The best campgrounds near Alton, Illinois with swimming

Looking for the perfect camping experience near Alton, Illinois with swimming? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 400 options specifically tailored to your preferences, you're sure to find the ideal spot. And the best part? The average price per night is just $30, with options as low as $12. For top-rated campsites, check out Spring Lake Ranch (522 reviews), Wine Trail Wilderness (291 reviews), and Bear Creek Farm and Ranch (273 reviews). Popular amenities include potable water, trash disposal, and toilets. And if you're looking for more adventure, popular activities in the area include hiking, wildlife watching, and even surfing. Start planning your camping getaway today!

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Top-rated campgrounds near Alton

Looking for the perfect camping experience near Alton, Illinois with swimming? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 400 options specifically tailored to your preferences, you're sure to find the ideal spot. And the best part? The average price per night is just $30, with options as low as $12. For top-rated campsites, check out Spring Lake Ranch (522 reviews), Wine Trail Wilderness (291 reviews), and Bear Creek Farm and Ranch (273 reviews). Popular amenities include potable water, trash disposal, and toilets. And if you're looking for more adventure, popular activities in the area include hiking, wildlife watching, and even surfing. Start planning your camping getaway today!

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Top-rated campgrounds near Alton

1. Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque

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41mi from Alton · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Located at the confluence of the Meramec River and Labarque Creek, my place (Matt's Place) is a ridge above a bottomland bowl of sorts. The old iron truss bridge here is likely built in 1910 and it has a survey marker from 1932. The creek has a nice little swimming hole, and a beach that is sometimes sand, sometimes, gravel, and sometimes a mix of both with some silt or even mud after a storm. It's peaceful down there to explore in the creek, wade while looking outward to an opening into the Meramec River. It's also fun to stand just at the mouth of the creek in the Meramec River. It's an awesome view upstream or downstream of tree lined banks, rock bluffs, and every now and then, passing boats, canoes, paddle boards, or kayaks. The old iron truss bridge hovers above the meeting of two waters. The water is cool and clean. Some fifty species of fish have been recorded in this creek, the most in all of Jefferson County and St Louis County. The bottomland has two levels, the lower bottoms down by the creek and the upper bottoms about a hundred feet from the creek. The upper bottoms has a clearing like a meadow with mowed grass. My favorite things to do here include gazing up at a cottonwood tree that must be sixty feet tall. It's leaves in a breeze are like a thousand hands waving hello. The bottomland meadow offers just enough sky to see bats dance in the dusk air between the trees, then fireflies as it gets darker yet. Up top is where I live. Just five miles off HWY 44 and HWY 109, at Eureka, MO, (30 minutes west of downtown St Louis, 18 minutes from Six Flags) this place sits on a ridge with great views above the Meramec River.

2. Atkins' Acres Educational Farm

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32mi from Alton · 1 site · Tent

We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit educational farm. We teach gardening techniques, 4-H programs, Jr Master Naturalist programs, and how to be good stewards of the environment. We are taking row crops out of service and restoring the land to it's previous native condition. Tours are available at no cost by request. Note - the camping area is approximately 200 yards from where you will park. If we are available, we can support with moving your supplies. However, if we are not home at the time of your arrival, you will need to walk your supplies in.

3. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Eureka

40mi from Alton · 7 sites

Discover a unique family getaway at Jellystone Park, where the charm of nature meets the excitement of a theme park! We recognize the importance of family time and aim to create unforgettable memories through wholesome and affordable entertainment for everyone. Situated just half a mile from Six Flags St. Louis and spread across 35 wooded acres, our award-winning family resort combines the thrill of outdoor adventures with top-notch amenities. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, a refreshing pool, mini-golf, a video arcade, train rides, arts and crafts, and a variety of outdoor games. Plus, kids will love the daily character visits from Yogi Bear! Our welcoming, kid-friendly atmosphere is complemented by a full-time Recreation Director, ensuring that there’s always something fun happening. With exciting themed events and planned activities that change weekly, your family will never experience a dull moment at Jellystone Park. Come and experience the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure!

4. Pere Marquette State Park

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30 sites · Grafton, Illinois

See one of the most beautiful state parks in Illinois.

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Toilets

Campfires

5. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

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73 sites · Wildwood, Missouri

Enjoy a natural respite outside of St. Louis.

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Electrical hookup

Toilets

6. Pin Oak RV Resort

49mi from Alton · 95 sites

Pin Oak RV Resort stands out as a premier destination for camping enthusiasts in the Midwest, thanks to its award-winning status and a wealth of amenities that cater to visitors of all ages. Recognized with the President’s Award for the Largest Park of the Year by the Missouri Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, our resort offers an unforgettable experience that keeps guests coming back year after year. Conveniently located along Historic U.S. 66, just a short drive from Bourbeuse Valley Pottery and approximately 45 minutes from St. Louis, accessing your perfect getaway is a breeze via Interstate 44 and US Highway 50. Our resort features a serene private lake ideal for catch-and-release fishing, along with 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups for RVs. With ample courts for outdoor activities, you’ll find endless opportunities for fun and relaxation in our Midwestern paradise. At Pin Oak RV Resort, we pride ourselves on providing fully-equipped RV campsites that include water, sewer, and electricity hookups. For those seeking a more spacious experience, our premium RV sites offer stunning lake views and larger areas for pitching tents, perfect for gathering around a cozy fire pit. While our name highlights RV camping, we also cater to those who prefer a glamping experience. Our rental options

7. Cuivre River State Park

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110 sites · Troy, Missouri

Explore this natural paradise in northeastern Missouri.

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Electrical hookup

Toilets

8. Carlyle Lake

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310 sites · Carlyle, Illinois

This vast lake with an abundance of wind is prime real estate for sailing, fishing and birding.

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Electrical hookup

Toilets

9. Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

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366 sites · Carlyle, Illinois

Visit now because Eldon Hazlet could easily become the next hotspot of Illinois environmental adventure. With its open fields, breezy lakeside views, and expansive collection of wildlife, the largest park in Illinois is no less than a treasure. Partake in your favorite pastimes or try something new! Set sail on the lake, have a romantic picnic, take a dip in the pool: the options are endless! There’s nothing quite so relaxing as breathing in the fresh air at Eldon Hazlet.

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Toilets

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Public campgrounds near Alton

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Pere Marquette Campground

22mi from Alton · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pere Marquette State Park

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Dr. Edmund A. Babler Campground

35mi from Alton · 73 sites · Tents, RVs · in Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

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Cuivre Campground

42mi from Alton · 110 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cuivre River State Park

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Dam West Recreation Area and Campground

47mi from Alton · 109 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carlyle Lake

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Illini Campground

47mi from Alton · 366 sites · Tents, RVs · in Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Near Site 2. Labarque Creek is one of the cleanest creeks in Missouri, with 50 species of fish. Great place to put in or take out canoes, swim, picnic, and camp. Great picnic site or take-out ramp for a day trip of floaters. Up near the bridge is Site 1.

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Andrew

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque

Great spot for rooftop tents and ground tents. Matt showed me the lay of the land before driving to the site. Great host! Would camp here again

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Teresa

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque

Matt is a wonderful host. We stayed in his cabin and had a great evening in front of the fire listening to the sounds of the river. Matt can provide extras to enhance your stay - we had coffee and toast and jam in the morning. Everything was perfect- Matt is very responsive, thoughtful and kind. I loved the new outhouse!

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Peyton

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Atkins' Acres Educational Farm

Truly such a wonderful experience! Mark and Kim were kind and accommodating. Their land is absolutely beautiful. They got a fire going for me and helped me bring all of my supplies to where I planned to camp. Got to go on the paddleboat, explore the grounds, stargaze. Perfect getaway!