Enjoy Everything Southeastern Illinois has to Offer!

Camping is a very popular recreational activity in Southeastern Illinois with several state parks and campgrounds to enjoy.

Beall Woods State Park

9285 Beall Woods Ave., Mount Carmel

Hours: Open daily from sunrise to 10:00 pm. It is closed on Christmas and New Years Day as well as the third week of November and the first weekend in Decemb

16 Class C Camping Sites, Restrooms, Phone

Enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking and hunting at Beall Woods (pronounced Bell). While a working farm owned by the Beall family since the 1880s, almost half of the 635 acres consisted of forest that had never been cleared. Located on the banks of the Wabash River 6 miles south of Mt. Carmel in Wabash County, Beall Woods today is a 329-acre old-growth forest and one of few remaining virgin forests on the east side of the Mississippi River. It was dedicated in 1966 as an Illinois Nature Preserve and is also registered as a National Landmark. Don't miss the new interactive Visitor's Center with exhibits and educational displays explaining the natural history of the area.

There are more than 300 trees in the preserve that measure more than 120 feet tall with diameters close to three feet.

The park offers five hiking trails that provide an excellent view of the forest.

There is also a 15-acre lake that is stocked with bass, blue gill, catfish, and trout for anglers.

Other park activities include hunting in season, camping and picnicking.

Burrell Woods Campground

Carmi

30 Camping sites, RV Facilities, Playground, Grills, Dump Station, Fishing Nearby, Showers, Restrooms, Phone, Electric Hookups.

Charley Brown Park

Old US Rt. 50, Rte. 2, Flora

125 sites, RV Facilities, Showers, Electric, Water, Dump Station, Phone, Restrooms

One of Flora's most attractive assets is Charley Brown Park, located three miles west of the city on Old Route 50. It was a gift to the city several years ago by the widow of Charley Brown, a local farmer, which required only that the park be named after her husband.

The park offers 100 acres of pleasant facilities for recreation. Included are 85 camping sites with electrical and water hookups, modern washrooms and showers for a camping fee of $10 per day (travel trailers/campers) or $60 per week. Tents can be accommodated for $5 a day or $30 per week. In the park are a children's playground, a newly renovated, modern swimming pool, a small fishing lake, and a nine-hole golf course. The Little Toot railroad operation has also been brought back to the park.

Special events at the park include the annual Relay for Life event in June, the Fourth of July celebration, the county fair the third week in July, bluegrass music festivals the second weekend in July and September, and annual hunts hosted by the Coon Hunters Club.

Hiltop Campgrounds

Memorial Park Drive (Only 1.5 miles from I-64), Grayville

30 camping sites, RV Facilities, Pool, Playground, Grills, Fishing Nearby, Restrooms, Showers, Dump Station, Phone, Electric Hookups, close to the Wabash River with Boat Ramp, Hiking Trails. Open April 1 to November 1.

Kuhl's Kozy Kampground

1023 N. 500th St. E., Ingraham

125 sites, Electric, Water, Sewer, Restrooms, Dump Station

Kuhl's Kozy Kampground was established in 1976 with a 5 acre lake for fishing and swimming. Picnic tables are available, along with a playground for children. Campfires are allowed. Located in the quiet, peaceful countryside of south central Illinois, Kuhl's Kozy Kampground is ready to become your Kozy get away. Open: April 1st through November 1st

Lake Mattoon

1282 County Road 000 E, Neoga

Camping, Boating, Fishing, Hunting, Swimming, Park, Marina and much more.

In the heartland of East Central Illinois, Lake Mattoon is Located 7 miles southwest of Mattoon in the Counties of Coles, Shelby and Cumberland. The Lake is owned by the City of Mattoon and is the City's primary source for water supply. It has a surface area of 1,050 acres with a 55.5 mile shoreline in which 53% is owned by the City. The maximum depth is 35 feet and the average depth is only 10 feet. Being fed by the Little Wabash River, Lake Mattoon is a popular recreation spot for boating, fishing and camping. Boating and fishing are available almost year round. Camping is available from April 1st thru October 31st Directions: Exit I-57 at exit 177, then south on SR 45 into the City of Neoga to the first stop sign which is 6th St., turn (right) west on 6th St. until Walnut (first stop sign), then turn North (right) on Walnut and follow the road out of town. Walnut turns into 100/CH118. Turn west (left) at 1250N/CH19 follow road across the Lake, Beach Pavilion is just ahead on the left.

Lake Mattoon Campgrounds (East & West) & Marina

1290 County Road 000 E, Neoga

Campground East is located at 2 County Road 1200 N and Campground West is located at 1290 County Rd E. Please call the marina at 217/254-6680 for camping reservations, bait, fishing and boating license.

Lakeside RV Park

5238 N. Silver Rd., Olney

60 RV Camping Sites with Facilities; Service amps: 20 and 30 amp, Playground, Dump Station, Fishing Nearby, with Boat Slips, Showers, Restrooms, Phone, Electric Hookups, Water Hookups and Bait Shop.

Mount Carmerriel RV Park

224 Golden Aces Way, Mount Carmel

8 RV Sites, Water, Sewer, Electric (20,30 & 50 AMP service) Wireless Internet and Cable TV available. No Tents.

Red Hills State Park

1100 N. & 400 E., RR 2, Box 252A, SUMNER

104 Sites, Electric, Water, Restrooms, Showers, Phone, Dump Station

This 950-acre state park offers hiking and biking trails, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hunting and boating.

The park is an important historical crossroad, representing the western most edge of the first land in Illinois ceded by Native Americans to the United States.

Red Hills features many outdoor activities. Fishing and boating, hunting, hiking and horse trails as well as camping are available for all. A recent addition to the park is a log cabin available for visitors to rent on a nightly basis.

In addition, the park is the home to the Trace Inn Restaurant, with lunch and dinner and daily specials, Tuesday - Sunday.

Riverside Campground

PO Box 330 (East Main Street next to river), Saint Francisville

14 RV Sites, primitive tent sites, water on site, electricity now available, Porta-potties, picnic tables, pavilion, horse shoe pits and boat ramp to Wabash River. Trail riding, 4 wheelers or walking trails.

Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area

R.R. 1, Johnsonville

Boating, Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Picnicking, Swimming, and Wildlife Observation.

This wildlife area was established in 1959 with 40 acres and has grown to cover more than 1,300 acres and includes a 194-acre lake plus several ponds. The lake is surrounded by eight miles of hiking trails. There are several floating docks on the lake for fishing and boat rentals are available at the concession stand. Bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie are the lake's most popular fish. Ice fishing is available during the winter months.

Sam Parr State Fish & Wildlife Area

13225 E. Illinois Hwy. 33, Newton

Boating, Camping (30 sites, Electric, Restrooms, Phone, Dump Station), Fishing, Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Picnicking

Surrounded by timberland, this 1,800-acre park is popular with hunters and fishermen. It has a 183-acre lake, 840 huntable acres, picnic areas, a 13-mile equestrian trail, a hiking trail, trailer camping and tent sites. Visitors will enjoy driving or walking through the park at dusk to view the many deer and other wildlife.

Sparks Lazy Acres Campground

5641 East & 400 Ave, Bogota

30 full RV hook ups, with water, sewer & electric, (30 AMP service). Restrooms with flush toilets. Campground is located near Newton Lake and is 1/4 south of the east boat dock gate, 1/2 east on 400 Avenue. (Dump station will be installed in 2010) Tent camping area also. Reasonable priced.

Taylor Lake Campground

6152 N. IL 130, Olney

Ten RV sites, water, sewer and electric hookups (20, 30, 50 amp service) 6 tent sites, lake fishing, shower house, restrooms and playground

Wabash Conservation Club Campground

900E & 1600N (Located north of town at Conservation Lake), Mount Carmel

8 Acre Lake, 35 campsites with water and electric, Shelter House, Playground & Picnic area, Stocked Lake: pan fish, bass & crappie. Membership is $25 per year ($20 for seniors citizens) Open April through November. Camping is only $7.00 per night, but is a first come first serve.