Campgrounds and RV parks near Herrin, IL

Herrin sits in Williamson County in southern Illinois, roughly five miles north of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and within easy reach of Shawnee National Forest. The refuge covers about 44,000 acres of oak-hickory forest, cropland, brushland, wetlands and lakes, and includes a 4,050-acre congressionally designated wilderness area. Crab Orchard, Little Grassy and Devils Kitchen are the three lakes on the refuge and anchor most of the RV camping in the area. RV renters use Herrin as a practical base for water-based trips. Four Seasons Campground sits in town behind the Herrin city park, offering full hook-up and pull-through sites close to services. Blue Heron Marina and Campground and Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina sit inside the refuge on the lakes, while Marion Campground and RV Park serves travelers arriving from I-57. EZ Camp - XXXL Storage adds an option for RVers combining a stay with vehicle storage. Giant City State Park, Lake of Egypt, Devils Kitchen Lake and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail all sit within a short drive.

Booking channels vary by operator. On the refuge, Crab Orchard Lake Campground and Blue Heron Marina and Campground are concession-run by The REEF LLC, and reservations go through the concessionaire site at craborchardbluegillbay.com or by phone rather than Recreation.gov. Sites operate on a mix of first-come, first-served and reservation policies with a 14-day maximum stay in a 30-day period. Private parks in and around Herrin, including Four Seasons Campground and Marion Campground and RV Park, take reservations by phone and through their own websites. For summer weekends, HerrinFesta Italiana in late spring and the fall migration peak, booking several weeks out is recommended. A refuge vehicle or vessel pass is required for entry to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and can be purchased in advance through recreation.gov.