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Little Grassy Lake Campground & Marina
Overview
Little Grassy Lake Campground & Marina offers a peaceful escape within the sprawling Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Surrounded by the dense forests of Southern Illinois, this destination provides a classic outdoor experience where the focus remains on the natural landscape. RV travelers find a quiet refuge characterized by towering hardwoods and the gentle sounds of the 1,000-acre lake, making it a premier spot for those looking to disconnect from the digital world.
Location & Surroundings
Located just south of Carbondale in Makanda, Illinois, the park is tucked away from the noise of major highways. The landscape is defined by the rugged beauty of the Shawnee Hills, featuring unique geological formations and deep ravines that are characteristic of the region. The lake itself is widely known for its remarkably clear water and restricted motor speeds, ensuring the shoreline remains pristine and quiet for all visitors.
Amenities & Park Features
The heart of the park is its full-service marina, where guests can rent pontoons, canoes, and kayaks to explore the timbered shoreline. RV sites are designed to blend into the woods, with many offering water and electric hookups to accommodate various rig sizes. On-site facilities include a dedicated swimming beach for summer afternoons, a camp store for essential supplies, and clean bathhouses that provide the necessary comforts for a multi-day stay.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Visitors are perfectly positioned to explore Giant City State Park, which is famous for its massive sandstone bluffs and the historic Giant City Lodge. For those interested in local culture, the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail offers numerous tasting rooms and vineyards within a short driving distance. Additionally, the eclectic Makanda Boardwalk provides a unique shopping experience featuring local artisan crafts and a bohemian atmosphere that is distinct to this corner of the state.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is an ideal match for nature-focused families and dedicated anglers who prioritize direct water access and scenic beauty. It serves as an excellent home base for outdoor adventurers looking to hike the surrounding national forest or spend their days paddling in a serene environment. It is best suited for travelers who prefer a rustic, tranquil atmosphere over the fast-paced amenities of a typical luxury RV resort.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Discounts
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Rod Smith
Lorri (aka Turtle) is great and makes this place special. Been going here for years because of her. Sad to hear The refuge is closing it down. Whichever campground in the area is lucky enough to hire her, aside from having a huge asset of an employee will be busy because there are a good number of people that will go there because of her.
Droppin
Service was friendly and helpful. But coming from the TransAmerica tour, the office didn't know which spots had shade during a sunset or sundown. Place seems outdated and okay looking. Primative camping spot had uncut grass and difficult to tent. Bathroom and shower was okay. Not great. Bring your shower slippers. Limited space to put your things in the showers. No soap at sink. No WiFi. Front office has a sign that says no fishing on the dock and yet I watching two kids and an adult fishing on the dock. Lol. $25/night primative
Erin Ellison
Great experience participating in the 2022 Halloween weekend! There was Halloween decorating, costume contest, games for the kids, and trick-or-treating. I would recommend this event or camping at Little Grassy any time. A special thanks to Turtle for keeping it fun!
Abby Jackson
where to start!!!!! this place is in the perfect location, is absolutely beautiful AND you get the best host ever!! Turtle, you’re one of a kind, i’ll be back just to see you! just an amazing environment, beautiful campsites, and incredible hospitality! thanks again, Turtle, for giving us such an amazing experience! ❤️
Trisha Anglin
I’ve enjoyed my experiences at Little Grassy Campground for many years with family and friends. This place has it all with camping, boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and beautiful views everywhere. The bathroom/shower facilities are kept clean and the service is amazing, every interaction I’ve had with the manager Turtle has been wonderful. This campground is one of my favorite places to be! :)
Randy and Beth Biggs
As far as I can see, there is not a single site with a bad view of the water! Some even have three views of the water! The caretakers are upgrading the place and they care about their visitors.
Justin Williams
We booked a week and loved our stay! We originally booked a 50 amp site but due to unfortunate circumstances were moved to a 30 amp. We could not have asked for a better spot! Right off the main road by the marina with an amazing view. Try to get site 0 if you can do 30amp. Turtle and the rest of the staff was incredible. We've been to a lot of campgrounds and Turtle made our entire stay great. Thank you again!!
Joseph Wright
Always love this place! One of my favorites in the area.
Laker Girl
I brought my disabled friend, who's wheelchair bound, out to go kayaking. The new, large 2 person kayaks were great for us. They're quite stable, and the seats, molded into the fiberglass body of the kayak, snuggle you, providing even more stability for paddling. The hosts, Terri & Miller, went out of their way to assist us as much as possible, giving us rides in the golf cart to and from the boat ramp, where we had to go with the kayak to load my disabled friend. Terri was very friendly and so glad to help. She also did most of the loading and unloading of my friend into and out of the boat, and was very pleasant the entire time, even in the heat. We appreciated it very much and it made for a most enjoyable day, especially for my friend who doesn't get out much. I had called the day before and spoke to the host, Turtle, who with her useful information, was able to encourage us to come on out with promises of help and even offering to assist herself even though we were planning to visit on her day off.
Harold Dick
Family friendly, clean campground. We stayed here during the Great American Eclipse for 3 nights in August 2017 and absolutely loved the place. Easy access to the lake, beautiful countryside around. So much to do. The staff here are very friendly and helpful. Camp store prices were very reasonable. We will be back....perhaps for the April 2024 Eclipse!