RV campgrounds near Golconda, Illinois offer varying seasonal availability beyond the typical March-November operating window. While many facilities close during winter months, select campgrounds like Cypress Lakes RV Park remain open year-round, providing options during off-peak times. The region sits along the Ohio River at approximately 350 feet elevation, with campgrounds distributed across both Illinois and neighboring Kentucky within the 30-mile radius.
What to do
Lake activities: Birmingham Point Campground provides excellent access to Kentucky Lake with a swimming beach and boat launch. "There is a nice swimming beach and beautiful views," notes one visitor, while another mentions "great atmosphere for families" with waterfront views.
Water park access: Venture River RV park is positioned next to a water park attraction ideal for summer visits. As one camper explains, "The facilities are great, but you can tell it is a very new campground by the lack of mature trees for shade. Fortunately, we were not at camp during the heat of the day. We would stay here again and bring the cousins to play at the water park."
River watching: At Birdsville Riverside RV Park, campers can observe commercial traffic on the Ohio River. "Watching the barges go up and down the river along with an occasional recreational boat or 2," describes one visitor about the riverside experience, while another notes seeing "a big barge go by" right after setting up camp.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Campsites at Birdsville Riverside RV Park offer generous spacing along the Ohio River. According to a guest, "All open sites waterfront, 30 or 50 amp, sewer and water hookups. Right on the Ohio river!" Another camper adds, "The spaces are big enough for anything you can drive."
Fishing opportunities: Cypress Lakes RV Park features a small lake for fishing. One reviewer notes it "Has a little Lake in it to fish. Not far off the interstate makes it handy," highlighting its convenient location for anglers wanting quick water access.
Quiet atmosphere: Paducah RV Park offers a peaceful setting away from highway noise. A visitor describes it as a "Nice off the highway quite facility" with "Lots of space," while another appreciates its "country feel and a common outdoor area near lake."
What you should know
Campground layouts: Many RV parks in the region have mixed seasonal and transient camping areas. At Indian Point RV Park, "The campground sits on three level overlooking Lake Barkly. There are only 5 pull-thru sites with full hookups on wide open ground, no shade. There are 16 water and electric sites. The 150+ sites are long term rental properties."
Site configurations: Alternating site orientations are common at some campgrounds. At Birdsville Riverside RV Park, "Sites alternated pull in and back in sharing water and electric pedestals. Lots of space on door side of TT."
Amenities variation: Bathroom and shower facilities differ significantly between parks. At Cypress Lakes RV Park, "Laundry is 1.50 per machine and the showers are large and clean," while some parks like Indian Point have limited facilities despite having pools and playgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Outback RV Resort offers play equipment for children along with organized activities. A camper shares, "From the extremely gracious and kind owners & staff, to the super friendly and inclusive campers, to the fun campground wide activities, to the super clean facilities - literally can't say a bad thing about them."
Recreation options: Cypress Lakes RV Park provides children's activities during holiday weekends. One visitor mentions, "Love this campground, very friendly and accommodating. Lots of fun activities on Holiday weekends throughout the summer season."
Swimming facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming options. At Cypress Lakes RV Park, one family noted, "Kids enjoyed the playground and the reservoir is really beautiful. We wish the pool had been open…it's still in the process of a renovation. Shaved ice was a nice consolation prize for the kids after the promised pool was a bust."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many sites require leveling equipment. At Birmingham Point Campground, "We needed levelers on the door side. Once we were set up, we were delighted with this site's lake view."
Site length considerations: Pull-through site availability varies by location. At Birmingham Point, "We would not recommended trying to anything longer than a 38' rig into the site due to the turn to get out."
Utility pedestals: Some parks use shared utility configurations between sites. At Birdsville Riverside RV Park, "the electric poles and water and shared between each site (you have your own plug but it's in the middle of the two sites) which means the odd number sites are back in, even numbers are pull in."
Dump station access: Location of dump stations can present navigation challenges. At Indian Point RV Park, the dump station could be "on the wrong side of the road if you don't know which way to pull out for it to be on the correct side for your RV - and located in an area that could present a steep hill and curve to navigate to it."
