Crab Orchard Campground

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Crab Orchard Lake Campground is situated in the northwestern portion of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Staying in the Crab Orchard Campground gives you a front row seat to view numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds, and various other types of wildlife, also giving you the serene view of sunrises & sunsets on the lake.

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, located relatively close to the confluence of two of the Nation's great rivers, the Ohio and Mississippi, the refuge's 44,000 areas is ideally situated to provide a migration haven for the thousands waterfowl and other migrating birds that journey the Mississippi Flyway each fall and spring.

The refuge has many faces. On the north side of the refuge Crab Orchard Lake is an outdoor enthusiasts dream come true. This 7,000 acre lake offers two campgrounds, marinas, and several boat launching ramps. Throw in fishing sites, hunting opportunities, picnic areas, and swimming and you begin to understand why this refuge is one of the most visited in the Nation. Drive the roads on the refuge's south side and you discover another Crab Orchard filled with pristine lakes, nature trails with waterfalls, and a National Wilderness Area offering a place to seek relaxation, adventure, or something in between. On the refuge's east side, you will find great opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, biking and educational activities at the visitor center and you may find yourself coming back again and again.

Crab Orchard Campground offers 74 campsites. Water and electric hookups are provided on 67 sites, 7 sites are primitive with no water or electric hookups. The campground offers a dump station, hot showers, and flush toilets in order to provide a comfortable camping experience for guests. A swim beach is located on the eastern side of camping loop B, near the shower house.

Need to Know

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge requires a vehicle and vessel pass when you are anywhere on the refuge other than the campground. We honor the Federal Duck Stamp and the America the Beautiful passes. You can purchase the Refuge passes here on recreation.gov.
There is a 14 day maximum stay, after the 14 days are up you must pack up and leave for 48 hours before you can return. Please abide by this rule to give other visitors a chance to enjoy our public lands. Campers may only occupy the same campsite 14 days in a 30 day period.
RV tanks containing sewage and wastewater from sinks, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures, must be emptied at the dump station.
Swimming Beach will be open daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Refuge entrance fees will be honored for this use. No person may enter the beach water alone or swim alone. Bathers under 17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. No pets or glass within the beach area. This includes the sand, parking lot, picnic area, and water.
Only dead, fallen timber may be gathered for firewood.
Don’t Move Firewood! Please help protect our forests from tree-killing insects and diseases by obtaining your firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is also illegal in some states. For more information visit http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/

Nearby Attractions

Accessible SwimmingAmphitheaterAntiquingArcheryAuto TouringBackpackingBadmintonBeach CampingBeachcombingBerry PickingBikingBirdingBoatingCampingCanoeingCavingClam DiggingClimbingCrabbingCrawfishingCross Country SkiingCultural ActivitiesDay Use AreaDisc GolfDivingDocumentary SiteDownhill SkiingEnvironmental EducationEvening ProgramsFire Lookouts/Cabins OvernightFish HatcheryFish Viewing SiteFishingGold PanningGolfGondola RidesGuided Interpretive WalksHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteHorse CampingHorseback RidingHotel/Lodge/Resort Fs OwnedHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedHuntingIce ClimbingIce FishingIce SkatingInformation SiteInterpretive ProgramsJet SkiingKayakingLookout TowerMotelMotor BoatMountain BikingMountain ClimbingMushroom PickingNon-Motorized BoatingObservation SiteOff Highway Vehicle TrailsOff Road Vehicle TrailsOrganization Site Fs OwnedOrganization Site Privately OwnedOther Recreation Concession SitePaddle BoatingPaddlingPhotographyPicnickingPlayground Park Specialized Sport SiteRaftingRanger StationRecreation ProgramsRecreation ResidenceRecreational ShootingRecreational VehiclesRiver TripsRock ClimbingSailboardingSailingScenic DriveScuba DivingSea KayakingShuffle BoardSkiingSleddingSnorkelingSnow TubingSnowboardingSnowmobileSnowmobile TrailsSnowparkSnowshoeingSoccer FieldsSoftball FieldsStar GazingSurfingSwimmingSwimming SiteTubingVisitor CenterWater AccessWater ActivitiesWater SkiingWater SportsWhale WatchingWhitewater RaftingWild Horse ViewingWildernessWildlife ViewingWindsurfingWinery ToursWinter SportsWood Cutting

Recreation

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is host to a multitude of recreational opportunities including hiking, picnicking, photography, boating, hunting, fishing, camping, wildlife observation, and environmental education.

You can enjoy fishing on our three lakes, and five ponds. Crab Orchard NWR is popular spot for crappie, bluegill, and bass. Be sure to follow all State and Refuge regulations. The Refuge has six trails that offer visitors numerous opportunities to experience the beauty of the Refuge. A portion of Southern Illinois' River-to-River trail runs through the southern portion of the Refuge.

Bicycles are allowed on roads and designated trails.
Fruits, nuts, berries, and fruiting bodies of mushrooms may be gathered by hand for personal use or consumption. Collection for the purpose of commercial use is prohibited.
Disturbing, or collecting animal and plant specimens, natural rocks, stones, minerals, or objects of antiquity is prohibited.
Gathering deer antlers and/or skulls is prohibited. We leave them as a winter food source for a wide variety of species that use the Refuge as their home range.

Grab one of Crab Orchard NWR recreation &/or hunt brochures for more information and a map of the Refuge!

Contact Information

Physical

10067 Campground Dr Carbondale IL 62901

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: Campground: 618-985-4983 / Headquaters: 618-997-3344

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From 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 on to Greenbriar, then make a right onto Campground Rd.

Available Campsites

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