Benton KOA

Our park is located just 2 easy miles from the 19,000 acre Rend Lake (named as the 7th Wonder of Illinois) - with an abundance of recreational activities for people of all ages.

With extra-long and wide pull through RV sites, plus easy on and off the highway; a stay at this KOA is all about convenience. We are just 1 ½ miles off the highway, so if you don't feel like cooking once you get here, there are plenty of places to eat, ranging from independent local restaurants to major fast food chains. Or, settle in and have fresh hot food from the snack shack delivered directly to your site. If you are looking for new things to do, we can give you plenty of ideas and choices.

Our park is located just 2 easy miles from the 19,000 acre Rend Lake (named as the 7th Wonder of Illinois) - with an abundance of recreational activities for people of all ages from boating and beaches, to wildlife demos at the visitor's center. Our area of southern Illinois is known for great fishing, hunting, boating and bird watching opportunities. If golf is your game, try one of the local courses. Their range in skill levels will challenge anyone from beginners to advanced players.

But wait, there's more! The choices do not stop here. Within minutes, you can be at one of several antique stores at the town square, tour our historic jail museum, or shop at the Artisans Shop and Art Gallery that include more than 25 categories of arts and crafts representing the work of Illinois' finest artisans, all available for purchase. A short 15-20 minute drive from our park and you can watch minor league baseball being played in a new stadium that is home to southern Illinois' newest team, "The Miners". Attend an event at the DuQuoin State Fair grounds, or go ATV-ing at Little Egypt Public OHV Recreational Area.

Still need more? For day trips, drive down to the Shawnee National Forest and hike at the Garden of the Gods for views you will never forget. Spend a day sampling the local wines or finding a special antique as you follow the Southern Illinois Antique Trail.

Stay with us and see the improvements we have made!

Meet Your Hosts

Campground Amenities

• 50 Max Amp
• 98' Max Length
• Wi-Fi
• Cable TV
• Pool (Open May 15 to Sep 15)
• Snack Bar ($)
• Propane ($)
• Fishing
• Firewood ($)
• Pavilion

• Convenience Store
• Families
• Laundry Facilities
• Motorcycle Clubs
• Play pinball
• RV Clubs & Rallies

• Dump Station
• Fish in our Catch and Release pond with its park like setting (no charge)
• Long RV sites
• Pavilion or Meeting Room provided to Groups by request
• Propane Gas Sales (available with charge)
• Shoot a game of pool

• Eat from the Snack Bar
• K9 Park
• Military Clubs
• Pitch some horseshoes
• Relax in the swimming pool (May 25 - September 9)

Local Attractions

Antiques - Southern Illinois

Illinois has many wonderful antique shops! You’ll enjoy the "treasure hunt" as you search for antiques and collectibles.

Artisans Shops and Art Gallery

The Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center is a site of the Illinois State Museum. This expansive 15,000 square foot facility houses the Artisans Shop and the Southern Illinois Art Gallery where many arts and craft traditions are showcased.

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail wineries are located in Jackson and Union Counties in southern Illinois. All eight award-winning wineries are just a few minutes from each other. Enjoy eight unique and different wineries on a day trip or spread out over a long weekend. Seven of the wineries offer picnic areas for you to bring along picnic baskets and enjoy your lunch or snacks with an award-winning southern Illinois wine.

Baseball - Southern Illinois Miners

Catch all the baseball action with the Southern Illinois Miners.

DuQuoin State Fair

The DuQuoin State Fair is a showcase of Illinois Agriculture, which occupies 1400 beautiful acres in the South Central section of Illinois. The State Fair plays an important role in contributing to the state’s economy and educating the public about the importance and necessity of agriculture.

Hiking - Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest, with its unique rock formations has been a popular attraction in Southeastern Illinois for a long time. A paved road off of Karber's Ridge makes it much easier for visitors to explore Garden of the Gods. A short-looped trail from the parking lot makes it easy for visitors to see the main rock formations, including the well-known Camel Rock. Anvil Rock and other formations can be seen along the trails in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area.

Franklin County Historical Attractions

For more information on the historical jail and other attractions visit the Franklin County Historical Attractions.

Golf

For information on golfing in Southern Illinois visit Golf Link online.

Metropolis, Illinois

Metropolis is situated on Interstate 24 halfway between Nashville, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri, while Paducah, Kentucky is only 10 miles away. Metropolis is full of history. We are proud to be the home of the oldest state park in Illinois. Fort Massac State Park became the first official state park in 1908. The park provides picnicking, camping, hiking, boating, fishing, skiing and hunting within its 1,540 acres of beautiful Southern Illinois landscape.

Rend Lake

The Rend Lake Visitor Center, located at the east end of the Main Dam Road, is a great place to begin your visit to Rend Lake and learn about the exciting recreational opportunities available in the area.

Rend Lake Bike Trail

The Rend Lake Bike Trail offers over 19 miles of paved trail that meanders through some of the most diverse and scenic habitat that Southern Illinois has to offer. The trail passes though bottomland hardwoods, restored prairie grasslands, wetlands and riparian ecosystems. Its most compelling scenic feature is Rend Lake, second-largest man-made lake in Illinois, with 19,000 acres and 162 miles of shoreline. The trail skirts the southern and eastern sides of the lake, and will be 33 miles in length when remaining segments are completed

Illinois Rural Heritage Museum

22,000 square feet in two buildings. In Pinckneyville, Indiana, located 60 miles east of St. Louis. The museum tells the story of the progression of life in rural America. Machinery and equipment displays, plows, saw mills and the earliest of tractors. Furnishings are authentic for the period down to the calendar and pictures on the walls. See stoves, used for heating and cooking, lamps and water systems. Methods of storing and preserving meats and canned fruit and vegetables will bring back memories for some.

Walker's Bluff

Gourmet cuisine, natural scenic wonder, and a promise to treat you like family. That's what you'll find at Walker's Bluff. This 160 acre complex is being developed as the premier vineyard and destination in the tri-state region. Whether you're looking to host an event, celebrate your special day or just escape for an evening of the finer things, Walker's Bluff offers the very best in food, drink, amenities and atmosphere.

Address
14400 Meridian Rd. Carterville, IL 62918
Phone
Legends Reservations: 618.559.4893
General Store: 618.985.8463

E-mail
info@walkersbluff.com

Directions
From 57 exit 54B
Take exit 54B to merge onto W DeYoung
St/IL-13 toward Carbondale - Continue to

follow IL-13

Turn right at N Reed Station Rd
Turn right at Vaughn Rd Turn left to stay on
Vaughn Rd

Turn left at N County Line Rd - Follow to
Walker's Bluff

Home of Popeye

Visit Chester Illinois, the home of Popeye and visit the Popeye Museum.

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