Best Tent Camping near Eddyville, IL

The Shawnee National Forest region surrounding Eddyville, Illinois offers several tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and seclusion. Turkey Ridge Campground at Ferne Clyffe State Park provides established tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables, while the Backpack Campground in the same park offers more primitive walk-in tent sites. Camp Cadiz Campground and Tower Rock Campground provide additional tent camping opportunities within the forest, with most sites situated on compacted gravel or natural forest terrain.

Most tent campsites in the area feature basic amenities including fire rings with cooking grates and picnic tables. Vault toilets are available at most locations, though campers report varying levels of cleanliness. Camp Cadiz has potable water from a spigot, while other areas may require bringing your own water supply. Sites at Tower Rock Campground sit along the Ohio River but lack drinking water. A camper noted, "There are a handful of camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables, but no water available." Seasonal closures affect some areas, particularly Tower Rock, which may close during flood seasons and operates from May through mid-December.

Tent campers in the Eddyville region benefit from spacious sites with good separation between camping areas. The Backpack Campground at Ferne Clyffe offers secluded wooded tent sites within walking distance of water sources and toilets. One camper shared that "the walk-up primitive sites are secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source." Camp Cadiz provides large tent sites but with limited foliage between them, making it less private when busy. The area offers excellent access to hiking trails, including the River to River Trail which connects to Camp Cadiz. Many tent campsites throughout the region provide good shade coverage from mature trees, making summer camping more comfortable. Wildlife sightings are common, with several campers reporting encounters with local fauna during overnight stays.

Best Tent Sites Near Eddyville, Illinois (21)

    1. Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    16 Reviews
    Goreville, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 995-2411

    $18 / night

    "There are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all! The tent camping accommodations were less than stellar, simply because of the “outhouses “."

    "It was easy to find firewood with out having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy. The only trail I hiked was Happy Hollow."

    2. Camp Cadiz Campground

    6 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    19 miles
    Website

    "On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois , fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill. "

    "There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers. Over all a nice site. I would stay there again."

    3. Tower Rock Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    "Campground is smaller but the sites are spread out well, most have fire ring with grill stand and table, firewood available to gather onsite when I was there, vault toilets, right on the river so may be"

    "There is a pit toilet, but no water. "

    4. Dutchman Lake Camp

    3 Reviews
    Buncombe, IL
    18 miles

    "Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway"

    5. Saline County State Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Equality, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 276-4405

    $8 / night

    "There is a dump station and potable water at the entrance to the campground. There are also some water spigots sprinkled throughout the campground."

    "This was a great campground with fantastic views of the lake.

    We also hiked Garden of the Gods and Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest. The hikes were great."

    6. Buck Ridge - Lake Of Egypt

    2 Reviews
    Goreville, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    "Lake Egypt so peaceful and relaxing ."

    7. Buck Ridge Campground

    2 Reviews
    Goreville, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    8. Backpack Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    3 Reviews
    Goreville, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 995-2411

    "Not a lot of tent sites, but enough. Nice wooded primitive sites with easy access to water and toilets. Had my pups with, and no problems at all. Nice trails for different hiking skill sets."

    "Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the Shawnee National Forrest near Goreville, IL., south of Carbondale."

    9. Camp Ondessonk

    Be the first to review!
    Ozark, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 695-2489

    $6 - $16 / night

    10. Fishing Pier

    3 Reviews
    Metropolis, KY
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 858-1549

    "Good primitive"

    "Lots to do nearby if you don't like fishing! Ranger came through and was very friendly & helpful."

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Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Eddyville, IL

713 Reviews of 21 Eddyville Campgrounds



Guide to Eddyville

Tent camping near Eddyville, Illinois offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With well-reviewed campgrounds nearby, you'll find the perfect place to pitch your tent and explore.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers should check out the trails

Tips for tent camping near Eddyville

  • Arrive early at Tower Rock Campground to secure a spot, as it has limited sites and can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
  • Be prepared for a more rustic experience at Dutchman Lake Camp, where amenities are minimal, but the natural beauty and fishing opportunities are plentiful.
  • If you're looking for a quieter experience, consider Saline County State Conservation Area, which offers spacious sites and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Eddyville, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Eddyville, IL is Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Eddyville, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Eddyville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.