Best Campgrounds near St. Joseph, IL

Alaska offers a diverse range of camping experiences across its vast wilderness areas, with numerous established campgrounds and dispersed options. The region includes developed facilities like Homer Spit Campground along the coastline and Eklutna Lake Campground in Chugach State Park, providing accommodations for tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin rentals. Many campgrounds feature amenities such as drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, while others offer full hookups for RVs including electric, water, and sewer connections.

Camping in Alaska follows distinct seasonal patterns, with most campgrounds operating from May through September when conditions are most favorable. Winter camping opportunities exist at select locations like Riley Creek Campground in Denali National Park, which remains open year-round. Travelers should prepare for variable weather conditions and potential wildlife encounters, particularly bears, which frequent many camping areas. Cell service varies significantly throughout the state, with limited connectivity in remote locations. "This is a very remote area with camping opportunities along the route from Palmer Alaska to the road to Denali. There are no amenities and few people in the area. Mostly hunters and fisherman and off road vehicle 4x4s. This is remote wilderness. Be prepared with bear spray," noted one visitor about the Hatcher Pass area.

Waterfront camping locations receive particularly high ratings from visitors, with sites along lakes, rivers, and ocean shores being especially popular. Mendenhall Lake Campground offers views of the famous Mendenhall Glacier, while Seward City Campgrounds provides oceanfront RV sites with proximity to boat excursions and restaurants. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities as highlights of their Alaska camping experiences. A review of Mendenhall Lake Campground noted, "Bears frequent this area and sometimes wolves too. If you are looking for that wild Alaska experience you can have it here. Once that salmon start running you can walk on the man made walkway next to the creek and watch bears catch salmon to feed their cubs!" Mosquitoes and other insects can be problematic during summer months, particularly in areas near water, so appropriate repellent is recommended.

Best Camping Sites Near St. Joseph, Illinois (47)

    1. Kickapoo State Recreation Area

    27 Reviews
    Oakwood, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 442-4915

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Stayed here on Dec. 10, 2021 (yes the night of all the tornadoes throughout the Illinois/Kentucky/Tennessee area), I and everyone else at the campsite got pretty lucky, we were just outside the path of"

    "Great little campground in Central Illinois. Some pretty trails overlooking, beside, and sometimes through water."

    2. D & W Lake RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Champaign, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 356-3732

    "Stayed here 2 nights on our way to Northern Illinois, easy access off the interstate, sites are spacious, grounds are well maintained, staff was very courteous and friendly, nice lake with trail around"

    "It is close to the main highway, but far enough to not be noticeable.  Sites are level and in good condition.  Owner greets you on entering and then guides you to your site.  "

    3. Prairie Pines Campground

    7 Reviews
    Gifford, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 893-0438

    "It's on the outskirts of town on the old Chanute AFB. They have lovely tree coverage, it's close to lots of amenities like grocery shopping, sports complex, urgent care, quick interstate access."

    "Close to Champaign, IL off I 57 is this charming, open and clean grass covered park. Large sites with full hook ups, picnic table and scattered large trees near an Air Force base."

    4. Harry L Swartz Campground

    9 Reviews
    Penfield, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 595-5692

    "Arrived on Sunday and nearly had the place to ourselves. Campgrounds are far removed from town and very quiet, large enough to feel isolated. Host sells ice and firewood for a reasonable price."

    "The drive into the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve winds between a few ponds. We saw many families fishing around each of them. Once at the campground, check in with the camp host."

    5. Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area

    2 Reviews
    Collison, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 442-4915

    "This park has very nice hiking trails and a swimming beach. The kids had a great time, and I got to kick back and relax."

    6. Tin Cup RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Mahomet, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 586-3011

    "Had AC going but could hear road noise from interstate/ nearby roads."

    7. Turkey Run State Park Campground

    70 Reviews
    Marshall, IN
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 597-2635

    $20 - $32 / night

    "Short drive from Chicago (3 hours?) and you are in lush forest. You have to pick the right campsite or you will have no cover and big campers on either side of you."

    "It is definitely designed to accommodate RVs, as the majority of the sites are situated in an open field. There are a few dozen sites that are in “loops” that are situated in shaded areas."

    8. Walnut Point State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Oakland, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 346-3336

    "A great lake for fishing and kayaking. A hidden gem in central Illinois with a great little family owned restaurant. The staff and camp host are super friendly and helpful!"

    "Walking trails all around the campground, all sites close to or on the lake. Little restaurant, ice cream, and kayak rental place on site through October 17. Good fishing spot. Several playgrouds."

    9. Vermilion County Park Forest Glen Preserve

    1 Review
    Georgetown, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 662-2142

    "We did forest glen river ridge trail; started from the staff parking lot and walked about 8 miles to the east camp. We had a big group and took sites 3 and 5 because they were on a flatter ground."

    10. Moraine View State Recreational Area

    27 Reviews
    Le Roy, IL
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 724-8032

    $40 - $20 / night

    "I never did all of the trails but spent an afternoon hiking with a friend last summer."

    "It’s also never super convenient to need to pack up just to go to a dump station but as long as your fine walking to the community restrooms, you should be fine."

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Showing results 1-10 of 47 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near St. Joseph, IL

289 Reviews of 47 St. Joseph Campgrounds



Guide to St. Joseph

Camping near St. Joseph, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Turkey Run State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "From the back of the campground, you can access Trail 7, a moderate level trail that leads unexpectedly to a small stream running past a recessed cave."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. A visitor shared, "Great areas to walk your dog and the fishing was good."
  • Exploring Covered Bridges: Visit the nearby covered bridges, which are a hit among campers. One review noted, "Be sure to check out the two covered bridges on the edges of the park!"

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Turkey Run State Park Campground pointed out, "Many sites are in an open, level area without a lot of trees or bushes between them. You don’t have a lot of privacy."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for raccoons, especially at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. One camper humorously warned, "The raccoons definitely are active, so make sure you lock it all up at night."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A review for Shades State Park Campground mentioned, "The vault toilets were dirty, needed to be emptied, and the women’s stalls didn’t have doors."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One family at Terre Haute Campground said, "Lots of free activities for kids. Friendly and helpful staff."
  • Choose the Right Site: Opt for sites that offer some privacy and space for kids to play. A camper at Fox Ridge State Park Campground noted, "Each site has great privacy and has very spacious sites."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals and snacks. One visitor at Coon Creek (IL) mentioned, "You could buy ice, filtered water, beer, groceries, bait, firewood, and lots of other items!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of your site before booking. A review for Terre Haute Campground mentioned, "Most sites are gravel, and the campground had WIFI that was fast enough to stream."
  • Be Mindful of Turns: Some sites may have tight turns for larger RVs. A camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area noted, "When I made our reservation, they were given the type and size of our RV and truck. When we arrived, we were told that we would not be able to get into that site due to the turns."
  • Bring Extra Levelers: Some sites may have inclines. A visitor at Kickapoo State Recreation Area advised, "Bring extra levelers. People were complaining on Facebook that the site descriptions have the inclines wrong."

Camping around St. Joseph, IL, offers a mix of fun activities, family-friendly environments, and beautiful nature. Just be prepared for some quirks, and you'll have a great time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near St. Joseph, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Joseph, IL is Kickapoo State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 27 reviews.