Best Campgrounds near Elizabethtown, IL

Southern Illinois around Elizabethtown features diverse camping opportunities within the Shawnee National Forest and along the Ohio River. Tower Rock Campground, located directly in Elizabethtown, provides primitive camping with boat access and scenic river views from May through December. Nearby Cave-in-Rock State Park offers year-round camping with full hookups, showers, and a unique geological formation to explore. The region extends to Garden of the Gods Recreation Area with its distinctive sandstone formations and primitive camping, while Camp Cadiz serves as an eastern trailhead for the River to River Trail. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with amenities varying from basic vault toilets to full-service sites.

Gravel forest roads and limited cell service characterize much of the camping experience in this region. As one camper noted, "Fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill." Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly during weekdays when sites are less crowded. Weather patterns affect camping conditions significantly, with summer bringing higher humidity and occasional storms. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures but can bring rain. Winter camping is available at several locations but with reduced services. Supplies and services are limited in this rural area, with the nearest substantial shopping available in larger towns like Marion, approximately 40 miles away.

The natural landscape dominates the camping experience throughout the Shawnee National Forest. Campers frequently mention the geological features as highlights, particularly the sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods and the cave at Cave-in-Rock State Park. Lake Glendale Recreation Area receives consistent praise for its shaded sites and water access, with one visitor describing it as "a true southern Illinois gem." Weekends typically see higher occupancy rates, especially during hunting seasons when campers report generators starting early in the morning. The Ohio River ferry near Cave-in-Rock provides convenient access to Kentucky, expanding recreational options. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds, allowing visitors to explore limestone bluffs, seasonal waterfalls, and dense forest without driving between destinations.

Best Camping Sites Near Elizabethtown, Illinois (135)

    1. Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    54 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    $10 / night

    "Two of the reviews are not the Illinois subject area but of somewhere in the western US."

    "We did a lot of hiking all around Shawnee but this is by far favorite spot in Illinois!"

    2. Cave-in-Rock State Park

    14 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 289-4325

    "Also note that there is no place to buy ice or firewood nearby. We crossed the ferry and went to Marion Kentucky and found some there. The park and ferry is really cool."

    "General: I was a bit apprehensive about this state park because it did not take reservations, so we made sure to arrive by 11 am but we had no reason to worry – compared to other Illinois campgrounds"

    3. Pine Ridge

    17 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $10 / night

    "The main draw for us was the hiking trails. If you go over to the Pounds Hollow Rec Area you can find picnic areas and a pond to explore by boat."

    "A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders and a hop, skip, and a jump away from quite a few more!"

    4. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    32 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $15 / night

    "However, by Saturday morning (Easter weekend) all but 5 sites had cleared out and we had the place nearly to ourselves for the rest of the stay. "

    "This campground is super remote and is near a couple trails with waterfalls."

    5. Tower Rock Campground

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

    "But if you drive a few miles North East there is a Illinois State Park, Cave in the Rock I think, and you can refill your water jugs/bladders there by the showers/bathrooms, and there are garbage dumsters"

    "Once on Cave in Rock Rd. watch for the sign (near 280 “block” of street addresses) because if you miss the turn it will be a minute before you can turn around to come back on the country road. "

    6. Camp Cadiz Campground

    6 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    10 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. "

    "It's super quiet despite the gravel road nearby. The vault restroom is kept very clean. It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework."

    7. Jackson Falls

    22 Reviews
    Shawnee National Forest, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    "Jackson offers some of the best rock climbing in southern Illinois. There are about 60 climbing areas along the sandstone bluffs and freestanding boulders, with multiple routes."

    "We are a Jeep family so I may have more experience than others in off-roading.

    We opted to turn around and stay at the main parking lot which is VERY accessible."

    8. Oak Point - Lake Glendale

    15 Reviews
    Grantsburg, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 638-3246

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Our favorite in all of Illinois!!"

    "Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many that back right up to Lake Glendale."

    9. Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins

    2 Reviews
    Elizabethtown, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 264-9091

    $175 - $210 / night

    ".… Love the location, the size of the camping site and especially those near Lake Hartwell with private entrances."

    10. Lake Glendale Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Grantsburg, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 949-3807

    $12 - $44 / night

    "Lake Glendale is a true southern Illinois gem. They have recently improved the shower houses, the kids love the playground, and there is SO much shade!"

    "Ill Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods and Trail of Tears segments on

    ATT cell service was spotty but I drove to Dixon Springs SP where there was a cell tower."

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Recent Reviews near Elizabethtown, IL

850 Reviews of 135 Elizabethtown Campgrounds


  • Anna M.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Fenton Self-Service Campground

    Basic

    Right off a main road the spots are shallow so not ideal for long rigs. It does have power and one pit toilet at one end.

  • Anna M.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

    Cleanest Bathrooms

    There is nothing special about the location. There is a boat ramp nearby. There were only people set up in the park today. They do have a playground.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    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.

  • j
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE

    Nice COE campground

    Grand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam. The canal connects them and you can see boats and occasionally barges passing through. There are over 100 campsites are available, many with water views. We had a spacious site with a river view. Other loops are closer together and no view. Sites offer electric and/or water hookups, tables and fire ring. Other amenities include clean old style bathhouses, a dump station, laundry facilities, a playground, and picnic pavilions. We saw several deer roaming the grounds. There's a great pizza place in town Papa Z.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee 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.

  • Cheyanne S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Lake Barkley State Resort Park

    Shaded but unlevel

    Enjoyed our stay. Bring quite a bit of leveling materials as the sites are very unlevel. 1 dump station and an older but usable bath house. The road to come in was narrow but we'll marked. Very shaded and decently spaced out. Water and electric only.

  • L
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Cave-in-Rock State Park

    Beautiful, empty, cheap state park

    We are the only campers here in a very well kept campground. The bathrooms are clean and the only sound is from the birds. $20 for a state park site with electricity is incredible. It is out of the way (we took the ferry from Kentucky).

  • Scott B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great stop for the night.

    We were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog. Would definitely recommend if in the area.


Guide to Elizabethtown

Camping sites near Elizabethtown, Illinois provide access to the distinctive sandstone formations and hardwood forests of the eastern Shawnee National Forest region. Situated along the Ohio River at approximately 370 feet elevation, this area experiences temperature swings from below freezing in winter months to humid 90°F days in summer. Primitive camping options typically range from $0-20 per night, with most sites offering basic amenities and limited cell service.

What to do

Hiking geological features: Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area offers several interconnecting trails through unique rock formations. "The hiking is incredible," notes one visitor, while another mentions "a natural rock bridge (and climb the steel ladder), springs, or Devils Backbone" as highlights within the trail system.

Swimming in natural pools: Pine Ridge provides access to swimming areas during warmer months. "A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders," reports one camper, while another specifically mentions "fun paddling on the lake" and "a 2 mile loop road that goes around the whole campground and down to a beach access point for a gorgeous lake."

Rock climbing: Jackson Falls attracts climbers to its sandstone formations. "This place is popular with climbers," notes one visitor. Another mentions "forests and great big, moss covered boulders. It was fun climbing down to the bottom of the falls, even with small kids."

Ferry crossing: Visit Kentucky via the Ohio River ferry near Cave-in-Rock State Park. "If you are coming from the south you will have to take the ferry across the river. Sometimes there is a pretty good wait," explains one camper. Another adds, "We took the ferry which is a quick fun ride."

What campers like

Historical features: Cave-in-Rock State Park showcases a unique cave with river pirate history. One camper explains, "Short walk down to the historical cave where river pirates and a few other notorious bad guys stayed. Definitely worth a look after taking the ferry across from Amish country."

Fishing access: Tower Rock Campground offers direct river access. A camper notes it's "ideal for fishermen" while another mentions it's "by the Ohio river and is very open... has a great view of the Ohio river and across you can see Kentucky."

Wildlife viewing: Pharoah Campground provides opportunities to see native wildlife. "The views are some of the best around," shares a visitor, while another warns about nature encounters: "There was poison ivy everywhere along the trail which made for a stressful hike, trying to keep ourselves on the trail without rubbing against the poison ivy."

Night sky viewing: Remote camping areas offer minimal light pollution. A Bell Smith Springs visitor commented it was "pitch black at night" while another at Camp Cadiz noted "Dark nights with star gazing and even a little bit of that eerie scary movie vibe at the far end of the lake where it's a little too quiet."

What you should know

Water availability: Many primitive sites have limited or no water sources. At Jackson Falls, one camper advises: "There is no water source and bring lots of wood. We scavenged wood from the hills around but ultimately had to leave and purchase wood."

Hunting seasons: Campgrounds get busier during hunting periods. A Camp Cadiz visitor reported: "Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey."

Road conditions: Many access roads are unpaved and potentially challenging. At Jackson Falls, a camper warns: "Hill down to trail head could get slick if wet weather. Was a little nervous getting out after it had rained."

Site availability: First-come, first-served is standard at most locations. At Camp Cadiz Campground, a visitor noted: "I arrived at 7pm on Friday and snagged the last site." For Pine Ridge, another camper advised: "Try to come as early as possible to make sure you get a good spot."

Tips for camping with families

Best family-friendly sites: Lake Glendale Recreation Area provides developed facilities. "Lake Glendale is a true southern Illinois gem. They have recently improved the shower houses, the kids love the playground, and there is SO much shade!"

Water activities: Plan for swimming during hot months. At Bell Smith Springs, a visitor shares: "We found some beautiful hiking and water holes," while another mentions "a spring/large swimming hole, with a few places to jump off of."

Educational opportunities: Visit nearby historical sites. "We visited the Chocolate factory as well, which was a real treat," mentions one Lake Glendale camper. At Bell Smith Springs, another notes you can "hike to the natural rock bridge (and climb the steel ladder), springs, or Devils Backbone."

Wildlife awareness: Teach children about identifying plants. "Tons of poison ivy but you're in nature so it's a given," notes one Bell Smith Springs visitor, while another at Jackson Falls warns: "There are lots of ticks and poison ivy everywhere."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Choose larger campgrounds for bigger rigs. At Lake Glendale Recreation Area, a camper notes: "Wooded, semi private sites (at least for tents), full hook ups for RV's... There were a few sites with good lake views, with the majority of those in the RV loop."

Access considerations: Not all forest roads accommodate large vehicles. A Tower Rock visitor warned: "The actual campground is basically a mowed area in the woods close to the river" while a Jackson Falls camper specifically mentioned: "I run a 28ft RV and we're able to cross the first water wash without problem... The further sights will require crossing several wash outs."

Hookup availability: Only select campgrounds offer electrical service. At Pine Ridge, a visitor specified: "The left loop has power 50/30/20 amp hook ups but no water or sewer on the campsite" and another at Lake Glendale mentioned "Nice shaded sites w electric and water hookups."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Elizabethtown, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Elizabethtown, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 135 campgrounds and RV parks near Elizabethtown, IL and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Elizabethtown, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elizabethtown, IL is Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 54 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elizabethtown, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Elizabethtown, IL.

What parks are near Elizabethtown, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Elizabethtown, IL that allow camping, notably Shawnee National Forest and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.