Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Grantsburg, Illinois within the Shawnee National Forest, located at the southern tip of Illinois where the terrain features sandstone cliffs and dense hardwood forests. The region's elevation ranges from 375 to 1,060 feet, creating varied microclimates that affect seasonal camping conditions. Fall temperatures typically range from 45-70°F, while summer nights rarely drop below 65°F even after hot 90°F days.
What to do
Hiking through rock formations: Garden of the Gods Recreation Area features unusual sandstone formations with observation trails. "The rock formations are surreal and shoulder season is so quiet! We will be back as the hiking is awesome," notes a visitor to Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground.
Swimming in natural areas: Bell Smith Springs offers natural swimming holes for cooling off. "10 minute walk or 2 minute drive to the river where you can hike, swim or wade. Even if it seems crowded, just walk down the river a ways for some privacy," shares a camper at Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs.
Waterfall viewing: After rainfall, several areas feature seasonal waterfalls. A visitor at Turkey Ridge Campground reports, "Very nice hiking trails with waterfalls and beautiful bluffs. Rebman trail is good for anyone including little kids."
Cave exploration: Many trails lead to natural rock shelters and small caves. "The sites are large and covered in gravel. Plenty of room for multiple tents. The woods are filled with poison ivy so the big camp area is very useful," mentions a camper at Bell Smith Springs regarding accessing the natural areas.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the separation between sites at Lake Glendale. A visitor to Oak Point - Lake Glendale notes: "Very Quiet when we stayed in December for a night. Spots in the woods and by the Lake can't hear traffic. Bathrooms warm Showers Hot."
Year-round availability: Unlike seasonal campgrounds, some areas remain open through winter. "We'd seen signs for Shawnee Forest Campground (CG) many times as we headed out and back from our St. Louis home base and wanted to check this CG out," shares a camper at Shawnee Forest Campground, which operates year-round.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Evening wildlife activity can be particularly impressive. A camper at Deer Ridge Campground mentions: "Once darkness hit the fireflies in the forest were magnificent!"
Lake activities: Many campgrounds offer direct lake access. "The lake is large enough though you really don't notice them when you head to the far end," explains a camper describing the quieter areas of Lake Glendale, away from the swimming beach.
What you should know
Poison ivy prevalence: Almost every campground review mentions poison ivy concerns. "We camped in the backcountry along the River to River trail adjacent to Garden of the Gods. The camping area we found was great, about 7 miles down the River to River trail, but there was poison ivy everywhere along the trail which made for a stressful hike," warns a visitor.
Ticks are common: Prepare for ticks, especially in warmer months. A camper at Jackson Falls explains, "Beautiful location. Definitely off the beaten path. There was another group of campers but they camped on the trail."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and provider. "1 bar verizon at camp, can get up to 3 bars within the area," notes a visitor to Oak Point Lake Glendale.
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds operate first-come, first-served. According to a Oak Point Lake Glendale visitor: "This is a little gem of a refuge within the Shawnee NF - about 30min from Marion, down a beautiful country road before nestling among the trees around the lake."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. A camper at Oak Point Campground shares: "We have been coming to Oak Point since 2006. The campsites and showers/bathrooms are always kept clean and maintained. One centralized in the non-electric is dated, but still kept clean and well maintained. The hosts are very nice, courteous, and helpful."
Swimming options: Both natural swimming holes and developed beach areas are available. "A nearby beach is available to enjoy during the summer as well as hiking trails," mentions a visitor to Oak Point Campground.
Kid-friendly trails: Look for shorter, accessible trails appropriate for children. A camper at Turkey Ridge notes: "It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!"
Wildlife education: The diversity of wildlife offers learning opportunities. "There were fireflies in the forest," reports a visitor, providing a natural nighttime light show that children typically enjoy.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Dixon Springs State Park Campground, "We have a 29 foot camper: the sites and roads are snug for it. At site 6 it goes downhill so it is difficult to get your camper level."
Length restrictions: Larger rigs may find limited suitable sites. At Oak Point Lake Glendale, one camper observes: "Sites are generally level and well kept. Very large rigs (35+) will be challenging, but I've seen them - more towards the front."
Hookup availability: Electric and water are more common than sewer connections. A Shawnee Forest Campground visitor notes: "The gravel roads are slightly narrow with some trees but we did not have any issues getting to site 21. The water and electric(50/30/20 AMP) are at the back of the gravel pad. There are two sewer hookups, which was nice."
Utility positioning: Hookup locations can require planning. "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps," shares an RVer at Shawnee Forest Campground, highlighting the importance of careful site selection.
