Shawnee Forest Campground in southern Illinois features some of the region's most distinctive glamping options, including spacious yurts with modern amenities just minutes from the natural wonders of Shawnee National Forest. These boutique camping accommodations offer a perfect blend of comfort and wilderness, with full hookups, clean air-conditioned facilities, and private outdoor spaces for enjoying the natural surroundings. "Very clean and well kept," reports one visitor, noting the campground's large open sites and beautiful walking paths that wind through the property. South Marcum Campground also provides upscale glamping experiences with waterfront views of Rend Lake, offering climate-controlled units with comfortable bedding, electricity, and easy access to recreation.
Visitors staying at these eco-friendly glamping retreats enjoy direct access to miles of hiking and biking trails through the surrounding forests and lakeshores. The area's unique geography includes stunning rock formations at Garden of the Gods, just a short drive from several glamping locations. According to a camper, "The sites were a bit hilly which stands to reason since it was converted from a golf course in 2016. Some sites are pretty long." Fishing enthusiasts appreciate the stocked ponds at Shawnee Forest Campground, while water recreation on Rend Lake draws summer visitors. Most glamping accommodations remain open from early spring through late fall, with some yurt rentals available year-round, though advance reservations are strongly recommended during peak season from May through October.
"The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground."
"The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel."
"We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around."
"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."
$16 - $26 / night
"South Sandusky is a very nice campground with lots of trees, concrete pad, fire pit, playground, and bathroom facilities."
"many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous."
$16 - $44 / night
"This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake."
"South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just of I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites. Sites have 30 & 50 amp Electric hookups."
$40 / night
"Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great."
"There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property
Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!"
$18 - $30 / night
"Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site."
"Arrived just as the sun was setting which was beautiful over the lake. We were in Eagle 81. Large wooded site next to the lake."
"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"
"T-Mobile worked well- issues connecting to site Wi-Fi- staff pleasant- clean- didn’t use showers- small camp store available"
$18 - $26 / night
"North Sandusky Campground is a gem in Southern Illinois. Many of the sites are backed up to Rend lake and the others back up to the woods. The sites all seem to be fairly well maintained and roomy."
"has a great view of the lake from almost every camp site. close to southern IL. great leasure campsite to take the kids"
"Friendly and helpful gate staff. Large sites."
$40 - $200 / night
ScoutGary and his family are very polite and very happy to be helpful. Great prices. Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great. I stayed here twice, my family and I had a great time and met some really nice people.
TravelerRelatively new. Has great potential. Located in Vienna, IL near Shawnee National Forest. It has 3 fish & release ponds. Sites were a bit hilly which stands to reason since it was converted from a golf course in 2016. Some sites are pretty long. It accommodated our 35ft. MH with attached car. Some sites are close together with very little shade. The campground had lots of open sites during our stay (3rd week in Aug), but during our stay 2 other short stay campers came in & they parked them right next to us. -Full hook ups available -Hosts were very friendly & provided insight to area. -Bath house - provided air conditioning. Although new & spacious there were only 4 in the entire campground & the toilet & shower were in same space. Upon arrival only 1 was open near us. Subsequently the 2nd was closed due to a water valve malfunction & wasn’t re-opened during our stay. My husband likes level sites & facilities he could use. He said he wouldn’t come back any time soon.
RangerRV or tent, book online at Recreation.Gov not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site. We will be back and book closer to the lake in a level site.
GuideSouth Sandusky is a very nice campground with lots of trees, concrete pad, fire pit, playground, and bathroom facilities. It is wheelchair accessible and walking distance from the lake where you can swim, fish, boat, go tubing or just walk the trails.
TravelerWe stayed as a larger group on a non-electric site. The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy. There were clean bathrooms with running water a short walk away, didn’t attempt to use the showers. We could easily walk to the trails and we went fishing in the lake. It was mild and quiet the days we went in Mid-May 2020. 🙂 Beautiful scenery.
LegendWe stayed Easter Weekend here in the campground and had a great time. The campground is clean and maintained. Some sites are gravel and some are asphalt. Not sure if they are upgrading a little at a time?? There are plenty of trees for shade. Some sites are close together and some have more room in between them. The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground. No water hook up at each site, only electricity. . While you are here, check out the Lodge for dinner one night and climb to the top of the water tower observation deck for some amazing views! Make the quick drive to Makanda and explore the little hippy town. Don’t forget to take a stroll through the secret garden! . 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.
TravelerWe love tent camping at South Sandusky. many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous. they have quiet hours from 10-6 and the bathrooms and showers are always really clean (but there are still usually lots of small insects). It’s also just a short drive from the South Sandusky swimming beach. It’s sometimes pretty rocky in the water so we usually wear water shoes. If you camp for the hiking though this isn’t my favorite site. There are lots of bike trails but for just hiking there are much better places.
RangerThis campground is very clean! Large open sites- shade is minimal for most sites but we had a beautiful large site with some shade (site 51). They have new trees planted.
There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area
Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property
Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!
There is some freeway noise but didn’t bother us at all
Laundry and bathroom facilities were very clean - was great to do a laundry mid trip!
GuideHeaded here after garden of the gods was full. This place is very close to where you need to be. Outpost in between sells food, firewood, ice etc. Very basic campsite for drive up. People were very respectful, very dog friendly. Great places around to hike.
Camping near Bargerville, Illinois spans a variety of terrains from lakeside settings to wooded forests. Southern Illinois features distinct sandstone formations and several bodies of water including Rend Lake, which reaches depths of 35 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F, with high humidity making water access particularly valuable during camping season.
Hiking through rock formations: Giant City State Park offers multiple trails of varying difficulty, including the 6-mile Red Cedar Trail loop. "Lots of amazing, beautiful hikes in this park, especially if you're into bluffs and large boulders. Easy drive to many other picturesque and unique parks (i.e. Garden of the Gods, Ferne Clyffe)," notes reviewer Kyle K. from Giant City State Park Campground.
Fishing at stocked ponds: Shawnee Forest Campground provides catch-and-release fishing in three ponds. "Was able to catch and release a small mouth bass while cooking dinner," reports Dina O. at Shawnee Forest Campground. The campground was converted from a golf course in 2016, creating a unique landscape with fishing opportunities.
Boating and water sports: Rend Lake offers extensive water recreation opportunities across its 18,900 acres. A visitor at Gun Creek notes, "Gun Creek is a great campground with many waterfront sites! It is nicely wooded, with a great boat ramp and boat parking area and close to a nice bike trail!" Most water access points have concrete boat ramps suitable for vessels up to 25 feet.
Level, well-maintained sites: Campers consistently mention the quality of camping pads at South Sandusky. "Large campsites with plenty of parking. Nice asphalt pads in Pin Oak section. Bath house and restrooms decently clean. They spray with sanitizer twice daily," writes reviewer Paige H. about South Sandusky Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: North Sandusky Campground sites offer excellent wildlife watching. "So many wild animals and beautiful birds. Walk or bike to lake to fish or swim," notes a visitor. The area around Rend Lake supports dozens of bird species including great blue herons and bald eagles, particularly during migration seasons.
Clean shower facilities: For those seeking glamping close to Bargerville, Illinois, the bathroom amenities matter. At Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR, "Showers and restrooms are nice. Ones in Loop A are no new (Loop Bs are new) but still nice. Lots of hot water," according to Tracie E. Most campgrounds clean facilities daily before 7am.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. At Crab Orchard, "The biggest thing about this campground is first come first serve..and one loop is closed for renovations. Most you can spend here is 14 days, which lots of locals do," explains a regular visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Bargerville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Bargerville, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Bargerville, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 glamping camping locations near Bargerville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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