- Camping with Hiking
The best camping near Carthage with hiking
98% (61) • 11 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Carthage
Railroad creek camp ground
1. Railroad creek camp ground
95%
(67)
12mi from Carthage · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Learn more about this land:Come enjoy primitive camping while you commune with nature and hunt geodes and fossils in the famous Keokuk Geode region. Property is within close proximity to Nauvoo, Illinois and within a very short distance to the Mississippi River. The camping area is level ground and surrounded by trees. The property has a hillside geode mine on it and there is a creek running through it that has a lot of geodes in it.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$20
/ night
Crossroads RV Park
2. Crossroads RV Park
43mi from Carthage
Nestled at the intersection of two major highways in Southeast Iowa, our family-owned RV Park offers a unique blend of convenience and charm that sets it apart from the rest. With easy access to local attractions and natural wonders, our campground serves as the perfect base for your adventures.
Spanning a generous acreage, our park provides ample space for relaxation and privacy, ensuring a peaceful retreat for all our guests. Enjoy the serene surroundings while taking advantage of our special amenities, which include well-maintained facilities and recreational areas designed for family fun.
Nearby, you'll find a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking trails to swimming holes, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. Additionally, local restaurants and shops are just a short drive away, allowing you to explore the vibrant community while enjoying your stay. Come experience the warmth of our family-run RV Park, where unforgettable memories await!
Nauvoo State Park
3. Nauvoo State Park
100%
(2)
State park 16mi from Carthage · 30 sites
Situated peacefully on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, historic Nauvoo State Park has nature lovin’ folk jumping for joy at the sight of an expansive lake and sandy, mile-long shoreline. Take in some of the best views the park has to offer on the Locust Lane Trail. A 1.5-mile loop, the path winds around the lake, through the woods, and over prairie flower dotted hillsides. The campsites are many and the accommodations are vast. From spacious, individual sites, to a youth group area, all are centrally located and hook you up with VIP access to all adventurin’ possibilities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Argyle Lake State Park
4. Argyle Lake State Park
State park 18mi from Carthage · 112 sites
Fall in love with fishing at this lake in western Illinois.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Geode State Park
5. Geode State Park
100%
(1)
State park 32mi from Carthage · 168 sites
Discover Geode State Park's serene lake and lush trails.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Battle of Athens State Historic Site
6. Battle of Athens State Historic Site
State park 33mi from Carthage · 29 sites
Explore Civil War history and riverfront landscapes at this park in northeastern Missouri.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Wakonda State Park
7. Wakonda State Park
100%
(2)
State park 35mi from Carthage · 81 sites
A bounty of lakes provide scenery and recreation at this northeastern Missouri park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Siloam Springs State Park
8. Siloam Springs State Park
State park 38mi from Carthage · 102 sites
Discover a well-stocked lake and a well-stocked concession stand with row boat and canoe rentals.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
9. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
State park 49mi from Carthage · 82 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
98% (61) • 11 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Carthage
Railroad creek camp ground
1. Railroad creek camp ground
95%
(67)
12mi from Carthage · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Learn more about this land:Come enjoy primitive camping while you commune with nature and hunt geodes and fossils in the famous Keokuk Geode region. Property is within close proximity to Nauvoo, Illinois and within a very short distance to the Mississippi River. The camping area is level ground and surrounded by trees. The property has a hillside geode mine on it and there is a creek running through it that has a lot of geodes in it.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$20
/ night
Crossroads RV Park
2. Crossroads RV Park
43mi from Carthage
Nestled at the intersection of two major highways in Southeast Iowa, our family-owned RV Park offers a unique blend of convenience and charm that sets it apart from the rest. With easy access to local attractions and natural wonders, our campground serves as the perfect base for your adventures.
Spanning a generous acreage, our park provides ample space for relaxation and privacy, ensuring a peaceful retreat for all our guests. Enjoy the serene surroundings while taking advantage of our special amenities, which include well-maintained facilities and recreational areas designed for family fun.
Nearby, you'll find a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking trails to swimming holes, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. Additionally, local restaurants and shops are just a short drive away, allowing you to explore the vibrant community while enjoying your stay. Come experience the warmth of our family-run RV Park, where unforgettable memories await!
Nauvoo State Park
3. Nauvoo State Park
100%
(2)
State park 16mi from Carthage · 30 sites
Situated peacefully on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, historic Nauvoo State Park has nature lovin’ folk jumping for joy at the sight of an expansive lake and sandy, mile-long shoreline. Take in some of the best views the park has to offer on the Locust Lane Trail. A 1.5-mile loop, the path winds around the lake, through the woods, and over prairie flower dotted hillsides. The campsites are many and the accommodations are vast. From spacious, individual sites, to a youth group area, all are centrally located and hook you up with VIP access to all adventurin’ possibilities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Argyle Lake State Park
4. Argyle Lake State Park
State park 18mi from Carthage · 112 sites
Fall in love with fishing at this lake in western Illinois.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Geode State Park
5. Geode State Park
100%
(1)
State park 32mi from Carthage · 168 sites
Discover Geode State Park's serene lake and lush trails.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Battle of Athens State Historic Site
6. Battle of Athens State Historic Site
State park 33mi from Carthage · 29 sites
Explore Civil War history and riverfront landscapes at this park in northeastern Missouri.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Wakonda State Park
7. Wakonda State Park
100%
(2)
State park 35mi from Carthage · 81 sites
A bounty of lakes provide scenery and recreation at this northeastern Missouri park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Siloam Springs State Park
8. Siloam Springs State Park
State park 38mi from Carthage · 102 sites
Discover a well-stocked lake and a well-stocked concession stand with row boat and canoe rentals.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
9. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
State park 49mi from Carthage · 82 sites
Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
M
Mel
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Tent camping was great. beautiful creek. We took back two sites so we had plenty of room to spread out. Pit toilet is by the geode mine area so take the site before the bridge if that's important to you.
See moreM
Mel
August 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Got there early and took the back two sites so tents were farthest back from the one other site in the vicinity and we used the fire and picnic table in the other one. The creek is beautiful and all solid rock in the creek bed so you can hunt for all kinds of cool fossils and geodes without getting muddy. The only pit toilet is up by the gate/entrance where the geode mine is so if you're thinking you want to be close than take the first site before the little bridge but be aware people showing up to the geode mine early in the morning might make noise with their pickaxes.
See moreC
Cj
July 2025
Tent
We
Loved the place. We were the only people camping... definitely primitive camping!!! But that is what we were looking for. Clean, safe. Talked to some people who were digging on land and they found bucket full of geodes..... definitely going back!!!
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J
Jessica
June 2025
Tent
With kids
Amazing geodes, peaceful site full of frog and cricket songs.
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T
Tim
June 2025
16 ft car
We had a relaxing evening! The campsite was clean, included a picnic table, fire ring, and a trash can. Right next to the creek, close enough to hear a small waterfall all night long. While you may hear the occasional vehicle off in the distance, the site is secluded and private. Minutes away from food and convenience stores, as well as the Mississippi River. You can dig for geodes on the property, and we found plenty of good ones.
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L
Lesa
May 2025
16 ft car
It is rustic so is quiet, and surrounded with woods with a stream next to your camp. Trash cans present. Enjoyed nature. Great time.
See moreK
Kristen
May 2025
Tent
With pets
Loved camping next to the creek and exploring! The site was clean and well maintained.
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Paige
January 2025
Tent
We had a fantastic visit at Johnny's place. We were the only ones there since it was a cold Thursday in January but we will definitely go back. The sites are well spaced with fire pits and picnic tables. Ours was right on the creek which had been frozen but the water running under the ice was beautiful.
The space is close to houses which we could see because the leaves are off the trees but it felt like we were far away. It was so peaceful. I read reviews of dogs barking in the distance which we did hear but we also heard some coyotes, lots of owls, some raccoons getting in a kerfuffle, and the sounds of so many birds.
The spots were pretty level and shaded but we were able to set up our solar panels. We traveled in our Jeep with roof top tent and set up our annex room and awnings plus our privacy potty tent away from the site. We did not use the bathroom that's on site.
Great that there are trash bins available.
Overall I totally recommend the place and look forward to making it a regular spot to get away to.
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