One of the most photographed locations in the state, Garden of the Gods' scenic beauty is extraordinary. In the recreation area you can hike, camp, nature watch or picnic.

The Observation Trail features unique sandstone rock formations and panoramic views of the surrounding Garden of the God Wilderness. Interpretive signs explain the geological history. The 1/4-mile trail is made of natural sandstone and takes about an hour to walk. It contains short, steep grades and steps; benches are located along the trail and as a whole the trail is not tiring. Caution should be used due to the high cliffs in the area.  

Overnight parking allowed at Backpacker's Parking Lot only (Indian Point Trailhead).
Pets are allowed only on a leash.
Picnic areas and Observation Trail are open 6am-10pm.
Use trash receptacles where available. Pack It In, Pack It Out while on trails.
Camp only at designated sites in the campground.
Disposable food and beverage containers are not permitted on the Observation Trail.
Stay on the designated trail and leave the beauty of the rocks and plants for others to enjoy.

Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

We camped in the backcountry along the River to River trail adjacent to Garden of the Gods.  The camping area we found was great, about 7 miles down the River to River trail, but there was poison ivy everywhere along the trail which made for a stressful hike, trying to keep ourselves on the trail without rubbing against the poison ivy. The scenery was beautiful but we had a hard time enjoying it as much as we'd like.  This was over 4th of July weekend.  Next time we'll try to go early in the year, before it's so thick.

Good rustic campsites, but lots of poison ivy

This place has just a few sites - 12 - which are all primitive. There are bathrooms and fire pits. 
It's a fun place to go with a family since the hiking isn't too strenuous and is short. It's a pretty flat hike too. I recommend fall season so you can see the fall colors, which are everywhere on the trail. If it's been raining, bring some hiking footwear you don't mind getting dirty. 

BONUS: 
Spoke with some locals in the town and they told me of some really cool hiking around the area. More exploring and rock formations. It's a hiking trail called Panther Den Loop Trail. It is nearby and connects with the River to River Trail. See the photo captions to know which trail from this campsite I was on, as I hiked both near the campsite and at the Panther Den Loop Trail. 

Nice Fall hiking with bonus GREAT hiking! 

Love this area for day visits, thru hiking and horseback riding. The rock formation are awesome and the scenery beautiful. This was my kids favorite weekend trip. River to river trail and primitive hiking as well as a huge horse back get together in the fall

Beware the rocks!

Primative camping at its best. This is heavily used in the summer and early fall. Picnic tables and fire rings, vault toilets. Go in the off season and you will have plenty of privacy. Fairly level tent sites , some with nice trees for hammocks. Close to Little Grand Canyon, a really neat natural bridge, and Illinois wineries. 

Garden of the Gods 

I have been coming to this place every year since my first year of college. The views are amazing and the campsites for backpackers is the place to be. I think it's a little unknown to most that there are better campsites you just have to pack in for them. There is always something new to discover. I have been coming out for 15 years now and this last year my cousin and I found a new campsite with an uninterrupted view and far away from the crowds. What an amazing place to be. 

Heaven on Earth

This place is amazing in every season but fall provides the most colorful scenery. Campground is small and the area sees a decent amount of visitors even if they aren't camping. There is water, plenty of downed wood, and many hikes within a short drive. I would be nervous to bring small children because of the sheer drop of almost every side.

Amazing views

Wow this recreation area is very well maintained. I chose to backpack camp here overlooking one of the scenic overlooks. There is a lot to see and do here. Kid friendly and meant to take the whole family on a great trip!

The garden is real! 

The campground is right next to the main garden but so much to see in the area!! Sites are cliff side so be aware..My family of 5 stayed 2 nights. Pit toilets were well maintained, fire rings provided and nicely kept grounds with observed quiet times made for a fantastic stay!!

Amazing geological area!!

The site is your standard plot with a table and fire pit. You pay in a cash box on the honor system. Be sure to hide tour food at night as raccoons are guaranteed to inspect them! We ventured out on the trail one night and camped in a clearing on a bluff overlooking the forest. Absolutely stunning!

Great views and easy camping

Great hiking, there are plenty of spots to take in scenic views! Garden of the Gods will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first place my boyfriend and I hiked together.

Romantic

Me and my kids used to camp at **Pharaoh Campground and Picnic Area** at _Garden of the Gods, Shawnee National Forest._

It hasn’t changed much, one good change is it is better maintained then in the 90’s when we used to visit. Back then you had to check the sites for drug paraphernalia before letting the kids out of the car. 

A few other changes I noted were the cool barcodes to scan that give you interesting information about the area. Of course you don’t get much signal soooo. 

Then there’s the bike parking area and renovated latrines. Otherwise the really cool rocks haven’t changed much, left there from an inland sea. Very awesome views. 

The sites to choose from are cliff side ( don’t wonder around in the dark) and the inner area. Good space between sites and several secluded ones to choose from. There were several trails into the woods that take you to more rock formations, just watch your footing. Bring cash to pay and get your fuel and food before you drive out here. Quiet, relaxing and just plain meditation/yoga/koombyya ready!

It was an easy walk down through the picnic area to the trail at the main attraction. Then there’s the trail, River to River that runs through the area. There is a horse preparation area right by the main parking lot that has direct access to the trail. 

The picnic area had a pit toilet, pavilion and several tables set in the shade on top of a short ride with parking.

New improved

**Garden of the Gods** in _Shawnee National Forest_, Il used to be a favorite of my kids. They would climb all over the rock formations trying to catch lizards, stressing me out continually with their acrobatic antics. 

Visiting these days is definitely less stressful but just as enjoyable. The view is extraordinary and the geological wonders are very cool. The pathway is still the original stonework done by the CCC in addition there are modern day improvements most notably being the barcode information signs. Then there is the bike parking and the new toilet facilities. 

Pharaoh Campground has improved immeasurably from the 90’s when I would make the kids stay in the car until I checked the campsite for drug paraphernalia. The campground is very well maintained and you have the choice of camping near other people or picking a more secluded site.

Garden of the Gods Wilderness offers not only a challenging hike but a lot of scenery along the way. It’s part of the River to River trail and horse riders use the same trails in the GOG area. 

We took the time to walk the rock formations and explore down the path a ways. Interesting history and awesome area. I never get tired of checking out the views.

Yonder

This is a very nice clean park. Enjoy hiking and climbing on all of the rock formations and the stunning view. Wasn't too busy but we were there on a Monday mid-afternoon.

Stunning Day Hike

We did not camp here though I wish we did. We did a lot of hiking all around Shawnee but this is by far favorite spot in Illinois!

Best view in illinois

We almost had the entire campground to ourselves! We got there and got the best lot with a great backyard view. Garden of the gods was right around the corner and saw one of the best sunsets even though it was slightly cloudy. Would definitely recommend it!

A little slice of heaven

This camping spot is just down the road from Southern IL’s Garden Of the Gods. There were 12 camping areas. Plenty of room and trees for tents and hammocks. Also, there is a good amount of shade so if you tent in the right spot you don’t wake up roasting from the sun. The campsites have a lot of room so your neighbors don’t seem like they are on top of your site. The spots include a picnic table, hanging poles for trash or lantern, and a fire pit with movable built-in grill. The area is very wooded so unless the ground is wet you can find lots of firewood. There is a drinking water pump at the entrance of the campsite but it’s pretty chlorinated. There is no shower or running water and the toilets are pit style; but there are toilets. I don’t know if other sites had this but ours had 2 trails leading right out of the woods. Great for close to home hiking.

P.S. Beware of tailless raccoon at site 12 that likes to steal Doritos.

Great little spot!

10/10 would recommend.  Super nice and convenient camp sights &amp; not a far walk to the sight seeing location!  

Awesome camp grounds & view!

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.

You can’t beat the natural beauty here

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!

Great day hikes and options for overnight !

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

Very nice 

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

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

Garden of the gods 

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.


Nice 

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.

Majestic Landscape of Geological Formations 

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.

Basic campsite in a great location

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!

Remote with lots of Trails

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. 

Very nice hilltop camp. 

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.

Backpacking camping along Indian Point Trail

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.

So close to hiking but close to each other in the sites

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.

Peaceful Place

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!

Hiker passing through

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.

Near perfect for our family...

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. 