Pine Ridge Campground in Junction, Illinois sits at the northern edge of Shawnee National Forest, offering rustic camping at an elevation of approximately 600 feet. The campground remains open from April 1 to December 15, with fall foliage peaking in mid-October. Campsites in the non-electric loop provide more spacing and privacy than those in the electric hookup area.
What to do
Hiking at Garden of the Gods: Just a short drive from Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground, visitors can explore stunning rock formations. "The formations are amazing!! We love to hike here in the fall when it's cooler outside and when the leaves are changing it's absolutely beautiful. The views are some of the best around," shares one camper.
Swimming at Pounds Hollow: Pine Ridge features access to a swimming beach. "A 2 mile loop road goes around the whole campground and down to a beach access point for a gorgeous lake. That was a perfect little walk with the dog. Spectacular," notes a visitor. The beach area is typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Fishing opportunities: Many campers bring fishing gear to try their luck at nearby Lake Glendale. "Nice sites, and decent fishing and beach for swimming," reports one camper who stayed at Pine Ridge. Bass and bluegill are common catches in the area lakes.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Outback RV Resort receives praise for its layout. "The campground was easy to find off I-24... The gravel site with a picnic table and fire pit was long enough for our 39' 5th wheel and our F-450," shares one RVer who visited the area.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness stands out in reviews across the region. "Very, very well maintained facilities. Clean bath house. Level asphalt pads with good hook-ups," notes a camper at Outback RV Resort, adding that "most sites have some shade."
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value at Pine Ridge. "It was only $10 a night!!! Fall foliage was kick'n too," writes an enthusiastic visitor. Many Forest Service campgrounds in the area maintain similarly low rates compared to private rv parks Junction, Illinois visitors might consider.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most rv parks near Junction, Illinois operate seasonally. Birdsville Riverside RV Park runs "from March 1 to November 30," according to their information, with many other area campgrounds following similar schedules.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be unpredictable. "Not great for starlink but very moderate t mobile a slightly better Verizon," reports a camper who stayed at Garden of the Gods. Signal strength generally improves closer to larger towns.
Water access: Not all campgrounds provide water hookups at individual sites. At Pine Ridge, one camper notes, "The left loop has power 50/30/20 amp hook ups but no water or sewer on the campsite." Campers should fill water tanks before arrival.
Poison ivy awareness: Several trails in the area have poison ivy growth. "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," warns a hiker who visited Garden of the Gods.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Venture River RV park offers a unique family amenity. "The facilities are great, but you can tell it is a very new campground by the lack of mature trees for shade. Fortunately, we were not at camp during the heat of the day. We would stay here again and bring the cousins to play at the water park," shares a family camper.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Outback RV Resort, one visitor notes, "They have play equipment for kids and a pool," making it suitable for family camping trips.
Hiking difficulty levels: When planning hikes with children, consider trail difficulty. Garden of the Gods offers varying terrain options. "Great hiking, there are plenty of spots to take in scenic views!" reports one camper, while another advises planning shorter routes for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: When staying at Marion Campground & RV Park, request pull-through sites if possible. "Pull thru, 50 amp, full hookup... Graveled Sites are close together," notes one RVer. This campground provides convenient interstate access for larger vehicles.
Leveling considerations: Some campsites require additional equipment. "Level asphalt pads with good hook-ups. Most sites have some shade," reports a visitor to Outback RV Resort, though other campgrounds may need leveling blocks.
Hookup placement: At Birdsville Riverside RV Park, visitors should note the utility arrangement. "The odd number sites are back in, even numbers are pull in (or if you had cords and hoses long enough you could also back in knowing that you'd have to go under your camper to hookup)," explains one RVer, adding that this setup works well for buddy camping if arranged properly.
