1 campground with availability next weekend
Arrowhead Lake Campground near Johnston City offers cabin accommodations with lake views and access to hiking trails. The cabins provide basic amenities including electricity and picnic tables, with most sites situated to maximize privacy while maintaining proximity to the water. Whittington Woods Campground, located approximately 30 minutes north, features more developed cabin options with additional amenities. Most cabins include fire rings for outdoor cooking and evening gatherings. "Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility. Primitive cabin, tent camping, boat ramp."
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. South Marcum Campground and Gun Creek provide cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities, from primitive structures to those with partial kitchens. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground offers cabins with lake access and is open year-round. Pet policies vary by location, with some campgrounds like Benton KOA allowing pets in designated cabin units. Reservations are typically required, especially during summer months when occupancy rates are highest. A camper noted, "We stayed in Shawnee Lodge in camp campus. Camp amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/fireplaces all with wood supplied."
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between properties, with some offering only outdoor cooking options while others provide refrigerators and microwaves. Touch of Nature Education Center cabins include fireplaces with wood supplied. Nearby stores in Benton and Johnston City stock basic provisions, though planning ahead is recommended. Giant City State Park offers more developed cabin options with an on-site lodge and restaurant. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, cabin interiors range from basic to well-appointed: "Kind of a bare bones campground but this state park does offer cabin rentals and a pretty good area restaurant."
"South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just of I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites. Sites have 30 & 50 amp Electric hookups."
"Lovely lake. If you have an E-bike, you can ride MILES around the lower portion of the lake.
We were in spot 57. Spectacular views of the lake. Lots of trees. Large spaces."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 - $44 / night
"There are sites with electric, water, and sewer. Several sites are right on Rend Lake. Most sites have concrete picnic tables and fire rings."
"RV 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."
Available next weekend
from $20 - $30 / night
"Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility."
"Campground was nice and clean, has a beautiful walking trail, the camp host was nice. The restrooms and showers were super clean. Enjoyed our stay will definitely be back."
"The gravel patio featured a huge wheelchair-accessible picnic table, fire pit with cooking grate, stand-up charcoal grill, wooden swing, and bench."
"T-Mobile worked well- issues connecting to site Wi-Fi- staff pleasant- clean- didn’t use showers- small camp store available"
"Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."
"This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."
"Kind of a bare bones campground but this state park does offer rock climbing (if you have the expertise and your own gear)."
"The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground."
"The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94."
"Beautiful campground with mature trees providing lots of shade on the 100F weekend we were there. Gravel sites, level. A lot of common ground, shaded, picnic shelters."
"So I took a drive through the Class A campground just to see it. Here’s what I discovered: the primitive section is far removed from the Class A (by a mile or two). The Class A section is HUGE!"
"Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. It’s a great place for camping, fishing and bikes."
"Small little campground off the highway. Inexpensive, quiet. Great spot if your in a need of electricity and a hot shower"
"It is off interstate 57 if you are passing through or a great place to park and see the sites of Shawnee National Forest."
"Hundreds of campsites, marinas with boat rentals, beaches and stores nearby in case you need something. This area is truly a southern Illinois gem!"
"Large spacious sites, close to swimming beaches, although not walking distance. Tree covered and offer some privacy. Great place to meet with family and friends."
TravelerThis is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
GuideGreat place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
LegendWe had never stayed at Whittington Woods, but several of our camping friends have stayed here over the years while traveling through the area. At a recent RV open house, we talked with the campground (CG) owners and decided to switch our reservation from another private CG to Whittington Woods to check it out. The owners suggested sites 92 or 97, and we were able to reserve back-in site 92 with FHUs for our two-night stay. Site 92 is one of the better sites, with a large yard and good separation from neighboring sites. The CG was easy to find off I-57—follow your GPS or the signs. Check-in was quick, and we were escorted to our site. Unfortunately, one of the CG’s regular guests had set up in our reserved site 92 instead of site 93. After a brief discussion between our owner/escort and the guest, moving him was clearly not going to be a quick process. We were offered a couple of other available sites and decided to take site 93. Site 93 was a significant downgrade, with only a sliver of yard and very little separation from site 94. The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94. The water connection is at the very back, requiring more than 30 feet of hose for our rig. The owners were very nice, probably too nice when dealing with their“regulars,” and made the situation more tolerable by giving us a good discount for site 93. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. We normally get good performance from our T-Mobile internet with two bars, but download speed was only 41.2 Mbps. The CG Wi-Fi was better at 69.3 Mbps download. There are a lot of mature trees, so satellite/Starlink reception could be iffy depending on the site. The CG is conveniently located near I-57 and right off IL-37, although there was quite a bit of highway noise that was manageable for us. The property provides plenty of room for walking, especially with a dog, and has a decent-sized dog park. There are quite a few full-timers and regulars, with some keeping their sites well maintained and others not so much. We also saw some of the same latitude given to“regulars” when it came to keeping dogs on a leash and picking up after them. They have 5 pull throughs that are mainly used for overnighters that are handy but close together. We understand why several of our friends regularly stay here for a night or two while traveling to and from Florida. Whittington Woods is conveniently located off I-57 and offers FHUs, making the CG a practical overnight stop. Our home base is only about an hour and a half away, however, and we have better options in the area when we need a final stop to flush tanks before heading home.
LegendWe were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
GuideI stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.
GuideCampground was quiet and peaceful when I was there. Numerous trails within the park and I had them to myself while out hiking.
GuideWe arrived at 7 picked a spot in the fcfs area and were surprised that it was almost empty. We got a premium site on the water, with no other campers in sight. The website says the reservation areas were full but that was not true, you have to book 4 days in advance. The camp host was great! It will be on my list of places to overnight in the future. But the lake is beautiful and you could spend multiple days there if you wanted!
Camping cabins near Johnston City, Illinois are situated in the Shawnee Hills region, with elevations ranging from 400-800 feet above sea level. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow. Most cabin rentals are concentrated around Rend Lake, a 19,000-acre reservoir with 162 miles of shoreline that serves as the central recreational feature for visitors.
Fishing at multiple locations: South Marcum Campground offers excellent fishing access to Rend Lake where campers can catch multiple species. "Great camp ground... loved Rend Lake," notes Kent F., who appreciated the easy lake access and well-maintained facilities.
Wildlife observation: Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park provides opportunities to view deer and wild turkeys in their natural habitat. "Never been to a CG with such abundant wildlife! Can sit at your spot and watch deer throughout the day," shares Lucas T., highlighting the park's rich biodiversity.
Hiking on maintained trails: Giant City State Park features sandstone formations and well-marked paths through mature forests. "Lots of amazing, beautiful hikes in this park, especially if you're into bluffs and large boulders," explains Kyle K., who found the nearby attractions equally accessible.
Lake swimming: North Marcum Day Use Area maintains a clean beach area for families. "This is a beautiful little beach on Rend Lake. The beach is also tidy and free of a lot of trash, perfect for the youngsters to play in," reports Jill R., who combined swimming with bird watching.
Spacious sites: Gun Creek Campground offers waterfront camping with ample space between sites. "It was a good view, also pretty RV heavy, but tent friendly. Grassy area, fire pit, stone table," reports Brennan M., who enjoyed the sunset views over the lake.
Natural surroundings: South Marcum Campground provides a mix of wooded and lakeside sites with varied privacy levels. "The campground gives campers plenty of room to spread out, lots of open space for the kids to play, and not crowded when we stopped by late July," shares Chris B.
Clean facilities: Arrowhead Lake Campground maintains their bathhouses and common areas to high standards. "The restrooms and showers were super clean. Enjoyed our stay will definitely be back," notes Tonyi P., who also appreciated the beautiful walking trail.
Lake views: Many cabins at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park face directly onto Rend Lake. "Get there on Wednesday to get a spot on the water!" advises Lucas T., who found the waterfront sites rarely sold out except on weekends.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds like Whittington Woods require advance booking while others operate first-come-first-served. "We went on Labor Day weekend and there were a number of sites open. Many of the sites are walk up only," explains Cody S. about Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require careful assessment before setup. "Many sites are very off level. CHECK carefully," warns Kennon H., who stayed at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park.
Noise considerations: Proximity to interstate highways affects some locations. "Yes, there is highway noise. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs," explains Tom B. about Benton KOA.
Weather preparedness: Summer heat can be intense, with temperatures frequently reaching 90°F+ from June through August. "In July it's hot here, but trees help make it easier," shares Jim J. about Whittington Woods Campground.
Playground access: Arrowhead Lake Campground offers dedicated areas for children adjacent to camping loops. "We had a great stop at this campground. We called to secure a site last minute and are glad we found this campground... We walked a nature trail and down by the lake. There were ducks and geese," shares Amy E.
Fishing opportunities for children: Rend Lake has multiple shoreline access points suitable for young anglers. "Great camping, usual campground with clean facility's. My family & i enjoy the lake for fishing, boating, swimming & beach time! Close to town for the forgotten marshmallows!" shares Kelly B. about South Marcum.
Swimming safety: Designated beach areas have gradual entry points better suited for younger swimmers. "The lake is an important bird habitat making it a great place for my fellow bird watchers to go! The beach is also tidy and free of a lot of trash, perfect for the youngsters to play in," notes Jill R. about North Marcum.
Holiday activities: Many campgrounds offer special events during summer holiday weekends. "I really enjoyed staying there. It was a lot of fun. I went there for the Fourth of July for many years in a row. I loved the experience!" shares Brianna D. about South Marcum Campground.
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites are common at state parks while private campgrounds typically offer full hookups. "Sites have 30 & 50 amp Electric hookups. There is a dump station, hot showers, flush toilets, and drinking. Most sites are level. Some are pull-through," explains Joel R. about South Marcum.
Site selection strategy: Lakefront sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. "South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just off I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites," notes Joel R., highlighting the convenience factor.
Seasonal considerations: Most cabin rentals remain available year-round, but amenities may be reduced during winter months. "Just beautiful, the Corp of Engineering's really take care of these camp grounds, very clean, most have new showers," shares Jim L. about North Marcum.
Supply planning: Limited shopping options near campsites require advance preparation. "We are looking forward to a return trip to do some more exploring around the lake," mentions Chris B. about South Marcum, suggesting multiple visits may be needed to fully experience the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Johnston City, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Johnston City, IL is South Marcum Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Johnston City, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 cabin camping locations near Johnston City, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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