Camping near Gorham, Illinois offers access to scenic waterways and notable limestone formations within the Shawnee National Forest region. The terrain features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 400-700 feet, creating diverse habitats for wildlife viewing. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with daytime temperatures between 60-75°F.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: Several marked paths connect directly from campgrounds to longer trail networks. At Giant City State Park Campground, "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" according to Shana D. Some trails require additional navigation preparation as Daniel B. notes, "the trail itself is tricky. It does have markings, which keep you on the trail, but there's no way of knowing how far along the hike you are."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and ponds provide year-round fishing access across the region. At Randolph County State Recreation Area, Joel R. describes it as "located on a small lake in Southern Illinois and managed by the department of natural resources. Good place for camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and boating." The area features both smaller and larger bodies of water with varying fish populations.
Rock climbing: For experienced climbers, several locations provide natural rock formations suitable for both sport and traditional climbing. Josh M. notes that near Giant City, "there is a ton of nearby trad and sport climbing. The main wall stays wet for a while so if it has recently rained you may need to find somewhere else."
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: Horse-friendly camping areas offer adequate room for trailers and equipment. At Johnson Creek, em P. describes "single, double, and triple camping spots set up on three loops in this small campground nestled in the corner of Shawnee National Forest...most sites have a non-potable water spigot, horse hitch, and fire ring." The equestrian setup accommodates varying group sizes.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintained restrooms and shower buildings across locations. At Crab Orchard Lake, Joel R. found "nice campground, right on Crab Orchard Lake. Large sites, lots of room. We camped with several other families and everyone enjoyed this park." Sunshine Z. similarly noted at Giant City that "camp grounds were clean, quiet, and the camp host and park ranger were very kind. Bathrooms and shower house were all clean!"
Wildlife viewing: Multiple locations offer opportunities to observe local fauna, particularly birds. Joel R. described his experience at Johnson Creek: "We heard several owls calling in the trees around us when we went to bed, so we stayed up listening for awhile. In the middle of the night we were startled awake by a pair of owls in the tree right above us."
What you should know
Seasonal water limitations: Water access varies throughout the year at many campgrounds. Robert G. at Johnson Creek Campground noted "all of the water is shut off and it appears that the dump station hasn't worked in years." During spring visits, Stacia R. found "the campground water spigots had not been turned on yet" in mid-April.
Trail maintenance issues: Some paths require additional preparation due to inconsistent upkeep. Mari K. reported "the trails were VERY unkept and there was poison ivy at nearly every step" at Johnson Creek Recreation Area. Similarly, Ashley Y. mentioned that at Giant City "the trails aren't always maintained it definitely depends on the season."
Site variations: Campgrounds offer significantly different experiences depending on the specific area chosen. Shelagh R. described Giant City as "your run of the mill campground. Lots of RVs, close sites, not much privacy," while Kyle K. noted the same location has "both electric sites for campers and primitive sites for tents. All are shaded and quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several locations provide dedicated recreation spaces for children. At Deer Ridge Campground, Stephanie S. mentioned a natural attraction: "Once darkness hit the fireflies in the forest were magnificent!" Shirlee A. noted at Randolph County that there are "2 different playgrounds walkable distance from campground."
Educational opportunities: Several parks feature information about local geology and history. Livia W. found Giant City offers family-friendly exploration: "Giant City is a great place to go with your family! The trails are fun and interesting while the lodge is fantastic!"
Water recreation: Lakes provide swimming and boating options during warmer months. Never Sitting S. described Crab Orchard as having "most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees," making water access convenient for families with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electrical connections vary widely between campgrounds. Joel R. notes that at Randolph County, "There are water and electric hookups, and a dump station," while at Shawnee Forest Campground, MickandKarla W. found more comprehensive services: "The water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) are at the back of the gravel pad. There are two sewer hookups, which was nice."
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring additional equipment. MickandKarla W. observed at Shawnee Forest that "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps." Similarly, Tori P. noted "we have a large 8 person tent and need water & electricity so we rent out RV spots instead of the typical tent spots... we were on a hill so we were slanted throughout the night."
Access for larger vehicles: Campground layouts present varying challenges for bigger rigs. Michael S. describes Shawnee Forest as having "great pull through sites," while J K. cautions about Randolph County: "Getting around is a little tight for bigger rigs but still doable as long as you're careful."
