Fishing and river access draw most visitors to Tower Rock Campground, a no-frills Forest Service site along the Ohio River in southern Illinois. The campground sits on a mowed clearing in the woods close to the water, with a concrete boat ramp leading directly into the river. Campers who fish the Ohio or want to launch a small boat will find the setup functional, though kayakers should note that the Ohio River's current makes paddling here a more serious undertaking. The campground is open May 1 through December 15, and reviewers note it can close during periods of high water when river flooding reaches the site.
Sites include fire rings with grill stands and picnic tables, and firewood has been available to gather on-site. There is a vault toilet, but campers should plan to bring their own water or resupply at Cave-in-Rock State Park, roughly four miles east, where showers and water fill stations are available. Cell signal is listed as available, though at least one reviewer found it spotty depending on the approach route. The campground stays small, with only a handful of sites spread out across the loop, so arriving early on busy weekends makes sense.
A short walk from the boat landing leads up to Tower Rock itself, a CCC-era overlook with views down to the Ohio River from roughly 100 feet above the water. The path can be tricky to locate, but following the terrain uphill from the landing generally gets you there. Shelly S. describes it as "dark and quiet at night unless you have loud fellow campers," which captures the general character of the site. Campers who want hookups or a more developed experience can look at Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins to the west, or explore pet-friendly campgrounds near Shawnee National Forest for a broader set of options.
Description
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTower Rock Campground is located in Illinois near Cave-In-Rock
Directions
From jct Hwy-1 & Hwy-146: Go 4 mi W on Hwy-146, then 1 mi S on FR-101.
Coordinates
37.4590005 N
88.233 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 58 min from Paducah, KY
- 1 hr 34 min from Evansville, IN
- 1 hr 40 min from Owensboro, KY
- 2 hrs 18 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
