117 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas near Karnak, Illinois center around the Shawnee National Forest, offering a mix of developed campgrounds and dispersed sites. Lake Glendale Recreation Area provides water and electric hookups with lakefront sites, while Ferne Clyffe State Park features multiple campground options including Turkey Ridge for tent camping and Deer Ridge for RVs. Jackson Falls offers free dispersed camping popular with rock climbers and hikers seeking a more primitive experience. The region includes both federal forest service and Illinois state park campgrounds within a 30-mile radius.
Road conditions and campground accessibility vary significantly by season in southern Illinois. Many campgrounds in the Shawnee National Forest area operate seasonally, with some like Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs open from March 15 to December 15. "The campground is small, situated on a limestone bluff which is cut by a small rivulet and some seasonal small waterfalls," noted one visitor to Ferne Clyffe State Park. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with visitors reporting variable coverage depending on carrier and location. Water availability can be limited at primitive sites, requiring campers to bring their own or travel to nearby developed campgrounds for refills. Summer temperatures typically reach the 90s with high humidity, while spring brings frequent rainfall that can affect trail conditions.
Shaded campsites receive consistently positive reviews, particularly during hot summer months. Oak Point at Lake Glendale earns high ratings for its pine forest setting and lake access, with campers noting the privacy between sites and proximity to swimming areas. Several visitors mentioned the exceptional hiking opportunities throughout the region, with trails connecting many campgrounds to notable features like Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs, and Jackson Falls. Campers report that weekday visits offer significantly more solitude than weekends, especially during hunting and fishing seasons when campgrounds can fill quickly. The area's unique sandstone formations and limestone bluffs create distinctive camping experiences not found elsewhere in Illinois, with multiple reviews highlighting the geological features as a primary reason for visiting the region.
"We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."
"Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"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."
"However, by Saturday morning (Easter weekend) all but 5 sites had cleared out and we had the place nearly to ourselves for the rest of the stay. "
"This campground is super remote and is near a couple trails with waterfalls."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Our favorite in all of Illinois!!"
"Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many that back right up to Lake Glendale."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Jackson offers some of the best rock climbing in southern Illinois. There are about 60 climbing areas along the sandstone bluffs and freestanding boulders, with multiple routes."
"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."
"We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am."
"It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW!"
"Lake Glendale is a true southern Illinois gem. They have recently improved the shower houses, the kids love the playground, and there is SO much shade!"
"Ill Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods and Trail of Tears segments on ATT cell service was spotty but I drove to Dixon Springs SP where there was a cell tower."
from $12 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Located on the edge of Paducah, Kentucky this is the perfect place to stay if you are going to the quilt shows or visiting the National Quilt Museum."
"This is a convenient and pleasant campground, just off exit 3 on I24 in Paducah. The staff was friendly and walked us to our site and showed us the hookups."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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."
Guidecheck-in was nice and smooth. Deep parking pad is very level. The RV park is extremely clean and really nice, we're just staying overnight but good price as well. Lots of places to eat nearby. Can hardly hear the highway noise, It's very quiet as well.
GuideVery small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.
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.
GuideBathroom and showers are super clean. Some Verizon cell signal. Quiet. You can faintly hear train sounds in the distance. Hosts are extremely welcoming.
LegendDo yourself a favor and pay for the golf cart! This campground is huuuge! We stayed here for an event and were amazed at how many sites there were. We had a nice campsite on the lake side, however the lake was pretty dry. Facilities were clean and we had a nice level site. All in all a fun time was had by all.
GuideGreat campground, no reservations required and has bathrooms available. Overall good location and an occasional train but overall great spot.
GuideCampground was quiet and peaceful when I was there. Numerous trails within the park and I had them to myself while out hiking.
GuideThis is the third time we’ve stayed here just using it as an overnight on the way to and from home on our way out west. Great campground with full hook up service in some sites and a view of the lake.
TravelerSuper Long Gravel road, decently groomed though, otherwise no complaints. This place is clean, picnic tables and fire rings at every site. Nice pond. Tether ball. Horse shoe pit. Cell Service isn’t too bad. And when you factor in that this place is completely taken care of by volunteers you come to appreciate how clean and well taken care of it is even more. Good free camp spot if you’re passing through or even if you need a little remote weekend away.
Camping areas near Karnak, Illinois offer a mix of limestone bluffs, pine forests and riverside settings. The region sits at the northern edge of the Shawnee Hills with elevations ranging from 340 to 680 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though primitive sites may have limited facilities during winter months when temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
Hiking at Bell Smith Springs: Trails connect to natural rock formations, swimming holes and scenic overlooks within a 10-minute walk from Redbud Campground. "There's hiking trails, but they can potentially be confusing, so take a picture of the map and make a plan if you can. There's a natural rock arch formation, and lots of dramatic cliffs," notes one visitor.
Rock climbing at Jackson Falls: This free dispersed camping area attracts climbers with numerous routes on sandstone bluffs. "This place is popular with climbers, but I'm not one and had a rough time locating this place. The roads weren't marked the same way they are on the website's map, and the trailheads are confusing as well," shares a camper at Jackson Falls.
Fishing in stocked waters: Multiple ponds and small lakes offer fishing opportunities. "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," reports a camper at Shawnee Forest Campground.
Privacy between campsites: Oak Point at Lake Glendale provides well-spaced sites with natural screening. "The sites are mostly private and have water hookups as well as electric. A nearby beach is available to enjoy during the summer as well as hiking trails," says a visitor to Lake Glendale Recreation Area.
Firefly displays in summer: Evening light shows from fireflies add natural entertainment during warmer months. "Once darkness hit the fireflies in the forest were magnificent!" reports a camper at Deer Ridge Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Limited light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "Dark nights with star gazing and even a little bit of that eerie scary movie vibe at the far end of the lake where it's a little too quiet," notes a visitor to Lake Glendale Recreation Area.
Cell service variability: Phone reception varies dramatically by location and provider. "Lost cellphone service immediately upon entering reserve, FYI. The place is beautiful; forests and great big, moss covered boulders," reports a visitor to Jackson Falls.
Limited reservation options: Several campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. "No reservations though so you'll want to get there ahead of time to ensure yourself a spot," advises a camper at Oak Point.
Tick and poison ivy prevalence: Natural hazards require preparation. "Great hiking and great camp site. No shower but the springs offer a refreshing soak after a long day of hiking. Water is easily accessible and clean. Definitely lots of ticks but you're in nature so it's a given," warns a visitor to Redbud Campground.
Cave exploration for kids: Multiple locations feature child-friendly cave features. "There are lots of well maintained trails to hike... hikes that include bluffs, caves, creeks, etc. Our favorite is Hawk's Cave Trail. It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!" shares a visitor to Turkey Ridge Campground.
Playgrounds and swimming areas: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreation facilities. "The concessionaire stocks ice and wood, folks drive nice and slow for the kids, and there is a little playground for the kids to play on as well. Each campsite is surrounded by trees and it is nice and quiet," notes a camper at Oak Point.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple species can be observed from campsites. "There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night," reports a visitor to Turkey Ridge Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require adjustment for comfortable setup. "Our site was not level and with all the rain we had, there were water puddles at the steps. There are some nice sites in this CG but we were not offered one of the better ones," warns an RVer at Shawnee Forest Campground.
Limited full hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric only, with water and dump stations centrally located. "Lots of RVs, close sites, not much privacy. That being said there is nothing wrong with it, it's just not a campground I'd go out of my way to stay at again," notes a visitor to Giant City State Park.
Off-grid preparation needed: Water and electric access varies by location. "No water hook up at each site, only electricity," advises a camper at Giant City State Park Campground.
The best places to camp near Karnak, Illinois provide diverse options from primitive sites with natural features to developed campgrounds with amenities. For top camping locations near Karnak, consider proximity to water features, trail access, and seasonal availability when planning your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Karnak, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Karnak, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 117 campgrounds and RV parks near Karnak, IL and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Karnak, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Karnak, IL is Shawnee Forest Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Karnak, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Karnak, IL.
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