1 campground with availability this weekend
Southern Illinois offers cabin rentals at several campgrounds including Giant City State Park, which maintains furnished cabin options near the CCC lodge, and Touch of Nature Education Center on Little Grassy Lake. Most cabins include electric hookups with basic furnishings such as beds, tables, and seating areas. According to one visitor, "Camp amenities include lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits with wood supplied" at Touch of Nature. Bathroom facilities vary by location, with some cabins featuring private bathrooms while others require guests to use nearby campground facilities. Giant City State Park's cabins are located near hiking trails and natural attractions, providing convenient access to outdoor activities.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Camp Manitowa at Cedar Point offers cabins with varying comfort levels, while The Landing Point RV Park provides cabin rentals for those seeking alternatives to tent camping. Most cabins require reservations, especially during peak summer months when availability becomes limited. Pet policies differ between locations—many permit dogs in designated cabins for an additional fee. A camper wrote that Bear Branch Campground has "many cabins from $40 a night on up" with varying amenities and comfort levels, though reviews of cabin quality are mixed.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary widely between locations—some provide only fire rings outside the cabin while others include small kitchenettes with basic appliances. On-site markets or camp stores operate at several locations including Giant City State Park and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, offering essentials like firewood, ice, and basic food items. Visitors planning extended stays should consider bringing cooking supplies, food storage containers, and cleaning products, as cabin amenities are typically minimal. Proper food storage is important as wildlife sightings are common in these areas.
"Kind of a bare bones campground but this state park does offer rock climbing (if you have the expertise and your own gear)."
"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."
"Small little campground off the highway. Inexpensive, quiet. Great spot if your in a need of electricity and a hot shower"
"It is off interstate 57 if you are passing through or a great place to park and see the sites of Shawnee National Forest."
"Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."
"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."
"Camp Amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/ fireplaces all with wood supplied, amphitheater s, fishing along Little Grassy Lake, trails, swing set."
"The beach at the end of the loop opened up to a huge lake that wrapped around the corners. Others must have access because there were some early morning fishermen out there."
"We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers. I would come back again."
"Regular state park stuff. The group camping area was very nice. It is a large, separate area. We had the whole area to ourselves each time we took the scouts."
"There are 21 miles of trails throughout the park and a large lake. The attractions are all relatively close to the road (cave, "hidden" spring, and trout streams)."
"Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups."
from $50 - $150 / night
"Real nice RV park orientated toward rigs of all sizes. Easy to navigate the roads, with every site level concrete. ATT & Verizon both worked fine."
from $45 / night
"Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility."
"Campground was nice and clean, has a beautiful walking trail, the camp host was nice. The restrooms and showers were super clean. Enjoyed our stay will definitely be back."
TravelerThis is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
GuideGreat place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
LegendWe had never stayed at Whittington Woods, but several of our camping friends have stayed here over the years while traveling through the area. At a recent RV open house, we talked with the campground (CG) owners and decided to switch our reservation from another private CG to Whittington Woods to check it out. The owners suggested sites 92 or 97, and we were able to reserve back-in site 92 with FHUs for our two-night stay. Site 92 is one of the better sites, with a large yard and good separation from neighboring sites. The CG was easy to find off I-57—follow your GPS or the signs. Check-in was quick, and we were escorted to our site. Unfortunately, one of the CG’s regular guests had set up in our reserved site 92 instead of site 93. After a brief discussion between our owner/escort and the guest, moving him was clearly not going to be a quick process. We were offered a couple of other available sites and decided to take site 93. Site 93 was a significant downgrade, with only a sliver of yard and very little separation from site 94. The sewer and electrical connections are near the center of the gravel pad, while the electrical breaker is on the opposite side of site 94. The water connection is at the very back, requiring more than 30 feet of hose for our rig. The owners were very nice, probably too nice when dealing with their“regulars,” and made the situation more tolerable by giving us a good discount for site 93. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. We normally get good performance from our T-Mobile internet with two bars, but download speed was only 41.2 Mbps. The CG Wi-Fi was better at 69.3 Mbps download. There are a lot of mature trees, so satellite/Starlink reception could be iffy depending on the site. The CG is conveniently located near I-57 and right off IL-37, although there was quite a bit of highway noise that was manageable for us. The property provides plenty of room for walking, especially with a dog, and has a decent-sized dog park. There are quite a few full-timers and regulars, with some keeping their sites well maintained and others not so much. We also saw some of the same latitude given to“regulars” when it came to keeping dogs on a leash and picking up after them. They have 5 pull throughs that are mainly used for overnighters that are handy but close together. We understand why several of our friends regularly stay here for a night or two while traveling to and from Florida. Whittington Woods is conveniently located off I-57 and offers FHUs, making the CG a practical overnight stop. Our home base is only about an hour and a half away, however, and we have better options in the area when we need a final stop to flush tanks before heading home.
LegendWe were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
GuideI stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.
GuideCampground was quiet and peaceful when I was there. Numerous trails within the park and I had them to myself while out hiking.
GuideWe arrived at 7 picked a spot in the fcfs area and were surprised that it was almost empty. We got a premium site on the water, with no other campers in sight. The website says the reservation areas were full but that was not true, you have to book 4 days in advance. The camp host was great! It will be on my list of places to overnight in the future. But the lake is beautiful and you could spend multiple days there if you wanted!
Camping cabins near Mason, Illinois range from rustic structures to equipped vacation rentals throughout the Shawnee National Forest region. Located at approximately 400 feet elevation, the area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters. Cabin availability at most locations becomes extremely limited between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, with many facilities requiring reservations 6-12 months in advance for summer dates.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Murphysboro State Park offers multiple fishing spots for various species. "There were pit toilets, but the guys didn't care. Also lots of free fire wood, hiking, fishing and canoeing!" notes a visitor at the park's group camping area.
Rock climbing access: Giant City State Park provides climbing routes for experienced climbers. "For climbers, there is a ton of nearby trad and sport climbing. The main wall stays wet for a while so if it has recently rained you may need to find somewhere else," explains a reviewer who visited during winter.
Bird watching seasons: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge hosts over 200 bird species during migration periods. A regular visitor mentions, "So much to do here I'll just have to keep coming back to get everything in," highlighting the extensive wildlife viewing opportunities across the 44,000-acre refuge.
Winter trail exploration: Giant City stays open year-round with fewer crowds during colder months. "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," notes a visitor who explored the park's trails during early spring.
Proximity to water: South Marcum Campground sites offer direct lake access from some sites. "If 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!" explains a camper who found an exceptional waterfront location.
Equestrian facilities: Giant City State Park maintains dedicated horse camping separate from standard sites. "There are currently 25 equestrian camp sites in this park in a different area than the normal RV and Tent campground," shares an equestrian camper who visited during trail improvements.
Wildlife viewing: Gun Creek Campground provides opportunities to see native animals. "There was also a little skunk walking around this morning," mentions one tent camper, while others frequently report deer and wild turkey sightings throughout the camping areas.
Community experiences: Camp Manitowa at Cedar Point hosts group events and retreats. A visitor explains their experience: "Imagine a place where peace seeps in to your soul and no worries can find their way in. This sanctuary gave all of us a private setting to relax and enjoy our community."
Reservation systems vary: Arrowhead Lake Campground accepts phone reservations even for last-minute stays. A reviewer noted, "We called to secure a site last minute and are glad we found this campground," indicating flexibility not available at other area facilities.
Site levelness varies significantly: Many lakefront sites throughout the region feature slopes. At Gun Creek, a reviewer warns, "Absolutely must check how level the spots are before you book, as lots of sites are over 4 inch incline, which seems ok for Smaller rigs."
Shower house hours: Some facilities close bathhouses early. At Arrowhead Lake, "it's valuable to note that the worker said they close the bathhouse at 8," according to a summer visitor.
Seasonal maintenance: Expect morning noise during spring cleanup. At Gun Creek, "Early in the morning the sawing and woodchipping began. To make matters worse it was windy. All the woodchopping and sawdust was flying in the air which required us to close windows."
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies by provider and location. The Landing Point RV Park offers reliable connectivity, with a visitor noting "ATT & Verizon both worked fine. Wifi & cable included in the price."
Playground access: Arrowhead City Campground features child-friendly facilities near camping areas. "Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility. Wifi fiber being installed, boat ramp, primitive cabin, tent camping, large childrens playground."
Youth group accommodations: Camp Manitowa offers structured settings for large family gatherings. A reviewer shared, "If I were planning a family reunion or large group camping experience, I would definitely keep Camp Manitowa in mind. The owners cared about our experience and kept the place up beautifully."
Campground layout considerations: South Marcum provides spacious sites for families. "The campground gives campers plenty of room to spread out, lots of open space for the kids to play, and not crowded when we stopped by late July," notes a family that appreciated the design.
Swimming options: Rend Lake offers designated swimming areas near camping. As one South Marcum visitor explains, "My family & i enjoy the lake for fishing, boating, swimming & beach time! Close to town for the forgotten marshmallows!"
Site selection guidance: At Gun Creek Campground, waterfront sites have tradeoffs. "I was in site 30, located directly on the water in the Nighthawk campground. Site 29 is very close and the picnic bench is literally 8 feet away from the back of the pad of site 30," reports an RVer noting the lack of privacy.
Hookup variations: The Landing Point RV Park provides full-service connections. "Real nice RV park orientated toward rigs of all sizes. Easy to navigate the roads, with every site level concrete," states a visitor who appreciated the dedicated RV facilities.
Discount programs: Several campgrounds offer reduced rates. The Landing Point provides "10% discount for Good Sam, military & seniors," making longer stays more economical.
Dump station access: South Marcum Campground facilitates easy departures. A visitor notes, "50 amp service, some with water and some with Full hookup... Dump stations are EZ access on the way out."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Mason, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Mason, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Mason, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 cabin camping locations near Mason, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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