St. Joseph, Illinois camping options sit within a flat prairie landscape at approximately 675 feet elevation. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs reaching 85-90°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the region operate on relatively level terrain with mature shade trees providing relief during hot summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At D & W Lake RV Park, visitors can fish the stocked lake behind campsites. "The lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass," notes Luna L. Fishing licenses required for ages 16+ can be purchased at local sporting goods stores.
Hiking trails: Kickapoo State Recreation Area offers multiple trails of varying difficulty levels. "The park has a lot of trails to explore and a few lakes to fish at. It is also a local spot to tube," according to Jennifer S. Most trails are moderate in difficulty and range from 1-3 miles in length.
Swimming beach: Clinton Lake features a swimming beach with modest entry fees. "Beach entry 10-7 pm costs $2," reports Abdul M. The lake maintains warmer water temperatures than other nearby lakes due to discharge from the nuclear plant, making for comfortable swimming from late May through September.
What campers like
Lake views: Several RV parks offer sites overlooking water features. At Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on," writes Linda N.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of shower houses and restrooms. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," notes one visitor at Turkey Run State Park. Prairie Pines Campground also receives positive reviews for its facilities: "Clean laundry. Friendly and helpful owner. Visible presence throughout campground checking that all is well," according to Laurie L.
Reasonable rates: Affordable camping options exist throughout the region. At Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground, campers appreciate the value. "This is a great city run campground attached to a block sized city park. 30 amp and water at each site... All for $10 a night," writes Cowboy W. Many campgrounds offer electric sites for under $25 per night.
What you should know
Seasonal demand: Weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day fill quickly at most area campgrounds. "We have only stayed in the electric only sites as the full hookup sites are hard to come by," shares Tim F. about Clinton Lake. For peak season stays, make reservations 3-6 months in advance when possible.
Alcohol policies: Rules regarding alcohol consumption vary by location. At Moraine View State Recreational Area, "no alcohol" policies are strictly enforced, while other parks permit responsible consumption. "Nice place no alcohol," confirms Julie about Moraine View's regulations.
Site conditions: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds near St. Joseph. "Sites are level and in good condition," reports Dave P. about D & W Lake RV Park. Conversely, at Turkey Run State Park, a camper noted "our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. D & W Lake RV Park offers "Playgrounds and a Dog Park," according to Luna L. Consider requesting sites near these amenities when traveling with young children to minimize walking distances.
Swimming options: Turkey Run State Park Campground provides alternatives to swimming beaches. "Saturday we rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground. It was great and once we saw the crowds at the beach area of the park on Saturday afternoon, we were super glad we had been canoeing all day instead of fighting crowds at the park," shares Samantha S.
Loop selection: At Clinton Lake, different camping loops offer varied experiences. "The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more wide open with a prairie type view," explains Stacia R. Families with young children often prefer loops closer to bathhouses and away from waterfront party areas.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When choosing RV sites near St. Joseph, Illinois, consider privacy levels. At Tin Cup RV Park, a reviewer describes it as "Super nice owners of this driving range with campsites. It's extremely close to the popular Lake of the Woods Forest preserve." While amenities are basic, the location provides easy access to natural areas.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to major routes. At Tin Cup RV Park, a camper noted they "Had AC going but could hear road noise from interstate/nearby roads." D & W Lake RV Park offers slightly better noise insulation: "Super easy on and off the highway. With that you do get some noise but not too bad," according to Charles M.
Pull-through availability: Many area campgrounds accommodate larger rigs with pull-through sites. "Spacious sites long pull through etc. Wish we had more time for the area," notes Jack C. about Tin Cup RV Park. Most pull-through sites in the region can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet, though calling ahead for specific length restrictions is recommended.
