Cabin camping options near Cobden, Illinois cluster within 15-25 miles of this small town in the Shawnee National Forest region. Southern Illinois features rocky bluffs, forests, and several lakes including Crab Orchard Lake at 7,000 acres and Cedar Lake at 1,750 acres. Winter temperatures average 20-40°F while summers range from 65-90°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Hiking trails: Giant City State Park Campground offers numerous hiking options of varying difficulty. "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," notes Shana D.
Fishing opportunities: Crab Orchard Lake provides excellent fishing access from many lakeside campsites. A visitor mentioned, "Fishing was good (especially catfish and crappie). Went into Carbondale a few times. Also went South to Alto Pass but wineries all closed on Tuesday; locals told us they are open more hours during summer."
Rock climbing: For more adventurous visitors staying in rustic cabins near Cobden, Illinois, Giant City State Park offers climbing opportunities. As Josh M. explains: "For climbers, there is a ton of nearby trad and sport climbing. The main wall stays wet for a while so if it has recently rained you may need to find somewhere else."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Lake Murphysboro State Park offers a dedicated group camping area separated from the main campground. According to Joel R.: "The group camping area was very nice. It is a large, separate area. We had the whole area to ourselves each time we took the scouts. There were pit toilets, but the guys didn't care. Also lots of free fire wood, hiking, fishing and canoeing!"
Level sites: Johnston City's Arrowhead Lake Campground receives praise for its well-maintained grounds. A recent visitor noted, "Campground was nice and clean, has a beautiful walking trail, the camp host was nice. The restrooms and showers were super clean. Enjoyed our stay will definitely be back."
Lakeside views: The cabin and camping areas at Gun Creek offer waterfront sites with sunset views. Brennan M. reports: "It was a good view, also pretty RV heavy, but tent friendly. Grassy area, fire pit, stone table. The facilities are outdated and don't feel super clean. Easy to reserve and convenient."
What you should know
First-come first-serve policies: Some camping cabins near Cobden require advance planning. Crab Orchard Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. "This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here," reports Never Sitting S.
Site leveling issues: At Gun Creek, site selection requires attention to elevation changes. Susan L. advises: "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. Good wifi, phone and cable signals."
Seasonal closures: Touch of Nature Education Center provides year-round cabin accommodations, while Lake Murphysboro State Park operates seasonally. Lindsay J. mentions, "We were the only people in the campground and I don't remember even seeing a ranger or anyone at all. We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Arrowhead Lake Campground features recreational facilities for children. Amy E. shares: "We had a great stop at this campground. We called to secure a site last minute and are glad we found this campground. The grounds were nice, we walked a nature trail and down by the lake. There were ducks and geese, and it was a lovely reprieve from our travels."
Group accommodations: For larger family gatherings, consider Camp Manitowa at Cedar Point. Art S. explains: "This is a group campground. It's used for summer camps but families and groups can also reserve it. As for the facilities, there are lodges and tent platforms throughout the camp. Since this is used as a summer camp, there are a variety of activities around."
Wildlife encounters: Families should prepare for local wildlife interactions. Gun Creek campers report seeing skunks, while Giant City State Park offers more varied wildlife viewing. Sunshine Z. notes: "We came down for a spontaneous camping trip to explore SNF and found Giant City to be a great place to stay. We stayed in the primitive camp site, while there were others there, everyone was dispersed far enough that it felt private."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Gun Creek provides various utility connection options for RVs. Dave S. reports: "Gun Creek has many sites for all campers. For cheap you get a simple site with electric or for not too much more there are sites with water and sewage dump."
Site spacing: Lake Murphysboro State Park has mixed reviews on site layout. Chelsea D. cautions: "Electric only, no water or sewer hookups. Pit toilets. Nice and clean. People kept cutting through our campsite on their way to the playground, which is whatever, but some people are bothered by that kind of thing."
Maintenance considerations: Facilities at some campgrounds may show age. Crab Orchard Lake offers full hookups in some loops. Tracie E. notes: "Showers and restrooms are nice. Ones in Loop A are not new (Loop Bs are new) but still nice. Lots of hot water."
