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.
$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!"
$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. "
"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."
$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!"
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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!"
"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."
ScoutFunctional 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.
TravelerOverall 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.
GuideNice, 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.
GuideWe 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).
RangerYes, 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
LegendWe 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.
LegendNice 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.
GuideCampground 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
GuideNice spot on the lake. Nice staff. Lots of Geese. 1 washer washer and dryer, need $4 dollar in quarters to do full cycle.
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.
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.
Keep Exploring
