Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Arrowhead Lake Campground
Overview
Arrowhead Lake Campground offers a peaceful retreat nestled in the heart of Southern Illinois. Known for its scenic 30-acre lake and mature trees, this city-managed park provides a welcoming atmosphere for both short-term travelers and long-term visitors. The focus here is on natural beauty and community, making it a reliable destination for those seeking a quiet spot to unwind near the water while staying close to modern conveniences.
Location & Surroundings
Conveniently located just off Interstate 57 in Johnston City, the park feels surprisingly secluded once you enter the grounds. The campground is centered around the water, providing plenty of lakefront views and shaded sites. Its location serves as an excellent gateway to the broader Southern Illinois region, offering a blend of small-town charm and easy highway access for travelers passing through the Midwest.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features well-maintained concrete pads and offers a mix of full hookups and water/electric sites. Guests have access to clean bathhouses, a laundry facility, and a convenient dump station. For recreation, the park includes a perimeter hiking trail around the lake, a playground for children, and multiple picnic shelters. Fishing is a primary draw, with the lake being stocked with various local species for anglers to enjoy.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to the Shawnee National Forest, which offers world-class hiking and rock climbing. Just a short drive away, visitors can explore the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge or enjoy the larger waters of Rend Lake. For urban needs, the neighboring city of Marion provides a variety of shopping and dining options, local breweries, and minor league baseball games at the nearby stadium.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for active retirees and families who enjoy fishing and a quiet, relaxed pace. Because of its easy highway access, it is also a perfect choice for RVers looking for a high-quality stopover during a long haul. It appeals most to those who prefer a community-centric environment over a commercial resort, offering a serene basecamp for exploring the natural wonders of Southern Illinois.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
TACTSHOTZ361
Amazing spot to camp at with a beautiful view. The people were so friendly im gonna miss being there. The price is so right too.
Jason Dickerson
Very nice campground! Great facilities and the staff/camp hosts are super friendly and helpful! Clean bathrooms and showerhouse. Would highly recommend staying here.
John
Clean campground with spacious lots. Nice fishing lake that has a walking trail of 2.5 miles around it. Store has lots of Stuff! Be aware every 1st Tuesday of the month there is a tornado siren goes off
Corey
This place will go down as my family’s favorite camp ground ever! We stayed for a month and when we left it felt like we left a piece of our heart. The crew that run it are 10 out 10 the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
JZ WakkiZakko
This is a great place to stop for an over-night quick stay or weeks long stays. We stayed here for one night on our way from TN to WI, but liked it so much, we decided to come back and stay a week. The staff is really friendly, the store is well stocked and the restrooms are clean (with the small exception of the stains on the shower floors, which is unsightly, but doesn't appear to be anything that can be helped). The lake is nice. There is a walking/biking trail all around the lake and across the dam area. There are baseball fields on the way to the campground and an amphitheater too. There were lots of ball games, mostly ladies softball, but no concerts. There is also a huge pavilion for large gatherings/picnics. This is just a nice well rounded park. There is a great playground and lots of land for Frisbees and other run-around games. There is no swimming in the lake, but rowboats and such are welcome. Trolling motors only, I think. It was too cold for me to get out in my kayak though. There are LOTS of ducks and geese (as well as squirrels and chipmunks) around on the property. They aren't afraid of the campers, so they come up into your site several times a day looking for bugs and such for breakfast and dinner. My cats were thoroughly entertained all day!