Gorham, Illinois and the surrounding area feature multiple campground options situated in the scenic Shawnee National Forest region of southern Illinois. Turkey Bayou Campground provides free primitive camping near the Big Muddy River, while Giant City State Park Campground offers more developed facilities with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. The region includes several Corps of Engineers campgrounds along Rend Lake, plus dispersed camping areas that provide alternatives to established campgrounds.
Road access varies significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation on rural routes. "This is a nice little park in southern Illinois. It is surrounded by cornfields, however the park is wooded," notes one camper about Washington County State Recreation Area. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though spring brings higher water levels and potential flooding along riverside camping areas. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, while fall offers more comfortable camping conditions with colorful foliage. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly in the more remote areas of Shawnee National Forest. Water and electric hookups are available at most established campgrounds, though primitive sites often require campers to bring their own drinking water.
Waterfront campsites represent a major draw for the area, with several campgrounds situated on lakes or rivers. Campers frequently mention the fishing opportunities at Johnson Creek and Turkey Bayou campgrounds. A visitor described Turkey Bayou as "a beautiful location by the Big Muddy River" where "while cooking dinner over the campfire, the sun was setting over the lake and caused us to stop what we were doing just to enjoy the show that Mother Nature was providing." The region's campgrounds typically feature spacious, shaded sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with many campers reporting sightings of deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. The relative isolation of campgrounds like Pine Hills and Turkey Bayou appeals to those seeking quiet natural settings, while campgrounds near Lake Murphysboro and Rend Lake offer more amenities and recreational activities.
"We took a chance camping here since we hang hammocks but we found a site that had some trees nearby. We were pleasantly surprised to see a port-a-pottie at the campground."
"Stayed during the eclipse so crowds were intense but the hosts lets us camp where we could find room, the site was clean and the pond was beautiful (as always bring the bug spray when camping near the"
"There is currently walk in only unless you are reserving a horse camp. There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here."
"Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.
All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."
"We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers. I would come back again."
"PRO Senior discount saving $6
Able to reserve on-line 365 days prior to arriving
Very friendly and helpful camp host
Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River
Great dark sky viewing
No highway"
"As close to camping next to the Mississippi river as you can get"
"single, double, and triple camping spots set up on three loops in this small campground nestled in the corner of shawnee national forest. there's a central bath house located near check in. only amenities"
"The site was fairly secluded, and right on Kincade lake."
$20 - $50 / night
"Surrounded by wineries, hiking places, historic sites, close to town for dining out, visiting for special events. Whatever you may schedule."
$10 - $25 / night
"Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."
"Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must."
"There are 21 miles of trails throughout the park and a large lake. The attractions are all relatively close to the road (cave, "hidden" spring, and trout streams)."
"Ava Illinois 1 618-318-6734 Text your name and number of people on your campsite to reserve your spot.
The Solar Eclipse Event "PARK @ THE MOON"
Extended or early arrivals welcome."
TravelerTwo bathouses with two private bathrooms each. More geared for self-contained RVs. Toilet didn't flush.. Friendly host. All sites are pull through and very nice. 1/4 mile from interstate.
ScoutFriendly hosts, great views, awesome for kayaking and hiking the 3 mile loop around lake!
ScoutWell maintained, friendly staff, peaceful, gorgeous campground! Does not have sewer hookups and water pedestal is every 2 spots so you need a very long hose to connect. But even with those disadvantages, I’d live here!
GuideWe got here pretty late in the night and had no trouble getting into a spot with our Class C. there were plenty of spots and a few other campers. Could be a great fishing spot! We only stayed over night and had to head out the next morning. Long gravel road to get there, but it’s a beautiful cruise to get to the campground. A lot of beautiful birds to view.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground with sites right on the lake. Each spot has an extra parking spot. The sites are very wide and there are many loops. It is an Army Corp campground so the price was only $22, but if you have a senior pass it is $11. Very quiet, but you can occasionally hear the expressway.
GuideBasic free USFS campground. One porta potty for the whole place. Only two other campers besides our party on a Sunday afternoon. Grabbed a site on the water and listened to the Canada geese honking. Saw about a dozen egrets on the way to the campsite. Not a destination type place but would camp here again if passing through.
ScoutI have camped here for several years even the non potable water has been disconnected for a couple years now. There are no camping spots on or near the lake they are all uphill.
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.
The diverse campgrounds near Gorham, Illinois offer varied terrain from low-lying river bottomlands to the elevated ridges of Shawnee National Forest. Elevations in this region range from approximately 350 feet near the Mississippi River to over 700 feet in the higher forested areas. Weather conditions can shift rapidly, with spring thunderstorms often developing quickly across southern Illinois.
Fishing opportunities: Turkey Bayou Campground provides access to both the Big Muddy River and a small lake where anglers report regular success. "We could hear the fish jumping all night," notes camper Sheryl P., describing the peaceful atmosphere at this free campsite.
Hiking trails: Giant City State Park Campground connects to multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails," explains reviewer Shana D.
Water activities: Crab Orchard Lake Campground offers swimming at a small beach area and boat access to the lake. "We stayed at site B8, which had a massive yard right and on the lake," shares camper Melissa H., noting the campground's accessibility for water recreation.
Wildlife viewing: Pine Hills Campground provides quiet observation opportunities in a secluded setting. "Very quiet and secluded. Campsites are roomy and some firewood is supplied," reports Cecilia, who appreciated the natural surroundings.
Solitude: Johnson Creek offers a less crowded camping experience with sites scattered throughout wooded areas. "Located on Kincaid Lake in the northwestern edge of the Shawnee National forest. The campground has three small loops," explains Stacia R., who enjoyed listening to owls at night.
River views: Trail of Tears State Park Campground provides direct Mississippi River access with unobstructed views. "Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River. Great dark sky viewing," notes camper Napunani, though they mention train noise as a downside.
Free camping: Many campers value Turkey Bayou's cost-free status. "Perfect campground. Clean, right next on the water, only 2 other groups (~20 sites total), and FREE. Though no trash or showers--only porta-potty," reports Kevin, highlighting the value despite limited amenities.
Spacious sites: Pine Hills provides roomier camping areas than many nearby options. "Tent sites with no electricity or water. Clean toilets and a covered pavilion for getting out of the rain when needed," explains Bob P., highlighting the basic but functional amenities.
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity across all campgrounds in the region. Spring brings potential flooding at river sites, particularly at Turkey Bayou Campground, where one camper notes "we took a chance camping here since we hang hammocks but we found a site that had some trees nearby."
Insect preparation: Heavily wooded and riverside camping areas require adequate protection. "Bring the bug spray when camping near the water," advises Tricia L. about her stay at Turkey Bayou during the eclipse crowds.
Primitive facilities: Many campgrounds offer only basic amenities. "This simple, campground is in a beautiful location by the Big Muddy River... there are not many amenities. It's like front country, back country camping," explains a camper, noting the need to bring water and sanitation supplies.
Train noise: Sites near the Mississippi River often experience railway disturbances. "Lots of trains, day and night with train horn blaring due to road crossing at campground," warns a Trail of Tears camper.
Beach access: Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground provides swimming areas suitable for children. "Not a large state park, but the campgrounds, small lake with swimming area, and the views of the Mississippi River valley are good," notes Ralph S.
Playground proximity: Lake Murphysboro offers play areas, though one camper cautions, "People kept cutting through our campsite on their way to the playground, which is whatever, but some people are bothered by that kind of thing."
Educational opportunities: Giant City State Park includes interpretive trails for children. "Giant City is a great place to go with your family! The trails are fun and interesting while the lodge is fantastic!" shares Livia W., recommending the lookout tower views for families.
Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy spotting animals at Johnson Creek. "We took a short ride to nearby Ava and checked out Scratch Brewery," mentions Stacia R., suggesting nearby attractions to combine with camping.
Hookup availability: Giant City State Park Campground offers electric sites but limited water connections. "Not water hook up at each site, only electricity," notes Shana D., who stayed at the campground during Easter weekend.
Site spacing: Crab Orchard provides larger sites for bigger rigs. "Gravel lots were level and plenty big for our 38' Class A motorhome + Jeep," shares Melissa H., noting the site accommodated their large setup comfortably.
Leveling requirements: Trail of Tears campground requires attention to site selection. "Site 6 not level side-to-side," warns a camper, suggesting RVers check site conditions carefully.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer dump stations but not full hookups. "Sewer connection was high above ground so drainage was up hill. Camp host warned us upon arrival we may need to use dump station to get tanks totally drained," explains a Trail of Tears visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gorham, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gorham, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 104 campgrounds and RV parks near Gorham, IL and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gorham, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gorham, IL is Turkey Bayou Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gorham, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Gorham, IL.
What parks are near Gorham, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Gorham, IL that allow camping, notably Rend Lake and Shawnee National Forest.
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