Another Well-kept COE Campground

A bit out of the way but well kept. Has a dump station with potable water and sites with 30/50A service. Paved, level sites, some with shade. A payment kiosk that you can enter your national park pass number for discounted camping. Nice small visitor center, open during the day with a clean washroom but no shower. Clean modern pit toilets. 14 day stay limit. Hey, for 10 bucks, it's a good deal!

Just a couple things to add to previous review. There is a dump station now. $10 with pass $20 without pass, Pay at the electronic kiosk up by the visitor center with credit card. There is no wood for sale here. No camp host that I seen either. Sites are very sunny in afternoon. Not alot of shade on the west side of sites. I have US Cellular I had one bar. Could text make phone calls but searching internet was a little iffy. Used free Shower up by visitor center, it's just a shower head on the wall in the bathroom no bench or hooks to put your things, there is a sit down bench to sit and shower. Water was hot. No vent. It was very hard to get close on in a steamy bathroom. But, it got the job done.

Great Budget Camping

Where else can you camp waterfront on the river with electric for $10 a night? The campground is well kept, grass is mowed and pit toilets are very clean. There are 2 boat ramps, one on the upstream and one in the downstream side of the lock and dam. Normally there are tours of the lock and dam but seemed to be closed this weekend. There is a flush toilet with shower on the visitor center building that was open. There is also a nice paved trail to view the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi. Several people were fishing along the shore. Downsides are that there are a lot of lights all night at the beginning part of the campground, you can't make reservations in advance and some fishermen were parked in the campsites instead of in the proper parking lots which could block a potential camper from staying. No attendant on duty and you pay the iron ranger near the toilet. I would really recommend it.

Away From It All

Want to get away for a while? This is the place to come. It is remote. It is quite, and relaxing. All the sights are back in and very deep. All are paved and level. They all have electric, 20, 30 and 50 amps. There is a nice paved wooded walk way to the Mississippi. At the end there is a picnic area. It s a bit rustic. There is a sandy beach, NO SWIMMING. It is a fast moving river, not a large lake. Or take a walk on top of the levies, and take in the country sights. Or check out the lock and dam. I would give it a 5 star plus, but the only draw back, besides no water, no dump station. So what you bring in , you take out. Will stay there again!

Eclipse Watch

Was here for the 2017 eclipse, stayed a week, pit toilets, but clean and out of the way of crowds. Right next to the locks. Rocers small market is closer for groceries, but they don't have a lot. Was told a dump station is planned. Otherwise all they have is electric and low rates. There is a 1/4 mile paved trail to the rivers joining.

Personal

Nice site, $10/night with electric ($5 for golden park pass members). Sites are paved and electric back ins capable of handling about 60'. Clean sites with new fire rings. All well maintained Easy walk to the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. Or hike the gravel roads on top of the levies. Be sure and tour the lock and dam. Nice rangers. Locally, the town of Chester, Il. is the home of Popeye the Sailor; and there are two state parks nearby. Fort De Chartres is a classic French/European fort http://www.fortdechartres.us . And Fort Kaskaskia on the bluffs. Cell service, if yours is spotty, it's just a walk up on the levies that often clears it up.