Campgrounds near Equality, Illinois range across the rolling hills of southern Illinois, with elevations between 350-500 feet. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring brings frequent rainfall that can affect trail conditions. Primitive camping options allow visitors to experience the region's diverse ecosystems featuring limestone formations and hardwood forests.
What to do
Hiking the River to River trail: Camp Cadiz Campground serves as the eastern trailhead for this notable path. "The trail traverses some of the River to River trail that meanders through the area. There used to be an annual ride through 'One Horse Gap' I don't know if it's still a thing," notes a visitor to High Knob Campgrounds.
Practice backpacking skills: The Beaver Trail at Camp Cadiz offers novice backpackers a chance to build experience. "There is also a shorter trail, Beaver. Good one to practice your backpacking skills on. Very dark at night, bring your headlamp," shares a camper from Camp Cadiz Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water bodies provide fishing options throughout the region. "Gun Creek has many sites for all campers. For cheap you get a simple site with electric or for not too much more there are sites with water and sewage dump," mentions a reviewer about local fishing access.
Explore historic sites: The area contains hidden historical markers and remnants. "We even hiked down the forest road and found a hidden cemetery tucked away," reports a camper about trails near Camp Cadiz.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Camp Cadiz receives praise for its uncrowded layout. "My favorite part about this campground was that there were only 8 campsites so it was very quiet and remote. I arrived at 7pm on Friday and snagged the last site," writes a camper at Camp Cadiz Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities despite their rural locations. "The vault restroom is kept very clean. It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework," notes a reviewer.
Cooking amenities: Ready-to-use fire setups make meal preparation easier. "The fire pit had a grate large enough to cook on and I didn't need to use my extra grate that I keep in my camping kit," mentions a Camp Cadiz visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "While we were there, a small pack of 3 local dogs wandered through the campground which was a bit concerning at first, but they were all friendly, so no issues there," shares a reviewer.
What you should know
Water access points: Most established campgrounds provide potable water sources. "There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going," notes a Camp Cadiz visitor.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. "Very little cell phone signal. Very relaxing and enjoyable," mentions a reviewer at Harmonie State Park Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Planning around hunting seasons affects campground availability. "Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey. Once we realized what was going on, we put our dog's bright shirt on."
Road conditions: Many access roads are unpaved. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. "Harmonie State Park is a nice campground. It has 200 sites, electric only, 5 bath houses and 2 pit toilets. There are 3 playgrounds through out the campground," explains a visitor to Harmonie State Park Campground.
Halloween events: Fall camping includes special activities at several locations. "We stayed the weekend before Halloween. We missed reserving the weekend they have the campground trick or treating, which was the weekend before, but this was just as fun," shares a Harmonie State Park camper.
Swimming options: Summer heat relief is available at select parks. "Olympic size pool open during summer-has water slide, diving boards, separate baby pool with shade awning, and concessions," notes a reviewer about Harmonie State Park.
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife requires proper food storage and awareness. "Our only problem was 1 or more raccoons kept coming into our site. We shooed them away but they kept coming back. I'm sure they were just looking for food," warns a Harmonie visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies: RV pads often require leveling equipment. "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps," notes a visitor to Shawnee Forest Campground.
Hookup placement: Utilities location affects setup planning. "The water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) are at the back of the gravel pad. There are two sewer hookups, which was nice," shares an RVer.
Specialized horse camping: Several equestrian campgrounds near Equality, Illinois provide dedicated facilities. "Little Lusk is the most Spacious and beautiful equestrian campground in southern IL. Bring your horses, or just come and camp and stay in the lodge. Campsites are spacious and can accommodate very large rigs," explains a visitor to Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground.
Road navigation challenges: Some access roads require careful driving. "The gravel roads are slightly narrow with some trees but we did not have any issues getting to site 21," mentions a Shawnee Forest Campground visitor.
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