Tent camping near Ozark, Illinois takes place primarily in the hardwood forests of the Shawnee National Forest at elevations between 400-700 feet. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often reaching 90°F and mild winters with occasional snowfall. Flash flooding can occur on lower trails and primitive camping areas during spring rains, particularly near creek beds and along the Ohio River.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Ferne Clyffe State Park offers several trail options with geological features including a seasonal waterfall. A camper at Turkey Ridge Campground noted, "There are several hiking trails that looked pretty, but we didn't get a chance to walk them. Overall, this is a nice and quiet campground."
Boating on Ohio River: Tower Rock Campground provides river access with a cement boat ramp. According to a visitor at Tower Rock Campground, "The Tower Rock Camp ground is by the Ohio river and is very open. Doesn't have many sites so you'd have to get there at an earlier time, but it has a great view of the Ohio river and across you can see Kentucky."
Rock climbing: The limestone bluffs in the area offer natural climbing routes. A camper at Backpack Campground shared, "Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the Shawnee National Forest near Goreville, IL. There are several limestone bluffs, great for climbing, naturally forested woodlands, cliff caves, and several small waterfalls."
Fishing: Lake of Egypt provides fishing opportunities year-round. A review from Buck Ridge at Lake Of Egypt mentioned, "Lake Egypt so peaceful and relaxing."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent camping areas feature natural separation. At Dutchman Lake Camp, a visitor explained, "We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am. There's a large turnaround that could fit many vehicles, but someone was already parked there and we didn't want to disturb them and also wanted our privacy."
Accessibility to trails: Easy access to hiking routes from campsites. A camper at Backpack Campground shared, "I love Ferne Clyffe State Park - the walk up primitive sites are secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source. Make sure you take time to explore the waterfall and other short trails nearby."
Quietness: Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere. A visitor to Camp Cadiz Campground reported, "Motorcycle camping across America and I wanted to see grades of the gods. What I didn't want was to camp on top of someone else... Garden of the Gods camp was, in a word, awful. Cadiz was spacious, quiet, and the other campers wanted to camp not party."
Historic features: CCC-built structures add historical interest. A reviewer noted about Tower Rock, "A short walk from the campground is Tower Rock that was an old CCC path and over look of the Ohio River. It is a rock cliff that is, I don't know 100 feet above the river. In my opinion it is worth a look."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Several campgrounds close during winter or flood seasons. Tower Rock operates only from May 1 to December 15, while Buck Ridge Campground at Ozark runs from March 15 to December 15.
Water supply needs: Most dispersed sites require you bring your own water. At Dutchman Lake Camp, there's no drinking water available on site. A camper at Camp Cadiz noted, "The water pump got frequent use and the twin vault toilets were plenty for the campground."
Toilet conditions vary: Facilities range from well-maintained to basic. A camper at Saline County State Conservation Area shared, "The toilets are vault toilets except in the concession area (that seemed to be closed permanently) that were flushing toilets. The toilets that were the cleanest were the ones near the entrance in our experience."
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies significantly by location. A reviewer at Saline County mentioned, "We were able to get cell signal on the campsites up the hill but not in any down by the water, which is why we stayed up the hill."
Tips for camping with families
Shelter options: Some areas offer cabin alternatives to tent camping. Camp Ondessonk provides both tent and cabin accommodations with 50 sites available, making it suitable for families who want more shelter options.
Cave exploration: Kids enjoy exploring the rock formations. A visitor to Turkey Ridge Campground shared, "Really, this state park is a must for anyone who lives nearby or is driving through. It's just that gorgeous! 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!"
Wildlife viewing: The forest areas provide good animal watching opportunities. A camper at Turkey Ridge noted, "There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night."
Space for group activities: Many sites accommodate multiple tents. A camper at Camp Cadiz Campground mentioned, "The spaces are wide open and big for multiple tents. There is well water, a bathroom (open septic tank) for pit and picnic table at each site."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Some sites accommodate larger vehicles better than others. A visitor to Turkey Ridge Campground mentioned, "#35 is a nice location. Large yard and not super close to other campers. #53 is smaller but very private."
Electrical issues: Some sites may have power problems. A camper at Turkey Ridge shared, "On arrival, the electric wouldn't work. Apparently a breaker was involved. Camp host fixed it. We stayed 3 nights and it was awesome."
Dump station locations: Limited dump facilities require planning. Saline County State Conservation Area offers a dump station at the campground entrance along with potable water.
Dust from roads: Consider site location relative to roads. A reviewer at Camp Cadiz warned, "We had site choices that ended up being along the gravel forest road that goes by camp. This put us away from other dogs but caused other issues. Every vehicle that went by generated dust which then coated everything in our camp."
