Best Campgrounds near Patoka, IL

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Patoka, IL has a lot to offer. Patoka is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Patoka, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Patoka, Illinois (64)

    1. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-3015

    $15 - $30 / night

    "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."

    2. Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground

    12 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3586

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Boulder is a lovely campground tucked away on Carlyle Lake. It has it's own marina where you can rent a slip for your boat. The sites are well spaced and have a beautiful view of the lake and sunsets!"

    "The bathrooms, showers, and laundry all close by. Good hot water in the showers. The host was friendly and helpful. I’d go back again!"

    3. Coles Creek Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3211

    $20 - $250 / night

    "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!"

    4. Okaw Valley Kampground

    21 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 427-5140

    "There’s a very nice updated playground and a pond with a walking path around it.

    The place is very well taken care of. If we ever came back this way we would stay again."

    "Beautiful walking paths, convenient, great pricing. They filled us up on LP too. Thanks again, Barb and Gary!"

    5. Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Kinmundy, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 547-3381

    "Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget."

    "It's a small campground that offers a playground,bathhouse, hiking trails, and a small swimming area. There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park."

    6. Dam West Spillway

    10 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-5253

    $30 / night

    "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."

    7. Dam West Campground

    8 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-4410

    $20 - $60 / night

    "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. "

    8. Dam East Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-4410

    "Overall Rating: 4 for cleanliness and location for travels on nearby highway. Spillway is not particularly pretty."

    "Every camping spot has trees surrounding it so it’s very"

    9. Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 283-9700

    $25 / night

    "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available. Downsides is wifi is poor, gravel is unlevel, limited menu on DoorDash."

    10. COE Lake Carlyle McNair Campground

    4 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-2484

    "Quiet and plenty of trees and a walking path. A beach to swim at and a dock to fish off. A playground for kids. You can tent camp in a.few places but mai.ly for electric campers and.RV's."

    "There's miles and miles of walking and biking trails! The sites are pretty generously sized. The host was nice and the price was fantastic! I paid $42 for 4 nights."

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Showing results 1-10 of 64 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Patoka, IL

320 Reviews of 64 Patoka Campgrounds



Guide to Patoka

Camping near Patoka, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Coles Creek Recreation Area. One reviewer mentioned, "The lake is a prime fishing and boating lake, and is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing lakes."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around South Sandusky Campground. A camper shared, "Nice trails through the woods to hike. Access to River for kayaking."
  • Swimming: Families can enjoy swimming at South Marcum Campground. One visitor noted, "The beach for swimming was the kids' favorite part."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Okaw Valley Kampground. A review stated, "Clean restrooms and showers with hot water."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the large sites at Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area. One camper remarked, "Absolutely huge site with old growth trees throughout the campground."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff at Gun Creek. A review highlighted, "Very well kept, friendly staff, very convenient from interstate."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Coon Creek, lack certain amenities. A camper noted, "Not all sites have water/sewer, but many water points available throughout camp."
  • Noise Levels: Campers at Casino Queen RV Park mentioned some noise from the city. One review said, "Just want to feel a tad safer," indicating a mixed vibe in the area.
  • Booking Issues: Be cautious with reservations at places like Archway RV Park. A frustrated camper shared, "We booked a full service site and arrived... the manager stated that they overbooked that day."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like South Sandusky Campground. A parent mentioned, "Kids liked the slides in the playground."
  • Family Activities: Choose spots with various activities. One camper at Camp Lakewood said, "Cute lake, very family friendly, lots of amenities."
  • Safety: Ensure the campground is safe for kids. A family at South Marcum Campground felt secure, stating, "It was very safe and had close restrooms and playgrounds."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Check for level sites, especially at Illinois Gun Creek. A reviewer noted, "Not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups, like South Sandusky Campground. One RVer mentioned, "Water & electric (30 amp) were convenient & functioned perfectly."
  • Quiet Areas: Seek quieter sections within campgrounds. A camper at Okaw Valley Kampground said, "Open and peaceful during the week, especially back section where trees and more privacy."

Camping near Patoka, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Patoka, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Patoka, IL is Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 25 reviews.

What parks are near Patoka, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Patoka, IL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.