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Best Campgrounds near Herod, IL

799 Reviews

Shawnee National Forest surrounds Herod, Illinois, providing multiple camping areas across diverse terrain. Pharoah Campground at Garden of the Gods Recreation Area serves as a central camping hub with primitive tent sites and limited RV accommodation. Jackson Falls offers free dispersed camping options for those seeking more remote experiences. The region includes both established campgrounds with basic amenities and backcountry sites accessible via hiking trails, particularly along the River to River Trail system that traverses the forest.

Campground availability follows seasonal patterns, with most facilities open from spring through fall. Pharoah Campground operates year-round while nearby Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area's Redbud Campground closes from December through mid-March. Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-pay stations. Facilities generally offer basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but limited drinking water access. The terrain features significant elevation changes with rocky outcroppings and forested areas. According to one visitor, "We showed up at 4:00 and had a selection of about 6 spots... the rest filled up shortly after. It's no surprise this place is beautiful."

Campers consistently highlight the unique sandstone formations and scenic overlooks as primary attractions. Garden of the Gods observation trails provide accessible hiking from campsites with spectacular vistas. Several campgrounds in the area feature proximity to water features, including Pounds Hollow Recreation Area and Lake Glendale Recreation Area, which offer swimming opportunities during warmer months. Sites situated along ridgelines and cliff areas tend to receive higher ratings for their views and natural setting. A camper noted, "The sites to choose from are cliff side (don't wander around in the dark) and the inner area. Good space between sites and several secluded ones to choose from." Mixed-use trails accommodate both hikers and horseback riders throughout the forest, with dedicated horse facilities at some trailheads. Backcountry sites typically offer more seclusion but require proper preparation for primitive conditions.

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Best Camping Sites Near Herod, Illinois (126)

    1. Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    54 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    3 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
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $15 / night

    "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. "

    "Loved all the hikes within walking distance, a bit of a drive in but fun to explore"

    3. Pine Ridge

    17 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    10 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!"

    4. Jackson Falls

    22 Reviews
    Shawnee National Forest, IL
    14 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."

    5. Oak Point - Lake Glendale

    15 Reviews
    Grantsburg, IL
    17 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."

    6. Camp Cadiz Campground

    6 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    11 miles
    Website

    "On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois , fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill. "

    "It's super quiet despite the gravel road nearby. The vault restroom is kept very clean. It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework."

    7. Cave-in-Rock State Park

    14 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 289-4325

    "General: I was a bit apprehensive about this state park because it did not take reservations, so we made sure to arrive by 11 am but we had no reason to worry – compared to other Illinois campgrounds"

    "Signage will greet you as soon as you exit the ferry and Cave in Rock city has several small businesses you might want to visit. Plus a bunch of painted bikes..."

    8. Lake Glendale Recreation Area

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

    $12 - $44 / night

    "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!"

    "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."

    9. High Knob Campgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    6 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."

    10. Shawnee Forest Campground

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

    $40 / night

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

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Herod, IL

164 Photos of 126 Herod Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Herod, IL

799 Reviews of 126 Herod Campgrounds

  • Mandi G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    North Sandusky Campground

    Gorgeous views

    Very well maintained campgrounds. Most sites are pretty sloped but there are some level sites. Flush toilets. Bring binoculars for egrets and herons on the lake.

  • Katie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Dutchman Lake Camp

    Great stop for the night

    We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am. There’s a large turnaround that could fit many vehicles, but someone was already parked there and we didn’t want to disturb them and also wanted our privacy. There a space for a vehicle to pull off and walk around some boulders to set up a camp, complete with a fire ring. Some bike-packers were already set up there. Close to the lake there is another spot for one or two vehicles. The lake surface had a lot of bug activity - no thanks! We ended up choosing a grassy space next to the curve in the road in between our neighbors. Very peaceful! No bugs.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Hillman Ferry Campground

    Peaceful Lakeside Camping

    We enjoyed our weekend stay during the HTC-E campout. Staff were very helpful and friendly. The camps grounds were clean and free of debris. Free showers with plenty of hot water, good water pressure. There was a strange phenomena of dead gnats/flying things on the ladies bathroom counter each morning. Not sure if someone sprayed each night… The lake was low, which we were told was common for this time of year as the dam level gets adjusted after Labor Day weekend. Still enough water for kayaking. This campground is very large so the golf cart rental was worth the $80 p/day fee. All in all, a great visit to Land O’ Lake. Check out our video on YouTube at Skyways to Highways.

  • Anna M.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park

    Cleanest Bathrooms

    There is nothing special about the location. There is a boat ramp nearby. There were only people set up in the park today. They do have a playground.

  • 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.

  • j
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE

    Nice COE campground

    Grand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam. The canal connects them and you can see boats and occasionally barges passing through. There are over 100 campsites are available, many with water views. We had a spacious site with a river view. Other loops are closer together and no view. Sites offer electric and/or water hookups, tables and fire ring. Other amenities include clean old style bathhouses, a dump station, laundry facilities, a playground, and picnic pavilions. We saw several deer roaming the grounds. There's a great pizza place in town Papa Z.

  • 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.

Guide to Herod

Camping near Herod, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: The area is known for its stunning trails. At Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground, one visitor mentioned, "Easy walking distance to the observation trail that is the highlight of this park." The trails provide breathtaking views and a chance to connect with nature.
  • Exploring caves: Cave-in-Rock State Park is nearby and offers a unique cave experience. A camper shared, "The sites are decent size. It can be a bit of a walk to the bathroom. It does have a restaurant and small store on site."
  • Fishing and swimming: Many campgrounds, like Pine Ridge, have access to lakes for fishing and swimming. One camper noted, "The lake area is beautiful with a swimming area, fishing pier, and pavilion to eat or sit under for shade."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. At Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs, a visitor said, "The grounds and pit toilets were remarkably clean, and I saw no trash or broken glass anywhere."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds offer a peaceful environment. One camper at Jackson Falls mentioned, "This is a spectacular place if you are looking for private and semi-private dispersed campgrounds."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground hosts. A review for Cave-in-Rock State Park noted, "Steve is a great Host."

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 pointed out, "There is no potable water on site."
  • Busy weekends: Popular spots can get crowded, especially on weekends. One camper at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground advised, "Recommend only visiting Monday thru Thursday."
  • Road conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A review for Jackson Falls mentioned, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with spacious sites and activities for kids. At Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park, a camper noted, "Great for star-gazing. Lots of mature oak and sycamore trees that I'm sure provide nice shade in summer."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of nearby attractions. One family at Shawnee Forest Campground enjoyed the trails, saying, "The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can make family outings smoother. A camper at Pine Ridge mentioned, "The campground area is beautiful with a swimming area."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Shawnee Forest Campground stated, "Well maintained, big sites for our 40ft fifth wheel."
  • Look for electric hookups: If you need power, choose campgrounds that offer it. One RV traveler at Fern Lake Campground and RV Park said, "Gravel sites with water, dump, 30/50 amps."
  • Be prepared for rough roads: Some campgrounds have bumpy access roads. A visitor at Jackson Falls noted, "Definitely not gonna be fun for even small RV's."

Camping near Herod, Illinois, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping in Herod, Illinois?

Herod is ideally located in southern Illinois with several excellent camping options nearby. Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground offers primitive camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest. For more amenities, Oak Point - Lake Glendale is a favorite spot tucked into tall pines with water and electric hookups, plus sites backing right up to Lake Glendale. Additional options include Tower Rock Campground for primitive sites with pit toilets, Camp Cadiz for backcountry camping, and Ferne Clyffe State Park's campgrounds which feature limestone bluffs and scenic surroundings.

What outdoor activities are available near Herod, IL?

The Herod area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in the heart of Shawnee National Forest. Jackson Falls provides some of southern Illinois' best rock climbing with approximately 60 climbing areas along sandstone bluffs and freestanding boulders. Little Grassy Lake Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby trails while still being close to attractions like Giant City State Park. Water activities abound at Rend Lake's campgrounds where you can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. Hiking trails wind throughout the region, with notable routes at Garden of the Gods offering spectacular views across the forest landscape.

When is the best time of year to visit Herod, Illinois for camping?

The optimal time to visit Herod for camping is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate and the Shawnee National Forest displays either spring wildflowers or vibrant autumn colors. Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park offers welcome shade during warmer months. Summer (June-August) brings higher temperatures but full access to water recreation at South Sandusky Campground on Rend Lake. Popular sites like Garden of the Gods are heavily used in summer and early fall, so visiting during off-season provides more privacy. Winter camping is possible but facilities may be limited and weather unpredictable.

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