Best Tent Camping near Equality, IL
Shawnee National Forest surrounds Equality, Illinois with several tent camping options that range from primitive to established sites. Camp Cadiz Campground, located at the eastern edge of Shawnee, offers eight basic tent campsites with fire rings and cooking grates. Tower Rock Campground, situated along the Ohio River near Elizabethtown, provides riverside tent camping with simple amenities. Saline County State Conservation Area in Equality itself features tent campsites with lake views and more developed facilities. For backcountry tent camping experiences, Ferne Clyffe State Park's Backpack Campground, though farther away near Goreville, offers secluded walk-in tent sites accessible by short hikes.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal site preparation. Primitive tent camping areas typically include basic vault toilets and fire rings, while more established sites may offer potable water from spigots. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, particularly at riverside and lower-elevation tent sites. Campers should bring paper maps as GPS directions can be unreliable on rural roads. Seasonal considerations affect tent camping access, with Tower Rock occasionally closing during Ohio River flooding (May-December season). During turkey hunting season in spring, some campgrounds like Camp Cadiz fill quickly with hunters.
Walk-in tent sites at Ferne Clyffe State Park provide more seclusion than drive-up options. According to reviews, Camp Cadiz offers particularly quiet tent camping despite its proximity to a gravel road. One camper noted, "The sites are large but there isn't any foliage between them," recommending sites farthest from the road to avoid dust. At Tower Rock, a visitor reported that the campground is "basically a mowed area in the woods close to the river" with "plenty of room for a group gathering." Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking, with trails directly accessible from several campgrounds. The River to River Trail can be accessed from Camp Cadiz, making it popular with backpackers preparing for multi-day treks through Shawnee National Forest.
