Is Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground?

Yes, Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground have?

Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground has 74 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground?

Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground?

Popular activities at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

4.20

16 reviews

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

397 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

74 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricShowers

Book on IllinoisStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

397 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

74 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricShowers

Book on IllinoisStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are handled through the state reservation system (ExploreMoreIL). Campers must obtain a camping permit at the site office upon arrival....

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Illinois State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

37.7806, -89.3806

Nearby places

Murphysboro — approximately 1–2 miles east

Nearby supplies

Murphysboro — groceries, fuel and services (approx. 1–2 miles east)

Weather at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

Summer and fall draw the biggest crowds, and for good reason—warm days are perfect for casting a line or gliding across the calm water, while September and October deliver some of southern Illinois' most stunning fall foliage. Spring offers mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, ideal for those seeking a quieter experience on the trails and water. Winter camping is possible for the adventurous, though amenities may be limited, so it's worth calling ahead to confirm what's available during the colder months.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer draws biggest crowds; warm days ideal for casting lines and paddling.

Planning Tips

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

Nestled in the rolling, wooded hills just west of Murphysboro, Lake Murphysboro State Park wraps around a serene 145-acre star-shaped reservoir that feels a world away from everyday life. Whether you're backing your RV into a shaded electric site or pitching a tent steps from the water, you'll find a peaceful lakeside retreat perfect for fishing, paddling, and reconnecting with nature at a slower pace.

Mix of electric RV/trailer sites and basic tent sites; several campgrounds/loops around the lake.

Historical Significance

The park encompasses about 1,022 acres surrounding a 145-acre reservoir that was created in 1950 for recreation and fishing; the lake’s star-shaped shoreline reflects the mid-20th-century impoundment design. The park primarily serves as a post-1950 recreational resource for Murphysboro and surrounding communities.

Weather and SeasonsSummer and fall draw the biggest crowds, and for good reason—warm days are perfect for casting a line or gliding across the calm water, while September and October deliver some of southern Illinois' most stunning fall foliage. Spring offers mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, ideal for those seeking a quieter experience on the trails and water. Winter camping is possible for the adventurous, though amenities may be limited, so it's worth calling ahead to confirm what's available during the colder months.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryThe park's centerpiece is its distinctive 145-acre star-shaped lake, whose 7.5 miles of winding shoreline create hidden coves and quiet inlets waiting to be explored. Forested slopes of oak and hickory rise from the water's edge, their canopy providing dappled shade along the shore and framing views that change with every bend. In spring, wildflowers dot the understory, while autumn transforms the surrounding Shawnee Hills into a painter's palette of reds, oranges, and golds mirrored perfectly in the glassy surface of the no-wake lake.

Geological RegionShawnee Hills transition zone (rolling oak‑hickory hardwood hills, small ravines and gentle ridges)

Scenic ViewsScenic views focus on the star-shaped Lake Murphysboro and wooded hills that meet the shoreline; lakeside and boat-ramp areas provide sunrise and sunset reflections and sheltered water vistas. Fall foliage enhances shoreline views, while paddlers can enjoy varied perspectives from the water.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsExploreMoreIL (UseDirect-based reservation system)

Total Campsites74 campsites

Best CampsitesNo site-by-site favorites are published. General guidance: choose lakeside sites for easiest fishing and water views, or interior/wooded sites for more shade and privacy. Consult the park office or campground map before selecting a site.

Need help booking Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Campground includes a large number of electric RV/trailer sites and a sanitary disposal (dump) station; restrooms and at least one shower house are present according to user reports. Reservations are handled via ExploreMoreIL and campers must obtain a camping permit at the site office. Pets are allowed on a leash.

Showers

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

Typical lake-focused and woodland activities: fishing, boating (restricted), paddling, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing around a 145-acre, tree-lined lake set in rolling wooded hills.

Fishing4.0/5

Water Sports4.0/5

Paddling is listed and the calm 145-acre lake with coves is well suited to kayaks.

Hiking3.0/5

Short nature and shoreline trails through wooded, rolling hills are available.

Boating3.0/5

Wildlife viewing3.0/5

Wildlife viewing noted amid oak and hickory forested slopes along the shore.

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Scenic lake shapes, wooded hills and sunrise/sunset viewpoints are photo-worthy.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsExpect ticks and mosquitoes during warm months. Fishing pressure can be high on popular weekends. The lake is a no-wake, electric-motor-friendly waterbody (not suitable for high-speed powerboating). General wooded-terrain hazards (uneven ground, roots) apply.

Cell CoverageNone of the primary camping databases provide explicit carrier‑by‑carrier reports for Lake Murphysboro itself. Coverage can be reasonably inferred from regional data: Murphysboro is a small city on IL‑149, only a couple of miles east of the park entrance[3]. Southern Illinois around Murphysboro generally has **usable AT&T and Verizon LTE** near town and along IL‑149, with signal sometimes weakening in low spots or heavily wooded areas (inference from regional carrier maps and The Dyrt’s general Murphysboro‑area campground listings, which rarely flag no‑service issues)[9]. Expect: generally **workable voice and text**, and **moderate data** near the campground, but possible drops or slower speeds in the most wooded or lakeside hollows. T‑Mobile tends to be more variable in rural southern Illinois; some data is likely but may be less reliable than AT&T/Verizon (inference). Because no site‑specific measurements are published, treat this as moderate‑confidence guidance and confirm if reliable data is critical to your trip.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

16 reviews

Satisfactory

Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors generally praise the scenic, peaceful, wooded lake setting and good fishing; many reviewers note roomy sites and positive interactions with staff. Reported negatives include site cleanliness issues, occasional reservation mix-ups, and distance or limited hours for shower/bathhouse facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic, tree-lined star-shaped lake; peaceful/quiet setting; good fishing; roomy sites and electric RV hookups; convenient proximity to Murphysboro for supplies; helpful park staff mentioned in...

Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve ahead using ExploreMoreIL and obtain your camping permit at the site office on arrival. Choose sites close to the lake for easiest fishing access or interior wooded sites for more privacy;...

Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

“It's quiet and right on the lake.” — “When we arrived, our reserved and paid for site was taken by someone else.” — “The campground was clean and the bathroom was close, ranger was nice and helpful.”

Based on 16 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Lake Murphysboro Camping Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are handled through the state reservation system (ExploreMoreIL). Campers must obtain a camping permit at the site office upon arrival....

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Illinois State Parks

Provider

Go if

Anglers, paddlers, and quiet-camp fans do well here. The lake is no-wake, the shoreline has short walks and fishing spots, and reviewers like the roomy sites plus easy trips into Murphysboro for groceries and fuel.

Skip if

Bathhouse convenience matters, or you hate paperwork. Reviews mention shower houses far from some sites, occasional cleanliness issues, and a few reservation mix-ups, plus warm months bring ticks and mosquitoes.

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Crab Orchard Campground

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Crab Orchard Campground sits on the shores of Crab Orchard Lake in southern Illinois, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The mid-sized campground offers both primitive sites and RV spots with electric and water hookups, plus showers and a dump station. Campers fish, boat, and swim on the lake, hike and bike refuge trails, and watch waterfowl during fall migration along the Mississippi Flyway.