Best Campgrounds in Illinois: 2026 Guide

Illinois surprises campers who look beyond Chicago. The southern tip of the state holds the Shawnee National Forest — a landscape of sandstone bluffs, natural bridges, and cypress swamps that feels more like the Ozarks than the Midwest. Central Illinois is built around two large Corps of Engineers lakes — Carlyle and Shelbyville — with full-service campgrounds drawing families from St. Louis and Springfield. Along the western border, Mississippi River campgrounds offer bluff-top views of the continent's mightiest waterway. Illinois camping is hiding in plain sight.

Why Illinois Stands Out

The Shawnee National Forest is the star. Garden of the Gods, Giant City, and Rim Rock trace sandstone formations that rank among the most photogenic in the eastern U.S. The forest shelters the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge with its own campground and lake system. North of the Shawnee, Carlyle Lake (the state's largest man-made lake) and Lake Shelbyville anchor clusters of campgrounds with modern facilities, swimming beaches, and excellent fishing. The Mississippi River corridor adds a scenic dimension that most Midwestern states can't match.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Crab Orchard Campground

In the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge near Carbondale, this campground offers front-row access to one of southern Illinois's most important natural areas with excellent birding and fishing.

Boulder Campground

On the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake near Carlyle, a prime getaway just 50 miles east of St. Louis with peaceful lakeside camping, fishing, and swimming.

Coles Creek Campground

Another Carlyle Lake gem on the eastern shore, Coles Creek offers similar lakeside amenities with its own character and direct access to the state's largest lake.

Coon Creek

A large campground on the western shore of Lake Shelbyville in central Illinois. Families love the playground, swimming area, and shady sites along this popular recreational lake.

Forrest W. Bo Wood Recreation Area

On the northern shore of Lake Shelbyville, this large campground serves as a hub for exploring the lake and surrounding forests in the heart of central Illinois.

Fishermans Corner

With impressive views of the Mississippi River near Hampton, offering tent and RV camping along the lush river landscape — excellent for fishing and watching river traffic.

Dam West Campground

On the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, this recreation area provides a different perspective of the lake with its own beach access and fishing opportunities near Carlyle.

Dale Miller at Rend Lake

On Rend Lake near Benton in southern Illinois, offering a wide variety of activities and events at one of the state's most popular recreational lakes.

Planning Tips

Southern Illinois campgrounds are usable from March through November, with spring and fall being most comfortable. Summer heat and humidity peak in July-August — choose lakeside sites where you can swim. The Shawnee area is best in spring (wildflowers) and fall (color). Carlyle and Shelbyville lakes are busiest on summer holiday weekends. Ticks are prevalent in the Shawnee from spring through fall. The Mississippi River campgrounds can flood in spring — check conditions before booking riverside sites.

Find More

Browse all Illinois campgrounds on our Illinois camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.