Glamping options near Mason, Illinois allow visitors to experience the southern Illinois wilderness with added comfort. Located in an area where the Shawnee Hills meet the Mississippi River floodplain, these sites feature a mix of forest and lakeside settings with moderate humidity in summer months. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making seasonal availability important for planning upscale outdoor accommodations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Gun Creek Campground, visitors can access multiple fishing spots along Rend Lake. "Great campground with many waterfront sites! It is nicely wooded, with a great boat ramp and boat parking area and close to a nice bike trail," notes a camper at Gun Creek.
Winter activities: Unlike many seasonal operations, some sites offer year-round glamping. "Winter would be iffy," advises a camper about Oak Point Campground, but notes "due to the somewhat rural location you could not beat the view of the stars at night."
Rock climbing: Beyond typical hiking, the region offers technical climbing opportunities. "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," mentions a visitor to Oak Point Campground.
What campers like
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high among glamping guests. At South Marcum Campground, a reviewer noted, "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!"
Wildlife viewing: Many glamping sites offer wildlife encounters right from your accommodation. "Great place, clean. Lots of deer and turkey!" reports a South Marcum camper about their experience.
Spacious sites: Unlike cramped camping experiences, glamping accommodations typically offer more room. "The spaces were large and roomy," notes a visitor to Benton KOA, which offers glamping options year-round.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Not all glamping sites are created equal in terms of layout and privacy. A reviewer at Crab Orchard Lake advises, "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."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some glamping locations more than others. "Very convenient off the interstate, but also noisy due to the interstate being right there," cautions a Benton KOA visitor.
Seasonal closures: Plan accordingly for facility limitations. "The beach was closed at the time, wish we could have gone!" mentioned a May visitor to Oak Point, highlighting the importance of checking operating schedules.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Shawnee Forest Campground offers glamping accommodations including yurts, with varying kid-friendly amenities. "There is no playground or pool," notes one camper, suggesting families should select sites based on specific needs.
Fishing with kids: Younger visitors often enjoy fishing opportunities. "Small lake and two ponds for fishing," reported a visitor about Shawnee Forest Campground, providing an alternative activity when swimming isn't available.
Wildlife encounters: Young campers appreciate animal sightings during glamping stays. "There was also a little skunk walking around this morning," mentions one Shawnee Forest visitor, highlighting that wildlife viewing happens right within the campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Even glamping spots designed for RVs can present challenges. "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps," notes a Shawnee Forest Campground visitor, suggesting checking site conditions upon arrival.
Full hookup availability: For glamping in RVs, hook-up options vary considerably. "Great pull through sites with FHUs 12 or 21," mentions a Shawnee Forest visitor, while another camper at South Sandusky Campground noted, "The Dogwood loop features several full hookup sites in its upper section."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service and WiFi vary widely. "We got two bars on Verizon. Each of the bath houses have a washer and dryer," reports a Shawnee Forest camper, providing practical information about connectivity and amenities important for extended glamping stays.
