Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois encompasses over 280,000 acres of oak and hickory forests, with Cypress sitting at around 400 feet above sea level. The region experiences mild winters and hot, humid summers with average rainfall of 45 inches annually. Campers can find yurt accommodations across several sites, offering a balance between rustic camping and modern shelter during all four seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Shawnee Forest Campground offers multiple water features for anglers. "We'd seen signs for Shawnee Forest Campground many times as we headed out and back from our St. Louis home base and wanted to check this CG out... They have a small lake and two ponds for fishing," explains MickandKarla W. The campground was built on a former golf course, creating unique water features.
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous well-maintained hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. At Pine Ridge, campers can access multiple trails within the Shawnee National Forest. "A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders and a hop, skip, and a jump away from quite a few more!" notes Brian E. The area connects to Garden of the Gods and other notable geological formations.
Lake activities: Several campgrounds provide direct lake access. At Oak Point Campground, "There is a boat ramp area with parking, electric motors only. Makes for a quiet lake experience," according to Shelly S. The lake trail connects multiple campgrounds, allowing campers to walk the entire perimeter without needing to drive.
What campers like
Reasonable costs: Many Shawnee area campgrounds maintain affordable rates. The Pine Ridge campground costs only "$10 a night" as Rick C. notes, adding "The left loop has power 50/30/20 amp hook ups but no water or sewer on the campsite." This makes it an economical base for exploring the surrounding attractions.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities across the region's campgrounds. At Crab Orchard Lake, "Showers and restrooms are nice. Ones in Loop A are not new (Loop Bs are new) but still nice. Lots of hot water," says Tracie E. Many sites maintain this level of cleanliness year-round.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good spacing between campsites. At Pine Ridge, Charles A. observed, "The rustic sites are well spread out so they feel very private." Similarly, at Crab Orchard, campers find "Large sites, lots of room. We camped with several other families and everyone enjoyed this park," according to Joel R.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others operate first-come-first-served. South Sandusky Campground offers both options as MickandKarla W. explains: "We arrived around 2:00 PM and found the check-in gate closed, but since we had a reservation, we proceeded directly to our back-in site 123 with full hookups." Sites can be reserved through recreation.gov.
Yurt availability: For those interested in yurt camping near Cypress, Illinois, options exist but are limited. The Art Farm Women's Retreat provides "yurt-style glamping tents" according to Laura P., who notes the location offers "Lots of choice camping spots! Serene and private. Beautiful rolling farmland, just minutes from town."
Wildlife considerations: The forest environment means encounters with wildlife and plants. At Oak Point, Rachel C. warns, "Unfortunately, there was SO MUCH poison ivy that we couldn't play in the woods." Similarly, some lakeside areas may have snakes, particularly during warmer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Giant City State Park Campground has family-friendly amenities according to Shana D., who shares, "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!" The Giant City Nature Trail provides an easy hiking option for children.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with varying facilities. Oak Point Campground connects to a beach area, and Madison K. reports, "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."
Family-friendly trails: Choose hiking paths suitable for different ages. At Giant City, "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.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Be prepared with leveling blocks at most campgrounds. At Shawnee Forest Campground, Greg S. reports, "The sites are spacious and have picnic tables and fire rings. Full hookups is a plus. Super convenient to 24 but not too close that it is loud. The sites are loose gravel and not level front to back, so you need to unhook."
Hookup variations: Understand what utilities are available at each campground. South Sandusky offers diverse options as MickandKarla W. explains, "Most sites here offer water and electric (50/30/20 AMP), while the Dogwood loop features several full hookup sites in its upper section."
Navigating campground roads: Some campgrounds have challenges for larger rigs. At Shawnee Forest Campground, MickandKarla W. notes, "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."
