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45 campgrounds and RV Parks near Carterville, IL. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
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From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Carterville, IL
Blue Heron Marina and Campground
Carterville, IL (2 miles away)
$$$$$
(34 sites)
Four Seasons Campground
Herrin, IL (5 miles away)
$$$$$
(33 sites)
+4
Marion Campground and RV Park
Marion, IL (7 miles away)
$$$$$
(58 sites)
+6
Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina
Makanda, IL (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(105 sites)
+5
Horse Camp - Giant City State Park
Makanda, IL (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(24 sites)
+4
Lake Murphysboro State Park
Murphysboro, IL (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(74 sites)
+5
Deer Ridge - Ferne Clyffe State Park
Goreville, IL (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(59 sites)
+6
Horse Camp - Ferne Clyffe State Park
Goreville, IL (17 miles away)
$$$$$
+4
EZ Camp - XXXL Storage
Benton, IL (18 miles away)
$$$$$
(5 sites)
Benton KOA Journey
Benton, IL (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(59 sites)
+10
Old Bates Campground
Sesser, IL (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(65 sites)
+4
Coy and Wilmas One Stop
Sesser, IL (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+3
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Toilets Dump station Grills Tables Showers Hiking Trails Firewood Playground
Campgrounds near Carterville, Illinois
Carterville sits in Williamson County in far southern Illinois, between Crab Orchard Lake to the north and the Shawnee National Forest to the south. The location puts RV travelers within a short drive of federal, state, and private campgrounds spread across lakes, hardwood forests, and sandstone bluff country.
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge borders the town directly and manages several lakeshore campgrounds, while Giant City State Park and Little Grassy Lake sit just to the south. Marion, the neighboring city, adds full-service RV parks close to Interstate 57.
Typical nearby options include Blue Heron Marina and Campground and Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina on the refuge lakes, Four Seasons Campground and Marion Campground and RV Park for full hookups, and Horse Camp - Giant City State Park for travelers bringing equines. Site types range from primitive tent pads to pull-through sites with water, electric, and sewer.
Things to do around Carterville
Water recreation dominates the area. Crab Orchard, Little Grassy, and Devils Kitchen lakes support boating, fishing for bass and crappie, kayaking, and swimming at designated beaches. Blue Heron Marina and Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina both offer boat access within the refuge.
On land, Giant City State Park has marked hiking trails through sandstone bluffs, plus a historic CCC-built lodge. The Shawnee National Forest extends south to Garden of the Gods and the Little Grand Canyon. Horse Camp - Giant City State Park provides direct trail access for riders.
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail wineries, the Southern Illinois University campus in Carbondale, and Marion's shopping and dining round out rainy-day options.
Camping spots and RV parks near Carterville, IL
Seasons and timing
- spring
March - May
64° / 43°F 110 mmWettest stretch; storms and dogwood bloom
- summer
June - August
84° / 64°F 95 mmHot, humid; holiday weekends book out early
- fall
September - November
66° / 45°F 80 mmBest window; peak color late October
- winter
December - February
41° / 23°F 80 mmCold, low crowds; some refuge loops closed
Spring and fall are the strongest windows for RV travel in southern Illinois. March through May brings wildflower blooms and dogwoods across the Shawnee, but it is also among the wettest stretches of the year, and thunderstorms can produce flash flooding on forest roads. Water levels on refuge lakes are typically high through late spring.
Summer runs hot and humid, with regular afternoon storms. Weekends at Blue Heron Marina and Campground, Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina, and Four Seasons Campground fill early, particularly around Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Insect pressure peaks in June and July.
Fall delivers the most reliable weather: cool nights, warm days, lower humidity, and hardwood color that usually peaks late October to early November. Winter is cold but rarely severe. Many refuge and state park loops close or reduce services from late fall through early spring, and Crab Orchard restricts portions of the refuge seasonally for waterfowl.
How to book
Campgrounds inside Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, including Blue Heron Marina and Campground and Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina, are operated by concessionaires. Reservations are handled directly through each campground's office or website rather than Recreation.gov, so call ahead to confirm hookup type and rig length limits.
Giant City State Park sites, including Horse Camp - Giant City State Park, are reserved through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Camp IL reservation system. A rolling booking window applies, and popular fall weekends go quickly.
Private parks such as Four Seasons Campground and Marion Campground and RV Park take direct bookings by phone or online. For summer holiday weekends, book roughly two months out; shoulder-season midweek stays are usually available on shorter notice.
What to expect on arrival
Roads into the refuge and state park are paved but narrow in places, with some low-clearance bridges and tight turns near lake loops. Larger Class A rigs should confirm site length and approach with the campground before arrival, especially at Horse Camp - Giant City State Park and older refuge loops.
Hookup availability varies. Marion Campground and RV Park and Four Seasons Campground typically offer full hookups and pull-through sites, while refuge campgrounds mix electric-only sites with primitive pads. Cell coverage is generally usable in Carterville and Marion but drops inside the Shawnee National Forest.
Groceries, propane, dump stations, fuel, and RV supplies are all available along Illinois Route 13 between Carterville and Marion.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Carterville, IL
How much does an RV rental in Carterville, IL typically cost?
RV rental in Carterville is one of the more affordable options in the Midwest because southern Illinois is not a high-demand coastal market. Travel trailers commonly start around $90 to $140 per night, Class C motorhomes range from about $175 to $275 per night, and larger Class A rigs sit in the $250 to $400 range. To find a cheap RV rental in Carterville, book mid-week trips, travel in April or October when Shawnee National Forest is beautiful but quieter, and look for hosts offering weekly discounts. Pair a Sunday-to-Thursday booking with a stop at the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and you can often save more than 20% compared to a peak fall-color weekend.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Carterville%2C%20IllinoisWhat do I need to rent an RV in Carterville, IL?
Renting is simple: you need to be 25 or older and hold a valid driver's license. Illinois does not require a commercial driver's license (CDL) or any special RV endorsement for the motorhomes and trailers listed on RVezy, even for larger Class A coaches. Visiting from outside the U.S.? Bring your home-country license plus an International Driving Permit (IDP), which usually costs under $25 from your local auto association. RVezy verifies your ID securely through the platform during booking, so there is no paperwork at pickup. Once you are verified, you can rent an RV in Carterville and head straight for Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge with confidence.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039008774-Understanding-approved-driver-requirementsIs my RV rental in Carterville protected if something goes wrong?
Yes, every RVezy booking in Carterville comes with a protection plan and 24/7 roadside assistance included, so you are covered from the moment you drive off. The protection plan covers most physical damage to the RV during your trip, and you choose your coverage level during checkout based on how much peace of mind you want. It provides real financial protection so a fender-bender on Illinois Route 13 or a stray branch in Shawnee National Forest does not ruin your vacation. Combined with around-the-clock roadside help, you can focus on the trip and let RVezy handle the rest.
rvezy.com/insurance-and-protectionWhat happens if I need to cancel my Carterville RV trip?
RVezy, not the individual host, sets the cancellation policy for every booking, and it includes a money-back grace period right after you book so you can lock in a great rig with flexibility. Refund eligibility after that depends on how far out from your trip you cancel and whether circumstances like severe weather or natural disasters are involved, something southern Illinois sees occasionally with spring tornado watches. If your plans change, contact RVezy support and they will walk you through the options. Because the cancellation policy lives with RVezy, not the host, you can book once and travel with confidence.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037736674-Understanding-the-cancellation-policy-for-guestsCan I bring my dog on a Carterville RV rental?
Yes, and southern Illinois is a great region for dog owners. Filter for a pet-friendly RV rental in Carterville on RVezy and you will see listings where hosts welcome four-legged co-pilots, often with a small cleaning fee. Once you are rolling, take your dog to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, where leashed dogs are welcome on miles of trails just minutes from town, or hike the dog-friendly paths at Giant City State Park about 15 miles southwest. Message the host before booking to confirm pet rules and ask about nearby dog-friendly wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, several of which have outdoor patios that welcome pups.
fws.gov/refuge/crab-orchardCan the RV be delivered to my campground in Carterville?
Yes, RV delivery in Carterville is one of the easiest ways to start your trip, especially if you are a first-timer who does not want to drive a big rig down Illinois Route 13. Many hosts will deliver and set up your motorhome rental in Carterville at Crab Orchard Campground, Lake Murphysboro State Park, or even a private driveway, then walk you through every system from the awning to the water heater. Delivery fees typically run between $2 and $4 per mile from the host's location. Book delivery to Devil's Kitchen Lake and your RV will be waiting lakeside, ready for an evening fish-fry with zero driving stress.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Carterville%2C%20IllinoisHow far can I drive on a Carterville RV rental, and is unlimited mileage available?
Several Carterville hosts offer RV rental with unlimited mileage, which is helpful since southern Illinois sits within easy reach of multiple states. From Carterville you can be at Garden of the Gods in about an hour, St. Louis in roughly 100 miles, Nashville in roughly 230 miles, and Memphis around 175 miles. Most hosts include 100 to 150 free miles per night and charge $0.30 to $0.45 per mile after that, so if you are planning a longer RV road trip from Carterville, filter for unlimited-mileage listings or message a host about a flat package. A Land Between the Lakes loop into Kentucky is only about 90 miles east and worth every mile.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Carterville%2C%20IllinoisWhere are the best campgrounds near Carterville, IL?
The best campgrounds near Carterville include Crab Orchard Campground, just minutes south on Crab Orchard Lake with full hookups and a swimming beach; Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground, about 20 miles west with shaded electric sites; Giant City State Park Campground, about 15 miles southwest with sandstone bluff views; and Lake Glendale Recreation Area in Shawnee National Forest, a top RV pick with electric lakeside sites. For full hookups and easy interstate access, campgrounds near Vienna off Interstate 24 are also a favorite. Crab Orchard fills fast on summer weekends, so book your campsite the same day you book your RV.
recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234214When is the best time of year for an RV trip in Carterville, IL?
Southern Illinois has one of the longest RV seasons in the Midwest. The sweet spots are mid-April through early June, when temperatures sit in the comfortable 65 to 80 degree Fahrenheit range and dogwoods bloom across Shawnee National Forest, and mid-September through early November, when fall color along the Garden of the Gods bluffs is spectacular. Summers run hot and humid with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, while winters are mild by Midwest standards, typically 30 to 45 degrees. October is a local favorite because the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail harvest festivals overlap with peak leaf-peeping. Book your Carterville RV trip 6 to 10 weeks ahead for fall weekends, which are the busiest dates of the year.
weather.gov/pah/I've never rented an RV before. Will I be okay driving one around Carterville?
You will be fine, and Carterville is a friendly place to learn. Roads like Illinois Route 13 and Interstate 57 are wide, well-maintained, and rarely congested outside of SIU Carbondale game days. Every RVezy host gives you a hands-on orientation at pickup covering driving, leveling, hookups, and dumping, so you are never thrown in the deep end. If you are nervous about size, start with a Class C motorhome or campervan rental in Carterville, both of which drive much like a large van. For your first time renting an RV, do a practice loop through the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge auto tour route before heading further: gentle curves, low speeds, and scenic views.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039008774-Understanding-approved-driver-requirementsWhat if my RV breaks down during my trip?
Every RVezy rental in Carterville includes 24/7 roadside assistance as part of the protection plan, so a flat tire on Illinois Route 148 or a dead battery at Lake Glendale is a phone call away from being fixed. One call dispatches help for towing, jump-starts, tire changes, lockouts, and fuel delivery, no matter the time of night. Your host is also typically just a text away to troubleshoot quirks specific to their RV, like which propane valve to open. RVezy customer support stays available before, during, and after your trip too. Save the roadside number to your phone before you leave Carterville so it is one tap away.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/34008759079835-RVezy-renter-protection-plans-in-detailCan I take a Carterville RV rental on a multi-state road trip or into Canada?
Yes, southern Illinois is built for road trips. Popular RV road trips from Carterville include Memphis (about 175 miles south), Nashville (about 230 miles east), the Great Smoky Mountains (about 450 miles), St. Louis (about 100 miles northwest), and Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky (about 150 miles east). Cross-border travel into Canada may be allowed depending on the host and the protection plan, so confirm with the host directly before you book a longer route. Travel into Mexico is not permitted on RVezy rentals because insurance coverage does not extend there. A five-day loop from Carterville through Nashville, Memphis, and back along the Great River Road delivers three cities and two national parks with manageable daily drives.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039340074-Insurance-coverage-validityHow much should I budget for fuel on a Carterville RV trip?
Fuel is one of the more predictable line items on a Carterville RV trip. Illinois gas prices typically run a bit above the national average, with southern Illinois stations near Carterville often pricing below Chicago. Expect 7 to 10 miles per gallon (MPG) for Class A motorhomes, 10 to 14 MPG for Class C, 15 to 20 MPG for campervans, and roughly 9 to 12 MPG for trucks towing travel trailers. For a 500-mile loop through Shawnee National Forest and back, budget around $150 to $250 in fuel for a mid-size motorhome. Fill up at the Pilot or Love's along Interstate 57 near Marion before heading east into Shawnee, since prices climb noticeably in the smaller towns near Garden of the Gods.
eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/How far in advance should I book a campground near Carterville?
Book sooner than you think. Illinois state park campgrounds, including Giant City and Lake Murphysboro, open reservations six months ahead through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reservation system at exploremoreil.com, and popular October weekends can fill within hours of opening. Crab Orchard Campground, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, uses Recreation.gov and also books six months out. Several Shawnee National Forest campgrounds operate first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive Thursday for a weekend site. Lock in your RV rental in Carterville before you reserve the campground, that way your dates are flexible if a host's availability shifts and you are not stuck with a site and no rig.
recreation.gov/What are the local driving conditions like around Carterville?
Carterville is a comfortable place to drive an RV. Interstate 57 runs north-south just east of town and Illinois Route 13 connects you west to Murphysboro and east to Marion, both with wide lanes and few low overpasses. Heading into Shawnee National Forest, expect rolling hills, occasional tight curves, and gravel sections near Jackson Falls: take those slowly in a big rig. Spring brings strong thunderstorms and the rare tornado watch, so check the forecast before departing. Winter ice is uncommon but possible from December to February. Avoid the Route 13 corridor between Marion and Carbondale on Saturday afternoons during SIU football season, as traffic backs up near the stadium exits.
gettingaroundillinois.com/What amenities will I find at campgrounds near Carterville?
Expect a healthy range of amenities. Crab Orchard Campground offers full hookups (water, electric, sewer), a dump station, hot showers, and a swimming beach. Giant City State Park has Class A electric sites with a centralized dump station and potable water fill. Lake Glendale Recreation Area in Shawnee National Forest provides electric hookups, flush toilets, and a dump station. Primitive sites in the national forest typically offer vault toilets and a single water spigot, so arrive with full freshwater tanks. Top off freshwater and dump tanks near Marion off Interstate 57 before heading deeper into Shawnee, since it is easier than navigating gravel roads with full tanks.
dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.giantcity.htmlWhat's actually inside the RVs available in Carterville?
Most RV rentals in Carterville come fully outfitted with real beds (queens, bunks, or convertible dinettes), a kitchen with stove, microwave, fridge and sink, a private bathroom with shower and toilet, air conditioning, furnace heat, and seatbelts for every passenger. Class C motorhomes typically sleep 4 to 7, campervans sleep 2 to 4, and travel trailers and fifth wheels often sleep 6 to 8, making family RV trips in Carterville easy. Many listings include a TV, Bluetooth stereo, outdoor awning, and an onboard generator for boondocking near Jackson Falls. Filter for listings with Wi-Fi hotspots if you are working remotely from Crab Orchard Lake, since cellular signal inside the forest can be spotty.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Carterville%2C%20IllinoisWhat add-ons and pickup options should I know about?
Hosts in Carterville offer popular extras that make life easier: bedding and linen packages ($30 to $75), camp chairs and outdoor rugs ($15 to $40), portable grills ($20 to $40), generators for off-grid camping ($25 to $50 per day), and kayak or bike racks. Pickup is typically at the host's home in or near Carterville, Marion, or Carbondale, with most hosts offering a 30-to-60-minute walkthrough. Mileage policies vary: expect 100 to 150 free miles per night with $0.35 to $0.45 per mile over, or look for unlimited-mileage listings if you are planning a bigger loop. Bundle delivery plus the bedding kit and you will arrive to a fully made-up rig at your campsite, perfect for a first-timer or a long-weekend Shawnee Hills wine tour.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Carterville%2C%20IllinoisHow does payment and the security deposit work?
Payment is simple and secure: you pay through RVezy at the time of booking using a credit or debit card, never directly to the host in cash. A refundable security deposit is held on your card (or as a pre-authorization) before your trip starts, typically a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the RV's value, and it is released after the host confirms the rig was returned in good shape. To avoid deposit issues, document the RV's condition with photos at pickup and dropoff, return it with the same fuel and propane levels, and stick to the agreed mileage. Do a quick video walkaround when you pick up your Carterville RV rental, it takes two minutes and prevents most deposit disputes.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038106214-How-the-security-deposit-worksWhat's a great first itinerary for an RV camping Carterville weekend?
Here is a crowd-pleaser for RV camping in Carterville: pick up your rig Friday morning, set up at Crab Orchard Campground (about 10 minutes away), and spend the afternoon kayaking or fishing the lake. Saturday, drive about 45 minutes east to Garden of the Gods Recreation Area for the Observation Trail at sunrise, then spend the afternoon tasting at three or four stops on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail like Blue Sky Vineyard and Alto Vineyards. Sunday, hike the sandstone shelters at Giant City State Park (about 15 miles southwest) before heading back. Time your Garden of the Gods visit for about an hour before sunset on a clear day, when the bluffs glow orange and the parking lot finally empties out.
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