Tent campers near Equality, Illinois encounter varied terrain spanning from low-lying river valleys to elevated ridge campsites at elevations between 350-750 feet. The region's clay-heavy soil creates challenging conditions during spring rains, when many primitive sites become muddy. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-92°F with high humidity, making water access critical for campers.
What to do
Fishing access: Saline County State Conservation Area offers lake fishing with multiple shoreline access points. One camper noted, "You can fish here and even put in a boat or other water toys if you own one!" The lake contains bass, crappie and catfish, with fishing particularly productive in early morning hours.
Turkey hunting: During spring season, many campgrounds fill with hunters. At Camp Cadiz Campground, one visitor observed, "Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey." Hunting licenses must be obtained in advance through the Illinois DNR.
Mushroom foraging: Spring brings morel mushroom season to the Shawnee National Forest. A Camp Cadiz visitor commented, "It was also morel mushroom time so some people were hunting for them." Best hunting occurs in April after several days of rain when soil temperatures reach about 55°F.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Mid-week visits provide the most solitude. At Backpack Campground in Ferne Clyffe State Park, a visitor mentioned, "The walk up primitive sites are secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source." Weekdays typically see less than 20% occupancy even during peak season.
Dark skies: The area offers exceptional stargazing due to minimal light pollution. A camper at Lake Mauzy East described it as "God's country! Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! Super quiet, tons of birds, and we saw snake mounds but not yet seen one...birds and butterflies and owls." For best viewing, avoid weekends with full moon.
Historical features: CCC-era stonework can be found throughout the area. At Tower Rock Campground, a visitor noted, "A short walk from the campground is Tower Rock that was an old CCC path and over look of the Ohio River... It is a rock cliff that is, I don't know 100 feet above the river." Many structures date to the 1930s and include stairs, walls, and overlooks.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Prepare for communication gaps in most camping areas. At Tower Rock Campground, a visitor warned, "No or spotty signal in this area so have your directions on paper." Signal is typically better at higher elevations.
Flooding closures: Riverside campgrounds often close during high water. One Tower Rock visitor reported, "We drove down to camp here and found this campground closed. We walked in past the locked gate to scout it out and there was a line of debris left behind from when the river was higher." Always check current conditions before traveling.
Vault toilet conditions: Toilet facilities vary widely in cleanliness. At Turkey Ridge Campground, a camper warned about the outhouses, saying "a storm of flies came shooting out the hole like a tornado." Most remote sites have minimal maintenance schedules.
Dust issues: Gravel road proximity affects some sites. A Camp Cadiz visitor cautioned, "Every vehicle that went by generated dust which then coated everything in our camp. If you come here, we suggest taking the site that is furthest from the road."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly trails: Short hiking options suit younger children. At Dutchman Lake Camp, visitors enjoy "lots of nice scenery and decent fishing" with easy access from Interstate 24. Most trails under 1 mile are suitable for children as young as 4-5 years old.
Cave explorations: Several areas feature small caves that fascinate children. A Ferne Clyffe State Park visitor shared, "There are lots of well maintained trails to hike... hikes that include bluffs, caves, creeks, etc. Our favorite is Hawk's Cave Trail. It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!"
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife watching opportunities. One Lake Mauzy East camper reported seeing "birds and butterflies and owls." Spring and fall migration periods bring the greatest variety of bird species.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most sites in the region lack electric service. At Buck Ridge - Lake Of Egypt, campers need to be self-sufficient. A visitor mentioned, "Very disappointed people r confused drove from herrin 2 the lake 2 different occasions" because of unclear information about facilities and access.
Site leveling challenges: Many Equality area campgrounds require leveling equipment. At Saline County State Conservation Area, an RVer mentioned camping "in a Winnebago Micro Minnie 2108 TB. This was a great campground with fantastic views of the lake." Bring extra leveling blocks for the uneven terrain.
Water access points: Fill tanks at designated locations before setting up. One Saline County camper noted, "There is a dump station and potable water at the entrance to the campground. There are also some water spigots sprinkled throughout the campground." Most primitive areas have no water hookups.
