The best campgrounds near Glen Carbon, Illinois with swimming

Looking for a camping adventure near Glen Carbon, Illinois in the United States? Hipcamp has got you covered with over 380 options to choose from! Whether you're into hiking, biking, or exploring historic sites, there's a campsite for you. With prices as low as $5 per night and an average price of $25 per night, camping has never been more affordable. Check out some of the top-rated campsites like Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors (216 reviews), McCully Heritage Project (150 reviews), and Cinco de Mayo Campground (56 reviews). You'll also find popular amenities like pets, showers, and campfires. So get ready to pack your bags and experience the great outdoors!

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Top-rated campgrounds near Glen Carbon

Looking for a camping adventure near Glen Carbon, Illinois in the United States? Hipcamp has got you covered with over 380 options to choose from! Whether you're into hiking, biking, or exploring historic sites, there's a campsite for you. With prices as low as $5 per night and an average price of $25 per night, camping has never been more affordable. Check out some of the top-rated campsites like Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors (216 reviews), McCully Heritage Project (150 reviews), and Cinco de Mayo Campground (56 reviews). You'll also find popular amenities like pets, showers, and campfires. So get ready to pack your bags and experience the great outdoors!

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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. Atkins' Acres Educational Farm

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23mi from Glen Carbon · 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

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. 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.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

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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Toilets

Campfires

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.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

7. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

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73 sites · Wildwood, Missouri

Enjoy a natural respite outside of St. Louis.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Glen Carbon

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Dam West Recreation Area and Campground

35mi from Glen Carbon · 109 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carlyle Lake

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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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Dr. Edmund A. Babler Campground

39mi from Glen Carbon · 73 sites · Tents, RVs · in Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

Coles Creek Recreation Area and Campground

40mi from Glen Carbon · 119 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carlyle Lake

Boulder Campground

41mi from Glen Carbon · 82 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carlyle Lake

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!