Campfires & Colorful Leaves: Where to Camp in Williamson County This Fall
There’s still plenty of camping season left in Southern Illinois.
Fall brings cooler mornings, quieter evenings and some of the prettiest weekends of the year to Williamson County. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to pull the camper out one more time, pitch a tent near the lake and spend the evening around a fire with an extra sweatshirt close by.
From quiet campsites tucked beside the water to full-service RV parks and campgrounds made for an activity-filled family weekend, Williamson County gives you plenty of ways to spend a few more days outside.
So pack the camp chairs, grab the cooler and start planning one more weekend away.
Crab Orchard Campground
If your idea of a fall camping trip includes waking up near the water, Crab Orchard Campground is a good place to start.
Located within Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, the campground puts you right in the middle of one of Southern Illinois’ best-known outdoor areas. Visitors can camp, fish, boat, swim and spend the weekend exploring the refuge.
With RV and tent sites available, this is an easy choice for anyone who wants that classic fall camping weekend near the lake.
Lake views · RV camping · Tent camping · Fishing · Families
Bluegill Bay Marina & Campground
For campers who want to be even closer to the water, Bluegill Bay offers a different way to experience Crab Orchard Lake.
The campground combines RV and primitive camping with marina access, making it especially appealing if boating or fishing is part of the weekend plan.
Wake up, make coffee at camp and spend the rest of the morning by the lake. Sometimes that is all the itinerary you need.
Boaters · Anglers · Waterfront camping · RVs · Tents
Devils Kitchen Lake Campground
If your perfect camping trip is quieter and a little more rustic, Devils Kitchen Lake is worth a look.
This small campground inside Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge has only a handful of sites, giving it a more tucked-away feeling than some of the larger options nearby.
Pair the stay with a walk around the refuge or nearby Rocky Bluff Trail and you have an easy fall weekend built around nature instead of a schedule.
Quiet weekends · Rustic camping · Hiking · Fishing · Nature
Arrowhead Lake Campground
Arrowhead Lake is one of those places where you can set up camp and find plenty to do without planning much else.
The campground offers electric and water sites, primitive camping and cabins, all centered around a scenic lake with fishing, boating and a nature trail nearby.
It is especially easy for families who want the camping experience without being far from town.
Families · RVs · Tents · Cabins · Fishing · Easy weekends
Lake of Egypt Campground
It’s hard to talk about camping in Williamson County without making your way toward Lake of Egypt.
The campground offers RV-friendly camping with electricity, showers, laundry facilities and a dump station, making it an easy place to settle in for a few days near the water.
Fall brings a slower pace to the lake, along with cooler evenings and some especially pretty sunset views.
RV camping · Lake weekends · Boating · Fishing · Relaxing getaways
Marion / Shawnee KOA
For families who like their camping weekends with a little more going on, the Marion/Shawnee National Forest KOA brings a different energy to Lake of Egypt.
The property combines lakeside camping with fishing, boating and a long list of seasonal activities. During the warmer months, that can include its water park, watercraft and weekend entertainment.
Because several activities are seasonal, fall campers will want to check the current schedule before arriving.
Families · Lake activities · Fishing · Groups · Active weekends
Four Seasons Campground
Not every camping weekend has to revolve around a lake.
Four Seasons gives travelers plenty of flexibility, with RV sites, tent camping and stocked cabins. Full hookups, pull-through sites, showers, laundry and Wi-Fi make it especially practical for longer stays.
Its Herrin location also makes it easy to use the campground as a base for exploring the rest of Williamson County.
RV travelers · Tent camping · Cabins · Longer stays · Convenience
Marion Campground & RV Park
Sometimes the best campground is the one that makes everything else easy.
Located just off I-57, Marion Campground & RV Park is especially convenient for RV travelers and anyone who wants to stay close to Marion’s restaurants, shopping and attractions.
The campground is open year-round and offers full-service sites, pull-through options, showers, laundry, Wi-Fi and other practical amenities for travelers.
RV travelers · Full hookups · Road trips · Year-round stays · Marion
Stay for the Weekend
Setting up camp is only the beginning. One of the best parts about camping in Williamson County is how easy it is to use your campsite as a home base for the rest of the weekend.
Spend a morning hiking, find a quiet spot near the lake, go fishing, explore one of the area’s communities or head into town for coffee and dinner before returning to camp.
You don’t need a packed itinerary. Sometimes a campsite, a couple of good places to explore and nowhere you absolutely have to be is the better plan.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Fall weather in Southern Illinois can change quickly, so layers are your friend. A warm afternoon can turn into a pretty cool evening once the sun goes down.
Bring comfortable shoes if you plan to explore, along with flashlights or headlamps, extra blankets and rain gear. Campground operations and amenities can also change with the season, so check directly with the campground for current reservations, fire regulations and seasonal hours before leaving home.
Fall Looks Good on Williamson County
Summer may get most of the attention when it comes to camping, but fall has a pretty good case for being the best season to do it.
Whether you want a quiet tent site, a weekend beside the lake, a cabin for the family or a full-hookup spot for the RV, there’s a place to make camp.
Pick a weekend. Pack an extra layer. Bring something good to cook over the fire. And leave a little room in the schedule for whatever you find along the way.
We’ll see you around Williamson County.
