Best Cabin Camping near Petersburg, IL

Cabins at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area provide waterfront accommodations with basic amenities. Each rustic structure includes beds with mattresses and electric heating but lacks air conditioning. The primitive campground features ADA-accessible cabins with heat, electricity, and five beds with mattresses arranged as two sets of bunk beds in the second room. Cement sidewalks connect the parking area to toilets and cabins. "The cabins are small, rustic with no AC or water but are all nicely placed on the water," notes a regular visitor.

Options range from tiny log cabins to spacious family-sized layouts. Springfield KOA in Rochester and Crazy Horse Campground in Ashland offer cabin rentals with more amenities than state park options. Evening Star Camping Resort provides cabin accommodations alongside their 300 campsites. Most cabins require advance reservations, especially during summer months. The primitive cabins at Jim Edgar Panther Creek cost approximately $6 per night and remain a popular choice despite their simplicity. According to one camper, "We had the place to ourselves. It was March, it was cold at night, but this ADA cabin had heat and electric."

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities are limited, typically consisting of outdoor fire rings with grates. The primitive cabins at Jim Edgar Panther Creek feature picnic tables and fire pits for outdoor meal preparation. Visitors should stock up on supplies before arrival as the park is located in a remote area. One reviewer advised, "This park is really off of the beaten path, so be sure to stock up groceries, propane, etc. before arriving." Basic items like ice and firewood can be purchased from campground hosts.

Best Cabin Sites Near Petersburg, Illinois (15)

    1. Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

    21 Reviews
    Chandlerville, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 452-7741

    $6 / night

    "It was March, it was cold at night, but this ADA cabin had heat & electric, 5 beds with mattresses, beds with mattresses (2 pr bunks beds in the second room)."

    "We certainly didn’t expect the Prairie Lake Campground to be full in late October! Both loops were full, but there was just enough space for us to squeeze in for 2 nights!"

    2. Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground

    1 Review
    Chandlerville, IL
    12 miles

    "Praire Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tentand cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU. 2."

    3. Crazy Horse Campground

    5 Reviews
    Jacksonville, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 886-2089

    "It is family and pet friendly. The owners are fantastic, friendly and caring. They keep the grounds in great shape and always have fun activities to participate in."

    "Playground. Fire pit. AT&T wireless service. Every weekend has an event. Bluegrass to crafts. Right outside of Jacksonville, Ashland, Virginia, and close enough to Springfield."

    4. Springfield KOA

    9 Reviews
    Rochester, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 498-7002

    "Shop has laundry, ice and oropane, there's free wifi. Sites have power and water, you have to go to dump station on the way out as there aren't individual sewers."

    "We called and the owner was willing to change our spot to a cabin with no notice. The cabins are nice and comfy and our friends camper spot was nice and spacious."

    5. Evening Star Camping Resort

    2 Reviews
    Topeka, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 562-7590

    6. Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Rochester, IL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 498-9208

    "This is a beautiful state park, but hopefully you won’t have the same experience I did with the electric hookup."

    "These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. "

    7. Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Rochester, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 498-9208

    "Have camped here a few times and have walked the trails for years. I camped at the primitive sites my first time. The sites were clean and fairly well maintained for primitive."

    "Bathrooms are basic and in the front of the camp loops so you have a walk if you stay in the back like I did.  Also, water is in the center of the loop so not very convenient. "

    8. Anderson Lake State Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Wolf Lake, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 759-4484

    "Wooded and shady, clean facilities, electric and water for tent camping.  Good Price, nice location for fishing and kayaking. also."

    9. The Kampground

    1 Review
    Rochester, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 416-6464

    $20 - $50 / night

    10. Buena Vista Farms Campground

    4 Reviews
    Jacksonville, IL
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 243-3290

    $46 - $121 / night

    "We rented two cabins for the weekend and loved the place. Cabins were modern and clean overlooking the pond. They offer kayaks, canoes, and peddle boats free to campers."

    "The wifi isn’t strong enough to reach back to where we were but that was okay, I guess we didn’t need to watch tv anyways."

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Cabin Reviews near Petersburg, IL

80 Reviews of 15 Petersburg Campgrounds


  • K
    Nov. 25, 2019

    Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

    We had the place to ourselves

    It was March, it was cold at night, but this ADA cabin had heat & electric, 5 beds with mattresses, beds with mattresses (2 pr bunks beds in the second room). Cement sidewalks from parking area to toilets & cabins, each with a waterfront view, fire pit & picnic table. From our cabin we walked grassy paths to a lovely bridge. Around the pond's perimeter are dispersed sites for tent-camping or possibly day-use. It was a challenge to find the park entrance, at night, and the closest small town is about 10-miles away. The very reasonable cost was transacted online.

  • Brian  E.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Schuy

    Quiet, nice lake!

    Love this place, it’s quiet and peaceful. Not a lot to do but they are trying. Tent camping, RV and a few cabin rentals, boat docks too where you can bring your boat! There are some hiking trails and pavilions and a softball field. There’s a stage they sometimes have plays and bands. I would give it a 5 stars (it’s in my hometown) but they really need some kind of draw. One shower house and a small playground. It’s worth a stay if you are in the area. It’s clean and neat.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2025

    Springfield KOA

    Spacious Green Grounds

    Springfield KOA is actually in Rochester, but it is only about 25 mins into Springfield and all the wonderful Lincoln historic sites. The campground is very nice, a lot of amenities for families like pool, little bikes, miniature golf and horseshoes. Shop has laundry, ice and oropane, there's free wifi. Sites have power and water, you have to go to dump station on the way out as there aren't individual sewers. But there is grass, picnic table and fire ring at every site, trees all around.

  • Susan L.
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    5 stars with a caveat

    This is a beautiful state park, but hopefully you won’t have the same experience I did with the electric hookup. I stayed here right after the fourth of July and because of the heat over this holiday weekend and a completely full campground, the electricity couldn’t meet the demand and a transformer blew. By the time I arrived the transformer was repaired, however the pedestals in the section I was supposed to stay in had a problem. I was supposed to stay in site 27, but after 3 attempts to get power at 3 different sites, number 24 was the winner and this was a great site! The campground hosts were fantastic in resolving the situation as well.

    Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. Electric but no water at site. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there’s a large back area right on the lake. The gravel pad is located right near a large, old bald cypress. 

    This park has multiple public use areas, 2 campgrounds, boat launches, fishing piers and a beach. I didn’t use the public restrooms because they were closed due to Covid-19. I was able to get internet with Verizon. 

    This state park felt like it was dropped into the middle of cornfields and made for a fun drive. The sunset views and stars were awesome!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2022

    Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Great Friendly, Family Park

    We certainly didn’t expect the Prairie Lake Campground to be full in late October! Both loops were full, but there was just enough space for us to squeeze in for 2 nights! (A few spaces seemed to be filled with deer hunters who were up and out quite early.) Site has electricity with water centrally located in the center of the loop. We needed a 100 ft fresh water hose to fill up. Luckily a friendly neighbor had one for us to borrow! Nice warm bath house had push button showers with locks on the stalls with a dry space to dress inside the stall. Lake has boat dock with about 6 slips. The point on the lake was a beautiful setting for a fall wedding on Saturday! Lots of families with kids riding bikes around the loop and some playing wiffle ball in the open field. Each spot had a picnic table and fire ring. Our spot, #78 sat under a tree with great shade. Bagged ice is available at 1st host site for $4 and a bundle of firewood for $6

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Lovely Primitive Campground

    Stayed one night in July. We tent camped in site 1 of the primitive campground. There are 7 sites well spaced with a picnic table, fire ring, trash can and three sided shelter in each site. Pit toilets are in the middle. Each site is along the tree line with plenty of shade. These are walk in sites ranging from 0.10 miles to 0.50 miles from the parking lot. Just $6 a night. Hiking trails, kayaking and fishing are available but we didn’t get a chance to take advantage of those things. Very friendly and helpful campground host drove over from the RV campground to register us and even offered to take our stuff to our site. Great experience. Only 3 sites in use on a Friday night.

  • Jamie C.
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    Was a nice stay

    Have camped here a few times and have walked the trails for years. I camped at the primitive sites my first time. The sites were clean and fairly well maintained for primitive. Picnic table and fire pit were in good shape. Plenty of shade! Camp host were very nice and helpful. Non flushable restrooms were clean and stocked. It stormed pretty bad the second night there. Woke up to find my tent wasnt so waterproof. But made most of it that morning because I was also leaving that day. On my second most recent trip we stayed in the loop on an electrical site. Once again the sites were clean and the fireplace was clean and ready. Camp host were once again very helpful and polite. The kids had a great time even though due to covid-19 the playground was closed. The only reason I am giving 4 stars is the fact that the trails and bridges were in horrible condition. It was heartbreaking to see them in this condition as I've walked them since a child.

  • Chelle L.
    Jun. 10, 2018

    Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Private, shaded, with amenities even in primitive camping

    I have camped in the primitive campground numerous times. It is shaded, private, has a shelter, picnic table, and fire pit that you can cook on. Watch out for the poison ivy and get a map from an employee to hike the trails. They can be hard to find but camping is fantastic!

  • E
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Crazy Horse Campground

    My family LOVES this campground!

    This is our favorite campground in central Illinios. It is family and pet friendly. The owners are fantastic, friendly and caring. They keep the grounds in great shape and always have fun activities to participate in.


Guide to Petersburg

Camping cabins near Petersburg, Illinois offer basic to fully-furnished accommodations throughout central Illinois. This region's gently rolling terrain sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Fall temperatures between September and November typically range from 40-70°F, making it an ideal season for cabin camping when insects are less prevalent.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area provides excellent fishing access. "We had the place to ourselves. It was March, it was cold at night, but this ADA cabin had heat and electric," notes a visitor to the Primitive Campground. The primitive campground includes seven walk-in sites located along a tree line.

Kayaking and boating: Sangchris Lake State Park Campground offers water-based recreation just 25 miles from Petersburg. "We love camping here for the beauty of the lake. Had fun kayaking here too," reports a regular camper. The lake permits motorized boats with multiple launch points accessible from the campground.

Hiking trails: Explore the wilderness areas surrounding the cabins. "Watch out for the poison ivy and get a map from an employee to hike the trails. They can be hard to find but camping is fantastic!" advises a frequent visitor to Jim Edgar Panther Creek. Most trails range from 1-3 miles in length with moderate difficulty ratings.

What campers like

Electric service: Many cabins provide basic electrical service. "Prairie Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tent and cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU," explains a reviewer of Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground. These electrical connections support heating appliances during cooler months.

Private lake access: Several cabin locations offer direct water views. "This is a beautiful state park, but hopefully you won't have the same experience I did with the electric hookup," notes a Sangchris Lake camper. "Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there's a large back area right on the lake."

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept shower houses. According to one visitor at Crazy Horse Campground, "Bath house is clean and well maintained. Live music on the weekend. Definitely a heavy-drinking crowd. Camp store. It's in the middle of nowhere but only about 20 minutes to the nearest small town."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Book well in advance for lakeside cabins. "If you want a lake spot, make a reservation way in advance," advises a Sangchris Lake camper. Most state park cabins require reservations months ahead for summer weekends.

Primitive conditions: Many cabins lack running water. At Jim Edgar Panther Creek, primitive cabins cost approximately $6 per night with walk-in access. "Stayed one night in July. We tent camped in site 1 of the primitive campground. There are 7 sites well spaced with a picnic table, fire ring, trash can and three sided shelter in each site."

Supply preparation: Stock essentials before arrival. One camper at Springfield KOA notes, "Springfield KOA is actually in Rochester, but it is only about 25 mins into Springfield and all the wonderful Lincoln historic sites." This location provides a convenient base to stock up on supplies before heading to more remote cabin locations.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Buena Vista Farms Campground offers family-oriented facilities. "We rented two cabins for the weekend and loved the place. Cabins were modern and clean overlooking the pond. They offer kayaks, canoes, and peddle boats free to campers. There is an open cabin with games, books, and WiFi. Basketball court, play area, and outdoor games."

Weekend activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular events. A visitor to Evening Star Camping Resort shares, "Love to swim in the pool, play in the bags tournaments, enjoy the fundraiser in July for St. Jude Children's Hospital, mini golf, basketball and theme weekends. My favorite is the chili cook off and Halloween weekends are a blast!"

Playground access: Many campgrounds include play areas. "Good clean campground, restrooms were clean and they have a playground to keep the kids entertained and fishing nearby," explains a camper at Sangchris Lake State Park. These playgrounds typically accommodate children ages 5-12.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Most cabin areas share facilities with RV sites. "This KOA is in a rural area. The signage to get there was very good, plus we had our GPS to help out. This area is QUIET! No trains, no interstate noise," notes a Springfield KOA reviewer.

Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality. A Buena Vista Farms visitor comments, "The road coming in was gravel, with some potholes. It has potential, but felt like a drive in theatre upon entering." Allow extra travel time during wet weather conditions when accessing remote cabin locations.

Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts comfort levels. "Not a lot of shade in the campground proper," notes a camper at Primitive Campground. "With limited shade it would be hot as blazes in mid summer." Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable cabin camping conditions in central Illinois.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Petersburg, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Petersburg, IL is Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Petersburg, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 cabin camping locations near Petersburg, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.