State Parks Near Carbondale, Illinois
29 state park units lie within 50 miles of Carbondale, including 3 parks across the line in Missouri. The closest is Little Grassy Fish Hatchery, about 6 mi southeast of town. 10 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Little Grassy Fish Hatchery6 mi southeast
- Within 25 miles
- 10of 29 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 141 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 1pets allowed
State parks near Carbondale, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Carbondale; driving distance is usually longer.
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is a 95-acre park unit in Williamson County, about 6 miles southeast of Carbondale.
Hours, fees and rules for Little Grassy Fish Hatchery →Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area
Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area is a recreation area in Jackson County, about 3 miles northeast of De Soto.
Hours, fees and rules for Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area →Giant City State Park
Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Giant City State Park →Lake Murphysboro State Park
Lake Murphysboro State Park is a 948-acre park in Jackson County, about 3 miles west of Murphysboro.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Murphysboro State Park →Kinkaid Lake SFWA
Kinkaid Lake SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Jackson County, about 3 miles west of Murphysboro.
Hours, fees and rules for Kinkaid Lake SFWA →Trail of Tears State Forest
Trail of Tears State Forest is a forest in Union County, about 16 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Trail of Tears State Forest →Ferne Clyffe State Park
Covering about 2,572 acres, Ferne Clyffe State Park lies in Johnson County, in Goreville.
Hours, fees and rules for Ferne Clyffe State Park →Pyramid State Recreation Area
Covering about 18,936 acres, Pyramid State Recreation Area lies in Perry County, about 10 miles west of Du Quoin.
Hours, fees and rules for Pyramid State Recreation Area →Trail of Tears State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, swimming, boating, fishing, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Trail of Tears State Park →Union County SFWA
Union County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Union County, about 12 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Union County SFWA →Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area
Covering about 202 acres, Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area lies in Randolph County, about 11 miles east of Chester.
Hours, fees and rules for Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area →Tunnel Hill State Trail
In Johnson County, in Vienna, Tunnel Hill State Trail covers about 917 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Tunnel Hill State Trail →Devils Island Wildlife Management Area
Devils Island Wildlife Management Area is a park unit in Alexander County, about 7 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Devils Island Wildlife Management Area →Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Franklin County, about 6 miles north of Benton.
Hours, fees and rules for Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area →Cache River State Natural Area
Covering about 14,999 acres, Cache River State Natural Area lies in Johnson County, about 6 miles southwest of Vienna.
Hours, fees and rules for Cache River State Natural Area →Turkey Bluffs
Turkey Bluffs is an idnr site (no designation in title) in Randolph County, about 5 miles southeast of Chester.
Hours, fees and rules for Turkey Bluffs →Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area
Covering about 1,390 acres, Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area lies in Alexander County, about 6 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area →Randolph County State Recreation Area
In Randolph County, about 3 miles northeast of Chester, Randolph County State Recreation Area covers about 1,138 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Randolph County State Recreation Area →Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
In Massac County, about 12 miles northwest of Metropolis, Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area covers about 2,153 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area →Dixon Springs State Park
Dixon Springs State Park is a park in Pope County, about 16 miles north of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Dixon Springs State Park →Washington County State Recreation Area
Washington County State Recreation Area is a 1,465-acre recreation area in Washington County, about 5 miles south of Nashville.
Hours, fees and rules for Washington County State Recreation Area →Sielbeck Forest SNA
Covering about 396 acres, Sielbeck Forest SNA lies in Massac County, about 10 miles northwest of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Sielbeck Forest SNA →Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
Popular activities here are historic sites, ranger programs, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Bollinger Mill State Historic Site →Horseshoe Lake Alexander County
Horseshoe Lake Alexander County is a state fish and wildlife area in Alexander County, about 17 miles southeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Horseshoe Lake Alexander County →Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 5,940-acre recreation area in Hamilton County, about 17 miles east of Benton.
Hours, fees and rules for Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area →World Shooting and Recreational Complex
World Shooting and Recreational Complex is a park unit in Randolph County, about 4 miles north of Sparta.
Hours, fees and rules for World Shooting and Recreational Complex →Saline County SFWA
Saline County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Saline County, about 9 miles east of Harrisburg.
Hours, fees and rules for Saline County SFWA →Felix Vallé House State Historic Site
The park supports historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Felix Vallé House State Historic Site →Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park is a 1,389-acre park in Massac County, in Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Massac State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Carbondale
- Giant City State Park 9 mi south · Campground listed
- Lake Murphysboro State Park 9 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Kinkaid Lake SFWA 9 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Trail of Tears State Forest 18 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Ferne Clyffe State Park 19 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Carbondale
- Giant City State Park 9 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Carbondale
- Trail of Tears State Park 23 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Carbondale
- Trail of Tears State Park 23 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Carbondale
- Trail of Tears State Park 23 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
Fishing near Carbondale
- Trail of Tears State Park 23 mi southwest · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Carbondale
What is the closest state park to Carbondale?
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is the closest, about 6 miles southeast of Carbondale in a straight line. Next are Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area and Giant City State Park.
How many state parks are near Carbondale?
29 state park units are within 50 miles, and 10 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Carbondale have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being Giant City State Park, Lake Murphysboro State Park and Kinkaid Lake SFWA. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Carbondale?
Yes, at 1 park, including Trail of Tears State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Carbondale?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Marion, IL15 mi east
- Near Cape Girardeau, MO34 mi southwest
- Near Mount Vernon, IL44 mi north
- Near Paducah, KY55 mi southeast
- Near Centralia, IL56 mi north
- Near Sikeston, MO61 mi south
- Near Farmington, MO66 mi west
- Near Belleville, IL69 mi northwest
Or see all Illinois state parks, Missouri state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.