Located near the Illinois Bayou, the area exhibits picturesque bluffs and breathtaking scenery. The recreation area is closed following the 3rd week of December and reopens the 3rd week of March. Campground and Day-Use Area Rules

Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI)

Could hear the river - right near the campsite. Close to Trail heads - had an awesome covered, but open walls, rock building with a really cool fireplace.

On the river!! Awesome covered fireplace 

I grew up camping here several times a year. There is a creek to swim or fish in, there are personal pavilions and a larger pavilion for big groups. There is a hiking trail directly from the camp ground. Down the road you can bushwack to Penhook falls. Plenty of privacy on the 2 end sites. There are 3 sites total, no reservations. But you never have trouble getting a spot unless it's a holiday weekend.  

20+ years camping here

I was just passing through, but this is a small campsite just off a main road. There is trail access to some scenic areas right around you, and some interesting stone structures which I haven’t encountered before at a campsite, so that’s cool. Look like they’d be good for cooking if you brought the right equipment. 

Nice Spot 

The Bayou Bluff Recreation Area is now called the Bayou Bluff Point of Interest (POI). In summary, there are only 4 campsites, including a group site. Also, these sites are free, first come, first serve. Here's is info directly from the Bayou Bluff  page on the National Forst Service Web site: "Effective October 2021, Bayou Bluff became a Point of Interest. The fees are suspended for camping and day use and is now open all year. Upper loop is closed to camping and will be eliminated completely. Use of the vault toilet, large pavilion, three shelters, and a small pavilion will remain. The pavilions are managed on a first-come, first-service basis. Trash services are managed by visitors as "pack-it-in, pack-it-out," and Leave No Trace ethics are posted on information kiosks. Active partner groups and volunteers are helping extend the life of the current amenities, excluding trash services." Also: "Open all year. No fees. Upper loop closed. Pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No trash services. Pack it in- pack it out." The NF page also indicates that there is no water available, but there may water in the group site. The vault toilets are clean, and the campground grounds appear to be reasonably maintained. I recommend only tent camping here, as well as car/truck/van camping. Sites appear to be too small for RVs &amp; trailers.