Best Glamping near Karnak, IL

Shawnee Forest Campground and The Art Farm Women's Retreat represent distinctive glamping options within southern Illinois. The campground has full hookups on a converted golf course with opportunities for catch-and-release fishing in multiple ponds. While traditional RV sites dominate, both locations offer glamping accommodations with modern amenities like electric hookups, climate-controlled spaces, and access to clean shower facilities. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, The Art Farm Women's Retreat provides yurt accommodations with fifty-amp hookups in a serene setting. "The bathrooms and laundry facilities are very clean, and they have beautiful walking paths around the property," noted one visitor about Shawnee Forest.

Guests at these glamping locations can explore the natural wonders of Shawnee National Forest, including hiking trails at Garden of the Gods and Little Grand Canyon, both short drives from these accommodations. The convenient location of Shawnee Forest Campground, just a quarter-mile from Interstate 24, makes it accessible while still maintaining a peaceful atmosphere with fishing ponds and walking trails along former golf cart paths. The Art Farm creates a more secluded retreat experience where guests enjoy well-appointed yurts in a tranquil setting. A recent visitor shared, "It's a great location and easy access to the Shawnee forest. We stayed two nights and would stay there again." Seasonal considerations include year-round availability at Shawnee Forest Campground, allowing winter visitors to experience southern Illinois' natural beauty while returning to comfortable accommodations.

Map showing campgrounds near Karnak, Illinois

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Best Glamping Sites Near Karnak, Illinois (19)

1. Shawnee Forest Campground
36 Reviews
Vienna, IL
10 miles
Website
+1 (618) 658-0619
$40 / night
"Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great."

"There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property

Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!"
2. Giant City State Park Campground
24 Reviews
Makanda, IL
25 miles
Website
+1 (618) 457-4836
"The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground."

"The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel."

3. Oak Point Campground
9 Reviews
Grantsburg, IL
19 miles
Website
+1 (618) 949-3807
"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."

"Next depending on which site you pick it can be a short walk to the lake and direct put in of your water craft. A very cool feature is that several of the sites are double."
4. The Art Farm Women’s Retreat
3 Reviews
Paducah, KY
22 miles
+1 (270) 217-2170
$30 - $90 / night
"They also offer tiny home rentals, yurt-style glamping tents, RV spots with 30 amp, 50 amp and 110 outlets, and The Art Barn for larger groups, retreats or family reunions."

"Laura was quick to reply to questions and was waiting for us when we arrived. Spot was easy to get into. Quiet and peaceful. Hot tub was great! We didn't use the showers but they looked nice."

5. Bear Branch Campground
2 Reviews
Eddyville, IL
25 miles
Website
+1 (618) 672-4249
$30 - $200 / night
"Under new ownership buy many cabins from 40 a night on up nice shower houses electric sewer and water at a lot of sites great trails well marked maps available stalls available store and restaurant to"
6. Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
6 Reviews
Bargerville, IL
32 miles
Website
+1 (618) 985-4983
"We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around."

"This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."

7. Mandolin Grove
1 Review
Mason, IL
21 miles
Website
8. Canal Campground- Lake Barkley COE
21 Reviews
Grand Rivers, KY
47 miles
Website
+1 (270) 362-4840
$20 - $256 / night
"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."

"I stopped here on my way back home splitting up a 14 hour drive. The campsite was clean and had a good size. Each campsite has fire pit, tent pad and picnic table. The bathrooms were clean."

9. Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground
3 Reviews
Eddyville, IL
29 miles
$30 / night
"High lines behind sites. Stalls can be reserved. some sites are full hookup. Primitive camping also available. CALL them for more info at 270-205-7138. Arena and huge event barn on site."

"I will be back next time I'm near shawnee."
10. Pine Ridge
17 Reviews
Karbers Ridge, IL
45 miles
Website
+1 (618) 658-2111
$10 / night
"This place is very close to where you need to be. Outpost in between sells food, firewood, ice etc. Very basic campsite for drive up. People were very respectful, very dog friendly."

"We arrived on a Thursday and there were plenty of open spots. Friday they open some of the other loops up for more people to stay and it did fill up for the weekend. "

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Recent Glamping Photos near Karnak, IL

3 Photos of 19 Karnak Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Karnak, IL

179 Reviews of 19 Karnak Campgrounds

D
David N.
Scout
Sep. 9, 2019
Shawnee Forest Campground
Great place
Gary and his family are very polite and very happy to be helpful. Great prices. Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great. I stayed here twice, my family and I had a great time and met some really nice people.
Priscilla B.
Traveler
Sep. 7, 2019
Shawnee Forest Campground
Converted Golf Course w/fishing ponds
Relatively new. Has great potential. Located in Vienna, IL near Shawnee National Forest. It has 3 fish & release ponds. Sites were a bit hilly which stands to reason since it was converted from a golf course in 2016. Some sites are pretty long. It accommodated our 35ft. MH with attached car. Some sites are close together with very little shade. The campground had lots of open sites during our stay (3rd week in Aug), but during our stay 2 other short stay campers came in & they parked them right next to us. -Full hook ups available -Hosts were very friendly & provided insight to area. -Bath house - provided air conditioning. Although new & spacious there were only 4 in the entire campground & the toilet & shower were in same space. Upon arrival only 1 was open near us. Subsequently the 2nd was closed due to a water valve malfunction & wasn’t re-opened during our stay. My husband likes level sites & facilities he could use. He said he wouldn’t come back any time soon.
L
Laura P.
Guide
Dec. 7, 2022
The Art Farm Women’s Retreat
Serene and private. Beautiful rolling farmland.
Lots of choice camping spots! Serene and private. Beautiful rolling farmland, just minutes from town. They also offer tiny home rentals, yurt-style glamping tents, RV spots with 30 amp, 50 amp and 110 outlets, and The Art Barn for larger groups, retreats or family reunions.
Madison K.
Traveler
Jun. 21, 2021
Oak Point Campground
Peaceful and beautiful
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. There were clean bathrooms with running water a short walk away, didn’t attempt to use the showers. 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 2020. 🙂 Beautiful scenery.
Shana D.
Legend
Apr. 23, 2019
Giant City State Park Campground
Nice Campground & Beautiful Park!
We stayed Easter Weekend here in the campground and had a great time. The campground is clean and maintained. Some sites are gravel and some are asphalt. Not sure if they are upgrading a little at a time?? There are plenty of trees for shade. Some sites are close together and some have more room in between them. The picnic tables are old and seem to be spread around as camper are moving them around. The main bathhouse is older, but nice and clean! There is a vault only bathroom at the back of the campground. No water hook up at each site, only electricity. . While you are here, check out the Lodge for dinner one night and climb to the top of the water tower observation deck for some amazing views! Make the quick drive to Makanda and explore the little hippy town. Don’t forget to take a stroll through the secret garden! . The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails.
Cassondra P.
Ranger
Jun. 18, 2023
Shawnee Forest Campground
Very clean and well kept - new campground
This campground is very clean! Large open sites- shade is minimal for most sites but we had a beautiful large site with some shade (site 51). They have new trees planted.

There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area

Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property

Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!

There is some freeway noise but didn’t bother us at all

Laundry and bathroom facilities were very clean - was great to do a laundry mid trip!
Brennan M.
Guide
Jul. 14, 2020
Pine Ridge
Great 10$ campsite
Headed here after garden of the gods was full. This place is very close to where you need to be. Outpost in between sells food, firewood, ice etc. Very basic campsite for drive up. People were very respectful, very dog friendly. Great places around to hike.
j
janet H.
Legend
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.
M
Michael B.
Scout
Aug. 22, 2021
Shawnee Forest Campground
Great Clean Campground
While they cater mainly to RV's, they do allow pitching tents. Angela was super friendly and helpful in selecting a site best for pitching a tent. It was moderately busy with RVs. The bathrooms were very clean and grounds generally well kept. It's quiet at night but it is near the highway and a relatively slow main road, so you will get some traffic noise, especially if your not in a motor home. All in, it was a great quick stop for us as we travel north.