Shawnee National Forest dominates the camping landscape surrounding Carbondale, Illinois, with multiple dispersed camping options within a 30-45 minute drive. Jackson Falls offers primitive sites popular with rock climbers and hikers, featuring sandstone bluffs and seasonal waterfalls. Lake Glendale Recreation Area provides more developed camping with electric hookups, showers, and lakeside sites. Trail of Tears State Forest, located west of Carbondale near Jonesboro, offers year-round camping with basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. Dutchman Lake Camp and several other dispersed sites throughout Shawnee National Forest accommodate tent campers seeking more remote experiences.
Road conditions vary significantly across the region's campgrounds, particularly at Jackson Falls where water crossings can challenge vehicles without adequate clearance. As one camper noted, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long and a little bumpy, but we had no problem in a 4x4. Sprinter vans would be fine, but definitely not fun for even small RVs." Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most sites. Spring brings higher water levels at Jackson Falls, while summer weekends often see crowding, especially near Southern Illinois University. Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with Lake Glendale campers advising early arrival to secure spots. Weather impacts accessibility, with several campers reporting difficulties navigating dirt roads after rainfall.
Recreational opportunities shape the camping experience throughout the region. Jackson Falls attracts climbers to its approximately 60 climbing areas along sandstone bluffs and boulders. As one visitor described, "There are primitive campsites on both sides of Glen Street Falls Road near the trailhead. You can drive right up and park next to your campsite." Lake Glendale offers swimming at a sand beach ($5 per person), kayak rentals, and fishing with electric motors only permitted on the lake. Hikers appreciate the 3-mile trail circling Lake Glendale and the more challenging terrain at Jackson Falls. Wildlife encounters are common, with campers mentioning ticks as a concern during warmer months. Most dispersed sites lack drinking water and require visitors to pack out all trash.
"A few miles down a dirt road this is a beautiful campsite with great volunteer hosts."
"Though no trash or showers--only porta-potty."
"This hidden gem is worth the visit. It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs."
"Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway"
"Excellent for tent camping when you want relatively easy access and still feel a bit of solitude."
"Surprised to find nice porta potty at our site that was remote from others."
"We are a Jeep family so I may have more experience than others in off-roading. We opted to turn around and stay at the main parking lot which is VERY accessible."
"Jackson offers some of the best rock climbing in southern Illinois. There are about 60 climbing areas along the sandstone bluffs and freestanding boulders, with multiple routes."
"This campground is an absolute gem and is by far our favorite in Illinois.Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many"
"There is a longer wine trail further west in Shawnee National Forest. When I entered Lake Glendale, Cardinal Bay boat launch was the first area I visited."
from $12 - $44 / night
"It's easily accessible by all rig types. Backs up to the open forest and you pull right back onto the highway."
GuideThis hidden gem is worth the visit. It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW! On the trail there is a sign to set up for selfies. With a dog it wasn’t as easy as I’d hope to capture the moment. Ha
GuideI started coming to this campground once a year as a child with my family 50 years ago. This place will always have a special place in my heart. Lots of memories and lots left to be made. I am thankful that the hosts have done their best with the up keep. The last visit we rented the Goose Bay Picnic area for a group of 8 of us. Beautiful place. Typically quiet during the week. Best sites IMO are 51, 52, 54, 13
LegendPicked 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.
LegendNothing here but an open field and an old barn like structure. Just isolated.
TravelerOur family had a great time camping here! The road leading into the campsite is mostly gravel with a few rough patches. There are a few shallow creek crossings to reach the more remote spots (water levels may vary depending on rainfall).
4x4 isn’t necessarily required, but I’d highly recommend it—along with a high-clearance vehicle. We brought our Jeep Wrangler, and it handled everything like a champ. We didn’t even need to engage 4x4 the entire way in.
There are a few campsites you can access without crossing the creeks, but the dispersed site we stayed at was surprisingly clean. We only found a couple small pieces of trash—otherwise, it was spotless. Previous campers left some firewood and kindling near the rock fire ring, and we made sure to do the same for the next group.
We camped during the weekdays, and it was nice and quiet. As we were leaving on Friday, more people were starting to show up, so I’d assume weekends get pretty busy. That said, most campers didn’t go past the first creek, so the farther back you go, the fewer people you’ll run into.
One thing to note: I have Verizon, and I was on SOS the entire time—so don’t expect reliable service out there if you have Verizon.
TravelerThere is tent camping in the area of the bath house that doesn’t require any creek crossing. Now, getting to the more remote spots can be sketchy if you have a small or very loaded vehicle. There are two small creeks to cross and are somewhat rough to get through. I made it through in my minivan, but dragged through the second creek.
There are hiking trails that run through, but that’s about all I can say about that.
I had no Verizon cell service unless I walked about 2/10 of a mile up a hill to an opening and only then I could make a phone call, but I couldn’t access the Internet.
GuidePlenty of dispersed camping on a well maintained dirt road. There’s fire pits all over and no shortage of spots.
GuideWe 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.
GuideCampground was not crowded during the weekdays. Nice shaded sites w electric and water hookups. Campground hosts were very engaged. $19 a night electric w Sr Pass.
There are several historical sites to visit. Ill Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods and Trail of Tears segments on
ATT cell service was spotty but I drove to Dixon Springs SP where there was a cell tower. An easy 3 mile hike around the lake
There are several historical sites in area. Illinois Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods , and segments of the Trail of Tears
Dispersed camping options near Carbondale, Illinois center around the Shawnee National Forest, which covers over 280,000 acres of southern Illinois. The region features diverse terrain with sandstone bluffs, rugged hills, and hardwood forests, with elevations ranging between 350-700 feet. Winter camping can be challenging with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing, while summer humidity creates muggy conditions that affect gear and comfort.
Fishing at small lakes: Dutchman Lake Camp offers access to fishing without the crowds of larger recreation areas. "Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing," reports Jonathan H., who spent a weekend at Dutchman Lake Camp.
Rock formations exploration: The Panther Den Wilderness area contains unique rock formations created by geological processes dating back millions of years. The area requires a short hike to access primitive camping spots but rewards with solitude and distinctive geological features not found elsewhere in the region.
Trail hiking: Lake Glendale features a 3-mile loop trail that circles the entire lake. Donald S. notes, "An easy 3 mile hike around the lake. There are several historical sites in area. Illinois Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods, and segments of the Trail of Tears," making Lake Glendale Recreation Area a good base for exploring historical features.
Rock climbing: Jackson Falls offers numerous climbing routes on sandstone formations. Jeremy R. shares, "Beautiful location. Definitely off the beaten path. There was another group of campers but they camped on the trail." The area is popular with climbers but remains less developed than commercial climbing destinations.
Seclusion with easy access: Trail of Tears State Forest provides remote camping with vehicle access. Bob P. describes it as "Excellent for tent camping when you want relatively easy access and still feel a bit of solitude." The forest offers a balance of convenience and wilderness experience not found at more developed campgrounds.
Affordable sites with amenities: At Trail of Tears State Forest, campers appreciate the value. "Surprised to find nice porta potty at our site that was remote from others. Potable water and camper registration. Nice picnic table and raised fire ring/grill," notes Bill C., who found the $8/night fee reasonable for what's provided.
Proximity to interstate: For travelers seeking quick overnight camping during road trips, some sites offer convenience. Matthew Z. from Dutchman Lake Camp reports, "Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway." This makes free camping near Carbondale, Illinois practical for those passing through.
Cell service in select areas: While much of the region lacks reliable connectivity, J A. reports, "Beautiful little spots as you come in. Quiet and easy to get too. Verizon works well" at Dutchman Lake Camp. Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds and even between sites within the same area.
Road conditions after rain: Access to remote sites can become problematic during wet weather. Jeremy R. warns about Jackson Falls: "Grave Road getting there was a bit rough for my Ram Promaster. Hill down to trail head could get slick if wet weather. Was a little nervous getting out after it had rained." Many forest roads deteriorate quickly in precipitation.
GPS reliability issues: Accurate navigation can be challenging. Daniel S. advises, "Be sure to make sure you set the correct location into GPS. We ended up at the wrong location at first try." Similarly, Shelby B. experienced difficulty finding Jackson Falls: "This place is popular with climbers, but I'm not one and had a rough time locating this place."
Seasonal water availability: Many sites have intermittent water features. Casie A. shares, "We went during a dry spell and there was no running water at the falls! Still had a blast there though!" Water levels at creeks and falls vary dramatically by season and recent rainfall.
Toilet facilities vary widely: Some sites offer basic facilities while others have none. Mark F. notes about Jackson Falls, "The bathroom was a bit dirty," while at Trail of Tears State Forest, Bill C. found "nice porta potty at our site."
Weekend crowds management: Busy periods affect the family camping experience, especially at easily accessible sites. Marta S. cautions about Jackson Falls: "The campsite is considered to be primitive, which is fine, but it is right along the trail without any cover. All the campsites are one on top of the other without any cover in between or from the trail. They were all taken and incredibly packed during the Memorial Day weekend."
Tick prevention essential: Insect protection should be a priority, especially with children. Marta S. warns, "Important to note that there are lots of ticks and poison ivy everywhere." Long pants, closed shoes, and regular tick checks are necessary, particularly from April through October.
Bring sufficient wood: Firewood availability varies at free camping sites. AC advises, "Bring everything you need, there is no water source and bring lots of wood. We scavenged wood from the hills around but ultimately had to leave and purchase wood." Local regulations often restrict bringing firewood from outside the immediate area.
Water safety considerations: Lakes provide recreation but require supervision. Chelsea D. mentions that at Lake Glendale, "the kids love the playground," but families should note that swimming areas generally lack lifeguards and water quality varies seasonally.
Water crossing assessment: RVers should carefully evaluate water crossings before proceeding. Tom L. shares about his experience at Dispersed Campsite Shawnee National Forest: "Love this spot! It's easily accessible by all rig types. Backs up to the open forest and you pull right back onto the highway." Even locations labeled as accessible may have seasonal challenges.
Campsite size limitations: Many primitive sites have limited space for larger vehicles. Mark F. notes about Jackson Falls, "Car camped without any issues but it's worth mentioning that I didn't have T-Mobile cellphone reception and the bathroom was a bit dirty. Also there was a shallow creek crossing right before the camping areas."
Weekday arrival recommended: RVers often find better options midweek. Donald S. reports, "Campground was not crowded during the weekdays. Nice shaded sites w electric and water hookups. $19 a night electric w Sr Pass." Arriving during weekdays significantly improves site selection opportunities at popular areas.
Cell service planning: Connectivity varies dramatically, affecting RVers who need to stay connected. Rebekah cautions, "Off the beaten path and wasn't sure what to expect but once there it was nice." For reliable service, Donald S. suggests, "ATT cell service was spotty but I drove to Dixon Springs SP where there was a cell tower."
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Carbondale, IL is Turkey Bayou Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 15 reviews.
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