Best Campgrounds near Harrisburg, IL

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Harrisburg, IL is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Harrisburg is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Harrisburg, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

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Best Camping Sites Near Harrisburg, Illinois (100)

    1. Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    54 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    $10 / night

    "Two of the reviews are not the Illinois subject area but of somewhere in the western US."

    "We did a lot of hiking all around Shawnee but this is by far favorite spot in Illinois!"

    2. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    32 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $15 / night

    "Red Bud Campground Shawnee National Forest Bell Smith Springs Recreational Area Harrisburg, IL

    Red Bud Campground is a secluded heavily tree covered campground perfect for tent and RV Camping."

    "However, by Saturday morning (Easter weekend) all but 5 sites had cleared out and we had the place nearly to ourselves for the rest of the stay. "

    3. Jackson Falls

    22 Reviews
    Shawnee National Forest, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    "Jackson offers some of the best rock climbing in southern Illinois. There are about 60 climbing areas along the sandstone bluffs and freestanding boulders, with multiple routes."

    "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."

    4. Pine Ridge

    17 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $10 / night

    "The main draw for us was the hiking trails. If you go over to the Pounds Hollow Rec Area you can find picnic areas and a pond to explore by boat."

    "A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders and a hop, skip, and a jump away from quite a few more!"

    5. Saline County State Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Equality, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 276-4405

    $8 / night

    "This was a great campground with fantastic views of the lake.

    We also hiked Garden of the Gods and Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest. The hikes were great."

    "There is a dump station and potable water at the entrance to the campground. There are also some water spigots sprinkled throughout the campground."

    6. Shawnee Forest Campground

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

    $40 / night

    "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."

    "We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."

    7. Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    12 miles

    $30 / night

    "High lines behind sites.  Stalls can be reserved. some sites are full hookup. Primitive camping also available.  CALL them for more info at 270-205-7138.  Arena and huge event barn on site."

    "I will be back next time I'm near shawnee."

    8. Oak Point - Lake Glendale

    15 Reviews
    Grantsburg, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 638-3246

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Our favorite in all of Illinois!!"

    "Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many that back right up to Lake Glendale."

    9. Lake Glendale Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Grantsburg, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 949-3807

    $12 - $44 / night

    "Lake Glendale Recreation Area, _Shawnee National Forest, I_l is not to far from Harrisburg, Il if you need to stock up on supplies enroute to your camping excursion.

     "

    "Lake Glendale is a true southern Illinois gem. They have recently improved the shower houses, the kids love the playground, and there is SO much shade!"

    10. High Knob Campgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 275-4494

    "High Knob is a Horse campground in Shawnee National Forest near Garden of the Gods off Il1. The entire area has extensive trails through some awesome, hilly, rocky, cliffy areas."

    "The trails are great maps available some trails need marked a bit better."

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Recent Reviews near Harrisburg, IL

644 Reviews of 100 Harrisburg Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    A good spot to have a work week

    Functional clean porta potties. Fire pits, tables and water( not at the campsite but available at the entrance). Not a ton of privacy but very friendly people. Not great for starlink but very moderate t mobile a slightly better Verizon. Lots of tents and vans. Not many spots. Beautiful.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • L
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Cave-in-Rock State Park

    Beautiful, empty, cheap state park

    We are the only campers here in a very well kept campground. The bathrooms are clean and the only sound is from the birds. $20 for a state park site with electricity is incredible. It is out of the way (we took the ferry from Kentucky).

  • 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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Rend Lake Gun Creek Campground

    Pretty Lakeside Campground

    Nice little campground on Rend Lake. Sites are spread out with long concrete pads. Thera is a bit of a slope to the pads so you will need to level: Lake is very pretty - you could anchor your boat off your campsite. We did not use the bath house so can’t comment on that. Campsites are electric only, so you need to fill you water tank before parking.

  • 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.


Guide to Harrisburg

Camping near Harrisburg, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic views to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Giant City State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter." Another camper noted, "There are many wineries within a short drive of the camp, which made for a fun afternoon."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Gun Creek. A reviewer shared, "Clean facilities. Self check-in. Golf onsite, clubhouse with food." This campground is perfect for those looking to relax by the water.
  • Nature Watching: Visit Jackson Falls for some great wildlife spotting. One camper said, "Great hiking around the area," highlighting the natural beauty of the surroundings.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Shawnee Forest Campground. One visitor stated, "The camp was clean and well maintained," while another added, "The bathrooms are very clean and well lit."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers enjoy the helpfulness of the staff at Hillman Ferry Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The staff were friendly and helpful and their store had everything we needed during our stay."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers at South Sandusky Campground love the spaciousness. One camper noted, "Well spaced sites. Well worth the money," making it a great choice for families.

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A visitor mentioned, "There is no potable water on site," so be sure to plan accordingly.
  • Busy Weekends: Campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground noted, "Very busy on Fridays and weekends," suggesting a visit during the week for a quieter experience.
  • Road Conditions: Some campgrounds, like Jackson Falls, have rough access roads. One camper said, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy," so a vehicle with good clearance is recommended.

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Harmonie State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "There are trails, picnic areas and a boat ramp," making it a great spot for family activities.
  • Safety: Choose campgrounds with friendly neighbors and safe environments. One camper at South Sandusky Campground mentioned, "It was very safe and had close restrooms and playgrounds."
  • Plan for Bugs: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A reviewer at Harmonie State Park Campground noted, "I was demolished by mosquitoes," so bring bug spray.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Not all sites are level, so check reviews before booking. A camper at Gun Creek mentioned, "Not all spots are level," which is important for RV setups.
  • Electric and Water Availability: Make sure to confirm the availability of electric and water hookups. A visitor at Hillman Ferry Campground noted, "Clean facilities. Not all have water, septic."
  • Self Check-In: Many campgrounds, like Shawnee Forest Campground, offer self check-in, which can be convenient. A camper mentioned, "Self check-in. Golf onsite, clubhouse with food," making it easy to settle in.

Camping near Harrisburg, Illinois, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Harrisburg, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Harrisburg, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 100 campgrounds and RV parks near Harrisburg, IL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Harrisburg, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harrisburg, IL is Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 54 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harrisburg, IL?

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

What parks are near Harrisburg, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Harrisburg, IL that allow camping, notably Shawnee National Forest and Rend Lake.