Shawnee Forest Campground and Bear Branch Campground house elevated glamping experiences within the Illinois countryside, providing boutique camping accommodations alongside traditional options. Bear Branch features distinctive yurts among its glamping selections, while Shawnee Forest offers spacious sites in a unique setting on a former golf course with paved walking trails throughout the property. Both locations provide full hookups, clean facilities, and amenities that enhance the glamping experience, including electricity, water access, and shower facilities. The glamping options come with comfortable bedding, climate control, and private spaces that elevate the outdoor experience beyond traditional camping. One guest highlighted their experience at Shawnee Forest Campground, noting "everything is clean and a fresh shower was refreshing."
Several glamping destinations near Ozark connect visitors with southern Illinois' natural attractions while providing eco-friendly glamping accommodations. Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground and Willow Bend Retreat offer glamping within easy reach of Shawnee National Forest's hiking trails and outdoor recreation areas. Sites include amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean shower facilities. The surrounding region features numerous natural attractions including Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs, and Ferne State Park, all within driving distance of these glamping resorts. According to a camper, "Lake Glendale, Shawnee National Forest was a very well maintained area with convenience in mind," highlighting the strategic location of these boutique camping options that serve as ideal basecamps for exploring the region's outdoor offerings.
$40 / night
"Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great."
"There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property
Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!"
"We stayed as a larger group on a non-electric site. The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy."
"Next depending on which site you pick it can be a short walk to the lake and direct put in of your water craft. A very cool feature is that several of the sites are double."
"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."
"The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel."
$30 / night
"High lines behind sites. Stalls can be reserved. some sites are full hookup. Primitive camping also available. CALL them for more info at 270-205-7138. Arena and huge event barn on site."
"I will be back next time I'm near shawnee."
$30 - $200 / night
"Under new ownership buy many cabins from 40 a night on up nice shower houses electric sewer and water at a lot of sites great trails well marked maps available stalls available store and restaurant to"
$10 / night
"This place is very close to where you need to be. Outpost in between sells food, firewood, ice etc. Very basic campsite for drive up. People were very respectful, very dog friendly."
"We arrived on a Thursday and there were plenty of open spots. Friday they open some of the other loops up for more people to stay and it did fill up for the weekend. "
"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. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around."
"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."
$40 - $200 / night
$16 - $26 / night
"South Sandusky is a very nice campground with lots of trees, concrete pad, fire pit, playground, and bathroom facilities."
"many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous."
$16 - $44 / night
"This is hands-down the nicest campground on Rend Lake."
"South Marcum Campground is a Corp of Engineers campground just of I-57 in southern Illinois with over 100 reservable campsites. Sites have 30 & 50 amp Electric hookups."
ScoutGary and his family are very polite and very happy to be helpful. Great prices. Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great. I stayed here twice, my family and I had a great time and met some really nice people.
TravelerRelatively new. Has great potential. Located in Vienna, IL near Shawnee National Forest. It has 3 fish & release ponds. Sites were a bit hilly which stands to reason since it was converted from a golf course in 2016. Some sites are pretty long. It accommodated our 35ft. MH with attached car. Some sites are close together with very little shade. The campground had lots of open sites during our stay (3rd week in Aug), but during our stay 2 other short stay campers came in & they parked them right next to us. -Full hook ups available -Hosts were very friendly & provided insight to area. -Bath house - provided air conditioning. Although new & spacious there were only 4 in the entire campground & the toilet & shower were in same space. Upon arrival only 1 was open near us. Subsequently the 2nd was closed due to a water valve malfunction & wasn’t re-opened during our stay. My husband likes level sites & facilities he could use. He said he wouldn’t come back any time soon.
GuideLots of choice camping spots! Serene and private. Beautiful rolling farmland, just minutes from town. They also offer tiny home rentals, yurt-style glamping tents, RV spots with 30 amp, 50 amp and 110 outlets, and The Art Barn for larger groups, retreats or family reunions.
RangerRV or tent, book online at Recreation.Gov not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site. We will be back and book closer to the lake in a level site.
GuideSouth Sandusky is a very nice campground with lots of trees, concrete pad, fire pit, playground, and bathroom facilities. It is wheelchair accessible and walking distance from the lake where you can swim, fish, boat, go tubing or just walk the trails.
TravelerWe stayed as a larger group on a non-electric site. The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy. There were clean bathrooms with running water a short walk away, didn’t attempt to use the showers. We could easily walk to the trails and we went fishing in the lake. It was mild and quiet the days we went in Mid-May 2020. 🙂 Beautiful scenery.
LegendWe 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. Not sure if they are upgrading a little at a time?? There are plenty of trees for shade. Some sites are close together and some have more room in between them. 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. No water hook up at each site, only electricity. . While you are here, check out the Lodge for dinner one night and climb to the top of the water tower observation deck for some amazing views! Make the quick drive to Makanda and explore the little hippy town. Don’t forget to take a stroll through the secret garden! . The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails.
TravelerWe love tent camping at South Sandusky. many of the site are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous. they have quiet hours from 10-6 and the bathrooms and showers are always really clean (but there are still usually lots of small insects). It’s also just a short drive from the South Sandusky swimming beach. It’s sometimes pretty rocky in the water so we usually wear water shoes. If you camp for the hiking though this isn’t my favorite site. There are lots of bike trails but for just hiking there are much better places.
RangerThis campground is very clean! Large open sites- shade is minimal for most sites but we had a beautiful large site with some shade (site 51). They have new trees planted.
There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area
Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property
Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!
There is some freeway noise but didn’t bother us at all
Laundry and bathroom facilities were very clean - was great to do a laundry mid trip!
The Shawnee National Forest region surrounding Ozark, Illinois sits at elevations between 400-700 feet, featuring a mix of oak-hickory forests and limestone bluffs. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-45°F, while summer highs often exceed 90°F with high humidity. Camping options span from state parks to Corps of Engineers sites, with most locations offering both primitive tent sites and electric hookups for RVs.
Hiking across diverse terrain: At Giant City State Park Campground, trails range from easy to moderate difficulty with distinctive rock formations. "There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains," notes camper Michael M., who adds that the geology resembles areas "near the other bank of the Mississippi river."
Water recreation on multiple lakes: Oak Point Campground offers direct lake access for fishing and paddling. Camper Jon H. explains, "Location is everything and this is well in the middle of a great area in Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the gods, Bell Smith springs, Ferne State park, and on and on. You can spend a week here and not see everything." The campground features "a large lake with swimming, fishing, kayaking. Also has a bike trail around it - maybe 2 miles."
Rock climbing opportunities: For visitors seeking vertical adventures, Giant City State Park provides natural climbing routes. Camper Josh M. reports, "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."
Easy access to multiple attractions: The strategic location of Pine Ridge campground serves as an ideal base camp. Camper Brian E. shared, "Spent a week here and had a blast! A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders and a hop, skip, and a jump away from quite a few more!" Sites are "fairly well spaced, though not private" with "vault style restrooms [that] are very clean and regularly maintained."
Unique campground settings: Shawnee Forest Campground offers a distinctive camping experience on former golf course grounds. Camper Greg S. noted this "Unique campground in that it is on a former golf course. Has the old golf cart paths as walking/biking paths! The sites are spacious and have picnic tables and fire rings." Another camper, Scott B., appreciated that "the campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog."
Affordability and solitude: Pine Ridge receives high marks for value. "It was only $10 a night!!!" exclaimed Rick C., who also noted the "very roomy" campsites. Kurt D. found the campground peaceful: "Loved our spot, the next campers were two sites away, so it was a peaceful spot but still close to all the cool spots we wanted to check out in Shawnee."
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns impact camping conditions. At Pine Ridge, fall brings spectacular color according to Rick C.: "Fall foliage was kick'n too." The campground has two different sections: "The left loop has power 50/30/20 amp hook ups but no water or sewer on the campsite."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ozark, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ozark, IL is Shawnee Forest Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Ozark, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near Ozark, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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