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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near New Athens, IL
52 campgrounds and RV Parks near New Athens, IL. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
52 campgrounds
4611 campsites
21 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Best campgrounds near New Athens, IL
Kaskaskia River Camping & RV Park
New Athens, IL (1 miles away)
American Legion Freedom Farm
Freeburg, IL (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(8 sites)
World Shooting and Recreational Complex
Sparta, IL (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(1001 sites)
Rolling Hills - Randolph County State Recreation Area
Chester, IL (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(40 sites)
Fort Kaskaskia SHS
Illinois (24 miles away)
(32 sites)
Randolph County State Conservation Area
Chester, IL (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(8 sites)
Cahokia RV Parque
Cahokia, IL (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(121 sites)
+6
Lake Campalot
Percy, IL (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
Safari RV Park
East St. Louis, IL (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(35 sites)
DraftKings at Casino Queen RV Park
East St. Louis, IL (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(132 sites)
+3
Lonely Oaks - Washington County State Recreation Area
Nashville, IL (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(75 sites)
+4
Shady Rest - Washington County State Recreation Area
Nashville, IL (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(75 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Toilets Dump station Tables Showers Grills Playground Laundry Internet Firewood
Campgrounds near New Athens, Illinois
New Athens sits on the Kaskaskia River in St. Clair County, about 35 miles southeast of St. Louis. It is a small village used mainly by RV travelers as a quiet base for exploring southwestern Illinois, the American Bottoms, and the Mississippi bluff country. Camping options run from a village-run riverfront park in town to large state-run facilities within an hour's drive.
Inside the village, Kaskaskia River Camping & RV Park sits along the river next to the town marina and is maintained by the city of New Athens, with full hookup sites including water, electric, 50 amp, and sewer. American Legion Freedom Farm offers a smaller alternative closer to town amenities.
Within roughly an hour, RVers can also reach the World Shooting and Recreational Complex near Sparta, a 1,600-acre Illinois DNR facility with 120 trap houses, sporting clays courses, more than 1,000 camping sites, fishing, and a full-service restaurant, plus Rolling Hills - Randolph County State Recreation Area, a 1,101-acre IDNR site five miles northeast of Chester, and Fort Kaskaskia SHS on the bluffs above the Mississippi.
Things to do near New Athens
The Kaskaskia River is the main draw in town. Fishing and boating are available directly from the campground, and the New Athens marina sits next door. Local restaurants and small shops are within a short drive of the riverfront sites.
Day trips are easy. At Rolling Hills - Randolph County State Recreation Area, a 65-acre lake anchors recreation, with a boat ramp, playgrounds, and hiking trails winding through forested sections. Fort Kaskaskia SHS pairs a campground with a blufftop overlook of the Mississippi River, the American Bottoms, and the confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia rivers, plus a footpath down to the Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site.
Shooting-sport travelers can spend a full day at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, which also has fishing on East, Derby, and RV Lake open to non-shooters.
Camping spots and RV parks near New Athens, IL
Seasonal information
- spring
March - May
69° / 46°F 100 mmWettest season; May peaks in rainfall and river levels rise
- summer
June - August
89° / 66°F 90 mmHot, humid; Grand American fills WSRC campground
- fall
September - November
72° / 46°F 75 mmCool nights, easier availability, archery season opens Nov 1
- winter
December - February
45° / 25°F 60 mmCold; water is off at the village RV park until April
The prime RV season in southwestern Illinois runs from mid-April through October. At Kaskaskia River Camping & RV Park, the park is open year round, but water is on from April 1 through October 31, so cold-weather stays require self-contained rigs. Summers are hot and humid, and shade is limited at open-field campgrounds like the World Shooting Complex.
At state sites, seasonality is tied to reservations and events. Camping reservations at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex are accepted April 1 through October 31, with premium and standard sites available and special rates during holidays and events. During the Amateur Trapshooting Association's Grand American Trapshooting Championships in summer, the campground fills with thousands of competitors, so book well ahead or plan around it.
Fall brings cooler nights, foliage along the river bluffs, and easier availability. Archery deer season runs from November through statewide closing at Fort Kaskaskia and Randolph County SRA, which can affect trail use and quiet in the campgrounds.
How to book
State-run campgrounds in the area use the Illinois DNR reservation system. Reservations are made online at camp.exploremoreil.com, up to 180 days in advance and at least 3 days before arrival, after which any open sites become walk-in only. This applies to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex and Rolling Hills - Randolph County State Recreation Area.
Fort Kaskaskia SHS is a mix. Reservations through ExploreMoreIL are required for the main overlook shelter and most electric sites, while electric sites 25 through 29 and all non-electric sites are available for walk-in, with fees paid by cash or check to park staff or in the drop box at the site office.
Kaskaskia River Camping & RV Park in New Athens takes online bookings directly, with Instant Book sites that are automatically approved on selection.
What to expect
The New Athens village park is small and low-key. Sites are fairly large gravel pads next to the river, but amenities are limited, with a pavilion and portable toilets and no on-site check-in host. The park is typically very quiet, and 50 amp service is available, though utilities sit behind the trailer so long water and sewer hoses help. Bring adapters, since some sites have only 20 amp and 50 amp outlets.
At Randolph County SRA, Class BE sites offer electric hookups and Class C sites provide full hookups with water and sewer. A dump station sits about a mile before the campground entrance, and sites are gravel with mature-tree shade but tight spacing. There are bathrooms but no showers.
The World Shooting Complex is the opposite: huge and open. Fifty-amp service is available at all 1,001 campsites, with a public shower building of 20 private stalls, but tree cover is minimal, so shade is limited.
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 New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
Campsite prices near New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
Free camping near New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
Camping near New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
Dump stations near New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
Renting a RV in New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
RV rentals in New Athens, 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 New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near New Athens, 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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