CAMPGROUNDS

Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind art, wine, or antiques, or exploring the great outdoors, the Shawnee Hills can take you there. The Shawnee National Forest is waiting for your adventures. For fun on the water you can make a splash at Kinkaid Lake, go fishing at Lake Murphysboro or bait your hook at the serene Cedar Lake. Golf and orchards also offer a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors and have some fun. As you travel the rolling Southern Illinois countryside you can sip your way along and discover truly surprising and authentic wine culture in the Shawnee Hills American Viticultural area, Illinois’ first region acknowledged for its distinctive winemaking properties.

Western region

Central region

Eastern region

Camp Cedar Point

A former Girl Scout camp, this 257-acre property now known as Camp Manitowa – Cedar Point is located in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Camp Manitowa – Cedar Point offers beachfront access with a new swim dock to 1200-acre Little Grassy Lake.

Devil's Backbone Park

DEVIL'S BACKBONE PARK

Nice, quiet campground right on the Mississippi River. We do not take reservations. It is first come first serve. Pet friendly campground with picnic tables, a playground, shower houses, restrooms and running water. Fish and hike your day away!

Giant City State Park

GIANT CITY STATE PARK

Giant City State Park is an Illinois state park on 4,000 acres in Jackson and Union Counties, Illinois, United States. Illinois acquired more than 1,100 acres in 1927, and dedicated the park as Giant City State Park. A lodge and visitor center welcome state park guests.

HORSESHOE LAKE CONSERVATION AREA

Located in Alexander County, this area is known for its 10,200 acre area that includes a 2,4000 acre shallow lake which includes large stands of tupelo, swamp cottonwood and cypress trees. Also known for its Canadian goose and bald eagle observation vantage point during the fall and winter.

JOHNSON CREEK

Large campsites, hitching posts and highline poles, it is one of the few Forest Service campgrounds that allows equestrians and their stock. Double and triple campsites accommodate larger groups. Equestrian trails lead from the campground and link to the extensive Kinkaid Lake trail system. Sorry there are no boat rentals at Johnson Creek.

KINKAID LAKE

Topography varies from sandstone bluff formations to rolling hills surrounding the lake where oaks and hickories predominate. Numerous flat contours are planted with prairie grasses, cool-season grasses and wildlife food plots.

Kinkaid Marina Campground

Resting on the tranquil southeast shore of Kinkaid Lake, nestled into the rolling hills of the Shawnee National Forest, Kinkaid Marina has everything you need for that enjoyable lake get away! Full service boat shop, Moody Muskie's Bar & Grill, general store, boat rentals, boat slip rentals, fuel station, courtesy dock and seasonal RV and tent camping!

Lake Murpysboro State Park

LAKE MURPHYSBORO STATE PARK

Beautiful rolling hills and woods surround star-shaped Lake Murphysboro and provide a wonderful backdrop for boating, fishing, picnicking, camping and hiking. Located in Jackson County about 1 mile west of Murphysboro off Route 149, the 1,022-acre state park is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints.

RV Site

RV Sites at Little Grassy Camp

BRAND NEW! Little Grassy Camp recently put in 6 RV Sites with full hook-up (water/50 amp electric/sewer). The camp is located on the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Makanda, IL and perfect for a quiet family getaway near some of the best outdoor attractions in Southern Illinois

Mudline Campsites

Mudline Campsites

They are on gravel pads, and have room to park your vehicles and boats. There is room for everybody to spread out and have fun, playing catch with your kids, sitting in the sun, star gaze, telling stories around your campfire, swinging in our swing. We are the perfect place for what camping is all about.

Pine Hills Campground

PINE HILLS CAMPGROUND

This campground has level campsites with open grassy areas between campsites. Popular with hunters in the spring and fall, the campground is also ideal for those who like to view nature, go birding, hike or take a scenic drive. Pine Hills Road leads to the top of the bluffs and features panoramic views of the LaRue Swamp and Mississippi River floodplain.

Rest In Peace Campground

REST IN PEACE

Established in 2001, our campground offers peaceful primitive campsites, located on private property, with on site facilities and grocery stores nearby. Stop by our clubhouse that has a full kitchen and air conditioner for those who require the necessities.

Sharp Rock Falls

Located in Ava, Sharp Rock Falls has 80 campsites and is open all year round for all ages. Camp, fish, hike and explore Southern Most Illinois with us!

Trail of Tears State Forest

Both Class C (tent camping with vehicle access) and Class D (backpack) camping sites are available at the State Forest. Some locations have log shelters with adjacent privies. Group camping is available at a few sites. The forest's gravel roads are closed to vehicles from December 24 through the end of the spring wild turkey hunting season (generally the second week in May). All camping access is by foot only during that period (Class D).

Turkey Bayou Campground

Turkey Bayou

Located in Oakwood Bottoms, Turkey Bayou Campground is a great location outdoor activities including waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, trapping, fishing, nature watching and bird watching. The campground is next to a 20-acre lake on the Big Muddy River with close proximity to the Big Muddy boat launch and the Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir. There is no charge for camping at Turkey Bayou, but there is a 14-day maximum stay. The campground does not have water or toilets. The site frequently floods during heavy rain periods.

Wine Trail Wilderness

This 37-acre property offers campers easy access to some of Illinois’ most beloved wineries and hiking experiences. While not a vineyard itself, Wine Trail Wilderness is within easy strolling distance of two local wineries. Guests are encouraged to wander over, bring picnic lunches, and spend time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful views.

Trail of Tears State Forest

Both Class C (tent camping with vehicle access) and Class D (backpack) camping sites are available at the State Forest. Some locations have log shelters with adjacent privies. Group camping is available at a few sites. The forest's gravel roads are closed to vehicles from December 24 through the end of the spring wild turkey hunting season (generally the second week in May). All camping access is by foot only during that period (Class D).

Turkey Bayou Campground

Turkey Bayou

Located in Oakwood Bottoms, Turkey Bayou Campground is a great location outdoor activities including waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, trapping, fishing, nature watching and bird watching. The campground is next to a 20-acre lake on the Big Muddy River with close proximity to the Big Muddy boat launch and the Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir. There is no charge for camping at Turkey Bayou, but there is a 14-day maximum stay. The campground does not have water or toilets. The site frequently floods during heavy rain periods.

Bay Creek Ranch

Bay Creek Ranch & Campground

Enjoy camping and horseback riding in the middle of Shawnee National Forest!

Cedar Lake Ranch

Cedar Lake Ranch

With hot attractions and must-see sites, Cedar Lake Campground in Vienna can accommodate all of your vacation dreams and desires. There's no need to play the parking game. There are plenty of open parking spaces in the area.

Ferne Cliff State Park

Ferne Cliff State Park

Ferne Clyffe has been known as an outstanding natural scenic spot for nearly 100 years. An abundance of ferns, unique geological features and unusual plant communities create an atmosphere that enhances the many recreational facilities offered at the park. Trails wind through picturesque woods, allowing visitors to view fascinating rock formations and inspiring vistas.

Fort Massac State Park

Fort Massac State Park

Experience the scenic splendor of southern Illinois, with plenty of outdoor fun and events tied to the region's rich history, at Fort Massac State Park. Overlooking the mighty Ohio River from the southern tip of Illinois, this majestic location has been preserved and maintained since 1908, when it became Illinois' first state park.

FT. DEFIANCE CAMPING & RV PARK

Ft. Defiance Camping & RV Park

Formerly a state park, it has been owned and maintained by the city of Cairo since the 1990s. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources assumed control of Fort Defiance on July 31, 2014 with the goal of returning it to state park status.

MAIN BROTHERS CAMPGROUND

Main Brothers Campground

Located on the Tunnel Hill State Trail and near the Cache River Wetlands, this campground offers tent and RV sites. Need something to do? Ride the bike trail or hike two miles to the Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center, a nature center and natural history museum of the Cache River Wetlands. There are many exhibits, activities and a film about the Wetlands.

Hilltop Campground

Hilltop Campground

RV camping, tent camping, and hiking. Create new memories and make your summer one that your kids will never forget.

riverview campground

Riverview Campground

Riverview is on the bluff’s of the Ohio river, and offers sites with water and electric, accommodates a wide range of RV sizes up to 45ft. Tent sites with water and electricity. Campground is very spacious, quiet and family friendly. Sites have a fire ring, and firewood. A public boat ramp located 1/2 mile from the campground for fishing and boating access. Advance reservations on Hipcamp.

Shawnee Forest Campground

Shawnee Forest Campground

Our Family has built this campground from the ground up in Vienna, IL. We found there is a need for more full hook up camping in Southern Illinois and Shawnee forest area. We hope you enjoy the progress of our campground. Being a new campground there will be many aspects of the campground that will need to grown in and fill in as time goes by. So our campground will get better year after year.

Lake of Egypt KOA

Marion Shawnee National Forest KOA

A true paradise for hikers, bikers, boaters, anglers, and nature lovers. Our campground is the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Unleash your adventurous spirit at our water park, relax and recharge on the swim deck, enjoy a friendly game of foosball, paddle out in a kayak, explore the lake’s hidden gems by boat, journey through scenic trails, or gather around a cozy campfire with family and friends.

Camp Ondessonk

Get a true Ondessonk camping experience by sleeping among the trees or under a waterfall. One of the highlights of an Ondessonk visit, our 3-sided treehouse cabin units take full advantage of their natural surroundings. They are intentionally designed and located to maximize visitors’ experience of tranquility and inspiration of nature. All cabin units have fire pits, benches, picnic tables, a potable water spigot, an outhouse, and are within a short walk to a shower house. There are also many areas at Camp to pitch a tent, or for those who don’t wish to rough it, rent a hostel-style room in our St. Noel Center.

Austin Acres Camp Outback

AUSTIN ACRES CAMP OUTBACK

Affordable family lodging, camping cabins, campers and primitive camping. We are minutes away from Ohio River, Tower Rock Park boat ramp, Elizabethtown boat ramp, good eating places, LakeTucumseh and Woopie Cat, Iron Furnace, Stone Face, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, Cave-in-Rock and lots of scenic views. Children and pets welcome.

Bear Branch Horse Campground

BEAR BRANCH CAMPGROUND

Bear Branch Horse Camp is centrally located in the beautiful 280,000-acre Shawnee National Forest just above Lusk Creek Canyon. Named after a creek that runs through the property, Bear Branch offers exceptional horse camping sites and cabins, and multiple access to the most scenic riding and hiking trails in the Forest. The Shawnee National Forest now has marked trails as well as good maps. Bridle Tags are no longer required to ride in the Shawnee National Forest.

Bell Smith Springs

BELL SMITH SPRINGS

Bell Smith Springs 'rocks'! Known for its plethora of wacky rock formations and hidden springs and streams, it's the cliffs, canyons, and plants that combine to make the eight miles of trails here a lot better than that other Eight Mile in the state next door. Come on, feel the Illinoise!

CAMP CADIZ

This campground is the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work camp. Somewhat off the beaten path Camp Cadiz is usually quiet and rarely do the campsites fill up; with the exception of turkey and deer hunting seasons. The campsites are level and each has a fire ring with grill and picnic table. Equestrian camping is allowed

Cave in Rock State Park

CAVE IN ROCK STATE PARK

There are 34 Class A sites that rent for $20 a night, and $30 a night on holiday weekends/weekdays (Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day). Each is equipped with electricity and can accommodate units up to 60-feet long. Twenty-five Class B/S tent sites also are available for $10 a night, and showers, restrooms and dumping stations are present in both camping areas.

Deer Run Campground

Deer Run Campground

Family owned campground with grassy camping spots and shaded RV spots. Check in at 3pm and check out is 11am. Please make reservations in advance.

Dixon Springs State Park

Dixon Springs State Park

There is a Class B trailer camp area with a sanitary dumping station and electricity available. A tent camping area is also provided for the primitive camper. Campers need to obtain a permit from the park personnel. Cabins and a group camping area are available for organized groups.

Double M Campground

Double M Campground

Lookin for a camp with great riding, great facilities and friendly down home people? Then your roundup is over cowboy cause you just found it !! Bring your own horse and ride for hours, or days in the majestic Shawnee National Forest Southern Illinois,renound for it's exceptional trail riding.

Feidlerland Rv Park and Campground

Feidlerland Rv Park and Campground

Family friendly rv park and campground located in Old Shawneetown, Illinois. 23 rv sites (30 or 50amp) and full hookup available, Primitive tent camping, 2 log cabins and 2 bath houses. Fire pits with firewood, for sale, on site. 20 minutes to Garden of the Gods and Cave-in-Rock.

Smores on Sticks

GARDEN OF THE GODS -Pharaoh Campground

12 campsites, tables, fire grills, toilets, drinking water and trails. Nice views of the Shawnee Hills can be seen from the campground and picnic areas. Pharaoh Picnic Ground is open year round, as is the Observation Area

hayes canyon campground

HAYES CANYON CAMPGROUND

RV campground located adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest in far Southern Illinois, with access to hundreds of miles of horse trails for trail riding. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons and holiday weekends, when we often are fully booked months in advance.

Hog Rock Campground

Hog Rock Ranch & Campground

Enjoy 3/4 mile of Ohio River frontage in the Shawnee National Forest. We have 115 RV sites with 30amp/120V electric and water. We have boat ramp access to the river and two dump stations. Open May 1st through November 15th and are just up the river from Cave-In-Rock. Come for a weekend, stay for a week, or even longer.

Horseshoe Bend Campground

Your hosts, Roy & Wayne Lamar invite you to enjoy RV, trailer, tent camping on Three-Mile Creek. With full hookups (Including electricity, sewage, water, and showers.) Quiet atmosphere, with room to romp along the four miles of hiking trails and roads. Over two miles of creek bank fishing, a Beaver-Dam, and cuttings. Located on the Ohio River's-Smithland-Pool, along Three-Mile-Creek.

Lake Glendale

Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers a wide range of recreation, including hiking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, bicycling and picnicking. Surrounded by tall pine trees and mixed hardwood forest, its central location makes it easy to visit main attractions on either side of the forest or any place in-between.

Lake Glendale- Oakpoint

Lake Glendale-Oakpoint

Oak Point Campground is located in the Lake Glendale Recreation Area of Shawnee National Forest. We have 34 sites with both electricity and water at each site and 25 primitive sites. A dump station is located across from the Camp Host site.

Ruffing it RV rental

Ruffing It rentals-rvs and more

A small family owned camper rental business. We have 3 campers in our fleet as well as kayaks. We offer deliver in southern Illinois.

LITTLE LUSK TRAIL LODGE & CAMPGROUND

Little Lusk Campgrounds

We live on-site and are ready to be your host to both you and your horses!We have 6 Lodge rooms, 29 Campsites (Elec & Water, & 7 with Sewer also), Free highlines behind campsites, 29 covered box Stalls, unlimited primitive camping area, bathhouse, coin laundry, and an Event Barn. We offer shavings, hay, firewood & ice. Little Lusk has 3 trailheads that lead to beautiful trails in the Shawnee National Forest. We offer several lakes for fishing & we are pet friendly.

Pounds Hollow

Pine Ridge Campground is located on the ridgetop above Pounds Hollow Lake and offers 13 electric sites and 22 non-electric campsites, each with a picnic table, latern pole and fire ring with grill. Water spigot is located at the campground entrance across from pay station. 20, 30 & 50 amp at electric campsites.

TK Ranch Campground

TK Ranch Campground is located north of Golconda, Illinois, on Lusk Road in Pope County, about ½ mile from One Horse Gap and One Horse Gap Lake. We are in the heart of a large trail system called The One Horse Gap Area. We are surrounded by mile after mile of the magnificent Shawnee National Forest. Shawnee National Forest offers new and improved trails that are well marked. We border Shawnee National Forest on all four sides; ride right out of camp into the forest.

Tower Rock

Located along the banks of the Ohio River, Tower Rock Campground offers beautiful scenery and close proximity to water activities like fishing and boating. The 1/4 mile trail can be accessed near the boat launch. Be aware this area is prone to flooding when river levels fluctuate.

Village of Cave in rock

There are 34 Class A sites that rent for $20 a night, and $30 a night on holiday weekends/weekdays (Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day). Each is equipped with electricity and can accommodate units up to 60-feet long. Twenty-five Class B/S tent sites also are available for $10 a night, and showers, restrooms and dumping stations are present in both camping areas.

Williams hill pass

Williams Hill Pass

Williams Hill Pass OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Park and Campground is a not-for-profit outdoor recreational park. Through private investment and grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Recreational Trails Program, Williams Hill Pass operates 27 miles of trails on 220 acres of field and forest. Sited on private property and surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, Williams Hill Pass is located 9 miles southeast of Harrisburg, Illinois. Opened in 2001, Williams Hill Pass promotes the usage of off-highway vehicles in a safe and family-friendly environment.