Dispersed camping opportunities near Elizabethtown, Illinois are primarily located within the Shawnee National Forest. Jackson Falls offers free primitive camping with sites situated along hiking trails and near sandstone bluffs popular with rock climbers. Lake Glendale Recreation Area provides more developed camping with electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. Dutchman Lake Camp and Dispersed Campsite Shawnee National Forest offer additional primitive options for those seeking solitude in natural settings.
Jackson Falls requires preparation for primitive conditions. The single vault toilet at the trailhead is generally well-maintained, but no drinking water is available on site. According to reviews, "You must pack out all of your garbage. You also need to bring your own drinking water as there is no fresh water there." Most sites have established fire rings, and fires are permitted when no bans are in effect. The area can become crowded during peak seasons, particularly on weekends and near the parking area.
Vehicle access to Jackson Falls varies by site location. The main parking area is accessible to standard vehicles, though the gravel road can be rough with potholes. Several campers noted that accessing sites beyond the parking area requires navigating water crossings. As one visitor reported, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy but we had no problem in a 4x4." Sites further in may require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles, especially after rainfall when roads can become slick and washouts occur. For RV travelers, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers better accommodation with designated sites that can handle larger vehicles.
Weather conditions significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Spring brings flowing waterfalls but potential flooding, while summer offers swimming opportunities but increased crowds and insects. Fall provides colorful foliage but often dry creek beds. Winter camping is possible but requires appropriate cold-weather gear.
"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."
"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."
"This campground is an absolute gem and is by far our favorite in Illinois.Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many"
"There is a longer wine trail further west in Shawnee National Forest. When I entered Lake Glendale, Cardinal Bay boat launch was the first area I visited."
from $12 - $44 / night
"It's easily accessible by all rig types. Backs up to the open forest and you pull right back onto the highway."
"This hidden gem is worth the visit. It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs."
"Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway"
"There are lots of ticks and mosquitoes so make sure your furry friends are protected. You can park on the few paved spots on the top of the hill or the huge grassy area by the lake."
"Denumbers is considered a back country campground in Land Between the Lakes. The road going back into the campground is paved, and the roads in the campground are compacted gravel."
"Duncan Lake is a small inland Lake located in the Kentucky portion of LBL. The campsite area is located at the end then up around the corner of the first of two access roads to the lake."
"You’re tucked away by this pond connected to the lake system."
"This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served."
"You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilt at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away."
"This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time."
GuideThis hidden gem is worth the visit. It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW! On the trail there is a sign to set up for selfies. With a dog it wasn’t as easy as I’d hope to capture the moment. Ha
GuideI started coming to this campground once a year as a child with my family 50 years ago. This place will always have a special place in my heart. Lots of memories and lots left to be made. I am thankful that the hosts have done their best with the up keep. The last visit we rented the Goose Bay Picnic area for a group of 8 of us. Beautiful place. Typically quiet during the week. Best sites IMO are 51, 52, 54, 13
LegendPicked a spot that unknowingly left me a sitting duck for tornadoes later that evening. Great view, though. And never saw a single person. Moved to the spillway the second night... little less vulnerable.
GuideReally great spot! Big rig friendly and pet friendly. There are lots of ticks and mosquitoes so make sure your furry friends are protected. You can park on the few paved spots on the top of the hill or the huge grassy area by the lake. Easy kayak launch for a day on the water! You do need a permit for parking and the ranger does stop by on weekends to check so just get one. It’s super cheap for what you get. Bathroom and dumpster on site too. There’s a bunch of attractions in Land Between the Lakes within a 10-20 minute drive. It’s a really cool place. Totally worth it to stay a few days.
LegendNothing here but an open field and an old barn like structure. Just isolated.
TravelerOur family had a great time camping here! The road leading into the campsite is mostly gravel with a few rough patches. There are a few shallow creek crossings to reach the more remote spots (water levels may vary depending on rainfall).
4x4 isn’t necessarily required, but I’d highly recommend it—along with a high-clearance vehicle. We brought our Jeep Wrangler, and it handled everything like a champ. We didn’t even need to engage 4x4 the entire way in.
There are a few campsites you can access without crossing the creeks, but the dispersed site we stayed at was surprisingly clean. We only found a couple small pieces of trash—otherwise, it was spotless. Previous campers left some firewood and kindling near the rock fire ring, and we made sure to do the same for the next group.
We camped during the weekdays, and it was nice and quiet. As we were leaving on Friday, more people were starting to show up, so I’d assume weekends get pretty busy. That said, most campers didn’t go past the first creek, so the farther back you go, the fewer people you’ll run into.
One thing to note: I have Verizon, and I was on SOS the entire time—so don’t expect reliable service out there if you have Verizon.
TravelerThere is tent camping in the area of the bath house that doesn’t require any creek crossing. Now, getting to the more remote spots can be sketchy if you have a small or very loaded vehicle. There are two small creeks to cross and are somewhat rough to get through. I made it through in my minivan, but dragged through the second creek.
There are hiking trails that run through, but that’s about all I can say about that.
I had no Verizon cell service unless I walked about 2/10 of a mile up a hill to an opening and only then I could make a phone call, but I couldn’t access the Internet.
GuidePlenty of dispersed camping on a well maintained dirt road. There’s fire pits all over and no shortage of spots.
GuideWe pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am. There’s a large turnaround that could fit many vehicles, but someone was already parked there and we didn’t want to disturb them and also wanted our privacy. There a space for a vehicle to pull off and walk around some boulders to set up a camp, complete with a fire ring. Some bike-packers were already set up there. Close to the lake there is another spot for one or two vehicles. The lake surface had a lot of bug activity - no thanks! We ended up choosing a grassy space next to the curve in the road in between our neighbors. Very peaceful! No bugs.
Dispersed camping near Elizabethtown, Illinois centers primarily on the Shawnee National Forest, where sites range from completely undeveloped to basic facilities with vault toilets. The region's varied terrain includes sandstone bluffs, hardwood forests, and numerous small lakes with elevation changes of 300-600 feet throughout the area. Weather patterns in this southern Illinois region create distinct camping conditions each season, with high humidity in summer months and mild winters compared to northern Illinois.
Hiking to rock formations: Jackson Falls offers geological formations beyond the falls themselves. "The place is beautiful; forests and great big, moss covered boulders. It was fun climbing down to the bottom of the falls, even with small kids," notes one Jackson Falls visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Dutchman Lake Camp provides access to smaller, less crowded fishing spots. A camper reports, "Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing" at Dutchman Lake Camp.
Lake activities: Lake Glendale Recreation Area has a swimming beach and boat launch. "The trail around the lake is about 3 miles; a nice hike that really gives you a good look at the park. On the hike you pass two large shelters built by the CCC as well as the boat ramp, damn, and swimming beach," shares one camper.
Historical exploration: Visit nearby CCC structures and historical sites. "There are several historical sites in area. Illinois Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods, and segments of the Trail of Tears," explains a Lake Glendale camper.
Seclusion and quiet: Primitive camping spots around Elizabethtown provide peace away from crowds. At LBL FS-326, a camper shares: "This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time."
Natural surroundings: The diverse landscape offers unique camping environments. "Beautiful location. Definitely off the beaten path. There was another group of campers but they camped on the trail," notes a Jackson Falls visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The forests contain diverse wildlife habitats. At LBL FS154 - Dispersed, a camper describes: "This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served."
Fall foliage: Autumn brings colorful displays throughout the area. "Beautiful fall foliage. No falls since it hasn't rained in a while. Great hike around," shares a Jackson Falls visitor.
Water access varies: Many sites lack drinking water. At Jackson Falls, a visitor notes: "Toliet was clean and open. Bring everything you need, 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."
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging after rain. "Definitely off the beaten path... Grave Road getting there was a bit rough for my Ram Promaster. Hill down to trail head could get slick if wet weather," warns a camper.
Permit requirements: Some areas require permits. For Demumber's Bay, "A Dispersed Camping (Basic Camping) permit is required to camp here and you must purchase these at any of the three Visitor's Centers PRIOR to coming out!"
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. "Lost cellphone service immediately upon entering reserve, FYI," reports a Jackson Falls camper.
Best family-friendly sites: Lake Glendale offers amenities that work well for children. "The family that takes care of the campground was very nice and accommodating, and the sites were well-maintained. The beach and swimming area was so nice for us enjoy."
Safety considerations: Be aware of local hazards. A visitor to Jackson Falls cautions: "Also, important to note that there are lots of ticks and poison ivy everywhere."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for natural features children can explore safely. At Dispersed Campsite Shawnee National Forest, a visitor shares: "Love this spot! It's easily accessible by all rig types. Backs up to the open forest and you pull right back onto the highway."
Seasonal planning: Some seasons are better for families than others. "Pulled in around dusk and there was a deserted camper there, about 4 pull in sites for rooftop campers. The bugs were insane and 40 must've flown into my car when i opened the door for a split second," warns a Demumber's Bay visitor about late summer conditions.
Site accessibility: Not all dispersed camping areas can accommodate larger vehicles. At Lake Glendale, "This campground is an absolute gem and is by far our favorite in 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."
Water crossings: Some areas require navigating through water. A Jackson Falls visitor explains: "We run a 28ft RV and we're able to cross the first water wash without problem. We are a Jeep family so I may have more experience than others in off-roading."
Hookup availability: Most primitive sites lack hookups. At Lake Glendale, "The sites are mostly private and have water hookups as well as electric," which makes it a better option for RVers needing utilities.
Parking limitations: Some areas have limited space for larger vehicles. "We opted to turn around and stay at the main parking lot which is VERY accessible. The further sights will require crossing several wash outs," advises an RV camper at Jackson Falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Elizabethtown, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Elizabethtown, IL is Jackson Falls with a 4.1-star rating from 24 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Elizabethtown, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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