Crab Orchard Campground

4.34

140 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

74 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

ElectricShowers

Opens Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

74 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

ElectricShowers

Opens Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge site

Get Directions

Crab Orchard Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Provider

(618) 997-3344

What Campers Say

4.34

Recommended

Based on 140 reviews

185 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietpeacefulclean

"Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Crab Orchard Campground, frequently describing it as clean, peaceful, and beautifully situated on the lake. Guests highlight the friendly staff and hosts, well‑maintained facilities (especially restrooms), and a relaxed, family‑oriented atmosphere that keeps many returning year after year."

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Best Time to Camp at Crab Orchard Campground

Spring and fall transform this refuge into a living tapestry of wings and song, as countless migratory birds follow the ancient pathways of the Mississippi Flyway. These shoulder seasons offer not only the most spectacular wildlife viewing but also comfortable temperatures perfect for hiking the nature trails and exploring the lakeshore. Summer brings warm days ideal for swimming and boating, while the quieter winter months reward hardy visitors with solitude and the stark beauty of the Southern Illinois landscape.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

About Crab Orchard Campground

Nestled on the northern shores of sprawling Crab Orchard Lake, this versatile campground serves as your gateway to one of the Mississippi Flyway's premier wildlife refuges. Whether you're plugging into a full-service site or pitching a tent in the primitive area, you'll wake to the calls of waterfowl and fall asleep to lake breezes, with modern amenities like hot showers and a sandy swim beach just steps away.

The campground contains 74 campsites: 67 sites provide water and electric hookups, and 7 sites are primitive with no water or electric hookups.

Historical SignificanceFor millennia, birds have recognized what humans eventually discovered: the meeting place of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers creates an irreplaceable corridor of life. This refuge stands as a protected sanctuary along that ancient highway in the sky known as the Mississippi Flyway, where generations of waterfowl and shorebirds pause to rest and refuel during their epic continental journeys. Today's visitors walk in the footsteps of countless species that have depended on these wetlands and waters since long before the refuge was established.

Weather and SeasonsSpring and fall transform this refuge into a living tapestry of wings and song, as countless migratory birds follow the ancient pathways of the Mississippi Flyway. These shoulder seasons offer not only the most spectacular wildlife viewing but also comfortable temperatures perfect for hiking the nature trails and exploring the lakeshore. Summer brings warm days ideal for swimming and boating, while the quieter winter months reward hardy visitors with solitude and the stark beauty of the Southern Illinois landscape.

Natural Features and SceneryThe 7,000-acre expanse of Crab Orchard Lake stretches before you like an inland sea, its surface dimpling with diving ducks and rippling with the wake of pelicans. Beyond your campsite, the refuge unfolds into a wonderland of ecological diversity: hidden waterfalls tumble over ancient rock, quiet ponds mirror the sky, and a designated National Wilderness Area preserves nature in its most untouched state. Whether you're launching your boat at dawn to fish the coves, hiking trails that wind through hardwood forests, or simply watching herons stalk the shallows from your camp chair, the landscape offers endless opportunities to connect with the wild.

Geological RegionSouthern Illinois's unique geography comes alive at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, where the ancient forces that carved the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys created a landscape perfectly positioned along the Mississippi Flyway. This strategic location at the confluence region has made it a natural crossroads for wildlife traveling between the northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas, a role that continues to define the refuge's ecological importance today.

Campsite details

Total Campsites74 campsites

Recommended CampsitesOf the 74 sites, 67 sites have water and electric hookups and 7 sites are primitive with no water or electric hookups. A swim beach is located on the eastern side of camping loop B near the shower house. The campground includes a dump station, hot showers, and flush toilets.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground contains 67 sites with water and electric hookups and 7 primitive sites with no hookups; facilities include a dump station, hot showers, and flush toilets. A swim beach is adjacent to loop B's shower house.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Dump station

Flush toilets

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Activities you can enjoy

The refuge and campground offer a wide array of outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, boating, wildlife observation, swimming, biking, photography, hunting, and environmental education. Multiple trails, lakes, marinas, and a visitor center support these activities.

Hiking

The refuge has six trails that provide opportunities to experience the area; a portion of the Southern Illinois River-to-River trail runs through the southern portion of the Refuge.

Fishing

Fishing is available on three lakes and five ponds; the refuge is popular for crappie, bluegill, and bass. Visitors must follow State and Refuge regulations.

Swimming

A swim beach is located on the eastern side of camping loop B, near the shower house.

Biking

Bicycles are allowed on roads and designated trails within the refuge.

Boating

Crab Orchard Lake (7,000 acres) offers marinas and several boat launching ramps; there are two campgrounds on the lake.

Wildlife viewing

The campground provides close viewing of numerous waterfowl and shorebirds; the refuge is a migration haven on the Mississippi Flyway.

Beach activities

A designated swim beach is located in camping loop B near the shower house.

Cultural and Educational Programs

The refuge offers environmental education and activities at the visitor center and provides opportunities for photography and interpretive experiences.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

Weather at Crab Orchard Campground

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Mainly clear

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 78%

Wind: 6.8 mph

Mainly clear

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresCampground is located on the north side of Crab Orchard Lake; a swim beach is located on the eastern side of camping loop B near the shower house. Boat launches, marinas, and multiple lakes/ponds are in the refuge.

HostThis location has limited staffing. For general information call (618) 997-3344.

Campground Map

Crab Orchard Campground

Driving directionsFrom I-57 take exit 54 toward St Rte 13 West, heading toward Carbondale. Drive 7.5 miles to the intersection of Rte 13 and Greenbriar Rd. Turn left onto Greenbriar, then make a right onto Campground Rd.

Accessible from I-57 via exit 54 to State Route 13 West; follow Rte 13 and Greenbriar Rd to Campground Rd as described in driving directions.

Nearby places

Carbondale (referenced in directions)

Marion (visitor center address provided: 6987 Headquarters Rd, Marion IL 62959).

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.3

140 reviews

Recommended

Crab Orchard Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Crab Orchard Campground, frequently describing it as clean, peaceful, and beautifully situated on the lake. Guests highlight the friendly staff and hosts, well‑maintained facilities (especially restrooms), and a relaxed, family‑oriented atmosphere that keeps many returning year after year.

Review Summaries

Based on 140 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the beautiful lakeside setting, with many noting great views, quiet surroundings, and opportunities for fishing, kayaking, swimming, and relaxing by the water. Cleanliness is repeatedly...

Based on 140 reviews

Common Concerns

Very few complaints appear in the reviews. One camper wished the tent sites had electric, and another noted that loop B was closed at the time of their visit. Several mention that bugs can be an...

Based on 140 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers recommend bringing bug repellent and citronella candles, especially for early September when insects can be heavy. They suggest enjoying the lakefront tent and RV sites for views and access...

Based on 140 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Some September reviewers report it being particularly buggy, suggesting late summer/early fall may require extra insect protection. One review mentions the beach was closed during COVID, indicating...

Based on 140 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This is our third year camping at Crab Orchard Lake. We intend to return. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The entire park is well maintained. The rest rooms are extremely...

Based on 140 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site E‑1 (Loop E) is described as easy to book even last minute for a small camper, with desired hookups and clean bath house/showers nearby plus convenient dumpsters. Site E‑6 (Loop E) is noted for...

Based on 140 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One reviewer notes that dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed and not aggressive, indicating the campground is pet‑friendly with basic behavior and leash requirements.

Based on 140 reviews