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Who said waterfront RV camping had to break the bank? Finding the right campsite with a water view doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or your wallet.
It wasn’t easy, but I’ve rounded up ten waterfront campsites across the U.S. that not only offer stunning views but also full RV hookups, all priced at or under $30 a night.
Disclaimer: Prices, amenities, and site availability may change. Always contact the campground directly or check Recreation.gov for the most up-to-date information.
1. Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site
Location: Near Mackay, Idaho
Price: $14-$24 per night
Nestled on the banks of Mackay Reservoir, Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site delivers epic views of the Lost River Range. The campground is uniquely scenic, situated between the Lost River Range to the east and the Knob Mountains to the west. Enjoy water activities like boating, jet skiing, and sailing, or try your luck fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter. There’s also abundant wildlife viewing and star-gazing opportunities.
💡 Fun Fact: This is the only recreational site in the Challis Field Office offering full RV hookups.
Highlights:
- Scenic views of Lost River Range and Knob Mountains
- Popular spot for boating, jet skiing, and sailing
- Ideal for ice fishing during winter months
2. Cottonwood Point
Location: Near Marion, Kansas
Price: $18-$23 per night
Cottonwood Point offers shaded, spacious campsites along the shores of Marion Reservoir, a popular destination featuring a sparkling lake and rich forests. Activities here range from boating and fishing to hiking and wildlife spotting. Anglers can expect excellent catches of channel catfish, walleye, and white bass. Wildlife lovers will appreciate the Willow Walk Nature Trail for spotting pelicans, raccoons, and deer.
💡 Fun Fact: Marion Reservoir covers 6,200 acres and is surrounded by an additional 6,000 acres of public lands.
Highlights:
- Wildlife-rich Willow Walk Nature Trail
- Abundant fishing opportunities for catfish and bass
- Expansive forest canopy ideal for hiking
3. Lithia Springs
Location: Near Shelbyville, Illinois
Price: $18-$24+
Located on Lake Shelbyville’s eastern shore, Lithia Springs Campground offers a beautiful natural setting amidst oak and hickory forests. This campground features a variety of amenities, including flush toilets, showers, a playground, a swimming beach, and even a full-service marina. Anglers and wildlife enthusiasts alike will find plenty to enjoy, from birdwatching to catching fish right from the shore.
💡 Fun Fact: The surrounding oak and hickory forests turn vibrant colors in fall and bloom with prairie flowers in spring.
Highlights:
- Swimming beach and full-service marina
- Rich diversity of bird species
- Lush forest setting ideal for relaxing walks
4. Forrest W. Bo Wood
Location: Near Sullivan, Illinois
Price: $18-$24+
Forrest W. Bo Wood is positioned along Lake Shelbyville’s scenic northern shoreline. It’s a popular spot with extensive outdoor recreation, including swimming, fishing, and relaxing amid lush forests. The area is rich in wildlife, featuring songbirds, deer, rabbits, and more. Seasonal foliage transforms the forest with vivid colors, enhancing the scenic beauty.
💡 Fun Fact: Bo Wood has more than 140 campsites, making it one of the largest campgrounds in the region.
Highlights:
- Spectacular seasonal foliage
- Extensive shoreline access for fishing and swimming
- Frequent wildlife sightings, including deer and songbirds
5. Hernando Point Campground
Location: Near Hernando, Mississippi
Price: $20-$30 per night
Hernando Point sits on the picturesque Arkabutla Lake, famous for sailing and fishing. The site is set among rolling hills covered with diverse trees, including oak and birch. The area offers trails for hiking and biking, plus excellent fishing opportunities, home to bass, bream, and catfish.
💡 Fun Fact: Arkabutla Lake boasts some of the best sailing conditions east of the Mississippi River.
Highlights:
- Trails like the Swinging Bridge Nature Trail
- Renowned fishing spot for largemouth bass and catfish
- Rolling hills and diverse forest surroundings
6. Lakeside Campground and Recreation Area
Location: Near Coleman, Texas
Price: $24-$30 per night
Lakeside Campground on Hords Creek Lake offers year-round facilities with fully equipped RV sites. Enjoy peaceful surroundings dotted with Live oak trees. Campsites include convenient features like screened shelters and easy lake access via boat ramps and fishing piers, perfect for anglers and nature lovers alike.
💡 Fun Fact: Six sites feature screened shelters designed to protect against windy conditions.
Highlights:
- Multiple fishing piers for easy lake access
- Scenic surroundings with rolling hills and oak trees
- Screened shelters are available at select sites
7. Defeated Creek Park
Location: Near Carthage, Tennessee
Price: Around $30 per night
Defeated Creek Park offers extensive amenities along Cordell Hull Lake. The site provides everything from playgrounds and tennis courts to a marina and beach, making it ideal for families. Enjoy fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing amid the park’s rolling hills and mixed forests.
💡 Fun Fact: Cordell Hull Lake was named after Cordell Hull, the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of State.
Highlights:
- Extensive recreational amenities, including playgrounds and sports courts
- Marina and beach for water activities
- Excellent area for wildlife spotting
8. Wallace Creek
Location: Near Oakland, Mississippi
Price: $30 per night
Wallace Creek, situated on Enid Lake, is celebrated for fishing and recreational activities. It is family-oriented, offering amenities like playgrounds, trails, and picnic areas. Anglers appreciate the lake’s famous crappie fishing, and hiking trails are great for exploring the scenic surroundings.
💡 Fun Fact: Enid Lake holds the world record for the largest white crappie, weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces.
Highlights:
- Family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and picnic areas
- Top-ranked fishing spot, particularly for crappie
- Extensive hiking, biking, and horseback trails
9. Gunter Hill
Location: Near Montgomery, Alabama
Price: $26-$30 per night
Gunter Hill Campground on Catoma Creek provides serene, nature-rich camping with modern amenities. Newly renovated sites include concrete pads and full hookups. It’s particularly attractive for anglers and hunters, with nearby waterways and wildlife management areas abundant in deer and turkeys.
💡 Fun Fact: Nearby Lowndes Wildlife Management Area spans 12,500 acres of prime hunting territory.
Highlights:
- Nearby extensive hunting and fishing areas
- Concrete pads and renovated sites
- Playground and basketball court for families
10. Airport Park
Location: Near Waco, Texas
Price: $30 per night
Airport Park, uniquely situated between Waco Lake and Waco Airport, offers campers scenic lake views alongside the excitement of nearby airplane activity. The campground includes full amenities, and the lake is ideal for fishing with submerged timber habitats full of catfish and bass.
💡 Fun Fact: The Bosque River, feeding Waco Lake, runs 115 miles through central Texas.
Highlights:
- Exciting airplane viewing opportunities
- Fishing hotspots with submerged timber habitats
- Easy lake access with boat docks