Best Campgrounds near Karbers Ridge, IL

Join the fun near Karbers Ridge. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Illinois camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Karbers Ridge, IL. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Karbers Ridge, Illinois (130)

    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. Pine Ridge

    17 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    4 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!"

    3. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    32 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    18 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. "

    "This campground is super remote and is near a couple trails with waterfalls."

    4. Cave-in-Rock State Park

    14 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    12 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..."

    5. Camp Cadiz Campground

    6 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    5 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."

    6. Jackson Falls

    22 Reviews
    Shawnee National Forest, IL
    20 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."

    7. High Knob Campgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    1 mile
    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."

    8. Tower Rock Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    "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. "

    9. Pine Ridge Campground

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

    $10 / night

    "The USDA Forest recreational area includes Pounds Hollow Lake that is nestled into a beautiful ridge. "

    "It’s a great area with the small beach nearby and garden of the gods so close, the only problem is the drinking water pump is broke so you must bring your own water."

    10. Saline County State Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Equality, IL
    8 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."

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Recent Reviews near Karbers Ridge, IL

847 Reviews of 130 Karbers Ridge Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Karbers Ridge

Camping near Karbers Ridge, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground. One visitor said, "Easy walking distance to the observation trail that is the highlight of this park."
  • Rock Climbing: If you're into climbing, check out Jackson Falls. A reviewer mentioned, "Great hiking and rock climbing to do at Jackson falls."
  • Fishing and Kayaking: At Lake Glendale Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. One camper noted, "The lake was nice with large clean and well-kept sand beach."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Jackson Falls, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A reviewer noted, "No drinking water, no electric hookups."
  • Busy Weekends: Expect crowds on weekends, especially at popular spots like Shawnee Forest Campground. One camper advised, "Recommend only visiting Monday thru Thursday."
  • Self-Registration: Many campgrounds operate on a self-registration basis. A visitor at Pine Ridge mentioned, "We did a self registration and put a check in a slot."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Turkey Ridge Campground, which offers a quiet environment. A camper said, "Great campground away from roads and noise."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One family enjoyed the trails at Redbud Campground, stating, "The trails, the clean campsites, the peace, the views."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Since some campgrounds lack amenities, bring your own food and drinks. A visitor at Cave-in-Rock State Park mentioned, "Quick walk to cave in rock or the cave in rock restaurant."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Shawnee Forest Campground noted, "Big sites for our 40ft fifth wheel."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: If you need power, choose campgrounds like Oak Point - Lake Glendale that offer electric sites. One visitor said, "The electric/water sites were much better than the 'tent' sites."
  • Be Prepared for Rough Roads: Some campgrounds have bumpy access roads. A reviewer at Jackson Falls mentioned, "The road to get into the primitive camp area is long, and just a little bumpy."

Camping near Karbers Ridge, Illinois, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just relaxing, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Karbers Ridge, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Karbers Ridge, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 130 campgrounds and RV parks near Karbers Ridge, IL and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Karbers Ridge, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Karbers Ridge, 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 Karbers Ridge, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Karbers Ridge, IL.

What parks are near Karbers Ridge, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Karbers Ridge, IL that allow camping, notably Shawnee National Forest and Rend Lake.