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McCully Heritage Project

97%

210 reviews

· Kampsville, Calhoun, Illinois

940 acres hosted by Mc Cully H.

1 lodging site · 1 RV/tent site · 5 tent sites

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Best in Illinois: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

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.

Activities

Biking

Fishing

Hiking

Horseback riding

Natural features

Forest

Lake

Field

Wetlands

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Lodging 1 site

Watkin's Place at McCully

100% (35)

Cabin · Sleeps 20 · 2 bedrooms · 4 beds · 1 toilet

This cabin is a perfect place for a weekend or weeklong retreat. It is truly a place to get away from it all. Enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature under the shade of the catalpa trees. Eat dinner under the stars. The Watkins Place is private & secluded with access to the hiking trails at the McCully Heritage Project. It is surrounded by about an acre of open area, perfect for pitching a few tents. This is nice place for a family or group campout where "non-campers" can come along and have a bed to sleep in! Cabin includes 2 bedrooms (1 full, 2 twin, +futon); Full kitchen; Bathroom with shower; Central heat & window a/c; DVD player/TV; Charcoal Grill; Campfire pit; Picnic table; Towels & Linens; board games & puzzles.

RV/tent sites 1 site

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McCully Heritage Project Levee

98% (63)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 8

Campers can enjoy camping just below the levee from our pond site. There's plenty of space, a firepit with firewood, a nice open area, but unfortunately little shade. Our ponds are stocked with bluegill, bass and a few catfish. Please note the ponds are public, so access is not restricted to others fishing or walking trails between dawn & dusk. There is a gravel road back to the site, but no formal parking area. Restrooms and showers are located at our main site, about 0.15 miles (800 ft) from pond site.

Tent sites 5 sites

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Site 4 - McCully Heritage Project

96% (58)

Tent site · Sleeps 6

Pitch your tent in one of four widely spaced sites. Each site has enough room for multiple tents and includes a fire pit and picnic table. The sites are just a short walk from our shower/restroom facility. The fishing ponds are just a quarter mile walk from the campsites, and access to the numerous trails throughout our 940-acre property is directly from the campsites. While we have four designated sites, it is rare for all to be full, and likely that you'll be the only campers here most days. We are located in a very remote/rural part of Illinois in a county nestled between the Mississippi & Illinois Rivers, but only 75 miles north of downtown St. Louis. We have been included in John Shirle's "The Best in Tent Camping: Illinois."

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Site 3 - McCully Heritage Project

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McCully Heritage Project pond site

97% (33)

Tent site · Sleeps 25

Campers can enjoy camping near the water of our 1.5 acre fishing pond. The site is ideal for families or group campouts. There's plenty of space, a firepit with firewood, a picnic table and a gazebo. Our ponds are stocked with bluegill, bass and a few catfish. Please note the ponds are public, so access is not restricted to others fishing or walking trails between dawn & dusk. There is a gravel road back to the pond, but no formal parking area. Restrooms and showers are located at our main site, about 0.15 miles (800 ft) from pond site.

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Site 1 - McCully Heritage Project

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Site 2 - McCully Heritage Project

Reviews

97% Recommend410 ratings · 210 reviews

The McCully Heritage Project offers a blend of tranquility and nature that many campers appreciate. Its spacious campsites and well-maintained facilities receive praise, with the added bonus of clean bathrooms and hot showers. Visitors enjoy the seclusion and ample hiking trails, though some have noted the proximity to roads and occasional noise. Negative experiences often relate to encounters with other visitors, like fishermen intruding on campsites or groups exceeding expected quiet hours.

Summary AI-generated from real reviews

Z D.

1 review

Recommends

· May 2025

Tent ·

Site 1 - McCully Heritage Project

Both I and my girlfriend had an incredible time. The overall experience was fantastic. It felt so much better than one of those parking spots with a picnic table camp sites. I was very happy to get a free bag of firewood and opted to get a second for the extra $5. The grill included on the campfire pit combined with a portable griddle top let me cook steak and eggs right over the fire, allowing for a delicious meal out. The hiking trail was fantastic. It was so secluded (We went on a week day) and relaxing. The forest was beautiful. Thank you so much for keeping this land available for camping and I hope to visit again.

Ashley Y.

1 year on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· May 2025

Not as private as we hoped

Tent · With pets ·

McCully Heritage Project pond site

We had reserved the Pond campsite. More expensive than the other sites on the property. Our first night was great however the following morning we had fisherman pull directly into our campsite while we were enjoying a morning family campfire. They pulled so far into our site they passed the campfire ring and blocked our vehicle in. My husband kindly asked if they could move their vehicle in case we needed to leave. They did move but only further pulled into the campsite off to the side. We ended up leaving a day early due to a family member becoming ill. However I think in the future it may be helpful to note that parking for fishing at the ponds is in the main lot if the campsite is occupied. We would have no problem if they had walked up the path to fish and we both went about our mornings. We realize the ponds are open to public fishing. We may return again, but it did make for an awkward experience.

Kristen P.

2 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Tent ·

Site 4 - McCully Heritage Project

Beautiful, quiet, well kept place! Nothing like any campsite I’ve stayed at.

Randi B.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

16 ft car ·

McCully Heritage Project Levee

Great site. Easy to get to. Showers and bathrooms great.

Phong L.

8 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· December 2024

Site 4 - McCully Heritage Project

Excellent facilities, heated bathrooms with hot water showers available during December which is always appreciated. Campgrounds are quiet and private but is situated next to a road so there was the occasional traffic noise.

Denise R.

2 reviews

Recommends

· November 2024

Tent ·

McCully Heritage Project Levee

This was my fourth time camping at McCully. It was beautiful as always. The bathrooms were clean. The firewood is neatly stacked in cartable sacks. It was a very serene visit.

Location

Kampsville, Calhoun, Illinois, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking