Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

I loved it a lot of rocks to climb and places to hike people are friendly and the sunsets and views are insane.

I stayed on a Sunday late April. With only 12 sites and it being first come first serve, I was nervous we wouldn’t be able to secure a spot. To our surprise, there were 4 open sites, so we had the perfect amount of privacy. The campground is a short walk from what I believe is the most popular trail in the park. Would 109% stay again.

This is a stunning but small campground on top of a crazy high ridge surrounded by cliffs. I had no idea landscapes like this existed in Illinois and was pleasantly surprised. The campground was super clean, though it seemed like everything was shut down for the season. It was a pleasant surprise.

Functional clean porta potties. Fire pits, tables and water( not at the campsite but available at the entrance). Not a ton of privacy but very friendly people. Not great for starlink but very moderate t mobile a slightly better Verizon. Lots of tents and vans. Not many spots. Beautiful.

The rock formations are surreal and shoulder season is so quiet! We will be back as the hiking is awesome.

Visited in the first half of March, so yes it was cold, and rain one of the nights, which I'm sure contributed a lot to there being only maybe five campsites occupied. Camp area was clean of trash and obstacles. Ground around spots is mostly pine needles and cones, not grass. Lots are close to level, minimal leveling blocks needed. Easy walking distance to the observation trail that is the highlight of this park. $10 per night fee is done via honor system dropbox at entrance to campground.

Hammock friendly established campsites, which are rare for IL, also accommodating for tents, campers, and RVs.

Water pump tastes pretty good, no electricity hook up, bathrooms are usually pretty clean and are emptied regularly, decent cell phone signal.

Very busy on Fridays and weekends. Too many people, mostly day hikers, mostly parents with loud children, who have no concern for nature. They park wherever they can squeeze their car, even if it's obstructing your campsite; they leave garbage and waste everywhere.

Recommend only visiting Monday thru Thursday (except during spring break and holiday weekends) in spring and autumn (when the air is getting colder). The bluffs are treacherous after rainfall, but the views are more stunning and your more likely to have them to yourself.

We loved our stay here.  The trails, the clean campsites, the peace, the views, the trees, the seclusion.  It is one of, if not our favorite places to camp now.  We hadn't even left and were discussing returning.  

There is no potable water on site.  That would be my only complaint.  There is some a few miles away, but other than that, there is not a single thing I would change about this campground.  Well worth the drive from nearly anywhere in my opinion.

This place has been on our bucket list for a few years. We didn't get to camp there, but hiked a couple of the trails. It's definitely worth the visit!

The Garden of the Gods Observation Trail was a short, easy hike with some amazing scenic views.

The wilderness has several other hikes, but we also ended up doing the Indian Point Loop Trail. This one still had great views and lots to explore, but was way more private and peaceful. We saw only one other group the whole time we were out there.

I would definitely recommend both!

Loved it. Visit all the time. Plenty of hiking, trails. Places with amazing views

I stayed Thursday-Sunday. Very peaceful and clean. Very well maintained. Even the pit toliets are nicely stocked with toliet paper. Love the tall trees and that it's down the road from Garden of the Gods trails/ observation trail. Great for tents and Hammocks.

Good

This campground is a small loop with sites on both sides. You pass a public picnic area on the way in. This was packed when we went. The sites were a bit too close to each other for us. Our dog needs more vegetation to mask other camper distractions. The campground is beautiful though. The main draw for us was being able to walk to the Garden of the Gods trail. The views are refreshing. The rock formations are intriguing. The trail is only 1/4 mile or so but we spent quite some time mesmerized by the unique patterns and formations. Signs gave some education but our minds expanded more by imagining how they could have been formed. This is a popular place and we did come across plenty of dogs checking things out with their humans. The big draw for this campground has to be the closeness to the trails and views.

Many different experiences available so decide what you are looking for. The parking lot is marked as backpacking parking. We headed down Indian Point Trail and within 50 yards or so we came upon the first site. An offshoot trail headed off to the right and ended at a nice campsite with a set fire circle. If you are looking for something close to the car this is perfect. We kept going and found others close by. If you can keep going further. About halfway around the loop trail we found some wonderful campsites. One was nicely tucked atop the cliff with a perfect view. A group of young campers grabbed the furthest site. It was also on the cliff but the trail went right thru it. A small trail headed in and ended in a nice clearing providing room to stretch out your group. The crowds at the Garden of the Gods main parking didn’t make their way onto this trail so traffic was light. This is a great option if you are willing to hike in.

Not big by any means but we'll kept and cozy. Primitive with water and restrooms. Worth the stay for thise wanting a small area and tent camp.

Plenty of hiking trails with a lot of information about the area. Pretty close to convenience stores for your needs.

I arrived on Friday around 2:30pm hoping to get a spot but unfortunately, all spots were already taken (about 10-12). The vault toilet looked decently clean and all sites had a nice fire ring, picnic table and hanging hooks. Some sites were closer together than others but would work for a night or two to enjoy the beauty around! Little picnic area just around the corner and about .5 from several awesome hikes!

If you’re looking for a fun place to hike this is it. Lots of trails, old and new, with unique rock formations that you will love climbing through, around and over. There are also trailhead lots you can camp in for free if you prefer and have the items necessary. Watch for snakes, stumbled across a few danger noodles ourselves!

RVs, tents, hammocks, teardrops, and camper vans are all great here.

Just be warned that there aren't many lots and they fill up fast, especially Friday through Sunday, especially in the autumn as the leaves are changing.

And if it's unseasonably warm in October, don't bother coming out. Dayhikers clutter the parking spots so badly overnighters risk car accidents trying to get in or out. Lots of kids and Karens.

Basic car camping campsites with a picnic table, fire ring and a food pole at each site. The sites were clean the night I was there but the water seems to have been already turned off for the season (late October). There are vault style outhouses and an honor system check in box $15/night. The best part of this campsite is it’s a 5-10 minute walk to main trail/recreation area as well as the various other trails in the area.

This place really is "Of the Gods".  The Geological formations are very majestic.  It is so different from the rest of the state of IL.  AMAZING place to visit.  

Please be careful if you bring children or those that like to wander.  It is can be dangerous if one goes without caution.  I'm pretty sure this is the kind of place where the phrase "slipped through the cracks" was coined.  There are many cracks and various rocks that someone can slip on or through or fall off of, so be careful.  

Some of the most incredible scenery ever and the trails allow access to everything.  I am ready to go back, it is so beautiful.

I feel like the Garden of the Gods Campground website is deceitful. Their pictures do not accurately reflect the campground experience. If you are ok with living like a sardine during your stay, this is a great base location for site seeing.

I’ll tell y’all, the beauty of this place, just amazing how god has created this outstanding and magnificent place.

Spectacular, outstanding views, ancient cliff formations I love this place. They have camping, i think just tents though.

The campground is fabulous.

 Unfortunately this website is showing the wrong Garden of the Gods in the photos. These photos are representing  Garden of the Gods in Colorado not Illinois. This could cause a serious problem

I really like this little campground. The sites area  bit close together, and popups are probably the only camper that can fit comfortably. This campground is very close to the Observation Trail where you can view Camel Rock. There is no electricity at this campground, and sometimes people bring very loud generators, and there isn't much that can be done about that. But it's usually pretty busy with tent-campers. This is one of the locations on the Forest that fills up more often than other campgrounds, especially on holiday weekends.

My friend and I went there one summer and had the best time of our life

Great camping, limited facilities, no showers within 10 miles. Awesome views.

We did a quick day hike and really enjoyed the trails! Several options for beginners and experienced hikers. For the beginners, bring water and a map!

It is so beautiful here but if you need an actual bathroom, the pits were so gross this last trip.  You can’t beat these views!  One of the prettiest in Shawnee Forest in my opinion.

A lot of good hiking and the view is great