Rustic camping near Grand Tower, Illinois centers around the undeveloped areas of Shawnee National Forest where elevations range from 340 to 1,060 feet. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, with occasional snowfall between December and February. Camping conditions vary significantly by season, with spring bringing frequent rainfall that can make forest roads challenging to navigate.
What to do
Climbing opportunities: Jackson Falls offers extensive rock climbing options beyond just hiking. One visitor noted, "Beautiful location. Definitely off the beaten path. There was another group of campers but they camped on the trail." The area features sandstone formations with varying difficulty levels.
Fishing access: Dutchman Lake Camp provides shoreline fishing without requiring advanced equipment. A camper mentioned, "Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing." The lake contains bass, crappie, and catfish species.
Trail exploration: Multiple interconnected hiking paths link camping areas with natural features throughout the forest. An experienced camper at Jackson Falls shared, "Great hike around. Campsites were plentiful, alot of cars driving in late at night. Toliet was clean and open." Many trails connect to the River to River Trail system that crosses southern Illinois.
What campers like
Affordability options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the minimal fees at certain sites. At Trail of Tears State Forest, a visitor mentioned, "Surprised to find nice porta potty at our site that was remote from others. Potable water and camper registration (but had a boil water warning but that was not normal)."
Seclusion potential: Sites offering privacy from other campers remain available despite increasing popularity. One camper stated about Trail of Tears State Forest, "Excellent for tent camping when you want relatively easy access and still feel a bit of solitude."
Convenient stopover location: For travelers passing through the region, Lake Glendale Recreation Area serves as a strategic overnight option. A camper commented, "We had a wonderful stay! Camp Host was very nice and helpful. One of the cleanest parks we've stayed at."
What you should know
Road condition challenges: Access to more remote sites requires careful vehicle consideration. At Jackson Falls, one reviewer warned, "Definitely off the beaten path... Grave Road getting there was a bit rough for my Ram Promaster. Hill down to trail head could get slick if wet weather."
Seasonal water features: Many creeks and waterfalls diminish significantly during dry periods. A Jackson Falls visitor explained, "The place is beautiful; forests and great big, moss covered boulders. It was fun climbing down to the bottom of the falls, even with small kids... Beautiful fall foliage. No falls since it hasn't rained in a while."
Navigation difficulties: Finding unmarked or poorly signed camping areas requires advance research. One camper noted about Jackson Falls, "Be sure to make sure you set the correct location into GPS. We ended up at the wrong location at first try." Several camping areas lack consistent signage or marked entrances.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection considerations: Families should target established areas with some basic facilities. At Dispersed Campsite Shawnee National Forest, a camper shared, "Love this spot! It's easily accessible by all rig types. Backs up to the open forest and you pull right back onto the highway."
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary significantly between locations, impacting family camping comfort. One visitor to Lake Glendale noted, "Clean sites and great location," while others mention the limited bathroom options at more remote sites.
Safety planning: Areas with steep terrain or water features require additional supervision. A Jackson Falls camper described, "It was fun climbing down to the bottom of the falls, even with small kids. The site is popular and there was a good amount of people on Labor Day weekend."
Tips from RVers
Access restrictions: Larger RVs face significant limitations at most primitive sites. A Jackson Falls visitor explained, "We run a 28ft RV and we're able to cross the first water wash without problem. We are a Jeep family so I may have more experience than others in off-roading. We opted to turn around and stay at the main parking lot which is VERY accessible."
Overnight parking alternatives: When dedicated RV sites aren't available, some areas permit roadside parking. A Dutchman Lake camper shared, "We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am. There's a large turnaround that could fit many vehicles."
Hookup options: Only Lake Glendale offers electrical connections among the area's camping options. A visitor commented, "Wooded, semi private sites (at least for tents), full hook ups for RV's, great campground hosts, CCC buildings, new shower house."
