Best Campgrounds near McClure, IL
McClure, Illinois sits adjacent to the Mississippi River with several campground options spanning both sides of the border with Missouri. Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri provides full-hookup riverside camping with views of barge traffic, while Trail of Tears State Forest in Illinois offers more primitive camping experiences. The region includes a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas spread across state lands. Bean Ridge Pond Campground features primitive sites suited for tent camping and small RVs, while larger facilities like The Landing Point RV Park accommodate big rigs with full hookups. Camping options range from basic tent sites to fully developed RV parks with electricity and water connections.
Road conditions and site access vary significantly between developed campgrounds and primitive areas. Most established campgrounds remain open year-round, though spring rains can create muddy conditions at unimproved sites. Bean Ridge Pond Campground features just two primitive campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, accessible via a half-mile gravel road that accommodates most vehicles. Cell service is limited at many sites, with one visitor noting "very slow and spotty AT&T service: I was able to text but not access the Internet" at Bean Ridge. Campgrounds closer to Cape Girardeau typically offer better connectivity and more amenities, while forest sites provide greater solitude with fewer facilities.
The riverside campgrounds provide distinctive experiences with views of Mississippi River traffic. Campers at Trail of Tears State Park mention the unique experience of watching tugboats move barges along the Mississippi, though note the railroad tracks between the campground and river create significant noise. As one reviewer explained, "watching tugboats move barges up and down. Very clean well maintained, very large grassy area for lots of room for kids to run around. One downfall is the railroad track between the campsite and the river, loud trains rolling thru every few hours." For those seeking quieter experiences, Bean Ridge Pond Campground offers a more secluded setting, though weekend visitors report occasional late-night partying. Horseshoe Lake Alexander County provides boat-in camping options with water access and electric hookups in a less developed setting.
