Camping near Swansea, Illinois offers convenient access to 5,000-acre Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in Illinois, situated at an elevation of 450 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 85°F with high humidity from June through September. Many campgrounds in this area feature concrete pads for RVs, making setup easier during the region's frequent spring rainfall that averages 4-5 inches monthly from March through May.
What to do
Kayaking at 370 Lakeside Park: Located about 45 minutes from Swansea, this park offers kayak and canoe rentals for $10-15 per hour with lake access. "This is a great place to kayak and camp if you don't want to drive that fare and live in the city. We love going here and watching the sunsets," shares Lindsey C. from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Fishing at Horseshoe Lake: Just 20 minutes from Swansea in Granite City, the lake provides fishing opportunities with no swimming permitted. "There is no electric or running water. The lake is ok but no swimming, boating and fishing only," notes Chrissy W. from Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground.
Six Flags day trips: Route 66 KOA in Eureka is positioned directly across from Six Flags theme park, making it convenient for day trips. "Stayed here for trip to six flags, well taken care of. People are friendly, has a nice and clean pool," explains Nik B., who visited in summer.
What campers like
Budget-friendly primitive camping: Horseshoe Lake State Park offers tent sites at just $8 per night. "Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$," reports Helge Vandel J. who stayed in 2024.
Pool access during summer months: Illini Campground at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area features a swimming pool for a small fee. "There are three playground areas, a basketball court, sand volleyball and a pool during summer months. Lots of families with kids, bike rides and plenty of other lake and outdoor activities in the area," explains Brooke C.
On-site food options: Several campers mention appreciating the convenience of food options at campgrounds. "Getting in after a long drive and seeing the on-site BBQ restaurant was a huge positive," notes Roger G. about his stay at Cahokia RV Parque, while Brooke C. mentions Illini Campground "camp store that serves breakfast and basic lunches."
What you should know
Train noise at multiple locations: Several campgrounds in the area experience regular train disturbances. At Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park, Josh F. reports: "There are trains every 15-30 minutes all day long. Casino has a metro stop that takes you into St Louis over the river."
Site availability challenges: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "The campground filled up by 11am on Friday, which was a surprise to us. We lucked out and were able to reserve one of the last spots," shares Brooke C. about Illini Campground.
Seasonal flooding impacts: Campsites throughout the region experience closures due to water levels. Jennifer R. encountered this at Horseshoe Lake: "There is a homemade sign that says no camping. I wish we would have known that before we got here."
Tips for camping with families
Halloween festivities: Illini Campground at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area hosts special seasonal events. "They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site. The campground also provides pumpkin painting contests and other fun activities," says Aimee T.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At St. Louis NE-Granite City KOA, Sarah S. notes: "My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park. Minimal playground but they still enjoyed it. Wish there was more of a good walking/biking area around it."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting local wildlife. "Oh and lots of deer bed down in the grassy areas at night, which was a fun thing to see!" mentions Chelsea D. about her family's experience at Illini Campground.
Tips from RVers
Gate code access requirements: Several RV parks in the area use electronic gate systems. "Reservations are online and they email you the gate code and WiFi code. Security is proactive in patrols and are friendly and helpful," explains Greg S. about Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park.
Hookup positioning challenges: At some campgrounds, utility placement requires extra equipment. Josh F. notes about Draft Kings: "Utilities are set up weird on all sites - Water and electric are at the very rear of the site by the sewer, so you will need a decent sized hose to reach if your water intake is in the front of your camper."
24-hour security considerations: Many of the best places to camp near Swansea, Illinois offer enhanced security. Annie C. describes her experience at St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park: "The office told me that they have 24 hour on site security also."
