
Site leveling considerations: Terrain can require additional equipment. A camper at Crab Orchard noted, "Gravel lots were level and plenty big for our 38' Class A motorhome + Jeep."
Internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly by location. One Archway RV Park camper reported, "The WiFi works great as I was able to stream anything I wanted on Hulu," while others rely on cellular data with varying success.
