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Best Glamping near Grand Tower, IL

210 Reviews

Shawnee Forest Campground offers luxury glamping options within the tranquil landscapes of Southern Illinois, approximately 35 miles from Grand Tower. The site features fully-equipped yurts with comfortable bedding, electricity, and climate control systems for year-round comfort. For those seeking more unique accommodations, Giant City State Park Campground provides upscale canvas tent options nestled among mature hardwood forests with panoramic views. These premium outdoor accommodations include raised wooden platforms, plush queen beds with linens, private decks, and ambient lighting for a resort-style experience while maintaining a connection to nature. One guest noted, "The sites are flat and open, but most are still shaded by a tall tree canopy, creating the perfect balance of comfort and outdoor immersion."

The natural surroundings enhance the glamping experience with numerous recreational opportunities directly accessible from these luxury outdoor stays. Guests at Giant City can explore multiple scenic hiking trails featuring impressive sandstone formations and native hardwood forests. The historic lodge restaurant, known for its outstanding fried chicken dinners, provides an alternative to campsite cooking. South Marcum Campground, another upscale option, offers waterfront glamping with easy access to boating and fishing. Visitors can also explore nearby Makanda, described by one reviewer as "a little hippy town" with a secret garden worth visiting. For wine enthusiasts, the region boasts several wineries within a short drive, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both outdoor adventure and culinary experiences without sacrificing comfort.

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Best Glamping Sites Near Grand Tower, Illinois (19)

    1. Giant City State Park Campground

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

    "The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground."

    "The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel."

    2. Perryville RV Resort By Rjourney

    11 Reviews
    Perryville, MO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (314) 493-0225

    "Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly. Spots are tight (wouldn't want to be here when the park is full). Nice park for kids, hiking trail and jump pad (trampoline)."

    "It isn’t what we’re used to, we usually like more remote, isolated, rugged, off the grid type sites (we had just travelled from Utah where we spent 15 straight days in the desert on the rim of a canyon"

    3. Sharp Rock Falls Recreation

    1 Review
    Ava, IL
    15 miles
    +1 (618) 763-5511

    "You're welcome to at longbranch! Please make your reservations.
    Only 16 spots left!"

    4. Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

    6 Reviews
    Bargerville, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 985-4983

    "We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around."

    "This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."

    5. Shawnee Forest Campground

    36 Reviews
    Vienna, IL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-0619

    $40 / night

    "Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great."

    "There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area

    Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property

    Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!"

    6. Hawn State Park Campground

    38 Reviews
    Farmington, MO
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 883-3603

    $12 - $25 / night

    "There is a main loop of campgrounds all facing one another (e.g. little to no privacy) with electric hookups and reservations allowed (these fill FAST) then there are a few primitive walk up sites for"

    "Then you walk to the beginning of the Whispering Pines trail and see the creek flowing, and know this place is going to be worth it."

    7. Mandolin Grove

    1 Review
    Mason, KS
    17 miles
    Website

    8. South Sandusky Campground

    19 Reviews
    Sesser, IL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $16 - $26 / night

    "South Sandusky is a very nice campground with lots of trees, concrete pad, fire pit, playground, and bathroom facilities."

    "many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous."

    9. Gun Creek

    21 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $18 - $30 / night

    "Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site."

    "Arrived just as the sun was setting which was beautiful over the lake. We were in Eagle 81. Large wooded site next to the lake."

    10. South Marcum Campground

    16 Reviews
    Benton, IL
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $16 - $44 / night

    "This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake."

    "South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just of I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites. Sites have 30 & 50 amp Electric hookups."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Grand Tower, IL

2 Photos of 19 Grand Tower Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Grand Tower, IL

210 Reviews of 19 Grand Tower Campgrounds

  • D
    Sep. 9, 2019

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great place

    Gary and his family are very polite and very happy to be helpful. Great prices. Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great. I stayed here twice, my family and I had a great time and met some really nice people.

  • Priscilla B.
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Converted Golf Course w/fishing ponds

    Relatively new. Has great potential. Located in Vienna, IL near Shawnee National Forest. It has 3 fish & release ponds. Sites were a bit hilly which stands to reason since it was converted from a golf course in 2016. Some sites are pretty long. It accommodated our 35ft. MH with attached car. Some sites are close together with very little shade. The campground had lots of open sites during our stay (3rd week in Aug), but during our stay 2 other short stay campers came in & they parked them right next to us. -Full hook ups available -Hosts were very friendly & provided insight to area. -Bath house - provided air conditioning. Although new & spacious there were only 4 in the entire campground & the toilet & shower were in same space. Upon arrival only 1 was open near us. Subsequently the 2nd was closed due to a water valve malfunction & wasn’t re-opened during our stay. My husband likes level sites & facilities he could use. He said he wouldn’t come back any time soon.

  • Barb N.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Gun Creek

    Lots of space by a Lake

    RV or tent, book online at Recreation.Gov not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site. We will be back and book closer to the lake in a level site.

  • Chrissy W.
    May. 4, 2018

    South Sandusky Campground

    Rend lake south sandusky

    South Sandusky is a very nice campground with lots of trees, concrete pad, fire pit, playground, and bathroom facilities. It is wheelchair accessible and walking distance from the lake where you can swim, fish, boat, go tubing or just walk the trails.

  • Madison K.
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Oak Point Campground

    Peaceful and beautiful

    We stayed as a larger group on a non-electric site. The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy. There were clean bathrooms with running water a short walk away, didn’t attempt to use the showers. We could easily walk to the trails and we went fishing in the lake. It was mild and quiet the days we went in Mid-May 2020. 🙂 Beautiful scenery.

  • Shana D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2019

    Giant City State Park Campground

    Nice Campground & Beautiful Park!

    We stayed Easter Weekend here in the campground and had a great time. The campground is clean and maintained. Some sites are gravel and some are asphalt. Not sure if they are upgrading a little at a time?? There are plenty of trees for shade. Some sites are close together and some have more room in between them. The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground. No water hook up at each site, only electricity. . While you are here, check out the Lodge for dinner one night and climb to the top of the water tower observation deck for some amazing views! Make the quick drive to Makanda and explore the little hippy town. Don’t forget to take a stroll through the secret garden! . 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.

  • Gina J.
    Jul. 15, 2018

    South Sandusky Campground

    Amazing View

    We love tent camping at South Sandusky. many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous. they have quiet hours from 10-6 and the bathrooms and showers are always really clean (but there are still usually lots of small insects). It’s also just a short drive from the South Sandusky swimming beach. It’s sometimes pretty rocky in the water so we usually wear water shoes. If you camp for the hiking though this isn’t my favorite site. There are lots of bike trails but for just hiking there are much better places.

  • Kyle K.
    Jul. 13, 2017

    Hawn State Park Campground

    Tiny park packs a punch

    Hawn State Park is tiny but excellent. There is a main loop of campgrounds all facing one another (e.g. little to no privacy) with electric hookups and reservations allowed (these fill FAST) then there are a few primitive walk up sites for tents only (no hookups, no reservations), and these are what I most recommend. You can camp right by the gugling creek with total privacy. Campgrounds have running water and showers from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

    The park itself has lots of great hiking trails with unique ecology, geology, and plant life.

  • Mara F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2017

    Hawn State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Gregory Maven Backpack at Hawn State Park, MO

    Campground Review Hawn State Park is beautiful! It is one of my favorite state parks. It offers a variety of hiking trails, a nice play ground, plentiful picnic tables, and is some of the best scenery in Missouri. The pine trees that surround the parking lot give you a sense of the grandeur of this place before you ever leave your car. Then you walk to the beginning of the Whispering Pines trail and see the creek flowing, and know this place is going to be worth it. Don't get me wrong, this trail is rated as rugged, and they aren't joking around with that. If you are backpacking give yourself plenty of time to make it to camp, there are some big hills involved. Big, rocky hills. Once you get to one of the three established backcountry sites you find a generally flat area to sleep, a good amount of cleared land for activities, and a fire ring (although techincally no fires are allowed in the backcountry there). The camping is serene. I stayed at campsite 2 this time and got to listen to the trickle of a small waterfall near my site all evening, I mean, until it started raining. The hike is always worth it. This is an extremely popular trail in Missouri because of its beauty and promiximty to St. Louis (about 1.25hrs), so expect to make some new friends at your campsite. All backcountry sites are first come, first serve and free! No permit is needed, just sign in at the trail head. If you are not a fan of ruffin’ it, there are basic ($13/night) and electric ($21-23/night) drive up campsites with a showerhouse nearby. These are reservable in advanced for an additional fee. I would recommend advanced reservation on weekends in peak season. The campground is well maintained with fire rings, parking pads, and picnic tables at each site. Outside of the shower house, all other restrooms are vault toilets in the front country area (no privies in the backcountry, bring your shovel). This campground is worth a stay and hike around, even if it is on one of the shorter, easier trails.

    Product Review I’ve always wanted to be a Park Ranger, exploring the wilderness for a living. I guess being a Dyrt Ranger is a pretty good substitute, especially since I got the opportunity to review the Gregory Maven Backpack recently. I have to admit, I was a little reticent to try out a new backpack. My my current pack was trusty, familiar and had been with me on so many adventures. It had seen me through my longest hikes, to the most interesting places, and mostly, it was my first. It was going to take a pretty amazing pack to get me to forsake my good ol, patch-covered Kelty. I can safely say I will never use that Kelty again. Not only is the Gregory about 100xs lighter (obviously that's a literal, scientific calculation), but it has so many features that set it apart. The first I noticed and loved was the horizontal water bottle holder. Trying to reach behind you and pull a bottle upward while walking is on par with an Olympic event, especially after you've spent 10 sweaty hours out on the trail. This pocket makes it so much easier and less of a gymnastics routine to get a drink. This alone would sell me on the pack. But let me sing more of its praises. The sunglasses wrangler on the shoulder strap is so flipping handy, I can't believe I haven't seen one before! The water bladder holder doubles as a day pack, which I love because, duh, it'll hold your water when you go off on an adventure. The material on the pack all seemed nice and durable. The padding was comfortable and it was so easy to adjust to fit me. The pockets on the hip belt are always welcome! I had to hand-craft one for my old pack, I was glad to see them on this pack ready to go. The only thing with them is if you are a little bigger in the hips, you do have to use awkward t-rex arms to reach over/back to zip them up. Also some of the label on the adjustment tab for one started coming off. Not that it's the end of the world, you just expect new things to stay new for a little while. The included rain cover was PHENOMENAL! Normally when a pack comes with a rain cover it will only cover your pack. Anything you have attached to the outside is screwed. This cover was spacious! My camp shoes, ground pad, etc. did not have to worry about the rain. Things I do miss from my old pack: A few more pockets so that it's easier to keep your gear organized and find items in a hurry. I understand this lack of pockets helps keep the pack weight down and I would rather have my pack lighter than pocket-y. I also missed my front zipper so I didn't have to pull everything out of my pack to find something. A few other less awesome things: The sizing on the website was a little confusing, it was hard to know if the sx/sm, sm/md sizes were for the hip belt or back panel. Honestly, I'm still not sure, but I'm leaning toward back panel. I did view this through a mobile platform, so it may be better on PC. Also, the bigger volume size packs are only offered in blue or gray. The colors are nice looking, but I wish an aqua, pink, or purple was available too. I can hike long distances and be feminine too, but maybe I'm the only one that feels that way though. These misses are small and I'm honestly thinking of using this pack as my luggage for vacation in a few weeks. If I do, I'll post pictures. And I will definitely be using it on future trips.

    https://backcountrymara.wordpress.com/2018/03/29/gregory-maven-backpack/

Guide to Grand Tower

Giant City State Park offers diverse camping experiences approximately 35 miles northeast of Grand Tower. The park maintains 85 campsites across two primary areas with both electric and primitive options. Sites are situated on terrain that ranges from flat grassland to gently sloping wooded areas, with camping available year-round despite southern Illinois temperature swings from below freezing in winter to 90°F summer days. Most sites can be reserved online, though walk-ins are accepted when available.

What to do

Hiking diverse trails: Giant City State Park features trails ranging from easy to rugged. "Lots of amazing, beautiful hikes in this park, especially if you're into bluffs and large boulders. Easy drive to many other picturesque and unique parks (i.e. Garden of the Gods, Ferne Clyffe)," shares Kyle K. The park's Red Cedar Trail forms a challenging 6-mile loop through varied terrain.

Rock climbing: Hawn State Park Campground offers excellent climbing options. "For climbers, 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," notes Josh M. The park's sandstone formations provide both beginner and intermediate climbing routes.

Fishing opportunities: Crab Orchard Lake provides productive waters for anglers. "Fishing was good (especially catfish and crappie)," reports Tracie E. Bank fishing is available directly from many campsites, with boat ramps accessible throughout the recreation area.

What campers like

Secluded spots: Giant City State Park Campground offers primitive camping options away from crowds. "We stayed in the primitive camp site, while there were others there, everyone was dispersed far enough that it felt private. Camp grounds were clean, quiet, and the camp host and park ranger were very kind," writes Sunshine Z.

Waterfront camping: South Marcum Campground provides lakeside sites with open views. "If I was in any other spot this would probably be a 4/5, but spot 56 has a crazy lake view and is on the tip of an outlook with pretty nice privacy!" explains Eli R. Many waterfront sites feature unobstructed sunset views.

Clean facilities: Gun Creek Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and common areas. "Gun Creek is a great campground with many waterfront sites! It is nicely wooded, with a great boat ramp and boat parking area and close to a nice bike trail!" notes reviewer b K. The campground's boat facilities make it popular with fishing enthusiasts.

What you should know

Reservation systems vary: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others operate differently. "This is first come first serve..and one loop is closed for renovations. Most you can spend here is 14 days, which lots of locals do," explains a reviewer about Crab Orchard Lake.

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region require equipment for leveling. "Not sure how level the spots are before you book, as lots of sites are over 4 inch incline, which seems ok for Smaller rigs," cautions Never Sitting S. about Gun Creek.

Seasonal considerations: Perryville RV Resort offers year-round accommodations with varying amenities. "This was a great place. The staff were super friendly and accommodating, and the bathrooms and camp store were extremely nice," reports Christopher B., though noting its proximity to the interstate creates some noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Grand Tower, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Grand Tower, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Grand Tower, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 glamping camping locations near Grand Tower, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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