Best Campgrounds near Alto Pass, IL

Camping options around Alto Pass in southern Illinois range from developed state parks to more primitive forest sites. Giant City State Park offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations across numerous shaded sites with both electric hookups and primitive options. Nearby Pine Hills Campground provides a more remote experience with tent and RV sites but fewer amenities. Trail of Tears State Forest features basic tent camping with pit toilets and picnic tables. Touch of Nature Education Center provides cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort while still enjoying the natural surroundings of the Shawnee National Forest region.

Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though specific amenities like showers may be seasonal. Giant City State Park maintains paved roads suitable for most vehicles, while access to Pine Hills and other forest campgrounds often involves gravel roads that can become challenging after heavy rainfall. Reservations are recommended for Giant City's electric sites, particularly during spring and fall weekends when the area sees increased visitation for hiking and wine trail tourism. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering full hookups and others providing only basic drinking water spigots. "Very quiet and secluded. Campsites are roomy and some firewood is supplied," noted one visitor to Pine Hills Campground.

The mixed-use campgrounds near Alto Pass provide excellent access to hiking trails, rock formations, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Giant City receives praise for its hiking trails and natural sandstone features, with one camper stating, "The hiking was truly awesome. Doing the whole 12 mile loop of the Red Cedar Trail was a challenge for us! We really enjoyed it." Pine Hills and Trail of Tears State Forest campgrounds offer more solitude and primitive camping experiences with fewer amenities but greater privacy between tent and RV sites. Several campgrounds in the region provide good tree cover for shade during summer months, when temperatures can become uncomfortable. Proximity to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail makes these camping areas particularly popular with visitors who wish to combine outdoor recreation with visits to local wineries.

Best Camping Sites Near Alto Pass, Illinois (113)

    1. Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-4836

    "There is currently walk in only unless you are reserving a horse camp. There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here."

    "Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.
    All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."

    2. Trail of Tears State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    McClure, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5268

    "PRO  Senior discount saving $6 

    Able to reserve on-line 365 days prior to arriving 

    Very friendly and helpful camp host 

    Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River 

    Great dark sky viewing 

    No highway"

    "As close to camping next to the Mississippi river as you can get"

    3. Turkey Bayou Campground

    13 Reviews
    Gorham, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 687-1731

    "We took a chance camping here since we hang hammocks but we found a site that had some trees nearby. We were pleasantly surprised to see a port-a-pottie at the campground."

    "Stayed during the eclipse so crowds were intense but the hosts lets us camp where we could find room, the site was clean and the pond was beautiful (as always bring the bug spray when camping near the"

    4. Little Grassy Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-6655

    $15 - $35 / night

    "We've been wanting to explore southern Illinois for a long time, but it's a six hour (min)  drive from our home."

    "The lake is quiet and clean. A nice hidden gem located a short drive from beautiful hiking trails. We will definitely be back."

    5. Crab Orchard Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bargerville, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 997-3344

    $10 - $25 / night

    "Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."

    "Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale  Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must."

    6. Touch of Nature Education Center

    5 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 453-1121

    "Camp Amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/ fireplaces all with wood supplied, amphitheater s, fishing along Little Grassy Lake, trails, swing set."

    7. Pine Hills

    4 Reviews
    Alto Pass, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    $10 / night

    8. Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    16 Reviews
    Goreville, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 995-2411

    $18 / night

    "Had very nice trails, very clean. Forest is beautiful. We camped at the primitive area spot 11. Spots are pretty dam close to each other. There is camping you can walk off to."

    "Great campground away from roads and noise. Goreville is small local town with grocery store and service station for supplies. South LOOP sites 1-23 are first come sites."

    9. Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    15 Reviews
    Goreville, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 995-2411

    "Ferne Cliffe State Park is situated in the Shawnee National Forest, in the southern part of Illinois."

    "Dog friendly, pretty well spaced out campsites but some are used as paths with to get to farther back campsites. Good set up, not too close to neighbors and it’s heavily wooded in between."

    10. Little Grassy Lake - Crab Orchard NWR

    4 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-6655

    "Quite quaint and easy access to campground."

    "This campground is family friendly and right on the lake. We were lucky to come on a cooler weekend and get a more private campsite."

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Recent Reviews near Alto Pass, IL

594 Reviews of 113 Alto Pass Campgrounds


  • Reviewer
    Oct. 13, 2025

    General Watkins Conservation Area

    Rattlesnake Hill

    Rattlesnake Hill- is what the locals call this place. This conservation area is home to Missouri's largest venomous snake- the timber rattlesnake. This snake is known to reach 5 feet in this area and I have seen more than a few that reached that size.(I attached my pics of a massive rattlesnake on the loop trail.) Timber rattlesnakes move at night during the summer- so I wouldn't rush to camp here. Fishing is rough- as the watersnakes will chase you up the bank if they feel threatened. Insane amount of gnats, biting flies, and ticks. No water, no electricity, no trash cans. Hunters will be shooting nearby during hunting season.

  • H
    Oct. 11, 2025

    South Marcum Campground

    Quiet and peaceful

    The view in the tent area of covey point is breathtaking. The campground is clean, quiet, and peaceful

  • David D.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Fort Kaskaskia State Park Campground

    Awesome campground!

    The views over the Mississippi River are calandar-worthy! Very scenic from up atop the bluffs. A very old and historic cemetery is next to the campground. There is electric hookups 30 and 50 amp. No water/sewer but does have a dump station. Vault toilets.

  • Mandi G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    North Sandusky Campground

    Gorgeous views

    Very well maintained campgrounds. Most sites are pretty sloped but there are some level sites. Flush toilets. Bring binoculars for egrets and herons on the lake.

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Dutchman Lake Camp

    Great stop for the night

    We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am. There’s a large turnaround that could fit many vehicles, but someone was already parked there and we didn’t want to disturb them and also wanted our privacy. There a space for a vehicle to pull off and walk around some boulders to set up a camp, complete with a fire ring. Some bike-packers were already set up there. Close to the lake there is another spot for one or two vehicles. The lake surface had a lot of bug activity - no thanks! We ended up choosing a grassy space next to the curve in the road in between our neighbors. Very peaceful! No bugs.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Lake Girardeau Campground

    Clean and free

    Stayed here in September. Had the campground to myself. It's run by Missouri Dept. of Conservation so there's no charge. Each site has concrete picnic tables, grill and lantern hook.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great spot for location

    Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.

  • Chip
    Sep. 2, 2025

    World Shooting and Recreational Complex

    Lot's of full hookups

    This was our first camp in our new to us travel trailer. Not many trees.  Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue.  This is the site of the American Trap Shooters Association "Grand" Event.  During that event the first couple weeks in August the campground is full.  We were here last weekend in August. Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning.  There is a shower house I believe but could not access a couple of the doors I tried.  I imagine they had some unlocked but I didn't try all the doors when I was there.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gun Creek

    Nice!

    Nice, large, well thought out campground. Lots of trees, paved sites, bathrooms, showers, and well maintained. Offers full hookups, partial or none. Convenient to I64. Only stayed 1 nite, but would definitely come back.


Guide to Alto Pass

Camping near Alto Pass, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're a tent camper or an RVer, there are plenty of spots to enjoy nature and relax.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Giant City State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter." Another camper noted, "The hiking trails are beautiful, and not too crowded."
  • Swimming: Head to Crab Orchard Lake Campground for a swim. A reviewer said, "It was absolutely gorgeous. Very quiet area too."
  • Fishing: Try your luck at fishing in the nearby lakes. One camper at South Sandusky Campground mentioned, "Access to River for kayaking."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A visitor at Shawnee Forest Campground said, "The bathrooms are very clean and well lit."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. A reviewer at Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs noted, "Sites were spacious. Toilets were clean enough and stocked."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful surroundings. One visitor at Jackson Falls shared, "This is a spectacular place if you are looking for private and semi-private dispersed campgrounds."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Turkey Ridge Campground, have basic facilities. A camper mentioned, "The campground is basic—there’s an honor box if you don’t pay online."
  • Road Conditions: Access roads can be rough. A visitor to Jackson Falls said, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Crab Orchard Lake Campground warned, "We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Shawnee Forest Campground, which has paved trails for walking. A visitor said, "The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities for kids. One family at Giant City State Park Campground enjoyed the playground and hiking trails, saying, "The playground was good."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with snacks. A camper at South Sandusky Campground mentioned, "We had a peaceful stay with a view of the water!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Benton KOA noted, "We did find a great Mexican restaurant just down the road with great food."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Crab Orchard Lake Campground offer full hookups, which are convenient. A camper said, "The interior sites had full hookups."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Benton KOA warned, "1 side is directly on the freeway VERY loud."

Camping near Alto Pass, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Alto Pass, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Alto Pass, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 113 campgrounds and RV parks near Alto Pass, IL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Alto Pass, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alto Pass, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alto Pass, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Alto Pass, IL.

What parks are near Alto Pass, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Alto Pass, IL that allow camping, notably Shawnee National Forest and Rend Lake.