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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near De Soto, IL
46 campgrounds and RV Parks near De Soto, IL. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
46 campgrounds
3628 campsites
17 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near De Soto, IL
Lake Murphysboro State Park
Murphysboro, IL (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(74 sites)
+5
Blue Heron Marina and Campground
Carterville, IL (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(34 sites)
Four Seasons Campground
Herrin, IL (11 miles away)
$$$$$
(33 sites)
+4
Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina
Makanda, IL (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(105 sites)
+5
Horse Camp - Giant City State Park
Makanda, IL (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(24 sites)
+4
Marion Campground and RV Park
Marion, IL (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(58 sites)
+6
Pyramid State Recreation Area
Pinckneyville, IL (18 miles away)
$$$$$
(54 sites)
+4
Old Bates Campground
Sesser, IL (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(65 sites)
+4
EZ Camp - XXXL Storage
Benton, IL (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(5 sites)
Benton KOA Journey
Benton, IL (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(59 sites)
+10
Coy and Wilmas One Stop
Sesser, IL (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+3
Deer Ridge - Ferne Clyffe State Park
Goreville, IL (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(59 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Toilets Dump station Grills Tables Showers Firewood Hiking Playground Trails
Campgrounds near De Soto, Illinois
De Soto sits in Jackson County in southern Illinois, a few miles north of Carbondale and within easy reach of the Shawnee National Forest, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, and Kinkaid Lake. The area is compact for RV travel: most established campgrounds are within a thirty-minute drive, and the terrain shifts quickly from rolling farmland into wooded sandstone hills.
State-park camping anchors the region. Lake Murphysboro State Park sits west of Murphysboro on Route 149 and offers hiking, shaded picnic areas, and boating on a small lake. Giant City State Park, about fifteen miles southeast, has 85 Class A campsites, a 14-site walk-in Class C area, and a youth group camping area, with a separate Horse Camp - Giant City State Park for equestrians.
Private and refuge options round out the choices. Four Seasons Campground in Herrin serves as a full-hookup base near I-57, while Blue Heron Marina and Campground provides lakefront sites on Crab Orchard Lake. Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina, long a favorite inside the refuge, is currently closed due to a multi-year dam and spillway rehabilitation project.
Things to do near De Soto
The dominant draw is Giant City State Park, where sandstone bluffs, the CCC-built lodge, and short interpretive trails suit families. Hiking, fishing, rock climbing, and rappelling are big draws, with highlights including the sandstone bluffs of Giant City Streets and the Devil's Standtable climbing area. Equestrians have a Class A equestrian campground and a 12-mile loop trail open from May 1 to October 31 each year.
Water recreation centers on Crab Orchard Lake, Kinkaid Lake, and Lake Murphysboro, with bass, crappie, and bluegill common catches. Blue Heron Marina and Campground has docks with 137 boat slips, a boat ramp, a clubhouse, and boat rentals including pontoons, paddle boats, and canoes.
Beyond the parks, day trips reach Garden of the Gods, Ferne Clyffe State Park, and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail south of Carbondale.
Camping spots and RV parks near De Soto, IL
Seasonal information
- spring
March - May
68° / 45°F 112 mmWettest season; May peaks over five inches of rain.
- summer
June - August
88° / 64°F 89 mmHot and humid; state park sites fill on weekends.
- fall
September - November
70° / 45°F 98 mmMild; peak color mid-October; book foliage weekends early.
- winter
December - February
45° / 25°F 79 mmCold; park showers closed and Blue Heron marina shut.
Southern Illinois has a four-season climate with hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters. Spring runs wet and green: May is typically the wettest month around Carbondale, averaging over five inches of rain, and April is not far behind. Wildflowers and dogwoods peak in April and early May, and trails can be muddy after storms.
Summer is the busiest season for camping. Weekends fill quickly at Giant City and Lake Murphysboro, and reservations should be made well in advance. Fall brings cooler nights, lower humidity, and reliable color from mid-October into early November, making it the most comfortable stretch for RV travel.
Winter operations are limited. At Giant City, reservations are seasonal and only available from April 1 to November 30, and from December 1 to March 31 the campground remains open but all sites are first-come, first-served. The shower building in the Class A campground closes for the winter after shotgun deer season and reopens April 1. Blue Heron Marina and Campground operates seasonally from April 1 through October 31.
Booking and reservations
Illinois state park campsites, including Lake Murphysboro State Park, Giant City State Park, and the Horse Camp - Giant City State Park, are booked through the state's ExploreMoreIL reservation system. Giant City reserves the 85 Class A campsites online, with a Class C walk-in area and youth group camping also available. Of the 85 Giant City campsites, 60 are reservable and 25 are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservable sites can be booked up to 180 days in advance.
Blue Heron Marina and Campground on Crab Orchard Lake is bookable through Recreation.gov as part of the National Wildlife Refuge concession. Four Seasons Campground in Herrin takes reservations directly through the operator.
To use the equestrian campground, campers must have horses or be part of a group that has horses. Popular holiday weekends and October foliage weekends should be booked several months out.
What to expect
Sites in the region tilt toward wooded, moderately shaded settings on rolling terrain. Most state park loops offer electric hookups with shared water spigots and dump stations rather than full hookups at each site. Four Seasons Campground has 38 sites with full hook-ups, 19 of them pull-throughs that can handle any size camper or RV, plus 20, 30, and 50 amp service.
Horse Camp - Giant City State Park has 25 Class A equestrian sites with electricity, hitching posts, and access to water and showers, with use of the main campground dump station permitted. Roads inside Giant City are winding with tight turns in places, so larger rigs should scout access.
Cliffs are steep, sandstone can be slippery when wet, and copperhead snakes are found on sunny ledges, so caution is warranted. Ticks are common from spring through early fall, and cell coverage is generally reliable across the major carriers near Carbondale and the refuge.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
Campsite prices near De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
Free camping near De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
Camping near De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
Dump stations near De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
Renting a RV in De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
RV rentals in De Soto, 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 De Soto, 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 De Soto, IL?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near De Soto, 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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