Best Campgrounds near Highland, IL

Searching for the best camping near Highland, IL? Highland is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Highland. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Highland, Illinois (60)

    1. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-3015

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Water and dump at the entrance. Shower houses. Very nice pool and camp store. Hosts scattered and occasionally hard to find to pay for your spot. Wildlife galore. Next to largest lake in Illinois."

    "This State Park is located outside Carlyle,Illinois. This park offers playground areas and more. Cabins, campsites with power or no power the choice is yours."

    2. Tomahawk Campground

    1 Review
    Highland, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 669-2781

    3. Rustic Acres Jellystone

    4 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 456-1122

    "We chose this campground because it was near our route and we needed a place to stay for one night."

    4. Dam West Campground

    9 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-4410

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Full hookups, reservable sites, walk up sites, and all sites are large! Full hookup sites are booked solid so make sure you go online 6 months out or you are out of luck."

    "We camped right on the lake with a great view. "

    5. Dam West Spillway

    10 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-5253

    $30 / night

    "It is directly on Carlyle Lake, ,the largest lake in Illinois. It has activities for children on the weekends."

    "Right next to the marina and with many sites right on the lake, you can’t go wrong here."

    6. Coles Creek Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3211

    $20 - $250 / night

    "This is our favorite campground in Central/southern illinois. The sites are very nice and most have shade. There is a beach for campers to use, and a really nice playground."

    "Coles Creek is a nice, large campground located on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. It has full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!"

    7. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Collinsville, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 931-0270

    "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."

    "Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."

    8. Love's RV Hookup-Hamel IL 578

    1 Review
    Edwardsville, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 633-2883

    9. Scott AFB FamCamp

    4 Reviews
    Mascoutah, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 256-2067

    "You are on the entire opposite side of the base, away from everything, absolutely everything.."

    "GREAT location for camping, especially if you run out of items and need to get something close by. Very natural, and amazing views and the feel is spectacular."

    10. Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground

    13 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 226-3586

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Boulder is a lovely campground tucked away on Carlyle Lake. It has it's own marina where you can rent a slip for your boat. The sites are well spaced and have a beautiful view of the lake and sunsets!"

    "The bathrooms, showers, and laundry all close by. Good hot water in the showers. The host was friendly and helpful. I’d go back again!"

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Recent Reviews near Highland, IL

360 Reviews of 60 Highland Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Dam West Campground

    Beautiful campground at a minimum $

    This campground is heavenly and peaceful. Lots of migrant waterfowl. Pelicans, egrets, blue herons….

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Pere Marquette State Park Campground

    Fun Little Getaway

    Pere Marquette Campground is a little gym, just past Grafton, Missouri. It is located in the Great River Road, and within 10 minutes to restaurants and bars. There is a Lodge located next door which also serves a wonderful breakfast.

  • Chip
    Sep. 2, 2025

    World Shooting and Recreational Complex

    Lot's of full hookups

    This was our first camp in our new to us travel trailer. Not many trees.  Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue.  This is the site of the American Trap Shooters Association "Grand" Event.  During that event the first couple weeks in August the campground is full.  We were here last weekend in August. Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning.  There is a shower house I believe but could not access a couple of the doors I tried.  I imagine they had some unlocked but I didn't try all the doors when I was there.

  • Mickie S.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great experience

    This is a great campground and the owners are awesome! My husband and I are riding our bicycles cross country. The day we checked into the campground,he had a Crohn's flare/bowel block and went to the hospital for 4 days. The owners stored our bikes, watched our tent, and even picked us up from the hospital! Such nice people! The campground is clean, has a great showerhouse, lots of trees, and even has recliners in the laundry room. I highly recommend staying here!

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Dam East - Mcnair Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Another really nice COE campground. With our pass for seniors, we only paid $10 for electric. The sites were a little closer together than normal COE’s but still plenty of room. Water spicket’s were placed throughout the park but not at each site. There was a lake with a swim beach and two playgrounds. Sites were very level. Nice and shady. Close to town. Well maintained showers.

  • Natasha T.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Cahokia RV Parque

    Very clean place with reasonable prices. price

    They were so accommodating. Even on the phone I didnt feel like a burden

  • R
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great place to stay overnight

    The owner, Barb, was very friendly and helpful. We had a pull through just for overnight, and it was perfect.
    The park appeared well taken care of, and the pool looked clean.

  • Julie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Love's RV Hookup-Hamel IL 578

    Good for a truck stop, busy and loud

    Easy reservation system online. $60 is a bit pricey for one night. Electricity and water at each spot which are concrete slabs. Typical super busy truck stop with bright lights and lots of action but safe and convenient.

  • Stephanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground

    Spacious and clean

    Campground was well maintained with spacious campsites. I tried to get a spot on the water but they were all reserved, they looked really nice so I would try to get it in the future. Showers were nice with air conditioning. I would say this is more of a campsite for RVs but it worked fine with our tent. Host was nice and helpful.


Guide to Highland

Camping near Highland, 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 in the area that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Explore St. Louis: Just a short drive away, you can visit the Gateway Arch and enjoy the vibrant city life. One camper mentioned, "The campsite is 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis, and a great place to stay if you’re looking to go check out the gateway arch or go to a Cardinals game" at the St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA.
  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Enjoy the beautiful trails at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "Beautiful state park and campground. Nice hiking. Lots of room between sites - fun camp weekend!"
  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Okaw Valley Kampground, offer fishing areas and paddle boats. One visitor shared, "Family owned with a nice little fishing area (no license required catch and release)."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Double J Campground and RV Park stated, "The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A camper at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground said, "Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!"
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having enough room to spread out. A review for Pere Marquette State Park Campground mentioned, "Lots of room between level sites, quiet campground."

What you should know:

  • Power Issues: Some campgrounds may experience power outages. One camper at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Campground noted, "Other than the entire campground losing power Sunday morning and frying my coffee maker, it was a good stay."
  • Limited Shade: If you prefer shaded spots, check the campground layout. A visitor at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park mentioned, "Not many trees for shade but the lake was pretty."
  • Reservations Recommended: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Casino Queen RV Park advised, "Pay attention to email for check-in process and gate code."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and pools. A review for St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park highlighted, "The playground was good for the kiddos."
  • Plan for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during peak times. A retired couple at St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA found the park "too noisy for us."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy during downtime. A camper at Okaw Valley Kampground mentioned, "The place is very well taken care of."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your RV has the right hookups for your site. A visitor at Archway RV Park noted, "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Double J Campground and RV Park said, "The campground filled up by 11am on Friday."
  • Stay Connected: Check for cellular coverage if you need to stay connected. A camper at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Decent AT&T cellular coverage (it varies but able to stream, etc)."

Camping around Highland, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family getaway, the campgrounds in this area have you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Highland, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Highland, IL is Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.