The best lakeside camping near Carthage

Looking for tent camping by the lake in Carthage? You’ve got over 570 options here, with waterside spots starting at $49 a night. Expect a range of practical amenities—pets are welcome, campfires are allowed, and showers are available at most sites. Anglers and swimmers take note: fishing and swimming are local favorites, and you’ll find plenty of trails for hiking if you want to stretch your legs. For a spot with solid reviews, check out Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews). Bring your gear, and enjoy easy lake access without any fuss.

100% (10)

Top-rated campgrounds near Carthage

1. Whitetail Tent Camping

46mi from Carthage · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey! Learn more about this land: Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people)  You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing.  You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on.  If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite.  If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.

2. Nauvoo State Park

30 sites · Nauvoo, Illinois

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.

3. Argyle Lake State Park

112 sites · Colchester, Illinois

Fall in love with fishing at this lake in western Illinois.

Electrical hookup

4. Geode State Park

168 sites · Danville, Iowa

Discover Geode State Park's serene lake and lush trails.

Electrical hookup

5. Wakonda State Park

81 sites · La Grange, Missouri

A bounty of lakes provide scenery and recreation at this northeastern Missouri park.

Electrical hookup

6. Siloam Springs State Park

102 sites · Mound Station, Illinois

Discover a well-stocked lake and a well-stocked concession stand with row boat and canoe rentals.

7. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

82 sites · Keosauqua, Iowa

Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.

Looking for tent camping by the lake in Carthage? You’ve got over 570 options here, with waterside spots starting at $49 a night. Expect a range of practical amenities—pets are welcome, campfires are allowed, and showers are available at most sites. Anglers and swimmers take note: fishing and swimming are local favorites, and you’ll find plenty of trails for hiking if you want to stretch your legs. For a spot with solid reviews, check out Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews). Bring your gear, and enjoy easy lake access without any fuss.

100% (10)

Top-rated campgrounds near Carthage

1. Whitetail Tent Camping

46mi from Carthage · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey! Learn more about this land: Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people)  You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing.  You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on.  If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite.  If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.

2. Nauvoo State Park

30 sites · Nauvoo, Illinois

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.

3. Argyle Lake State Park

112 sites · Colchester, Illinois

Fall in love with fishing at this lake in western Illinois.

Electrical hookup

4. Geode State Park

168 sites · Danville, Iowa

Discover Geode State Park's serene lake and lush trails.

Electrical hookup

5. Wakonda State Park

81 sites · La Grange, Missouri

A bounty of lakes provide scenery and recreation at this northeastern Missouri park.

Electrical hookup

6. Siloam Springs State Park

102 sites · Mound Station, Illinois

Discover a well-stocked lake and a well-stocked concession stand with row boat and canoe rentals.

7. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

82 sites · Keosauqua, Iowa

Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.

Public campgrounds near Carthage

Nauvoo Campground

Nauvoo Campground

16mi from Carthage · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Nauvoo State Park

Twin Oaks Campground

Twin Oaks Campground

18mi from Carthage · 31 sites · Tents, RVs · in Argyle Lake State Park

Big Oak Campground

Big Oak Campground

18mi from Carthage · 17 sites · Tents, RVs · in Argyle Lake State Park

Twisted Oak Campground

Twisted Oak Campground

18mi from Carthage · 64 sites · Tents, RVs · in Argyle Lake State Park

Geode Campground

Geode Campground

32mi from Carthage · 168 sites · Tents, RVs · in Geode State Park

Wakonda Campground

Wakonda Campground

35mi from Carthage · 81 sites · Tents, RVs · in Wakonda State Park

Siloam Springs Campground

Siloam Springs Campground

38mi from Carthage · 102 sites · Tents, RVs · in Siloam Springs State Park

Lacey-Keosauqua Campground

Lacey-Keosauqua Campground

49mi from Carthage · 82 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near Carthage

Nauvoo State Park

Nauvoo State Park

Nauvoo, Illinois

Argyle Lake State Park

Argyle Lake State Park

Colchester, Illinois

Geode State Park

Geode State Park

Wakonda State Park

Wakonda State Park

La Grange, Missouri

Siloam Springs State Park

Siloam Springs State Park

Mound Station, Illinois

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

Keosauqua, Iowa

Value Prop

Value Prop

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Carthage trips

Camping with a private bathroom

RV parks & camping

Camping with hiking

Camping with wifi provided

Dog-friendly camping

Dog-friendly RV parks & camping

Top parks near Carthage

Eagle Creek State Recreation Area

Morrison-Rockwood State Park

Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

Starved Rock State Park

Governor Dodge State Park

Hartman Creek State Park

Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

Mirror Lake State Park

Top cities near Carthage

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