Rv Areas Central Illinois-south, Planning 8 day trip 3-20-09 Options

[Hockey family]

Looking for some help in locating a nice spatious park that will be somewhat quiet and accommodate 4 children (13,11,9,7). We are heading south from Chicago area and looking to travel 6-8 hours for first "extended" trip. Usually we travel in 4 day trips surrounding hockey tournaments. This one will be for relaxing, reading and a little fun. any places with caves, waterfalls, lakes etc..

Sorry we are so vauge but we are somewhat new. We want a clean location with full hookup and not on top of eachother if possible. Thank you in advance.

[Jerry S.]

Emma,

What an absolutely wonderful post for information on southern IL. Tourism boards should pay you.

Hockey,

As I re-checked this topic just now, I realized that, as noted in your subtitle to the topic, that your trip is for 8 days. As previously noted, I would stick with staying in southern IL. The MO or KY trips I suggested would take up up too much (1 and 1/2 days going and coming) of an 8 day trip. The Marion park suggested by 2 previous posters would probably be a good base park as long as you don't mind driving a few hours every day to see the sights. The park may not have much for the kids to do but not many places in the area do at this time of the year.
There are also private parks around Cape Girardeau, MO (just across the Mississippi River from I) and Paducah, KY just across the Ohio River from IL) if you don' mind moving every other day or two. I depends mostly on whether or not you want to set up camp just once or do 3-4 times during the trip. With 4 kids, I would think one base camp for the trip would be preferable.

Again, have fun.