Camping options near Percy, Illinois range from shaded forest sites to lakeside locations with varying levels of amenities. The area sits within the rolling hills of southern Illinois at elevations between 400-600 feet, with hot, humid summers and mild spring and fall seasons. Most campgrounds in this region experience peak visitation between May and September when temperatures consistently reach above 85°F.
What to do
Hiking trails with clear paths: Pyramid State Recreation Area provides multiple lakes and well-maintained hiking trails. "Much enjoyed driving around exploring this large state park in IL. Seems to be awesome for fishing as there are many lakes. Great access to the lakes for canoe & kayak. Did a nice long walk along one trail late May and there was a lot of bird activity," notes one visitor to Pyramid State Recreation Area.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Kinkaid and Johnson Creek offer good fishing spots for multiple species. "This is a small lake management by the state of Illinois. The campground is usually not crowded, but some weekends do get busy. We listened to Whip-por-will calls around the campfire," reports a camper at Washington County State Recreation Area.
Stargazing: Sites away from urban light pollution provide excellent night sky viewing. "The campground is pretty far from any big metro area, so the sky was real dark, great for picking out constellations," mentions a Washington County visitor.
What campers like
Clean, spacious facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "The shower 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 toilets throughout the campground and trash cans," says a camper at Washington County State Recreation Area.
Helpful staff assistance: Camp hosts at several locations provide support finding appropriate sites. "The staff (Sharon) was so helpful. She took us to several sites she had to make sure we were happy with our spot. The showers were super nice and spacious," mentions a visitor at Lake Campalot.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Percy offer opportunities to observe local animals. "We heard several owls calling in the trees around us when we went to bed, so we stayed up listening for awhile. In the middle of the night we were startled awake by a pair of owls in the tree right above us," reports a camper at Johnson Creek.
What you should know
Variable trail conditions: Some trails become overgrown during summer months. "The trails were VERY unkept and there was poison ivy at nearly every step, the entry map shows a beach- there might have been 5 years ago but now absolutely nothing that even resembled a place to swim," warns a Johnson Creek visitor.
Primitive site limitations: Free camping areas have minimal amenities. "There is no toilet and or water spigots, so bring your back country shovel and fresh water. What this campground does have is beauty, a lake, and the Big Muddy River nearby," explains a visitor to Turkey Bayou Campground.
Seasonal water access: Some facilities shut down water during certain periods. "All of the water is shut off and it appears that the dump station hasn't worked in years. The pit toilets were very clean but it's a good thing they didn't need water to keep them that way," notes a Johnson Creek camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Easy walk to the lake with a gorgeous view, 2 different playgrounds walkable distance from campground. The workers were super nice and helpful, the nature is beautiful and cute little forest bunnies running around!" shares a visitor at Randolph County State Recreation Area.
Wildlife education opportunities: Bring wildlife guides to identify local species. "We camped here mid-April and the campground water spigots had not been turned on yet. Camping is $10 a night - self check in. No need to worry about finding firewood, as it is plentiful within the forest," mentions a Johnson Creek camper.
Affordable pricing: Many pet-friendly camping areas offer reasonable rates. "This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toilets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping," notes another Johnson Creek visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. "Getting around is a little tight for bigger rigs but still doable as long as you're careful. Make sure you fill up at the dump station before you get to the campground because there's no easy way to turn around if you miss it," advises a Randolph County visitor.
Concrete pads available: Some locations offer hard-surface parking for easier leveling. "Large level sites with electric. Water available mid campground and at dump station. Good antenna service, 2 bars T Mobile. 2 large handicapped sites with concrete pads," mentions a camper at Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground.
Utility hookups vary: Check specific amenities before arrival. "This is a very clean campground with electric only hook-up. It had nice big concrete pads, a large picnic table and large fire pit/grill at each site. Water was available close to the restrooms and is accessible to fill campers," shares a visitor to the Kaskaskia area.
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