Best Campgrounds 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, Illinois (113)
1. Giant City State Park Campground
24 ReviewsMakanda, IL6 milesWebsite+1 (618) 457-4836"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."2. Trail of Tears State Park Campground
20 ReviewsMcClure, IL14 milesWebsite+1 (573) 290-5268"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"
3. Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
16 ReviewsGoreville, IL15 milesWebsite+1 (618) 995-2411$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."
4. Turkey Bayou Campground
13 ReviewsGorham, IL13 milesWebsite+1 (618) 687-1731"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"
5. Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
15 ReviewsGoreville, IL15 milesWebsite+1 (618) 995-2411"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."
6. Little Grassy Lake Campground
7 ReviewsMakanda, IL9 milesWebsite+1 (618) 457-6655$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."
7. Shawnee Forest Campground
36 ReviewsVienna, IL23 milesWebsite+1 (618) 658-0619$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."
8. Touch of Nature Education Center
5 ReviewsMakanda, IL9 milesWebsite+1 (618) 453-1121"Camp Amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/ fireplaces all with wood supplied, amphitheater s, fishing along Little Grassy Lake, trails, swing set."
9. Crab Orchard Lake Campground
12 ReviewsBargerville, IL16 milesWebsite+1 (618) 997-3344$10 - $25 / night
"Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."
"Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must."
10. Hilltop Campground
7 ReviewsGoreville, IL12 miles+1 (618) 995-9130"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."
Recent Camping Photos near Cobden, IL
113 Photos of 113 Cobden Campgrounds
Rachel C.
Giant City State Park Campground
Bill C.
Trail of Tears State Forest
James M.
Touch of Nature Education Center
Shelby B.
Little Grassy Lake - Crab Orchard NWR
Brian O.
Little Grassy Lake Campground
Art S.
Camp Manitowa at Cedar Point
Elisha S.
Turkey Bayou Campground
Makayla C.
Lake Boutin Campground — Trail of Tears State Park
Kelsie L.
Trail of Tears State Park Campground
Hannah H.
Equestrian Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
Tye K.
Backpack Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
TJ V.
Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
Recent Reviews near Cobden, IL
633 Reviews of 113 Cobden Campgrounds
David D.
ScoutFort Kaskaskia State Park Campground
Awesome campground!
The views over the Mississippi River are calandar-worthy! Very scenic from up atop the bluffs. A very old and historic cemetery is next to the campground. There is electric hookups 30 and 50 amp. No water/sewer but does have a dump station. Vault toilets.
Mandi G.ScoutNorth Sandusky Campground
Gorgeous views
Very well maintained campgrounds. Most sites are pretty sloped but there are some level sites. Flush toilets. Bring binoculars for egrets and herons on the lake.
Katie B.
GuideDutchman Lake Camp
Great stop for the night
We 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.
- RRalph S.Guide
Lake Girardeau Campground
Clean and free
Stayed here in September. Had the campground to myself. It's run by Missouri Dept. of Conservation so there's no charge. Each site has concrete picnic tables, grill and lantern hook.
- DDena P.Scout
Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground
A good spot to have a work week
Functional clean porta potties. Fire pits, tables and water( not at the campsite but available at the entrance). Not a ton of privacy but very friendly people. Not great for starlink but very moderate t mobile a slightly better Verizon. Lots of tents and vans. Not many spots. Beautiful.
Jessica T.GuideShawnee Forest Campground
Great spot for location
Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. 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. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.
- MMoe F.Guide
Gun Creek
Nice!
Nice, large, well thought out campground. Lots of trees, paved sites, bathrooms, showers, and well maintained. Offers full hookups, partial or none. Convenient to I64. Only stayed 1 nite, but would definitely come back.
- AAnthony P.Scout
Lake Perry Campground
His Website is a Total Lie
I had a Reservation for a month long stay. I get there and he said that he would have to guide me to the Site. He guided me for sure right into another Camper. It did over $3,000.00 Dollars of Damage to my Camper. I don't know what the Claims Adjuster paid for Damages to the Camper that the Campground Owner guided me into. His sites are not 25-40 feet wide and 35-100 feet long. If the campsites were that big, the owner wouldn't have had to guide me to my site. I'm going to get a Lawyer and Sue the Campground for all of my Damages to my Camper and the Camper the owner guided me into.
Tom B.
RangerBenton KOA
Good KOA
Yes, there is highway noise. It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs. That said, excellent staff, clean, professional KOA
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?
What camping is available near Cobden, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cobden, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 113 campgrounds and RV parks near Cobden, IL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cobden, IL?
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?
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?
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.
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