Best Camping near Cobden, IL
Are you in need of a campground near Cobden, IL? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Cobden. Discover great camping spots near Cobden, reviewed by campers like you.
Best Camping Sites Near Cobden, IL (109)
1. Giant City State Park Campground
Makanda, Illinois24 Reviews•165 Photos•139 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
2. Shawnee Forest Campground
Vienna, Illinois33 Reviews•69 Photos•192 SavesLocated in the Middle of Southern Illinois just Off I-24 it is a great place to stay while you explore all the the Shawnee Forest. From Giant City to Garden of the Gods. The Tunnel Hill bike trail is a half mile away and Cache River is just down the road. We have 60 Full Hook up sites. Large pull through sites up to 120 feet long. We have Shower Houses and Laundry Facilities. Our Campground is Open Year Round.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$40 / night
3. Trail of Tears State Park Campground
McClure, Illinois19 Reviews•59 Photos•95 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
4. Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
Goreville, Illinois16 Reviews•47 Photos•9 SavesTurkey Ridge is for campers who want a serene outdoor experience. It is a Class C walk-in campground that includes camp pads, picnic tables, cooking grills and showers. Drinking water and toilets are located near the parking lots.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
$18 / night
5. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs
Eddyville, Illinois32 Reviews•142 Photos•305 SavesBell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. It contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs and an abundance of vegetation unique to Illinois. The trail system consists of eight miles of interconnected trails featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil's Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge. Hiking this system of trails is a favorite activity because of the rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs and lush flora and fauna.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$15 / night
6. Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
Goreville, Illinois14 Reviews•15 Photos•12 SavesDeer Ridge campground is a well-shaded Class A facility offering gravel pads with electricity, picnic tables and cooking grills. Drinking water, showers, flush toilets and a sanitary dump station complete the setting for campers who prefer to include a few comforts of home with their outdoor adventure.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
7. Turkey Bayou Campground
Gorham, Illinois12 Reviews•19 Photos•168 SavesTurkey Bayou Campground
Located in Oakwood Bottoms, Turkey Bayou Campground is a great location outdoor activities including waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, trapping, fishing, nature watching and bird watching. The campground is next to a 20-acre lake on the Big Muddy River with close proximity to the Big Muddy boat launch and the Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir. There is no charge for camping at Turkey Bayou, but there is a 14-day maximum stay. The campground does not have water or toilets. The site frequently floods during heavy rain periods.
Our partner, Friends of Turkey Bayou helps maintain Turkey Bayou Campground.
A favorite with waterfowl hunters, Oakwood Bottoms offers so much more from excellent bird watching to fishing opportunities and primitive camping at Turkey Bayou Campground. Picnic with your family or youth group at Oakwood Bottoms picnic site and take a short walk into the bottoms on the wooden boardwalk trail that loops back to the picnic area. The site also has a large picnic shelter next to a large pond, where you can enjoy watching ducks and other birds visit the pond in search of food.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
8. Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Bargerville, Illinois12 Reviews•45 Photos•61 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$10 - $25 / night
9. Little Grassy Lake Campground
Makanda, Illinois7 Reviews•24 Photos•59 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$15 - $35 / night
10. Jackson Falls
Shawnee National Forest, Illinois20 Reviews•66 Photos•420 SavesJackson Falls offers many opportunities for technical climbing and is a beautiful scenic area of the Shawnee National Forest. It is in the general forest area located east of the small town of Ozark, IL. This non-developed area has a small trailhead with a vault toilet. A short trail leads from the trailhead to the top of Jackson Falls. There are high dangerous bluffs in the area, visitors should be cautious and aware of their surroundings. Camping is allowed here at no cost, since this is part of the general forest area and not a developed campground. Access: A narrow gravel road leads to the Jackson Falls Trailhead, but then the road becomes dirt and deadends past the trailhead.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Trash
- WiFi
- Toilets
Pet-friendly camping near Cobden
Giant City State Park Campground
139 Saves
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
Shawnee Forest Campground
192 Saves
Located in the Middle of Southern Illinois just Off I-24 it is a great place to stay while you explore all the the Shawnee Forest. From Giant City to Garden of the Gods. The Tunnel Hill bike trail is a half mile away and Cache River is just down the road. We have 60 Full Hook up sites. Large pull through sites up to 120 feet long. We have Shower Houses and Laundry Facilities. Our Campground is Open Year Round.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
$40 / night
Trail of Tears State Park Campground
95 Saves
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
9 Saves
Turkey Ridge is for campers who want a serene outdoor experience. It is a Class C walk-in campground that includes camp pads, picnic tables, cooking grills and showers. Drinking water and toilets are located near the parking lots.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
$18 / night
Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs
305 Saves
Bell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. It contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs and an abundance of vegetation unique to Illinois. The trail system consists of eight miles of interconnected trails featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil's Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge. Hiking this system of trails is a favorite activity because of the rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs and lush flora and fauna.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
$15 / night
Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
12 Saves
Deer Ridge campground is a well-shaded Class A facility offering gravel pads with electricity, picnic tables and cooking grills. Drinking water, showers, flush toilets and a sanitary dump station complete the setting for campers who prefer to include a few comforts of home with their outdoor adventure.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
Recent Reviews in Cobden
599 Reviews of 109 Cobden Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
Legend
Shawnee Forest Campground
Built on an Old Golf Course
We’d seen signs for Shawnee Forest Campground (CG) many times as we headed out and back from our St. Louis home base and wanted to check this CG out. We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go. We checked in at the little office and were given the choice of pull through sites with FHUs 12 or 21. We chose site 21. The gravel roads are slightly narrow with some trees but we did not have any issues getting to site 21. 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. There are mature trees here and there in the CG, so satellite should not be an issue. We got two bars on Verizon. Each of the bath houses have a washer and dryer. 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 in the upper 26- 50 site area. If we come back, we’ll know where to ask for a site. They have a small lake and two ponds for fishing. There's no formal dog area, but there are paved trails around the large CG area, which made it nice to walk our dogs.
Kim L.
Ranger
Fern Lake Campground and RV Park
Pleasant campground on a small lake
Quiet setting by a pretty lake. Stayed only one night on a road trip. Paducah a nice town, visited the quilt museum. Nice toilets and showers.
- JJeff F.
Traveler
Gun Creek
Beautiful Sunsets over the Lake
What a beautiful campground, it’s our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them
- EEthan B.Traveler
Turkey Bayou Campground
Great location
Plenty of space and nicely maintained Porto potty
Scott G.
Scout
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Devil's Kitchen Group Campground
Supposed too
Be free camp sites listings for state parks
Tabitha R.Scout
Johnson Creek
Nice!
This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toliets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping.
Rodarius S.Traveler
Dispersed Campsite Shawnee National Forest
Nice spots on the highway
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.
Greg D.
Guide
Hilltop Campground
Decent overnight stop
Hosts were friendly, but didn’t brief us on information such as where is the trash bin, what is the WiFi password. Restroom was old but relatively clean. There’s only one valve in the showers so all you get is lukewarm water. Not good on a cool or cold day. Some of the long term people have too many dogs, one had 6 little yippers, kind of annoying. And I’m not against dogs
- PPatricia S.Traveler
General Watkins Conservation Area
Maybe not a travel destination, but certainly a good waypoint.
We opted for this site on our way west as a stopover because it was free and not a parking lot. There are a couple of loop trails and we walked one of them. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. The locals use the area for fishing and walking and it was somewhat busy in the afternoon. A couple of guys fished at night until about nine. There was only one other couple camping. Very quiet and peaceful. There was a portable toilet but we didn't investigate.
The cool thing was that the loop trail was forested by hundreds of paw paw trees. It must have been just past the season and we saw only a couple of decaying ones, but the entire trail smelled of apple cider vinegar and was quite pleasant.
If you consider this waypoint, two things:
1. The last mile is good, but very dusty, gravel road.
2. No cell coverage in the parking lot for T-Mobile, some coverage on loop trail.
Jonathan H.Scout
Dutchman Lake Camp
Weeke d at the lake
Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing.
CeciliaScout
Pine Hills
Very nice
Very quiet and secluded. Campsites are roomy and some firewood is supplied.
- JJohn R.Legend
Trail of Tears State Park Campground
Train Lovers.
Large park with not many large RV sites. Lots of tent and dispersed camping. Disappointing store. Equestrian area. Beach and boat launch.
Twan M.Ranger
Oak Point - Lake Glendale
Stellar Illinois
This is a little gem of a refuge within the Shawnee NF - about 30min from Marion, down a beautiful country road before nestling among the trees around the lake. The drive is paved/gravel the whole way, so very easily drivable for anyone in anything. Plenty of camp sites, both with electric and non-electric, double and single. Bring bug spray - horseflies and ticks. Beautiful lake, beautiful biking trails, etc. Firepits w/ grates are spacious and nice, fees are online. 1 bar verizon at camp, can get up to 3 bars within the area.
- LLisa M.Scout
Whittington Woods Campground
We stay every year on our way through
Great overnight stop. We make it our must stop spot. Super easy in and out. Trees and lovely grounds.
- Jordan A.Guide
Turkey Bayou Campground
Empty
Nobody here. Bring a fishing pole. No services except a porta potty.
Scott B.RangerHilltop Campground
Nice stop
Stopped here for the night driving through the area. Nice campground, clean, safe, and right off the interstate.
Kevin C.Ranger
Bean Ridge Pond Campground
Nice private locationl
There are only two camp site at this location and they are very close to each other. The camp sites are also very narrow. We camped in the lower site and had a difficult time getting everything out of the road.
On the positive side, the site was clean, there was nobody there over the weekend and there was a humming bird. The pond had lots of frogs and and a few fish.
- EEric W.Scout
Shawnee Forest Campground
Great place to camp!
We stayed 4 days and had a great time. The camp was clean and well maintained. The staff are very friendly and helpful and was more than happy to offer places to visit in the area, places to eat and provide assistance as needed. The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk (twice around the lake from our site was 3 miles). :) We plan to visit again!
Matthew Z.TravelerDutchman Lake Camp
Road trip break
Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway
- Wil V.Scout
Benton KOA
Loud
1 side is directly on the freeway VERY loud, the other is in between the sewer treatment plant and municipal airport. If you're a light sleeper might want to stay away Full video review on YouTube https://youtu.be/QpuNpA7UVZI
Brian F.ScoutShawnee Forest Campground
Great and clean!
Great little stop, everything is clean and a fresh shower was refreshing.
- JJames N.Traveler
South Marcum Campground
Great Campground
Only $26 a night for full-hookups is amazing. Cell service for AT&T is marginal at 2 bars LTE. Only issue that I have is that site 49 is very hard to get level in, make sure that you bring extra leveling blocks if possible
Lucy P.Ranger
Crab Orchard Lake Campground
Probably nice in a big rig, sucks otherwise
This campground was essentially an RV park. Only big rigs, some sites well spaced physically but no privacy in between so feels like everyone staring at each other. Some of the waterfront sites okay privacy-wise, but not most. Hookups work well, but bathrooms in terrible condition - especially showers.
The whole place also smells like dead fish. We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite so be careful what you leave out, also tons of geese and saw two baby copperheads.
The lake is at least really pretty and there’s a small beach area.
Dante V.GuideOak Point - Lake Glendale
Solar Eclipse Crossroads
We camped here during the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse and it was also the overflow site which at that time was the side of the camp entrance road. Fast forward to April 7,8 & 9 2024 We are again on overflow campground where this time was their group camping site which was much better than the side of the road. The overflow site has 4 unisex bathrooms but no showers (showers are at the main campground) there is dining (open) pavilion with a fireplace and a filtered well water system. We had a blast watching the Total Solar Eclipse.
Matt V.Traveler
Jackson Falls
Love this place!
This is a spectacular place if you are looking for private and semi-private dispersed campgrounds that you can drive up to. Great hiking around the area.
The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy but we had no problem in a 4x4, also saw volvos and subarus do just fine. Sprinter vans would be fine. Was pretty dry when we visited, could see the road getting a little sketch after big rain. Definitely not gonna be fun for even small RV's. Tough turnarounds for large trailers or 5th wheels.
Jon H.Scout
Oak Point Campground
Nice national park campground
Location is everything and this is well in the middle of a great area in Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the gods, Bell Smith springs, Ferne State park, and on and on. You can spend a week here and not see everything.
There are primitive and electric (with water) sites. There are no sites with sewer hookup. There is a dump station at the entrance.Sites are generally level and well kept. Very large rigs (35+) will be challenging, but I've seen them - more towards the front. There are some lake front spots that can be had. Sites are first come and there are no reservations taken. During the week, no problem. Weekends would be iffy.
Large lake with swimming, fishing, kayaking. Also has a bike trail around it - maybe 2 miles.
Shower houses are kept clean, but as of this posting, they need some maintenance work.
All in all, this is a must stop if you want to enjoy what the area has to offer.
Barb N.RangerGun Creek
Blue Jay #49 Water site
Love this state park! Clean, quiet, water views and lots of bike paths to ride.
Guide to Cobden
Camping near Cobden, Illinois, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
What to do
- Hiking: The trails around the area are fantastic. At Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Easy walking distance to the observation trail that is the highlight of this park." You can enjoy stunning views and great photo opportunities.
- Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Gun Creek, are near water bodies. A visitor shared, "Clean facilities. Self check-in. Golf onsite, clubhouse with food." This makes it a great spot for fishing and relaxing by the water.
- Exploring Nature: Campers at Jackson Falls rave about the hiking and rock climbing opportunities. One camper said, "Great hiking around the area," highlighting the natural beauty of the surroundings.
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Hawn State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "The facilities in great shape... nice sink in the laundry room we used to fill our dish-washing tubs."
- Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of campground hosts. One reviewer at Shawnee Forest Campground said, "The Manager helped me get my electric set up, (user error), Facilities clean and very nice."
- Scenic Views: Campers love the picturesque landscapes. A visitor at Giant City State Park Campground remarked, "The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel," emphasizing the beautiful setting.
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper mentioned, "There is no potable water on site," so be prepared to bring your own.
- Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Hawn State Park Campground advised, "Recommend only visiting Monday thru Thursday," to avoid the crowds.
- Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A camper at Jackson Falls noted, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy."
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. At Shawnee Forest Campground, one family said, "It was very safe and had close restrooms and playgrounds."
- Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Giant City State Park Campground mentioned, "We really enjoyed the hikes, seeing the sandstone 'walls' that makes the area famous."
- Pack Snacks and Games: Keep the kids entertained with snacks and games. A visitor at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground suggested, "Ground around spots is mostly pine needles and cones, not grass," making it a great place for outdoor fun.
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Sizes: Not all sites are suitable for large RVs. A camper at Gun Creek noted, "Not all spots are level," so check the campground details before booking.
- Use Online Reservations: Many campgrounds allow online bookings. A visitor at South Sandusky Campground mentioned, "All campsites are reservable," which can save you a spot during busy times.
- Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you need. A camper at Trail of Tears State Park Campground advised, "Only one single unisex pit toilet in campground," so plan accordingly.
Camping near Cobden, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to check the campground details and prepare for a great outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cobden, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cobden, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near Cobden, IL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cobden, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cobden, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cobden, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Cobden, IL.
What parks are near Cobden, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Cobden, IL that allow camping, notably Shawnee National Forest and Rend Lake.