Whether you're a camper who likes to rough it or one who prefers more convenience, camping at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is fun for all. With four campgrounds ranging from primitive to cabin rentals, along with two beaches and two marinas offering boat rentals, slip rentals and more, you are sure to find the place to meet your camping, boating, and recreational needs right here on the refuge!
The Crab Orchard Lake Campground and Bluegill Bay Marina and Campground (formerly Blue Heron) are concession ran facilities operated by The REEF LLC. Together these facilities offer more than 120 campsites and 70 boat slips. For more information and reservations for these facilities visit craborchardbluegillbay.com Contact these campgrounds directly at 618-922-4075 or email at thereefllc2024@gmail.com.
Devils Kitchen Lake Campground offers 8 primitive campsites at $12.00 a night. This campground is open from April 1 through October 31 and is first come first serve (payment can be made at the campsites). Devils Kitchen Lake also offers a Group Pavilion that sits on a small peninsula giving your group solitude to enjoy a front row seat to view numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds, also giving you the serene view of sunrises & sunsets on the lake. Reservations for the pavilion visit recreation.gov.
The maximum camping period is limited to 14 days within a 16 day time period. All camping units, equipment, and personal property must be removed from the campground for 48 hours at the end of any 14 consecutive days.
For more information about the campgrounds call the campgrounds directly.
- Crab Orchard Campground 618-922-4075.
- Devils Kitchen Campground 618-997-3344 ext. 1.
Bluegill Bay Campground and Marina 618-922-4075.
Learn more about camping opportunities in the National Wildlife Refuge System.