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Southern Illinois around Elizabethtown features diverse camping opportunities within the Shawnee National Forest and along the Ohio River. Tower Rock Campground, located directly in Elizabethtown, provides primitive camping with boat access and scenic river views from May through December. Nearby Cave-in-Rock State Park offers year-round camping with full hookups, showers, and a unique geological formation to explore. The region extends to Garden of the Gods Recreation Area with its distinctive sandstone formations and primitive camping, while Camp Cadiz serves as an eastern trailhead for the River to River Trail. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with amenities varying from basic vault toilets to full-service sites.
Gravel forest roads and limited cell service characterize much of the camping experience in this region. As one camper noted, "Fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill." Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly during weekdays when sites are less crowded. Weather patterns affect camping conditions significantly, with summer bringing higher humidity and occasional storms. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures but can bring rain. Winter camping is available at several locations but with reduced services. Supplies and services are limited in this rural area, with the nearest substantial shopping available in larger towns like Marion, approximately 40 miles away.
The natural landscape dominates the camping experience throughout the Shawnee National Forest. Campers frequently mention the geological features as highlights, particularly the sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods and the cave at Cave-in-Rock State Park. Lake Glendale Recreation Area receives consistent praise for its shaded sites and water access, with one visitor describing it as "a true southern Illinois gem." Weekends typically see higher occupancy rates, especially during hunting seasons when campers report generators starting early in the morning. The Ohio River ferry near Cave-in-Rock provides convenient access to Kentucky, expanding recreational options. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds, allowing visitors to explore limestone bluffs, seasonal waterfalls, and dense forest without driving between destinations.
"This is a stunning but small campground on top of a crazy high ridge surrounded by cliffs. I had no idea landscapes like this existed in Illinois and was pleasantly surprised."
"Two of the reviews are not the Illinois subject area but of somewhere in the western US."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Also note that there is no place to buy ice or firewood nearby. We crossed the ferry and went to Marion Kentucky and found some there. The park and ferry is really cool."
"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"
"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!"
from $10 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"But if you drive a few miles North East there is a Illinois State Park, Cave in the Rock I think, and you can refill your water jugs/bladders there by the showers/bathrooms, and there are garbage dumsters"
"Once on Cave in Rock Rd. watch for the sign (near 280 “block” of street addresses) because if you miss the turn it will be a minute before you can turn around to come back on the country road. "
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Love the location, the size of the camping site and especially those near Lake Hartwell with private entrances."
from $175 - $210 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $12 - $44 / night
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GuidePristine campsites with steamy hot showers! What more could you want?! One bar with mint mobile but starlink works no problem! No sewer hook up at all sites but no matter! There’s a dump site! The lake is beautiful and quiet with a swimming area! Definitely a must stay!
TravelerStayed at Taylor Bay on a trip up to see the Elk & Bison Prairie (very close, perfect for going during their peak activity time). I usually prefer to camp at a site with a water spigot, so it was a change not having one. Pack in plenty of water for drinking and rinsing plates. Can't bring in any wood from outside Land Between Lakes, but you're able to use anything dead or downed around the area. I drove through a couple nearby campsites and picked up some dead wood off the side of the road and we were plenty set. Standard racoon business, they're there and they want your stuff. Drive-in sites were helpful for storing food in the car overnight, but I'd recommend a bear bag contraption of sorts to avoid racoons getting in your trash. Ticks were a bit present, but that's mostly the season and this particular year's high. One bathroom situated in the center of the site, no light inside so bring a flashlight! Lots of TP inside which was appreciated. For tent campers, I recommend staying back in the shadier campsites away from the lake. Most of the sunnier, lake-front sites were already claimed by RVs, but the back sites were more private for chatting/changing in a tent or staying up late without the sound insulation of RV walls. Great lake with a soft silt bottom (and lots of rocks to stand on if you hate that), friendly fellow campers. My friends had never camped before and had a fantastic time. I'd stay again-- just bring more water!
GuideThe views!!! Loved it. Lots to do in the area. Recommend Giant City! Grounds were well maintained. There was a giant snake behind our site. And goose poop everywhere. But we are camping in THEIR homes.
ScoutDuncan Lake is a small inland Lake located in the Kentucky portion of LBL. The campsite area is located at the end then up around the corner of the first of two access roads to the lake. There is a small boat ramp not far from the site. It is close enough to carry kayaks back and forth. The lake is small and shallow except near the outlet. Great for paddling around and doing some fishing. We have seen bald eagles both times we camped. There is also a beaver community on the lake, they might give you a tail slap on the water if you get to close.
There are enough level spots to accommodate 3 or 4 tents. There is a stone fire ring and that is abut it.
It is a popular bird watching area and both times we camped there were people that used the lake each time. The boat ramp is just far enough away from the camp site that it really didn't affect us at all. If there is a breeze it sounds really nice as it blows through the tall pines.
We generally bring our bikes and do a loop from the camp to the Nature centre and back.
The Lake is closed from Nov. 1 through March 15 to protect wintering waterfowl. no camping or access at all.
There is no cell service but there is a clear view for a starlink setup.
GuideWe were on our hike in Shawnee National Forest, and we found this campground. And it was an amazing experience. It has a beautiful view of the sunset, and there are ponds. There are horses on the property, and it’s very cheap for tent camping. The staff was amazing. She showed us around with her 4x4 the whole property, the horses, and the pony or a donkey. The showers were pretty decent and cleaned
I would recommend this place for everyone
ScoutTook a road trip in are RV over the summer last year and stumbled across this place they had it all water hookup waste hook up and were very reasonable on price definitely recommend
ScoutAwesome campsite rented a cabin we brought are dogs so we had to find a location that excepted pets and they were the ones who were friendly and awsome definitely recommend if u want a place to go this is the place
LegendBefore arrival, we received a helpful confirmation email with clear directions for entering the campground, although the turn was easy with our 40-foot fifth wheel. Check-in was exceptionally friendly—we were even welcomed by a fellow Brinkley owner—and escorted to pull-through Site A6 with full hookups. The utilities were easy to reach, and water pressure was good. We were pleasantly surprised to learn we could park our truck anywhere, even on the grass. Starlink would be questionable because of the mature trees, but the campground's Wi-Fi was better than most we have experienced at around 50 Mbps download and 24 Mbps upload. We had two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile, while our T-Mobile Home Internet work well. The upper A-loop pull-through sites are fairly level but somewhat close together. The terraced B, C, and D loops could be more challenging for larger rigs to maneuver, level, and exit. The campground also offers a fishing pond, cabins, tent sites, and a fenced dog park. Overall, this is a clean, well-maintained KOA Journey with friendly staff that worked very well for our overnight stay, and we would stay here again.
Scoutthe campground was great, staff was very nice and helpful, great activities for kids and adults, free paddle boats and canoes, cable tv, indoor and outdoor pools, really great place!
Camping sites near Elizabethtown, Illinois provide access to the distinctive sandstone formations and hardwood forests of the eastern Shawnee National Forest region. Situated along the Ohio River at approximately 370 feet elevation, this area experiences temperature swings from below freezing in winter months to humid 90°F days in summer. Primitive camping options typically range from $0-20 per night, with most sites offering basic amenities and limited cell service.
Hiking geological features: Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area offers several interconnecting trails through unique rock formations. "The hiking is incredible," notes one visitor, while another mentions "a natural rock bridge (and climb the steel ladder), springs, or Devils Backbone" as highlights within the trail system.
Swimming in natural pools: Pine Ridge provides access to swimming areas during warmer months. "A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders," reports one camper, while another specifically mentions "fun paddling on the lake" and "a 2 mile loop road that goes around the whole campground and down to a beach access point for a gorgeous lake."
Rock climbing: Jackson Falls attracts climbers to its sandstone formations. "This place is popular with climbers," notes one visitor. Another mentions "forests and great big, moss covered boulders. It was fun climbing down to the bottom of the falls, even with small kids."
Ferry crossing: Visit Kentucky via the Ohio River ferry near Cave-in-Rock State Park. "If you are coming from the south you will have to take the ferry across the river. Sometimes there is a pretty good wait," explains one camper. Another adds, "We took the ferry which is a quick fun ride."
Historical features: Cave-in-Rock State Park showcases a unique cave with river pirate history. One camper explains, "Short walk down to the historical cave where river pirates and a few other notorious bad guys stayed. Definitely worth a look after taking the ferry across from Amish country."
Fishing access: Tower Rock Campground offers direct river access. A camper notes it's "ideal for fishermen" while another mentions it's "by the Ohio river and is very open... has a great view of the Ohio river and across you can see Kentucky."
Wildlife viewing: Pharoah Campground provides opportunities to see native wildlife. "The views are some of the best around," shares a visitor, while another warns about nature encounters: "There was poison ivy everywhere along the trail which made for a stressful hike, trying to keep ourselves on the trail without rubbing against the poison ivy."
Night sky viewing: Remote camping areas offer minimal light pollution. A Bell Smith Springs visitor commented it was "pitch black at night" while another at Camp Cadiz noted "Dark nights with star gazing and even a little bit of that eerie scary movie vibe at the far end of the lake where it's a little too quiet."
Water availability: Many primitive sites have limited or no water sources. At Jackson Falls, one camper advises: "There is no water source and bring lots of wood. We scavenged wood from the hills around but ultimately had to leave and purchase wood."
Hunting seasons: Campgrounds get busier during hunting periods. A Camp Cadiz visitor reported: "Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey."
Road conditions: Many access roads are unpaved and potentially challenging. At Jackson Falls, a camper warns: "Hill down to trail head could get slick if wet weather. Was a little nervous getting out after it had rained."
Site availability: First-come, first-served is standard at most locations. At Camp Cadiz Campground, a visitor noted: "I arrived at 7pm on Friday and snagged the last site." For Pine Ridge, another camper advised: "Try to come as early as possible to make sure you get a good spot."
Best family-friendly sites: Lake Glendale Recreation Area provides developed facilities. "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!"
Water activities: Plan for swimming during hot months. At Bell Smith Springs, a visitor shares: "We found some beautiful hiking and water holes," while another mentions "a spring/large swimming hole, with a few places to jump off of."
Educational opportunities: Visit nearby historical sites. "We visited the Chocolate factory as well, which was a real treat," mentions one Lake Glendale camper. At Bell Smith Springs, another notes you can "hike to the natural rock bridge (and climb the steel ladder), springs, or Devils Backbone."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about identifying plants. "Tons of poison ivy but you're in nature so it's a given," notes one Bell Smith Springs visitor, while another at Jackson Falls warns: "There are lots of ticks and poison ivy everywhere."
Site selection: Choose larger campgrounds for bigger rigs. At Lake Glendale Recreation Area, a camper notes: "Wooded, semi private sites (at least for tents), full hook ups for RV's... There were a few sites with good lake views, with the majority of those in the RV loop."
Access considerations: Not all forest roads accommodate large vehicles. A Tower Rock visitor warned: "The actual campground is basically a mowed area in the woods close to the river" while a Jackson Falls camper specifically mentioned: "I run a 28ft RV and we're able to cross the first water wash without problem... The further sights will require crossing several wash outs."
Hookup availability: Only select campgrounds offer electrical service. At Pine Ridge, a visitor specified: "The left loop has power 50/30/20 amp hook ups but no water or sewer on the campsite" and another at Lake Glendale mentioned "Nice shaded sites w electric and water hookups."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Elizabethtown, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Elizabethtown, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Elizabethtown, IL and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Elizabethtown, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elizabethtown, IL is Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 57 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elizabethtown, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Elizabethtown, IL.
What parks are near Elizabethtown, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Elizabethtown, IL that allow camping, notably Shawnee National Forest and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
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