Join the fun near Mason. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Mason, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"There is currently walk in only unless you are reserving a horse camp. There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here."
"Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.
All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."
"PRO
Senior discount saving $6
Able to reserve on-line 365 days prior to arriving
Very friendly and helpful camp host
Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River
Great dark sky viewing
No highway"
"As close to camping next to the Mississippi river as you can get"
$18 / night
"Had very nice trails, very clean. Forest is beautiful. We camped at the primitive area spot 11. Spots are pretty dam close to each other. There is camping you can walk off to."
"Great campground away from roads and noise. Goreville is small local town with grocery store and service station for supplies. South LOOP sites 1-23 are first come sites."
"We took a chance camping here since we hang hammocks but we found a site that had some trees nearby. We were pleasantly surprised to see a port-a-pottie at the campground."
"Stayed during the eclipse so crowds were intense but the hosts lets us camp where we could find room, the site was clean and the pond was beautiful (as always bring the bug spray when camping near the"
"Ferne Cliffe State Park is situated in the Shawnee National Forest, in the southern part of Illinois."
"Dog friendly, pretty well spaced out campsites but some are used as paths with to get to farther back campsites. Good set up, not too close to neighbors and it’s heavily wooded in between."
$15 - $35 / night
" We've been wanting to explore southern Illinois for a long time, but it's a six hour (min) drive from our home."
"The lake is quiet and clean. A nice hidden gem located a short drive from beautiful hiking trails. We will definitely be back."
$40 / night
"We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."
"This use to be a golf course and the cart paths are now walking trails. Be careful as the paths are in poor condition with cave ins in some areas and they arent blocked off."
$10 - $25 / night
"Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."
"Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale
Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must."
"Small little campground off the highway. Inexpensive, quiet. Great spot if your in a need of electricity and a hot shower"
"Stopped here for the night driving through the area. Nice campground, clean, safe, and right off the interstate."
ScoutIf I was in any other spot this would probably be a 4/5, but spot 56 has a crazy lake view and is on the tip of an outlook with pretty nice privacy!
GuideThere seems to be someone living there, and some fishermen were abit loud .. overall we loved it though.
GuideStayed here a week with two toddlers and it was great! Easy walk to the lake with a gorgeous view, , 2 different playgrounds walkable distance from campground. The workers were super nice and helpful, the nature is beautiful and cute little forest bunnies running around !
Also there was fire wood for purchase if needed.
ScoutWe stayed in rv campground. The spot we chose had a beautiful view! The layout is a bit strange as some firepits are next to power source. Some sights are on top of one another. The
GuideWe came on Memorial Day weekend, almost backed out due to rain but very glad we didn’t. We stayed in the basic campground, spot 50. There was hardly anyone else here. Spot was secluded and quiet. There’s a short hiking trail down to the lake, fun walk through nature in the area. Beautiful look out over the Mississippi River. Park ranger drove through the campsite around 9:30pm, I really liked that, made it feel safer. Had a cute furry friend make a visit a few times during the night. Didn’t catch any fish in the lake but we probably didn’t bring the right bait. Very enjoyable experience, bathrooms were extremely clean. Only downside was the shower house being closed. Really recommend this spot!
LegendUsing your GPS of choice, you can reach this campground off I-57 via Benton or the IL-154/Sesser exit. The area includes both North Sandusky and South Sandusky COE campgrounds, clearly marked and easy to find. We arrived around 2:00 PM and found the check-in gate closed, but since we had a reservation, we proceeded directly to our back-in site 123 with full hookups. Most sites here offer water and electric (50/30/20 AMP), while the Dogwood loop features several full hookup sites in its upper section. Note that the loop has low-sloping ditches on both sides of the road, so precise backing is needed to land on the asphalt pad. There’s one full hookup pull-through site in the Dogwood loop—a long, slightly curved pad with sewer and power connections on the yard side, and water on the standard side. Both North and South Sandusky COE campgrounds offer a wide variety of site types, including lake views, varying utility setups, and well-spaced sites. Paved bike trails run throughout the area. We've been coming here for years, and this campground remains one of our favorites close to home.
ScoutConvenient, clean, trails from Campground.
ScoutWe run a 28ft RV and we’re able to cross the first water wash without problem. 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. The further sights will require crossing several wash outs. The terrain is hard rock and any capable 4x4 should be able to navigate to the furthest sight’s. .
GuideThis is a wonderful little Camp spot. There is 1 30 amp hookup, and 1 50 amp hookup. There is plenty of room for tents most of this land is level. They also have a Barn area that is used for women's retreats. I asked about the 'Art' part of the name, Laura told me that it is partially for art retreats, as well as she is a part-time artist. Very nice lady, there is a hot tub just to the side of the 30 amp hookup, so this is the end of this review! I've got to go indulge!
Camping near Mason, IL, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene campgrounds to exciting hiking trails, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.
Camping around Mason, IL, has its perks and quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic outdoor adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Mason, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 111 campgrounds and RV parks near Mason, IL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mason, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Mason, IL.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Mason, IL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
