Best Campgrounds near Grand Tower, IL

Grand Tower, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Grand Tower is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Grand Tower, Illinois (104)

    1. Turkey Bayou Campground

    13 Reviews
    Gorham, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 687-1731

    "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"

    2. Trail of Tears State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    McClure, MO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5268

    "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"

    3. Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-4836

    "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."

    4. Pine Hills

    4 Reviews
    Alto Pass, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    $10 / night

    5. Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Murphysboro, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 684-2867

    "We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers. I would come back again."

    6. Wine Trail Wilderness

    2 Reviews
    Pomona, IL
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 263-9625

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Surrounded by wineries, hiking places, historic sites, close to town for dining out, visiting for special events. Whatever you may schedule."

    7. Devils Backbone Park

    2 Reviews
    Grand Tower, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (618) 684-6192

    "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)."

    8. Johnson Creek

    5 Reviews
    Ava, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    "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."

    9. Little Grassy Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-6655

    $15 - $35 / night

    " We've been wanting to explore southern Illinois for a long time, but it's a six hour (min)  drive from our home."

    "The lake is quiet and clean. A nice hidden gem located a short drive from beautiful hiking trails. We will definitely be back."

    10. Apple Creek Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Altenburg, MO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 290-5730
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Recent Reviews near Grand Tower, IL

579 Reviews of 104 Grand Tower Campgrounds


  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great spot for location

    Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.

  • Chip
    Sep. 2, 2025

    World Shooting and Recreational Complex

    Lot's of full hookups

    This was our first camp in our new to us travel trailer. Not many trees.  Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue.  This is the site of the American Trap Shooters Association "Grand" Event.  During that event the first couple weeks in August the campground is full.  We were here last weekend in August. Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning.  There is a shower house I believe but could not access a couple of the doors I tried.  I imagine they had some unlocked but I didn't try all the doors when I was there.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gun Creek

    Nice!

    Nice, large, well thought out campground. Lots of trees, paved sites, bathrooms, showers, and well maintained. Offers full hookups, partial or none. Convenient to I64. Only stayed 1 nite, but would definitely come back.

  • A
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Lake Perry Campground

    His Website is a Total Lie

    I had a Reservation for a month long stay. I get there and he said that he would have to guide me to the Site. He guided me for sure right into another Camper. It did over $3,000.00 Dollars of Damage to my Camper. I don't know what the Claims Adjuster paid for Damages to the Camper that the Campground Owner guided me into. His sites are not 25-40 feet wide and 35-100 feet long. If the campsites were that big, the owner wouldn't have had to guide me to my site. I'm going to get a Lawyer and Sue the Campground for all of my Damages to my Camper and the Camper the owner guided me into.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Benton KOA

    Good KOA

    Yes, there is highway noise. It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs. That said, excellent staff, clean, professional KOA

  • Scott B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great stop for the night.

    We were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog. Would definitely recommend if in the area.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Lake Glendale Recreation Area

    Camping in July 2025

    Campground was not crowded during the weekdays. Nice shaded sites w electric and water hookups. Campground hosts were very engaged. $19 a night electric w Sr Pass.

    There are several historical sites to visit. Ill Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods and Trail of Tears segments on

    ATT cell service was spotty but I drove to Dixon Springs SP where there was a cell tower. An easy 3 mile hike around the lake

    There are several historical sites in area. Illinois Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods , and segments of the Trail of Tears

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Blue Heron Campground & Marina

    50% off with america the beautiful pass

    Nice spot on the lake. Nice staff. Lots of Geese. 1 washer washer and dryer, need $4 dollar in quarters to do full cycle.

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Jackson Falls

    Quiet

    Be sure to make sure you set the correct location into GPS. We ended up at the wrong location at first try.


Guide to Grand Tower

Camping near Grand Tower, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Easy walking distance to the observation trail that is the highlight of this park."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Gun Creek. A camper noted, "Bring a fishing pole for amazing lake views!"
  • Horseback Riding: Check out Sam A. Baker State Park Campground for horseback riding opportunities. One review said, "There is plenty to do from hiking to horseback riding."

What campers like

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Jackson Falls, don't have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, "No drinking water... be prepared."
  • Busy Weekends: Expect crowds at popular spots like Sam A. Baker State Park Campground on weekends. One visitor said, "Very busy on Fridays and weekends."
  • Road Conditions: The roads to some campgrounds, such as Jackson Falls, can be rough. A camper mentioned, "The road getting there does vary in surfaces but our van made it fine."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like St. Joe State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "There are two great trails in the park and there was staff on site doing educational programs that my kids really loved."
  • Quiet Campsites: Choose quieter campgrounds like Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs for a more relaxing experience. One camper mentioned, "We had the place nearly to ourselves."
  • Bring Snacks: Make sure to pack snacks and drinks, as some campgrounds, like Gun Creek, don't have markets nearby. A visitor noted, "No market... bring your own supplies."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Not all sites are level or spacious. A camper at Sam A. Baker State Park Campground mentioned, "Campground was really tight."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Shawnee Forest Campground. A reviewer said, "The sites are very close together, so there is not much privacy."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Make sure to know where the nearest dump station is, especially at places like St. Joe State Park Campground. A camper noted, "Dump station backs up for up to an hour on Sundays."

Camping near Grand Tower, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the great outdoors, there's something for every camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Grand Tower, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Grand Tower, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 104 campgrounds and RV parks near Grand Tower, IL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Grand Tower, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grand Tower, IL is Turkey Bayou Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Grand Tower, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Grand Tower, IL.

What parks are near Grand Tower, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Grand Tower, IL that allow camping, notably Rend Lake and Shawnee National Forest.