Best Campgrounds near Vandalia, IL

Central Illinois camping options surround Vandalia, with several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park sits directly in Vandalia, offering full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas with electric connections. Nearby Okaw Valley Kampground in Brownstown provides family-friendly camping with fishing ponds and walking paths, while Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area offers year-round camping with boat access. The region's camping landscape extends to Carlyle Lake, Illinois' largest lake, where multiple Corps of Engineers and state park campgrounds provide waterfront sites, including Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area and Coles Creek Recreation Area.

Most campgrounds in the Vandalia area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when lakeside sites fill quickly. The camping season generally runs April through October, though some facilities remain open year-round. Weather conditions include hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s, and occasional thunderstorms that can create muddy conditions. As one camper noted about Okaw Valley Kampground: "The bathroom was the cleanest I have seen at a campsite. The sites are close as it is a small campground, but people were respectful of each others' spaces and it was quiet." Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with most campgrounds reporting 2-3 bars of coverage on major carriers.

Mature shade trees feature prominently in camper reviews of the area, with many sites offering relief from summer heat. Fishing opportunities abound at nearly all campgrounds, with Carlyle Lake particularly noted for its fishing quality. "Wildlife galore. Next to largest lake in Illinois. Fishing good with a boat," reported one visitor to Eldon Hazlet State Park. Family amenities include playgrounds, swimming beaches, and boat rentals at several locations. Weekday camping typically offers more solitude, while weekends bring higher occupancy rates. Most campgrounds provide clean shower facilities, though quality varies by location. The region's campgrounds generally accommodate both tent and RV camping, with many offering full hookup sites for larger rigs alongside more primitive options for tent campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Vandalia, Illinois (74)

    1. Okaw Valley Kampground

    26 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 427-5140

    "We were tired from the drive though we didn’t realize it until we stopped. There is a little pond where people fished, and a little walking path for little kid “hikes”."

    "There’s a very nice updated playground and a pond with a walking path around it. The place is very well taken care of. If we ever came back this way we would stay again."

    2. Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 283-9700

    $25 / night

    "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available. Downsides is wifi is poor, gravel is unlevel, limited menu on DoorDash."

    3. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ramsey, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 423-2215

    "The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"

    "Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."

    4. Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground

    13 Reviews
    Keyesport, IL
    21 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!"

    5. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    25 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."

    6. Timber Trails Campground

    2 Reviews
    Greenville, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-8264

    "Timber Trails Campground is a easy layover off of I-70, offering a family-friendly environment. The park provided us an easy in and out, pull-through site that was level and convenient."

    7. Bonanza Campground

    2 Reviews
    Greenville, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-7261

    "Literally 0’s all around for level on the Levelmate Pro. I didn’t even unhook the trailer, just put the 4 scissor jacks and tongue jack down for stability."

    8. Cedarbrook Camp Ground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    10 miles
    +1 (618) 326-8865

    9. 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!"

    10. Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-8865
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Recent Reviews near Vandalia, IL

372 Reviews of 74 Vandalia Campgrounds


  • r
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lakeside Timbers

    Great location to camp!

    This was my first time here, I reserved online and Allison was very nice and called to confirm my reservation and asked when I’d be arriving and confirmed she would be here when I arrived. She told me about the events going on here in the pavilion. They sell alcohol and even had pizzas cooking and a bartender.

    There are three public bathrooms/showers. Individual use only and very clean!

    Highly recommend

  • M
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Carlyle lake

    Great for Boating and Open Camping in Illinois

    The main draw here is the water itself. With great opportunities for fishing and boating, it's an ideal destination for anglers and families with small boats. The nearby Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area provides convenient camping and shoreline access, making it easy to turn your visit into a weekend trip.

    level devil

  • S
    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….

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Mercedes K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Camp Lakewood

    Great Place!

    Great place! Enjoyed the serene atmosphere and friendly staff. Loved the pizza too.


Guide to Vandalia

Vandalia's prairie landscape offers a central Illinois location with access to Carlyle Lake, the state's largest reservoir at 26,000 acres. Winter camping remains viable at several campgrounds, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°F, though summer humidity creates muddy conditions after rainfall. The region includes both heavily wooded sites and more open camping areas near water.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Boulder Recreation Area provides waterfront sites with direct lake access. "Depending on what site you stay in you will have an amazing view of the lake. With several picnic areas and the marina close. I have enjoyed camping and fishing at this campground," notes Jake L., though he cautions "when the lake is flooded you can not access this campground."

Swimming options: Coles Creek Recreation Area includes a dedicated beach for campers. "This wonderful camping area is beautiful with clean campsites. With picnic areas and a beach close you and the family will have a good time and make new friends," reports Jake L. The campground features multiple loops with electric hookups and a newly renovated bath house.

Biking and walking: Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area offers extensive trails for cyclists and hikers. The park has "clean and very nice campsites" according to Lon K., with reasonable pricing. Jareth C. adds that "the park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. The only downside is that it's somewhat far from supply stores."

What campers like

Spacious sites: Boulder Recreation Area earns high marks for site size. "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," says Stephanie S., who also appreciated that "showers were nice with air conditioning."

Clean facilities: Okaw Valley Kampground maintains exceptional bathroom cleanliness. "We stayed for five days during Labor Day weekend on our way to Emporia Kansas. This turned out to be a lovely little vacation for us," reports Shirley M., adding "the camp owners were friendly and helpful."

Peaceful atmosphere: Timber Trails Campground provides a tranquil setting for travelers. Jason G. describes it as "a easy layover off of I-70, offering a family-friendly environment. The park provided us an easy in and out, pull-through site that was level and convenient. The campground had a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and recreation."

What you should know

Site reservation timing: Illini Campground at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area fills quickly for special events. "It's a huge campground with a smaller reservable section and an extensive first come, first serve section. There are usually always spaces available," explains Aimee T., who recommends arriving "at least a week in advance for the halloween festivities- it fills up!"

Winter camping considerations: Some campgrounds remain open year-round but with limited services. "Site 26. We were basically by ourselves being mid week in November. Great view. Nice camp hosts," reports Wendy F. about Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area.

Water quality issues: At some campgrounds, early season water systems may have problems. One camper at Eldon Hazlet noted filling their trailer tank with "extremely dirty water with a lot of copper colored solids" and had the same issue when trying another spigot, suggesting this might be related to early season operation.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area offers excellent playground facilities. "Went in late April and had a good time with not ideal weather. Kid had a blast at playground with other kids," shares J N., though notes there were "cold showers but said they were looking into it."

Swimming pool options: Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area features a dedicated swimming pool. "There is a nice large zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends," mentions Aimee T., who also highlighted their Halloween events where "people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site."

Close-knit camping community: Okaw Valley Kampground creates a social atmosphere for families. The campground includes "a little pond where people fished, and a little walking path for little kid 'hikes'," according to Shirley M., who also suggests visiting Casey, "the little town of big things," to see attractions like "the world's largest rocking chair, wind chime etc."

Tips from RVers

Level sites: Bonanza Campground offers exceptionally level spots for RVs. Bruce H. calls it "THE MOST level site we have ever had in allllll our years of travel. Literally 0's all around for level on the Levelmate Pro. I didn't even unhook the trailer, just put the 4 scissor jacks and tongue jack down for stability."

Full hookup availability: Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park in Vandalia provides complete services for RVs. "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available," says Kaitlynn B., though she notes "wifi is poor, gravel is unlevel, limited menu on DoorDash."

Dump station limitations: Plan ahead for dump station access at larger campgrounds. One reviewer at Coles Creek Recreation Area mentioned being "thoroughly impressed with the upkeep of this area" but noted "the ONE dump station for this massive campground" was insufficient for the size of the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Vandalia, IL from Effingham for day trips while camping?

Vandalia, IL is approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Effingham, making it an easy day trip while camping in the area. The drive typically takes about 30-35 minutes via I-70 E, which is a straightforward route connecting the two cities. While camping at Bo Wood recreation area or Eagle Creek State Park Campground, both within reasonable driving distance, you can easily plan day excursions to Effingham. Effingham offers additional shopping, dining, and attractions including the Cross at the Crossroads, Effingham County Courthouse, and various museums that make for worthwhile day trips while using your campsite near Vandalia as a base.

Are there RV parks in Vandalia, IL with full hookups?

Okaw Valley Kampground near Vandalia is a lovely RV park with hookups. It features a fishing pond and walking trails, making it perfect for a relaxing stay. For more options with full hookups, Coles Creek Recreation Area on Carlyle Lake offers full hookup, 50-amp sites with many located right on the water. While restaurants and stores are about a 15-minute drive away, the waterfront location makes it worth the minor inconvenience. Other RV-friendly options in the area include Timber Trails Campground and Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground, both offering various hookup options for RV campers near the Vandalia area.

What are the best campgrounds near Vandalia, IL?

Several excellent campgrounds are located near Vandalia, IL. Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area is a popular choice offering electric sites, shower houses, a pool, camp store, and access to Carlyle Lake - the largest lake in Illinois. Wildlife viewing is excellent and fishing is productive with a boat. Another great option is Dam West Spillway, also on Carlyle Lake, which offers water and sewer hookups at some sites, weekend activities for children, and qualifies for senior pass discounts. Other notable options in the region include Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area and Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park, both offering different amenities and experiences for campers exploring the Vandalia area.