The Dyrt, a popular camping website and app, placed Oak Point Campground at Lake Glendale in Vienna, Illinois, at No. 9 in the Midwest Region on its 2025 Best Places to Camp Awards. The rankings are based on user reviews and ratings.
“We were lucky to have site #10 available when we arrived. It had a small trail leading to an alcove. We were able to easily port our kayaks to launch. There are many water lilies to work through/around. They weren’t blooming when we were there, but I’m sure it’s impressive when they are,” user Anne S. said in an online review at The Dyrt. “It’s a beautiful lake. We also hiked and mountain biked the trail around the lake. Fun for everyone!”
Nestled within Shawnee National Forest’s Lake Glendale Recreation Area in southern Illinois, Oak Point Campground features spacious and well-maintained campsites, and a great amount of privacy among the tall pines and other hardwoods of the forest.
The campground’s location offers direct access to a 3-mile hiking trail around Lake Glendale, great for wildlife viewing, fishing and kayaking. The nearby swimming beach, with a lifeguard on duty during summer months, offers a refreshing spot to relax and enjoy the lake.
While the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends, as it can fill up quickly.
Camping costs $10 to $20 per night. The campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which come with electric hookups. Amenities include clean bathrooms with showers, spacious fire pits and picnic tables and staff who are always ready to help.
Surrounded by tall pine trees and mixed hardwood forests, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers a wide range of recreation opportunities including hiking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing and bicycling.
The campground is open Memorial day weekend to Labor Day Weekend.
Linda Roy, digital planner, contributed to this story
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This southern Illinois campground is rated one of Midwest’s Top 10
Reporting by Jack Albright, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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