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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Bartelso, IL
43 campgrounds and RV Parks near Bartelso, IL. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
43 campgrounds
4166 campsites
22 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Bartelso, IL
Eldon Hazlet State Recreational Area
Carlyle, IL (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(364 sites)
+8
Shady Rest - Washington County State Recreation Area
Nashville, IL (18 miles away)
$$$$$
(75 sites)
+6
Lonely Oaks - Washington County State Recreation Area
Nashville, IL (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(75 sites)
+4
American Legion Freedom Farm
Freeburg, IL (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(8 sites)
Kaskaskia River Camping & RV Park
New Athens, IL (27 miles away)
Cedarbrook Campground
Mulberry Grove, IL (27 miles away)
UcamP Express RV Park
Salem, IL (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(10 sites)
+3
World Shooting and Recreational Complex
Sparta, IL (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(1001 sites)
Timber Trails Campground
Mulberry Grove, IL (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(155 sites)
+5
Archway RV Park
Mount Vernon, IL (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(43 sites)
+6
Rustic Acres Campgrounds
Illinois (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(135 sites)
+7
Horseshoe Lake State Park
Granite City, IL (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Toilets Dump station Showers Tables Grills Playground Laundry Internet Fishing
Campgrounds near Bartelso
Bartelso sits in Clinton County in southwestern Illinois, a short drive from Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in the state at roughly 26,000 acres. The lake and surrounding public lands anchor most RV camping options in the area, with a mix of state-run, Army Corps of Engineers, and private campgrounds within a 30-minute radius.
Eldon Hazlet State Recreational Area is the closest major camping destination, a 3,000-acre site on the western shore of Carlyle Lake with the large Illini Campground and more than 300 electric sites. Washington County State Recreation Area, roughly a half-hour south near Nashville, offers separate camping loops: Shady Rest - Washington County State Recreation Area for RVs with electric hookups, and Lonely Oaks - Washington County State Recreation Area for tent camping without hookups.
Smaller options round out the choices. American Legion Freedom Farm provides a local, community-run option, and Cedarbrook Campground near Mulberry Grove sits just off I-70 with full-hookup pull-through sites and a swimming pool, useful for travelers wanting more amenities.
Things to do near Bartelso
Carlyle Lake drives the recreation calendar. The 26,000-acre reservoir hosts sailboat regattas almost every summer weekend. Boating, swimming, and fishing for white bass, channel catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass are the main draws, with public boat ramps and a 40-acre harbor at Eldon Hazlet State Recreational Area.
On land, Eldon Hazlet has more than nine miles of hiking trails, a public swimming pool that runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, playground equipment, and a sand volleyball court. Washington County State Recreation Area has a trail that circles its lake and multiple fishing access points including a substantial dock. Birdwatching is strong across both parks, and Carlyle Lake provides habitat for migratory waterfowl. St. Louis is under an hour west for a day trip.
Camping spots and RV parks near Bartelso, IL
When to visit Bartelso
- spring
March - May
66° / 45°F 110 mmWettest season; thunderstorms and flooding risk possible
- summer
June - August
86° / 66°F 95 mmPeak season; reservable sites fill on holiday weekends
- fall
September - November
66° / 45°F 80 mmMild days, cool nights; hunting seasons open at Eldon Hazlet
- winter
December - February
41° / 23°F 65 mmCold with occasional snow; parks open, services limited
Peak RV season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, when the swimming pool at Eldon Hazlet State Recreational Area operates, sailboat regattas are held on Carlyle Lake most weekends, and campgrounds are busiest. Reservable sites at Eldon Hazlet and Washington County State Recreation Area fill quickly on holiday weekends, so booking well ahead is advised. First-come, first-served loops at Eldon Hazlet typically retain availability even during busy periods.
Spring and fall bring lower temperatures, thinner crowds, and strong fishing. Spring storms can be heavy in southern Illinois, so check park conditions before arrival. Fall offers mild days, cooler nights, and hunting seasons at Eldon Hazlet that include archery deer, dove, upland game, and a controlled pheasant program.
Winter camping is possible: both Eldon Hazlet and Washington County State Recreation Area operate year-round, though services scale back. Expect cold overnight lows, occasional snow, and limited store hours.
How to book a campsite
Illinois state parks in this area use the ExploreMoreIL reservation system. Reservations at Eldon Hazlet State Recreational Area and Washington County State Recreation Area require a minimum of three days advance booking, carry a non-refundable reservation fee, and cap stays at 14 nights per 30-day period.
Eldon Hazlet has both reservable and first-come, first-served sections within the Illini Campground. Walk-up campers register with the on-site camp hosts. Class A sites include 30- and 50-amp electric hookups, and a limited number of accessible sites can be reserved through the same system.
Carlyle Lake also has Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds bookable through Recreation.gov, with booking windows that open several months in advance. Private options like Cedarbrook Campground and American Legion Freedom Farm are reserved directly with the operator.
What to expect on arrival
Sites at the Illini Campground in Eldon Hazlet State Recreational Area are generally spacious, shaded, and set on gravel pads, with most within easy walking distance of the Carlyle Lake shoreline. The campground has three shower buildings, numerous privy toilets, a dump station at the entrance, water fill stations, and a campground store carrying groceries, ice, firewood, and live bait.
Washington County State Recreation Area is smaller and more rural, set among cornfields around a lake. Shady Rest - Washington County State Recreation Area has electric hookups, a shower building with hot water, and a dump station and potable water fill at the campground entrance. Lonely Oaks - Washington County State Recreation Area is tent-oriented without hookups. Cell coverage in both parks is generally usable but can be spotty on some loops.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Bartelso, IL
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Bartelso, IL?
Campsite prices near Bartelso, IL depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Bartelso, IL?
Free camping near Bartelso, IL depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Bartelso, IL?
Camping near Bartelso, IL works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Bartelso, IL?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Bartelso, IL. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Bartelso, IL?
Dump stations near Bartelso, IL are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Bartelso, IL?
Renting a RV in Bartelso, IL works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Bartelso, IL?
RV rentals in Bartelso, IL peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Bartelso, IL?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Bartelso, IL?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Bartelso, IL at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
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