The best forest cabin rentals near Glen Carbon, Illinois

Looking to camp in a cozy cabin surrounded by the beauty of a forest near Glen Carbon, Illinois? Hipcamp has over 39 options to choose from, each offering a unique experience in cabin camping amid the serene woods. Prices start as low as $20 per night and average around $35 per night. Some of the top-rated campsites in the area include Bear Creek Farm and Ranch (273 reviews), McCully Heritage Project (150 reviews), and Comfy Cabin Camping (101 reviews). Popular amenities like campfires, cooking equipment, and toilets are available along with exciting activities like swimming, wildlife watching, and hiking.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Glen Carbon

Looking to camp in a cozy cabin surrounded by the beauty of a forest near Glen Carbon, Illinois? Hipcamp has over 39 options to choose from, each offering a unique experience in cabin camping amid the serene woods. Prices start as low as $20 per night and average around $35 per night. Some of the top-rated campsites in the area include Bear Creek Farm and Ranch (273 reviews), McCully Heritage Project (150 reviews), and Comfy Cabin Camping (101 reviews). Popular amenities like campfires, cooking equipment, and toilets are available along with exciting activities like swimming, wildlife watching, and hiking.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Glen Carbon

1. Matt's Place at Meramec n Labarque

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42mi from Glen Carbon · 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. McCully Heritage Project

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50mi from Glen Carbon · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

The McCully Heritage Project is a 940- acre environmental center located one mile south of Kampsville, Illinois in beautiful and remote Calhoun County. We are a private non-profit left as the legacy of Howard and Eva McCully.

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

42mi from Glen Carbon · 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. Beaver Dam State Park

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76 sites · Chesterfield, Illinois

With such different ecosystems (we’re talking farmland, open fields, woodlands, lake, and a marsh) wrapped up in one park, Beaver Dam is the place to go see a vast variety of plants and animals. Hike any of the trails and have fun trying to keep count of all the creatures you see! Bring your bow and arrows to the archery range, or spend your time hunting the area. Getting the winter blues? Beaver Dam is open and ready for ice skaters or cross country skiers. Don’t just take our word for it, get down here!

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5. 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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6. 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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7. Washington County State Recreational Area

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39 sites · Nashville, Illinois

Echoed by mourning dove calls that reverberate through the dew-licked pines and dotting the county's sun-kissed hillsides, Washington County State Recreational Area is teeming with fauna. This near-fifteen-hundred-acre ecological oasis is nestled just four miles from Nashville in southern Illinois―a far cry from it’s adjacent concrete jungles, aside from the skyscraper-like pines. And, criss crossed by the area’s two small creeks, Washington County State Recreational Area is inundated with well-populated, stable populations of largemouth bass and other like-sized game fish. Even if you’re not a fan of dancing bobbers, you’ll find situational ecstasy while dining under one of the park’s lake-hugging picnic pavilions, bathed in sunset yellows―and, let's face it, everyone’s a fan of solar acrobatics paired with well-made egg salad.

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Public campgrounds near Glen Carbon

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Beaver Dam Campground

31mi from Glen Carbon · 76 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beaver Dam State Park

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Pere Marquette Campground

35mi from Glen Carbon · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pere Marquette State Park

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Illini Campground

36mi from Glen Carbon · 366 sites · Tents, RVs · in Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

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Washington County Campground

47mi from Glen Carbon · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Washington County State Recreational Area

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

T

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!

Donna

September 2025

With pets

6 nights at McCully Heritage Project

We had a great time staying at Watkin's Place. The home and location were exactly what we were looking for. The home is isolated and feels remote even though it is only a short drive to Hardin. Plenty of hot water and full kitchen made our stay comfortable and a step up from tent camping but we still had the "out in nature" experience. Our dogs loved it as well. Hiking took us through open fields and forest sheltered paths. Watkins Place was clean and stocked with the necessities, including linens and basic cooking supplies. If you are looking for a cross between roughing it and glamping, Watkins Place is exactly the right fit.