Best Tent Camping near Campbell Hill, IL
State parks and conservation areas surrounding Campbell Hill, Illinois offer diverse tent camping options within the Shawnee National Forest region. Ferne Clyffe State Park, located near Goreville, features two distinct tent camping areas: Turkey Ridge Campground with walk-in tent sites and the Backpack Campground with secluded primitive tent sites. Dutchman Lake Camp provides a more dispersed tent camping experience with minimal facilities. The World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, about 30 miles northwest of Campbell Hill, also accommodates tent campers with basic amenities in a more developed setting.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature natural surfaces ranging from forest duff to gravel pads. Ferne Clyffe's walk-in tent sites include access to drinking water and toilets, though campers report vault toilets can be poorly maintained during busy periods. Primitive tent camping at Backpack Campground requires self-sufficiency, with limited water sources available. Fire rings are common at established sites, and fires are generally permitted outside of drought conditions. Payment systems vary by location, with Turkey Ridge using an honor box system for first-come, first-served sites (sites 1-23), while sites 24-59 can be reserved online. The small town of Goreville offers basic supplies for tent campers.
In early fall, tent campsites throughout the region provide comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. According to reviews, weekday tent camping at Turkey Ridge offers particular solitude, with one camper noting they were "the only tent campers, so it was nice and peaceful." The extensive trail network at Ferne Clyffe State Park is a major draw for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, featuring limestone bluffs, cliff caves, and waterfalls. Campers report that "the walk-up primitive sites are secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source." Wildlife observation opportunities abound, with numerous species active throughout the night. Mature oak and sycamore trees provide ample shade for tent sites during summer months, while fall brings spectacular views from the bluffs overlooking the forest canopy.
