State parks and conservation areas surrounding Bargerville, Illinois provide diverse tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and seclusion. Ferne Clyffe State Park, located near Goreville, offers both Turkey Ridge Campground and Backpack Campground with dedicated tent-only sites. The Backpack Campground features walk-in tent sites in wooded settings, while Dutchman Lake Camp provides more dispersed primitive tent camping opportunities. Buck Ridge Campground at Lake of Egypt, operating from March 15 to December 15, rounds out the tent camping options within reasonable driving distance of Bargerville.
Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Turkey Ridge provides drinking water, fire rings, and vault toilets, though campers report these facilities can be inconsistently maintained. The walk-in tent sites at Backpack Campground offer more seclusion but require carrying gear from parking areas. Sites are typically set on natural surfaces with minimal grading. Campers should note that firewood can be difficult to find at some locations, as one visitor mentioned at Backpack Campground. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many primitive tent camping areas, particularly at sites closer to water bodies.
Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring the region's extensive trail networks. According to reviews, the primitive sites at Ferne Clyffe State Park provide excellent access to hiking trails featuring limestone bluffs, caves, and waterfalls. One camper noted that "the walk-up primitive sites are secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source." Weekday visits typically offer greater solitude for backcountry tent camping experiences. Fall camping provides particularly scenic views with changing foliage and cooler temperatures. Wildlife observation opportunities abound, with campers reporting diverse bird and animal species active throughout the night. During hunting seasons, particularly turkey season, tent campgrounds may become busier and noisier in early mornings.
"There are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all! The tent camping accommodations were less than stellar, simply because of the “outhouses “."
"It was easy to find firewood with out having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy. The only trail I hiked was Happy Hollow."
from $18 / night
"Not a lot of tent sites, but enough. Nice wooded primitive sites with easy access to water and toilets. Had my pups with, and no problems at all. Nice trails for different hiking skill sets."
"Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the Shawnee National Forrest near Goreville, IL., south of Carbondale."
"We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am."
"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!"
"This is an beautiful little beach on Rend lake. The lake is an important bird habitat making it a great place for my fellow bord watchers to go!"
from $150 / night
"We're honored that Robyn has chosen to list her property on our platform. Come here to find peace and embrace nature. Surrounded by greenery, this is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and reconnect."
from $20 - $125 / night
TravelerThis is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
GuideGreat place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
LegendWe were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.
GuideQuiet clean campground, 8 sites, one water spigot, pit toilets, hiking and biking, 9 miles to Garden of the Gods. Campground is right next to road. Local traffic is minimal, most sites will accommodate 30ft trailer or motor home.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
GuideWhat started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
GuideVery small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.
GuideI stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.
Tent camping near Bargerville, Illinois provides access to both state-managed areas and dispersed camping opportunities. The Shawnee National Forest region surrounding Bargerville features diverse terrain with limestone formations, wooded ravines, and waterways at elevations ranging from 340 to 600 feet. Seasonal considerations include hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters that allow year-round camping at many locations.
Fishing opportunities: Dutchman Lake Camp offers primitive camping with direct lake access for fishing. A camper noted, "Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing."
Swimming access: For families seeking water recreation, North Marcum Day Use Area provides a swimming beach on Rend Lake. According to one visitor, "The beach is also tidy and free of alot of trash, perfect for the youngsters to play in."
Cave exploration: The limestone bluffs at Ferne Clyffe State Park create unique geological features for exploration. A camper shared, "The kids explored the caves for hours! Also in this park is a little lake and a gorgeous waterfall."
Birdwatching: Rend Lake serves as a significant bird habitat. One reviewer at North Marcum Day Use Area mentioned, "The lake is an important bird habitat making it a great place for my fellow bord watchers to go!"
Rock climbing: The limestone bluffs provide natural climbing opportunities for varying skill levels. A visitor to Ferne Clyffe reported, "There are several limestone bluffs, great for climbing, naturally forested woodlands, cliff caves, and several small waterfalls."
Trail variety: Turkey Ridge Campground offers diverse hiking experiences. As one camper explained, "There are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all! There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night."
Campsite spacing: Some areas offer more spacious sites than others. A camper at Turkey Ridge Campground noted, "#35 is a nice location. Large yard and not super close to other campers. #53 is smaller but very private."
Cell service availability: Unlike many primitive camping areas, Dutchman Lake Camp offers connectivity. According to one review, "Beautiful little spots as you come in. Quiet and easy to get too. Verizon works well."
Maintenance quality: Corps of Engineers sites receive consistent upkeep. A visitor to Rend Lake mentioned, "The Corp of Engineering's really take care of these camp grounds, very clean, most have new showers."
Off-season solitude: Weekday camping, particularly in spring and fall, offers more private experiences. One camper reported, "My brother and I camped here in September on a weekday. We were the only tent campers, so it was nice and peaceful."
Facility maintenance varies: Vault toilets at some locations require attention. One camper at Turkey Ridge noted, "The tent camping accommodations were less than stellar, simply because of the 'outhouses'." Another mentioned, "storm of flies came shooting out the hole like a tornado."
Seasonal closures: Buck Ridge Campground operates from March 15 to December 15, and access conditions can vary. A visitor reported, "The road is deceptively smooth. Ruts and water crossings appear suddenly. The creek looks like it overflowed."
Firewood availability: Some campgrounds have limited natural resources. A camper at Backpack Campground mentioned, "Only issue I found at all was firewood is surprisingly difficult to come by."
Access road challenges: Several campgrounds require navigation on deteriorating roads. One visitor described, "The drive quickly takes you down smaller and smaller roads. We didn't see campground signs but there are small signs pointing the way."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. A visitor to Ferne Clyffe noted, "Some campsites can be reserved online at www.reserveamerica.com."
Trail difficulty ratings: For families with children, seek out beginner-friendly paths. A visitor to Turkey Ridge noted, "Rebman trail is good for anyone including little kids."
Beach access: Willow Springs Campground provides family-friendly water access. A reviewer described it as "Surrounded by greenery, this is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and reconnect."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy observing local fauna. According to a camper, "There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night."
Poison ivy awareness: Parents should be vigilant about poisonous plants. One visitor warned, "It was easy to find firewood with out having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy."
Proximity to facilities: Choose sites closer to amenities with children. A camper at Backpack Campground noted, "the walk up primitive sites are secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source."
Site size limitations: Most primitive tent camping areas cannot accommodate larger RVs. At Ferne Clyffe, a visitor mentioned, "There were several hiking trails that looked pretty, but we didn't get a chance to walk them. Overall, this is a nice and quiet campground. We would definitely stay again."
Electrical hookups: Verify power availability before arrival. One camper at Turkey Ridge reported, "On arrival, the electric wouldn't work. Apparently a breaker was involved. Camp host fixed it."
Level site selection: When tent camping with a vehicle, seek graded sites. A visitor to Apple Creek Conservation Area noted, "It's a level spot with gravel, so it's a 'clean' place in damp weather."
Water fill stations: Not all campgrounds offer hookups. A camper mentioned, "Water available to fill your holding tank and in couple of locations in campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bargerville, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bargerville, IL is Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Bargerville, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Bargerville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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