Illini Campground

The Great Outdoors

While you're camping at the Illini Campground, you're going to want to explore the surrounding state park. Eldon Hazlet State Park consists mainly of wetlands and prairies along the Carlyle Reservoir, and it is the perfect place for a variety of activities. Hiking is popular, and there are over nine miles of trails to explore. You can also go boating in the 40-acre harbor and try some fishing, with catches that include channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie. This state park is also popular with nature watchers thanks to the area's diverse ecosystem, with animals such as deer, bluebirds, and woodchucks living around the park. This park is also a popular area for birding, with roughly 200,000 migratory waterfowl visiting the lake every year.Alternatively, you may want to explore the Mississippi and Illinois rivers during your vacation with an RV rental near Carlyle. One of the best ways to experience these rivers is by stopping at the Pere Marquette State Park. This park covers roughly 8,000 acres of limestone bluffs, forests, and prairies where the Illinois and Mississippi rivers meet. This park is another great watersports location with plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing along the river. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish, including carp, drum, and largemouth bass. There are also 12 miles of trails to explore that will take you up to the clifftops for scenic views of the forests and rivers below. Birdwatching is another favorite activity, with over 200 different species of birds inhabiting the region.Another beautiful lakeside park worth visiting with your campervan rental near Illini Campground is Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park. This park is located on the banks of the 19,000-acre Rend Lake, making this one of the best locations for watersports in the region. The lake has a healthy stock of fish, and anglers can catch channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill. There's also a beautiful array of wildlife to see, including bald eagles, great blue heron, and white-tailed deer. You can even bring your four-legged friend along to experience the well-known field trials available. There's also a four-mile paved bike trail if you'd like to take a leisurely stroll.

Exploring the City

While Illini Campground camping, you'll have access to the quaint city of Carlyle, as well as St Louis. Carlyle has some vineyards and shops worth visiting; however, most campers will want to experience St Louis. The Gateway Arch Museum is the perfect way to experience St Louis' famous landmark, the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch. Take a trip through time and experience the 200 years of history that helped shape the arch and St Louis.A fun family-friendly attraction to consider in St Louis is the St Louis Zoo. This massive zoo contains over 17,000 individual critters, spread across a 90-acre area. Visitors of all ages will be amazed by some of the creatures on display, such as Asian elephants, hippos, and polar bears. There are also a few activities to enjoy, including riding the zoo train, a sea lion show, and a conservation carousel.If you're looking to experience some of St Louis' culture, consider a visit to the St Louis Art Museum. This gorgeous museum was built in the early 1900s and contains over 30,000 pieces of art spanning 500 years. There is artwork from many world-renowned artists, including Monet, Gauguin, and van Gogh, on display in the museum's permanent collection. This museum is a must-see for any art lover visiting St Louis.