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Water

Established Camping

Dixon Springs State Park Campground

11 Reviews

About

State Park

Dixon Springs State Park Campground, nestled near Golconda, IL, offers a mix of natural beauty and practical amenities. This spot is open year-round and caters to tent campers, RV enthusiasts, and those looking for cabin stays. The campground is big rig friendly and provides electric hookups, making it a convenient choice for RV travelers.

One of the standout features here is the swimming pool with a slide, which is a hit with families, especially during the warmer months. There's a small fee to use the pool, but it's worth it for a refreshing dip. The campground also has a sanitary dump station and allows campfires, so you can enjoy a classic camping experience with s'mores and stories around the fire.

The surrounding area is rich with hiking trails, offering plenty of opportunities to explore the local flora and fauna. The tall trees provide ample shade, making it a pleasant place to set up camp even in the summer heat. For those traveling with pets, you'll be glad to know that pets are welcome here.

Visitors have noted that the campground is generally clean and well-maintained, with friendly and helpful hosts. However, it's a good idea to know your campsite number before you arrive to make navigation easier. The nearby town of Golconda is just a short drive away, offering a grocery store and gas station for any last-minute needs.

Overall, Dixon Springs State Park Campground is a solid choice for a family-friendly camping trip with plenty of natural beauty and convenient amenities. Just watch out for ticks and poison ivy, and you'll have a great time.

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Location

Dixon Springs State Park Campground is located in Illinois

Directions

Located in Pope County, just 30 miles south of Harrisburg, IL, or 20 miles north of Paducah, Ky. To reach Dixon Springs State Park from I-24 traveling East, take exit #16 to Rt. 146. At the stop sign turn left and the park is 13 miles on the left. If you are traveling West on I-24 you take exit #16 to Rt. 146. At the stop sign turn right and the park entrance is 13 miles on the left. The park entrance sign is across from the Chocolate Factory. Dixon Springs State Park is 1 mile east of Rt. 145.

Coordinates

37.38300069 N
88.66600082 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Good
T-Mobile
Poor

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

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Amy & Stu B.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2022

Solidly okay

Very few other campers, campground was empty, no attendants. Pit toilets with no hand washing station or showers and no water hook ups. There is water at the entrance to fill up, however. There were electric hook ups and dump station. A few trails surrounding the campsite and a fun pool with a slide attached to the campground with an entrance fee of $6. Besides the pool none of the facilities were great and the site just had a weird vibe. You can shower at the pool— but those showers are truly, not good. Close to garden of the gods—which is why we went. And it honestly wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either.

Lots of ticks (pulled some off every day) and fireflies.

Site9

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Michael V.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 6, 2022

Nice campground with plenty to see

We had a very nice time and this campground and wish we could have stayed a few more nights to see more of it. There was a couple nice playgrounds for the kids to play on and plenty to walk around and see.

Month of VisitNovember

(4) View All

Muffy Clark G.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

Needs a bathhouse !

Liked the state park and it’s beauty a lot. Pool was closed on Labor Day weekend???Pretty wooded campground on the side of a hill has a lot of shade but most sites are not level for larger RVs. Our reserved site #6 was so sloped for our 24’ C class that we had to give up on it and move to a vacant more level spot. The pit toilets leave a lot to be desired and the lack of showers on site is reprehensible. The campers deserve better from this camping

Site12

Month of VisitOctober

Marta S.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 11, 2021

Clean, Fun, and Lots of Features

We were a bit nervous about this campground when reading reviews and seeing the location (there is an Impact Incarceration Program that shares the border), but I'm glad we found it. We booked this spot a few weeks in advance for Memorial Day weekend, and honestly we only booked it because it was the only campground left that seemed somewhat acceptable out of campgrounds that accept reservations. I'm glad we did. The location is amazing, it didn't seem as crowded as other campgrounds in Shawnee National Forest, it was well maintained, and had lots of features that range from hiking trails to a swimming pool (and pretty confident a basketball court as well). Even though we did not take advantage of these features, the campsite itself was wonderful. It was exactly what we wanted - a little pine forest to sleep in and get away from the city and take it easy for the weekend. There were lots of kids and other people as expected for the holiday weekend, but that did not interfere with our stay. The campsites are very compacted, but it still feels very personal and private due to all the tree cover and bushes. Additionally, there are bathrooms onsite that are pretty clean, but expect lots of mosquitos on them. Finally, Golconda is only 10 miles away and has a grocery store that was stocked with essentials we forgot and a gas station to fill up.

Here are some of the negatives: LOTS of poison ivy and ticks. Luckily, we expected this and came prepared with tweezers, tick remover, insect repellant, and poison ivy wipes. I gave my dog tick medicine two days prior to our departure, and the tweezers and tick remover came in handy since I was bit despite the ample amounts of insect repellant. The poison ivy is EVERYWHERE. Anywhere you see trees and bushes, there will be poison ivy. It was definitely nerve wracking putting up the hammock and unfortunately did not get to cuddle our dog at all since we were nervous of the possible oils on his fur. Also, their system for reservation is flawed - when we arrived the campsite we booked had a family already all settled in, and luckily we were able to find another available campsite otherwise we'd need to talk to the superintendent and kick that family out in order to get settled in. I would have been incredibly disgruntled if this ended up happening, but luckily the campsite we ended up having was better than the one we originally booked. Could have gone either way though. Finally, cars aren't allowed next to the campsite. We initially parked next to it and the superintendent asked us to move it to the parking lot. Makes it a hassle and is a bit of a bummer, but it was fine.

Site8

Month of VisitJune

Bridget C.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020

Beautiful family friendly campground

Beautiful campground with plenty of room between sites. Most are shaded with rings or fire pits. Great family friendly place. Trails and roads maintained well. Tip: know where your spot is prior to entering campground, it makes it easier to find and navigate.

(4) View All

Joel H.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2020

Fun times

We enjoyed our stay at Dixon Springs. We were the only campers in our loop for the entire stay. This is a very clean, well maintained campground, the hosts were very friendly and helpful.

(4) View All

Chelsea D.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2020

Nice little area for family fun time

We have a smaller travel trailer and it fit just fine, but the sites are on the smaller side. There were plenty of trees for hanging out hammocks, and lots of grassy areas for the kids to run around. We hiked the trail and it took us about 2 hours total. They were very well maintained. The bathrooms were out toilets, but they were immaculately cleaned! They also offer free firewood for campers, which was such a treat! We have already scheduled our next visit for next weekend. Also, there is a work camp next door, but we didn’t see or hear anyone. Staff drove by a few times delivering park maps and answering questions. Oh and we saw a baby fox, and enjoyed the chocolate factory fight across the street. :)

(4) View All

Jessica R.

Guide

Reviewed May. 30, 2020

Small sites

We have a 29 foot camper: the sites and roads are snug for it. At site 6 it goes downhill so it is difficult to get your camper level. Water available at dump station but not consumable. The area is very beautiful and quiet. Perfect for those with smaller campers. Electric available at site.

(5) View All

Debbie H.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 3, 2018

Go to Lake Glendale instead!

There is a minimum security correctional facility on the property. A boot camp. You will hear them from your campsite - it’s about it 300’ away from he campsites just on the other side of the woods.

There are no hosts nor is there a DNR officer who is on site. We were told he stops by every other week.

Other than that the park is clean and empty.

Jim C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 12, 2018

Good natural features and swimming pool

Electrical hookup available few sites only seen 2 or 3 sites that had water available. Quiet site with general facilities. Toilets in campground are vault type. RV tank dump site does not have running water site. Park staff states updates and budget minimal at this time. Still a very nice time and felt like a our own personal camp site.

Site31

Month of VisitAugust

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2018

That’s all folks

Dixon Springs State Park is within Shawnee National Forest near Golconda, Il. This park has some unique features.

It sits on a block of rock along a fault line. Directly accessible from the parking lot is a waterfall and covered spring. Plus huge rocks to wander through. The pool is in the same area. Ghost Dance Canyon Trail is .7 miles long and an interesting, picture worthy hike.

Up the hill you will find the campgrounds.The RV campground is very open , you do have more space if you pick an outer site. Past some historical buildings you will find the primitive area parking lot. Hike in and pick your site. Some of those sites aren’t far from the parking area, others are further in the woods.

This is a nice basic camping area, but I wouldn’t choose to stay here for longer then a night/weekend, my opinion. If you have young children or just want to relax at the camper and pool it’s quiet and slow paced. We overnighted and got on the road home.

Month of VisitJuly

(11) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dixon Springs State Park Campground have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dixon Springs State Park Campground has water hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at Dixon Springs State Park Campground?

Dixon Springs State Park Campground allows vehicles up to 50 feet.

Are fires allowed at Dixon Springs State Park Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Dixon Springs State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Dixon Springs State Park Campground have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Dixon Springs State Park Campground does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Dixon Springs State Park Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is poor.