Campgrounds surrounding Jonesboro, Illinois are concentrated in the Shawnee National Forest region, offering diverse accommodation types across forested hills and lakeshores. Trail of Tears State Forest provides dispersed camping options within 5 miles of Jonesboro, while several developed campgrounds like Giant City State Park, Little Grassy Lake, and Ferne Clyffe State Park offer a mix of tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and even cabin rentals. The rolling terrain and sandstone formations create distinctive camping environments not typically associated with Illinois landscapes.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with many sites remaining open year-round but offering best conditions from spring through fall. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, with periodic heavy rainfall that can affect trail conditions and campsite accessibility. Primitive sites in dispersed areas like Turkey Bayou require self-sufficiency. "This simple, FREE campground is in a beautiful location by the Big Muddy River. It is volunteer run and relatively well-kept up, but there are not many amenities. It's like front country, back country camping," noted one visitor about Turkey Bayou. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during peak summer weekends and fall color season, while some areas operate on a first-come basis.
Waterfront camping opportunities rank highly among visitors to the region, with Little Grassy Lake Campground and Rend Lake receiving particular praise for lake access. The area's distinctive geological features set it apart from typical Midwestern camping experiences. One camper described the region as having "fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here. The geology is much like the Missouri area near the other bank of the Mississippi river." Mixed-use campgrounds cater to diverse activities including fishing, boating, horseback riding, and hiking. While some campgrounds feature modern amenities including showers and electric hookups, others maintain a more primitive character with vault toilets and no utilities, providing options for various camping preferences and equipment needs.
"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."
"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"
$40 / night
"We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."
"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."
$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."
"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."
"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"
$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."
"Small little campground off the highway. Inexpensive, quiet. Great spot if your in a need of electricity and a hot shower"
"Stopped here for the night driving through the area. Nice campground, clean, safe, and right off the interstate."
ScoutThis is my first experience RV camping and it was wonderful. They have a Bath House nearby in case you need it but they also have electric and water right here. It is $20 per trip to get in, but only $46 per night. I understand it is significantly less if you are in Indiana resident.
GuidePicked a spot that unknowingly left me a sitting duck for tornadoes later that evening. Great view, though. And never saw a single person. Moved to the spillway the second night... little less vulnerable.
LegendIf you need hook ups you can only use the small loop right by the river and train track. Not very cozy in my opinion. The wooded campground that is primative is much better and more private. Lots of hiking here but it is all on a huge hill.
ScoutVery convenient layover. Nice looking park. Friendly staff. Level sites. Just a little picky and would say the bathrooms and laundry need updating.
ScoutUpon entering at about 3:30pm on a random Wednesday, there were three deer just hanging out just a hop before the sites you are not able to reserve (we easily switched our site over there- just a side note). The wildlife on that side is ruthless though! We gained an evening visitor (and I got the Blackstone pre cleaned every night!) but the lil critter stole the marshmallows and pizza crust from the small storage tent!
GuideEasy access off the highway. Lots of trees. Sites reasonably spaced. Great water access. Easy to back in but there were lots of trees so bigger rigs be aware.
TravelerI loved it a lot of rocks to climb and places to hike people are friendly and the sunsets and views are insane.
ScoutNice lake, and paved trails for biking or walking. Quiet during the week
GuideNothing here but an open field and an old barn like structure. Just isolated.
Camping near Jonesboro, Illinois centers around the forested landscapes of Shawnee National Forest where limestone formations create unique ecosystems. Within a 5-mile radius of Jonesboro, primitive camping options at Trail of Tears State Forest provide solitude with portable toilets and fire rings at $8 per night. The region's campgrounds typically sit at elevations between 400-600 feet, creating microclimates that support both northern and southern plant species within camping areas.
Fishing opportunities: Little Grassy Lake Campground offers boat rentals and a dedicated marina for anglers seeking largemouth bass and crappie. "Little Grassy is a beautiful lake to explore! The marina shop also provides kayak and canoe rentals," mentions one visitor to Little Grassy Lake Campground.
Hiking varied terrain: Giant City State Park provides trails ranging from easy family walks to more challenging routes through unique rock formations. "The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails," notes a camper at Giant City State Park Campground.
Rock climbing access: Several sites provide access to both sport and traditional climbing routes on sandstone formations. "For climbers, there is a ton of nearby trad and sport climbing. The main wall stays wet for a while so if it has recently rained you may need to find somewhere else," advises a winter visitor.
River views: Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri offers Mississippi River overlooks within 30 minutes of Jonesboro. "One of the best camping views of the mississippi river! The campsite overlooks the mighty mississippi river and oh what a view it is, watching tugboats move barges up and down," reports a camper at Trail of Tears State Park Campground.
Budget-friendly options: Turkey Bayou Campground provides free camping with basic amenities near water access. "This simple campground is in a beautiful location by the Big Muddy River. It is volunteer run and relatively well-kept up. There is no toilet and or water spigots, so bring your back country shovel and fresh water," explains a visitor to Turkey Bayou Campground.
Firefly displays: Summer campers note impressive natural light shows at several campgrounds in the region. "Once darkness hit the fireflies in the forest were magnificent!" shares a camper at Ferne Clyffe State Park, highlighting a seasonal attraction from late May through July.
Train noise: Several campgrounds near river corridors experience regular train traffic. "There will be a train that comes through in the middle of the night, but other people have never been an issue for us," notes a camper about Trail of Tears State Park, while another mentions, "loud trains rolling thru every few hours."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "Spectrum Mobile works out here and the lake is beautiful," reports a solo camper at Turkey Bayou, though service tends to diminish in areas with deeper ravines and dense forest cover.
Site selection challenges: At Shawnee Forest Campground, visitors note varying site quality. "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps. There are some nice sites in this CG but we were not offered one of the better ones even though there were plenty of sites open," explains one RVer, suggesting campers should request specific sites when possible.
Shower facilities: Deer Ridge Campground at Ferne Clyffe State Park maintains clean bathing facilities. "Bathrooms and shower house were all clean!" reports a camper who stayed at the primitive sites, which provides important comfort for families with children.
Beach access: Touch of Nature Education Center offers shoreline swimming opportunities along Little Grassy Lake. "Camp Amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/fireplaces all with wood supplied, amphitheaters, fishing along Little Grassy Lake, trails, swing set," notes a visitor, highlighting the kid-friendly facilities.
Geological exploration: Ferne Clyffe State Park's formations fascinate children with accessible cave features. "It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!" shares a camper about the Hawk's Cave Trail at the park, indicating a natural playground effect that keeps younger visitors engaged.
Hookup locations: Be prepared for unconventional utility placement at some sites. "Electrical utility connection is on passenger side of the campsite #6. Sewer connection was high above ground so drainage was up hill," notes an RVer about Trail of Tears State Park, suggesting campers bring extension hoses and adapters.
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain requiring additional equipment. "Site 6 not level side-to-side," mentions a visitor to Trail of Tears State Park, while Shawnee Forest Campground reviews note similar issues requiring blocks and levelers.
Limited big rig access: Several campgrounds have narrow roads or low-hanging branches. "The gravel roads are slightly narrow with some trees but we did not have any issues getting to site 21," explains a camper with a larger RV at Shawnee Forest Campground, suggesting careful navigation is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Jonesboro, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Jonesboro, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 115 campgrounds and RV parks near Jonesboro, IL and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Jonesboro, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jonesboro, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jonesboro, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Jonesboro, IL.
What parks are near Jonesboro, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Jonesboro, IL that allow camping, notably Shawnee National Forest and Rend Lake.
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