For those who want to experience Patoka, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. Search nearby glamping or find top-rated spots from other campers.
$15 - $30 / night
Coles Creek Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis and a few miles from the town of Carlyle, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.
Coles Creek Campground provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are provided, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports. Fishing is a popular pastime, and the lake offers year-round varieties of fish such as bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. There are multiple playgrounds on-site, as well as a swimming beach and an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.
Created in 1967, the 26,000-acre lake is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing lakes and hosts several annual races and regattas. Carlyle Lake is home to an array of wildlife that can be seen throughout the year. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. There are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.
For facility specific information, please call (618) 594-2484.
The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area, has information available and nature exhibits on display, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.
Camping No Show - Camping no-show customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit their reservation. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees. Cancellations - A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
$150 / night
Dam East Recreation Area is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois largest man-made lake.
Created in 1967, the 26,000-acre lake is recognized as one of the nations top ten inland sailing lakes and hosts several annual races and regattas.
Carlyle Lake is home to an array of wildlife that can be seen throughout the year. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. There are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.
The area provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are provided, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports.
Fishing is a popular pastime, and white bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp, flathead catfish and walleye can be found in abundance.
There is an on-site playground and plenty of open space for children to play in, as well as an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short walk away.
Dam East features a reservable picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people, as well as a boat ramp and courtesy docks. Visitors can walk or bike across the dam to the Dam West facilities and McNair Group Area.
Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area, has information, a gift shop and nature exhibits, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish and a display featuring a live massasauga rattlesnake.
Open year-round, Archway RV Park is easy to get to from the Interstate. Level, full-hookup pull through sites that are big-rig friendly. We love pets. You’ll love that we sell propane. Visit our Amenities page to see photos of our facility. We also have cabins, super fun glamper pods and on-site rental campers. Visit our Lodging page to learn more.
Come on in, you’re gonna love it.
$60 / night
Congratulations! You've just discovered Rend Lake, the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Even a short visit to Rend Lake will impress you with the versatility of this magnificent area. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. Wildlife in the area includes deer, turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year. Whether you're looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, you'll find it here in the heart of Southern Illinois.
Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.
Gun Creek sits along the Eastern banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois.
Rend Lake Golf Complex, which includes a 27-hole golf course, restuarant, and lodge.
$30 / night
Traveler
What a beautiful campground, it’s our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them
Scout
Right next to a huge reserve for fishing and boating. Campsites are very spaced out. We had 30 amp electric but no water on the campsite. Wasn't a problem for us we just filled our water tank. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Look forward to coming back
Legend
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.
GuideWe stayed for 1 night, had a spot in the back with a perfect view of the lake. Lots of room for dogs.
Scout
Family owned with a nice little fishing area (no license required catch and release) paddle boats and camp store. A nice pool with a big covered pavilion, clean restrooms and showers with hot water. We had a level pull thru gravel site with a picnic table and small fire ring and didn’t have to unhook for our overnight. Walking/hiking wooded trails 2 cabins available- several seasonal folks. We were there on a Sunday evening and didn’t really see anyone. Little bit of road noise but so convenient! Thanks Barb!
TravelerArrived just after a terrible storm so parts of the park were closed for clean up. The parts that were open were all cleaned up, spacious sites, easy access, with fantastic hosts. An absolutely beautiful evening in gorgeous surroundings…we’ll be back and so glad we stumbled upon this place. Didn’t use the showers so can’t report on the facilities….
Scout
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Traveler
We stayed here for the eclipse in April. No real issues. Kids had plenty of room to run around, hike and safely ride bikes around the campground. Showers and bathrooms were typical for a state park.
There were heavy storms the night before the eclipse and everyone in tents were completely soaked. The area around our site had really poor drainage. We had noisy neighbors that were up until at least 2 or 3 with zero regards for anyone else trying to sleep.
Traveler
Sites are nice, although all sites face each other meaning you will be 5-10 feet from your neighbors if you are sitting out front. Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter. Overall very nice campground, well maintained.
RangerLove this state park! Clean, quiet, water views and lots of bike paths to ride.
Guide
Quiet pretty area. Good Verizon service.
RangerThe park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores
TravelerOnly reason for not 5 star was it is a little to close to the interstate.
TravelerWe did not have a reservation it was just a quick stop for the night while passing through.
This was a good spot for the night. We didn't get there until after dark and the campgrounds weren't that well marked. We didn't stay in the spot we originally planned because it was getting late and we couldn't find it and I didn't want to keep hitting the other campers with our headlights.
The campground was no where near full and it was very quiet so a very nice nights stay. Only complaint was trying to find the right campsite.
GuidePopped in late on July 4th during a cross-country trip just for the night. Wonderful hosts checked us in (Happy Anniversary!) Absolutely huge site with old growth trees throughout the campground without lots of space between.
Traveler
This is one of our favorites. It’s close to home for us but also, very clean with nice staff and a fun environment. The pool is a huge plus, it’s so incredibly nice. There’s a small game room and little camp store with firewood and ice. The sites are kind of close together but they’re clean and have nice fire pits and tables. The campground is well cared for. We went 4th of July weekend and they even had a golf cart parade and through candy which was so fun for our son. We’ll always visit here.
Scout
We had a great time with lots of activities to keep the kiddos busy..
ScoutMost important, if you put Scott FamCamp in google maps, it will take you there, BUT google maps will take you to no longer operational entry gates. It takes you to gates that have been closed for years. So put in Commissary to get on base. Once on base put in FamCamp. Does not have sewer hook up. One dump station that is clean, black water hose provided, but used a lot. Expect to wait your turn. A lot of spots are not level, so come prepared. Some spots are shaded. Some spots are in full sun. Darn the bugs are miserable, miserable, miserable. Showers are 2ea male for almost 30 spots. Sites have water only and 30&50amp plug in at pedestal. 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. Food is simple pub food, but is great. Be prepared to drive to everything, nothing is walking distance. Even cafe is a couple miles away. It is very quiet even when full. All, i mean all RVers and tent campers we met, were very nice. It is my go to place, since i local to set up and enjoy quiet. They have one soda machine at the camp site. I have never seen it work. Don’t come thirsty. Stayed Aug, Sept, November 2022, May 2023.
GuideThis was a one night stay. Gravel sites arranged like a parking lot but large enough for big rigs. Trees and flowers all about. 50 amps only.
TravelerVery nice and easy laid back atmosphere, sweet little pond to walk the dog around so excited I got to see my first real life cardinal bird in the wild. The staff was great
RangerExcellent park but many sights aren’t flat. Not all have water, septic. Clean facilities. Self checkin. Golf onsite, clubhouse with food.
RangerLovely park a with lots of trees and green grass. Site hookups we’re all good. Space was long and wide for our 42’ 5th wheel. Only reason I gave it 4 stars was I really needed to do laundry and it was out of service. I think they are in the process of updating as they just redid the bathroom floors and she indicated that the new appliances hadn’t come in yet for the laundry room.
RangerRV or tent, book online at Recreation.Gov not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site. We will be back and book closer to the lake in a level site.
ScoutNot free have to pay $18 a night. Every camping spot has trees surrounding it so it’s very
Guide
I did a drive through while camping nearby. This campground had nice sites with plenty of space and shade. What I was most impressed with was the cleanliness of the bathroom. I have included a pic
ScoutThis was our unfortunate experience at this park!
While setting up on our lot I noticed that the park layout was such that your door opens up facing your neighbors door and you actually share about a 4 foot wide strip of grass between trailers,,absolutely no privacy if you wanted to sit outside! We could not even open our awning as it would have hit the awning next to us! Tiffany(the manager/owner)? happened to come by at that time and asked if everything was ok. I asked if there were any sites where the doors didn’t face each other. She got totally belligerent and asked if there was a problem with our neighbors. I said of course not, I just didn’t want to be eyeball to eyeball with them. She said“what do you expect for$45?”!!! And also said this was not uncommon@ proceeded to try and lecture me on how commonplace this was! We have been rving for over 25 years through at least 30 states and this is the first time I have ever encountered this situation! And the fact that I didn’t go to Tiffany with a complaint, she actually stopped and made the inquiry and then got very nasty when I raised the question. Apparently Tiffany is very personable as long as you don’t ask a question of her! A simple“all of our sites face each other” would have sufficed, but she chose to make it into a confrontational issue! This is a marginal park at best, I can’t imagine how it has a Good Sams designation, if for no other reason than the bizarre layout of the sites! I would never stay here again(or at any park where you actually share your neighbor’s only area for a minimum degree of privacy!) Our neighbors were lovely people but I’m sure they were not comfortable with being right on top of their neighbors either! In addition, these sites are VERY close together! Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere!
GuideGreat campsite has lots of sites including a section just for first come first serve. Very nice some campsites have a pretty nice view of the lake but even the ones that don't are very clean and big and nice. Only reason it's 4 stars and not 5 Is because it is decently buggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Patoka, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Patoka, IL is Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Patoka, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 glamping camping locations near Patoka, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
