Tent and RV campgrounds near Johnsonville, Illinois border several lakes and conservation areas across Wayne, Jefferson, and Clay counties. The terrain consists primarily of gently rolling hills with elevations between 450-550 feet above sea level, creating natural lakeside camping opportunities. Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area serves as the closest established camping option directly in Johnsonville, while several private RV parks and Corps of Engineers campgrounds operate within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area offers electric-only sites with direct lake access. "Clean campground right on the lake," notes one visitor, while another camper explains the amenities: "Site 35 was perfectly level for the Class C. Great Campground host. Beautiful lake."
Birdwatching and nature sounds: Spring Creek Campground features a small fishing pond and natural areas ideal for wildlife observation. A recent visitor described it as "one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've been in in a long time. It's small, owned by an older farmer, has electricity and bathrooms. It's on a couple of small lakes and the bird sounds, the frogs, ducks, the whole natural environment is just wonderful."
Swimming access: Campers at Camp Lakewood can use the swimming area. "The swimming area is basically just a dock you can jump off of but it's not crowded at all so plenty of room for my family," reports one visitor. The campground also offers fishing with reports that "the bass are biting!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cleanliness ranks high among camper priorities at RV parks near Johnsonville. "Everything is super clean here, staff is friendly. There is laundry on site and the showers are some of the cleanest I've seen," says a visitor to Camp Lakewood.
Quiet atmosphere: Archway RV Park in Mount Vernon receives praise for its peaceful setting despite proximity to highways. "Just far enough from Interstate so noise isn't an issue," reports one camper. Another notes, "The outside area is made for families to play and relax and enjoy time together."
Helpful staff: Personal service stands out at smaller campgrounds. A Spring Creek visitor noted, "Bob showed up as I pulled in and made sure I was all set for the night. This place is going in my saved list for sure." Similarly, at Archway RV Park: "We booked this on the road, and even though the office was closed, a site had been reserved and marked for us. Owner came out early the next morning to check on us."
What you should know
Seasonal variations: While many campgrounds near Johnsonville remain open year-round, facilities may be limited in winter. "The fishing pond is great and beautiful," states a Spring Creek visitor, but notes that the area would be "nice in summer and fall when leaves are on trees."
Site variations: Campsites vary significantly in quality even within the same campground. At Rend Lake Gun Creek Campground, "There is a bit of a slope to the pads so you will need to level. Lake is very pretty - you could anchor your boat off your campsite."
Reservation policies: Some smaller campgrounds accommodate same-day arrivals. "I called a day in advance and was able to schedule a reservation, the lady on the phone was very nice," reports an Archway RV visitor. At Spring Creek, one camper noted the casual check-in process: "No reservation was needed, just stop in, find a site and we'll find you in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Most family-oriented campgrounds offer play areas. Spring Creek provides "a nice playground in the shade next to a pavilion," while Archway RV Park has "a nice playground and dog park as well as a pond at the location."
On-site food options: Some campgrounds offer convenient dining. At Camp Lakewood, "A pizza place is operating on site. Had pizza and wings that were good," reports one visitor. Another mentions, "We had pizza in their bar it was locally made chicken, bacon, ranch and Butch's sweet hot sauce."
Space for activities: Choose sites with enough room for family gatherings. At Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park, "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street" make family stays more convenient. Camp Lakewood offers waterfront options: "Beautiful view from site 19! My son came to fish so make sure your site isn't on a hill where you can't fish from the site."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Many RV campgrounds near Johnsonville require leveling equipment. At Rend Lake Gun Creek Campground, "There is a bit of a slope to the pads so you will need to level." Similarly at Camp Lakewood, "The campground is fairly small. They appeared to have all gravel sites with minimal grass."
Power adapter requirements: Check electrical connections before arrival. At Archway RV Park, "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter."
Water fill protocols: Water access varies between campgrounds. At Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area, "It clearly states electric only. Which was no problem. They had a water hookup that you could pull up to for more water if needed. Dump station right outside the campground."
