Campgrounds near Karnak, Illinois offer diverse options within the Shawnee National Forest region at elevations ranging from 340 to 600 feet. The area experiences humid continental climate with distinct seasons—summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Forest roads throughout the region provide access to multiple camping areas within a 30-minute drive of Karnak.
What to do
Hiking scenic trails: The region around Karnak features several well-marked trails for various skill levels. At Pine Ridge, "A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders and a hop, skip, and a jump away from quite a few more!" according to visitor Brian E. The campground provides access to numerous hiking routes through the Shawnee National Forest.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the area feature fishing access. Shawnee Forest Campground offers multiple fishing options. "They have a small lake and two ponds for fishing. There's no formal dog area, but there are paved trails around the large CG area, which made it nice to walk our dogs," notes MickandKarla W.
Swimming and water recreation: Several campgrounds offer swimming options. "A very cool feature is that several of the sites are double. Which if you are camping with family or friends is nice," writes Shelly S. about Oak Point Campground, which features a lake with swimming areas and boat access directly from some campsites.
What campers like
Converted recreation areas: Some campgrounds have interesting histories. "Unique campground in that it is on a former golf course. Has the old golf cart paths as walking/biking paths! The sites are spacious and have picnic tables and fire rings," reports Greg S. about Shawnee Forest Campground's repurposed layout.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high among visitor priorities. One camper at Giant City State Park Campground notes, "The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground." Sunshine Z. adds, "Bathrooms and shower house were all clean!"
Proximity to attractions: Location relative to natural features matters to campers. Jessica T. mentions Shawnee Forest Campground's convenience: "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." The central location allows easy access to multiple Shawnee Forest attractions.
What you should know
Site selection strategies: Not all sites are created equal at area campgrounds. At Shawnee Forest Campground, "There are some nice sites in this CG but we were not offered one of the better ones even though there were plenty of sites open in the upper 26-50 site area. If we come back, we'll know where to ask for a site," advises MickandKarla W.
Reservation systems vary: Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE requires advance planning. "Reserve WAY ahead if you want one of the premium sites," recommends Shelly S. Other campgrounds like Pine Ridge operate on first-come, first-served basis.
Weather considerations: Southern Illinois experiences significant seasonal variations. A camper at Oak Point notes, "We stayed as a larger group on a non-electric site. The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy." The tree cover helps with both privacy and summer heat management.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. Canal Campground features "a small playground, beach, several bath houses, a group camping 'pad', boat ramp, boat dock and easy roads for cycling," according to Rachel T.
Beach facilities: Lakeside swimming areas provide family recreation. Madison K. reports about Oak Point: "We could easily walk to the trails and we went fishing in the lake. It was mild and quiet the days we went in Mid-May." This combination of activities keeps children engaged.
Noise considerations: For families seeking quiet atmospheres, Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR fits the bill. "This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees," notes one reviewer. The spread-out sites minimize disruptions between camping groups.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Various power options exist across local campgrounds. At The Art Farm Women's Retreat, "There is 1 30 amp hookup, and 1 50 amp hookup. There is plenty of room for tents most of this land is level," explains Sheri K. This glamping close to Karnak, Illinois offers both tent and RV accommodations.
Leveling challenges: Site levelness varies significantly between campgrounds. At Shawnee Forest Campground, "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps," reports MickandKarla W. RVers should bring leveling blocks and prepare for potential drainage issues during rainy periods.
Site surface types: Surface materials differ among campgrounds. Greg S. notes about Shawnee Forest Campground, "The sites are loose gravel and not level front to back, so you need to unhook." Understanding site composition helps RV campers prepare properly for setup.
