Join the fun near Herod. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Herod is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Herod, reviewed by campers like you.
$10 / night
"Two of the reviews are not the Illinois subject area but of somewhere in the western US."
"We did a lot of hiking all around Shawnee but this is by far favorite spot in Illinois!"
$15 / night
"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."
$10 / night
"The main draw for us was the hiking trails. If you go over to the Pounds Hollow Rec Area you can find picnic areas and a pond to explore by boat."
"A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders and a hop, skip, and a jump away from quite a few more!"
"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."
$10 - $20 / night
"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."
"On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois , fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill. "
"It's super quiet despite the gravel road nearby. The vault restroom is kept very clean. It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework."
"General: I was a bit apprehensive about this state park because it did not take reservations, so we made sure to arrive by 11 am but we had no reason to worry – compared to other Illinois campgrounds"
"Signage will greet you as soon as you exit the ferry and Cave in Rock city has several small businesses you might want to visit. Plus a bunch of painted bikes..."
$12 - $44 / night
"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."
"High Knob is a Horse campground in Shawnee National Forest near Garden of the Gods off Il1. The entire area has extensive trails through some awesome, hilly, rocky, cliffy areas."
"The trails are great maps available some trails need marked a bit better."
$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."
"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."
GuideI don’t think I have ever been to a larger campground. Lots of bathrooms I only used 1 and it was really clean. It was too crowded for me and too shallow close to the bank for fishing. No cell service. Nice playgrounds.
GuideThere is nothing special about the location. There is a boat ramp nearby. There were only people set up in the park today. They do have a playground.
ScoutFunctional clean porta potties. Fire pits, tables and water( not at the campsite but available at the entrance). Not a ton of privacy but very friendly people. Not great for starlink but very moderate t mobile a slightly better Verizon. Lots of tents and vans. Not many spots. Beautiful.
LegendGrand 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.
TravelerOverall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. 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. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.
GuideNice, large, well thought out campground. Lots of trees, paved sites, bathrooms, showers, and well maintained. Offers full hookups, partial or none. Convenient to I64. Only stayed 1 nite, but would definitely come back.
GuideWe are the only campers here in a very well kept campground. The bathrooms are clean and the only sound is from the birds. $20 for a state park site with electricity is incredible. It is out of the way (we took the ferry from Kentucky).
RangerYes, there is highway noise. It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs. That said, excellent staff, clean, professional KOA
LegendWe were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog. Would definitely recommend if in the area.
Camping near Herod, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Herod, Illinois, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping in Herod, Illinois?
Herod is ideally located in southern Illinois with several excellent camping options nearby. Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground offers primitive camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest. For more amenities, Oak Point - Lake Glendale is a favorite spot tucked into tall pines with water and electric hookups, plus sites backing right up to Lake Glendale. Additional options include Tower Rock Campground for primitive sites with pit toilets, Camp Cadiz for backcountry camping, and Ferne Clyffe State Park's campgrounds which feature limestone bluffs and scenic surroundings.
What outdoor activities are available near Herod, IL?
The Herod area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in the heart of Shawnee National Forest. Jackson Falls provides some of southern Illinois' best rock climbing with approximately 60 climbing areas along sandstone bluffs and freestanding boulders. Little Grassy Lake Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby trails while still being close to attractions like Giant City State Park. Water activities abound at Rend Lake's campgrounds where you can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. Hiking trails wind throughout the region, with notable routes at Garden of the Gods offering spectacular views across the forest landscape.
When is the best time of year to visit Herod, Illinois for camping?
The optimal time to visit Herod for camping is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate and the Shawnee National Forest displays either spring wildflowers or vibrant autumn colors. Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park offers welcome shade during warmer months. Summer (June-August) brings higher temperatures but full access to water recreation at South Sandusky Campground on Rend Lake. Popular sites like Garden of the Gods are heavily used in summer and early fall, so visiting during off-season provides more privacy. Winter camping is possible but facilities may be limited and weather unpredictable.
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