Glamping options near Buncombe, Illinois range from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces. Located in the Shawnee Hills at approximately 500 feet elevation, this region experiences moderate winters and warm, humid summers. The area sits within the unglaciated section of Illinois, creating more varied terrain than typically found in the midwest with sandstone formations and cypress swamps.
What to do
Trail exploration along old cart paths: Shawnee Forest Campground offers unique hiking opportunities on former golf course pathways. "This campground is on a former golf course. Has the old golf cart paths as walking/biking paths! The sites are spacious and have picnic tables and fire rings," notes Greg S.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Rend Lake at Gun Creek Campground provides ample fishing opportunities with boat access. "We got there late and had no problems finding a great campsite right next to the lake," reports Jonathan W. The campground is equipped for anglers with "sites with water and sewage dump" according to Dave S.
Hiking at Giant City: The trails at Giant City State Park offer geological features resembling mountain terrain. "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," shares Shana D.
What campers like
Privacy options: Some glamping sites near Buncombe provide secluded spots. At South Marcum Campground, "The campground gives campers plenty of room to spread out, lots of open space for the kids to play, and not crowded when we stopped by late July," according to Chris B.
Lake views and access: Many campers appreciate sites directly on water. "What a beautiful campground, it's our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them," notes Jeff F. about Gun Creek Campground. The access to Rend Lake makes these locations popular for water activities.
Convenient location: Proximity to highways makes glamping close to Buncombe ideal for travelers. Scott B. from Shawnee Forest Campground comments, "We were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog."
What you should know
Site variations: Not all sites are created equal. At South Sandusky Campground, "Most sites are wooded with space between them, and many have lake views. They are not very level so some adjustments were needed," advises Joel R.
Limited privacy at some locations: Some campgrounds have closely positioned sites. At Gun Creek, one camper noted, "Site 29 is very close and the picnic bench is literally 8 feet away from the back of the pad of site 30... Don't expect much in the way of privacy."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts the camping experience. During dry periods, some sites develop drainage issues. One visitor at Shawnee Forest noted, "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At South Sandusky Campground, families appreciate the "playground in the non-electric area" with "plenty of fishing, swimming, hiking, boating" according to Rhonda M.
Beach options: Oak Point Campground has lake swimming areas. "A short jont down the road you have a boat loading area to go out on the lake, a public picnic area, and a beach where you can swim (for a small fee) or rent paddle boats," shares Claudia L.
Nature encounters: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. At South Marcum Campground, a camper reported, "Lots of deer and turkey!" These natural encounters can make glamping near Buncombe, Illinois especially memorable for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup details: For those seeking luxury glamping in RVs, know which utilities are available. At Shawnee Forest Campground, "The water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) are at the back of the gravel pad. There are two sewer hookups, which was nice. The water pressure was good around 50 psi. Their WiFi was very good," reports MickandKarla W.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require adjustments. At Gun Creek, "Absolutely must check how level the spots are before you book, as lots of sites are over 4 inch incline, which seems ok for Smaller rigs," advises a reviewer.
Site selection strategy: When booking, research the specific layout. A visitor at Shawnee Forest noted, "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 in the upper 26-50 site area. If we come back, we'll know where to ask for a site."
