Beach Camping Near Carbondale, Illinois, US: 20 Best Beach Campsites 2026

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for finding the perfect camping experience. If you're looking for a beach getaway near Carbondale, Illinois, we've got you covered with over 200 options. Whether you prefer pitching your tent right on the sand or parking your RV with a view of the waves, you'll find the perfect spot. Looking for recommendations? Check out our top campsites like Spring Lake Ranch with 522 reviews, Four Creeks Campground with 169 reviews, and Matt's Place @ Meramec n Labarque with 28 reviews. With popular amenities like campfires, trash service, and showers, and activities such as whitewater paddling, wildlife watching, and climbing, you'll have everything you need for a fantastic beach camping experience. Plus, our average price per night is just $25, with options as low as $12. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your beach camping adventure today!

Top-rated campgrounds near Carbondale

Giant City State Park

1. Giant City State Park

State park 8.2mi from Carbondale · 65 sites

Sandstone and forest converge for fantastic camping, climbing, and hiking in southern Illinois.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Trail of Tears State Forest

2. Trail of Tears State Forest

State forest 16mi from Carbondale · 14 sites

Hike, hunt, and horseback ride at this conservation area in southwestern Illinois.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Shawnee National Forest

3. Shawnee National Forest

94%

(27)

National forest 47mi from Carbondale · 172 sites

Welcome to the wilderness in Illinois’ only national forest.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Ferne Clyffe State Park

4. Ferne Clyffe State Park

100%

(1)

State park 19mi from Carbondale · 84 sites

There's secret treasure to be found here in the Land of Lincoln.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Trail of Tears State Park

5. Trail of Tears State Park

100%

(1)

State park 23mi from Carbondale · 52 sites

River landscapes, recreation, and history abound at this park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Pyramid State Recreation Area

6. Pyramid State Recreation Area

100%

(4)

State park 23mi from Carbondale · 68 sites

Besides the rad name inherited from an old coal mine, Pyramid State Recreation Area’s 19,701 acres makes it the largest state recreation area in all of Illinois. There are also more than 500 acres of lakes on the property, ranging from a meager 0.1 acres to a substantial 276 acres. That bad boy is known as Super Lake and is held in high regard by anglers seeking largemouth bass and bluegill. Lost Lake (a hike-in lake) and some other small lakes contain a hybrid of green sunfish/bluegill. Land lovers can take advantage of 16.5 miles of foot, horse and mountain bike trails where you’re bound to encounter a sampling of the wildlife that includes songbirds, deer, squirrels, beavers, rabbits, turkeys, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, weasels, minks, woodchucks and waterfowl. Future plans are in place to add even more trails to the park.

Pets

Campfires

Potable water

Rend Lake

7. Rend Lake

100%

(2)

Park 25mi from Carbondale · 101 sites

Enjoy lake access, forests, and family-friendly camping at this classic Southern Illinois getaway.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Randolph County State Recreation Area

8. Randolph County State Recreation Area

State park 36mi from Carbondale · 38 sites

Gorgeous in winter too, Randolph County SRA horse trails welcome cross-country skiing enthusiasts.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Mississippi River - Kaskaskia River

9. Mississippi River - Kaskaskia River

Park 46mi from Carbondale · 15 sites

Discover the scenic confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers.

Toilets

Campfires

Picnic table

Fort Massac State Park

10. Fort Massac State Park

100%

(1)

State park 49mi from Carbondale · 52 sites

Discover the origins of American life in Illinois' first state park.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for finding the perfect camping experience. If you're looking for a beach getaway near Carbondale, Illinois, we've got you covered with over 200 options. Whether you prefer pitching your tent right on the sand or parking your RV with a view of the waves, you'll find the perfect spot. Looking for recommendations? Check out our top campsites like Spring Lake Ranch with 522 reviews, Four Creeks Campground with 169 reviews, and Matt's Place @ Meramec n Labarque with 28 reviews. With popular amenities like campfires, trash service, and showers, and activities such as whitewater paddling, wildlife watching, and climbing, you'll have everything you need for a fantastic beach camping experience. Plus, our average price per night is just $25, with options as low as $12. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your beach camping adventure today!