The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Pomona, IL

483 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Pomona, Illinois include several established sites within Shawnee National Forest, such as Ferne Clyffe State Park's Backpack Campground and Turkey Ridge Campground. These areas provide walk-in tent sites set among forested terrain with limestone bluffs, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Dutchman Lake Camp offers dispersed tent camping with more primitive conditions for those seeking a more remote experience.

Most tent sites at Ferne Clyffe provide access to drinking water and toilet facilities, though amenities vary between campgrounds. The Backpack Campground features walk-in and hike-in tent sites with basic facilities including toilets and trash service. Turkey Ridge offers more developed tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to showers. Fire regulations permit campfires at most locations, but firewood can be difficult to find locally according to camper reports. Sites typically do not require reservations at primitive areas, while more developed campgrounds may have reservation systems through Reserve America or ExploreMoreIL.

The tent camping experience in this region offers ample opportunities for hiking and exploring natural features. "Ferne Clyffe State Park has several limestone bluffs, great for climbing, naturally forested woodlands, cliff caves, and several small waterfalls," noted one camper. Sites are typically well-separated by trees, providing shade and privacy even during peak seasons. Trail systems connect directly to many tent camping areas, making them convenient base camps for day hiking. The primitive sites offer more seclusion, while established campgrounds provide easier access to amenities. Fall camping is particularly popular with cooler temperatures and colorful foliage views from the numerous bluffs and ridges. Campers report that even the more developed tent sites maintain a natural setting with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

Map showing campgrounds near Pomona, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Pomona, Illinois (16)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 16 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Pomona Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pomona, IL

6 Photos of 16 Pomona Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Pomona, IL

483 Reviews of 16 Pomona Campgrounds

  • S
    Oct. 7, 2020

    Giant City State Park Campground

    No privacy at tent camp, hike amazing!

    So first of all- I think it’s fair to state before I leave a review that my husband and I prefer primitive and private camping. The fewer people we see while we’re out, the better. We live in a city so when we camp, we want the opposite. If you enjoy RV camping or don’t mind not so Private spots, this is a decent spot to spend the night. If you like primitive/private camping- il fill you in below!

    We do tent camping and Saw there were walk-in sites and hike in sites at this campground. Usually walk-in sites are pretty private and dispersed well - atleast where we’ve been before. The 14 “primitive” camping sites were right next to eachothwr with little to no privacy at all. Good tree cover for shade but otherwise you’re basically setting up your tent and area in an open field. That was a little disappointing to us because it wasn’t what we thought we would find. The RV spots also seem super close together but again- we like things spread out so maybe it would be an OK place for some.

    The vault toilets near the tent sites were...as clean as vault toilets get! And we did not use tje shower facilities so can’t speak on that.

    If we had been just the 2 of us, we would’ve hiked in to do our camping along one of the hiking paths but we were meeting two other friends and were unsure if they would want to hike miles to a spot so we opted for the tent spots just after the RV campground. If you want more privacy for an evening of camping, you’ll need to come with your gear packed up decently enough to hike it out atleast a mile onto the trails. There is camping allowed along the trails as long as you are 100 ft from the trail so that was an option, but in certain spots along the trail it’s challenging to find a clearing (hammocks would be great along the trail). There is also an official primitive camping site halfway through the 12 mile loop of the Red Ceder Trail. We day hiked almost the whole loop but made a Weird little detour so we didn’t get to check these spots out.

    We were hoping to find a campsite that- as get as difficulty of accessibility level- was in between a 6 mile hike and the tent spots in the field but there isn’t any official spot like that even tho there’s tons of space and potential for it. Rant over about the campground. Let’s talk about the hiking! The hiking was truly awesome and felt like it balanced out my disappointment with the campground. Doing the whole 12 mile loop of tje Red Cedar Trail was a challenge for us! We really enjoyed it. In some spots, the trail markers are a little confusing, but overall it’s decently marked and the map is somewhat helpful just to kindve know vaguely where you are. The 2nd day, we went back and did about half rhe loop and also checked out the more popular section of the trails back there that include Giant City Nature Trail, Devils Stand Table, and a few others. Very cool rock formations. Pretty busy in the weekend over there but the test of the trails away from that area with those big landmarks was completely deserted and there are some super cool rock formations not on the map at all.

    Over all, this was a fun 4 days. We would return and plan on hiking out into the trails to camp for our evenings. If you like privacy around your campfire at night, I can’t recommend the campground.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Trail of Tears State Park Campground

    Back-up to the Mississippi River

    PRO 

    Senior discount saving $6 

    Able to reserve on-line 365 days prior to arriving 

    Very friendly and helpful camp host 

    Unobstructed view of the Mississippi River 

    Great dark sky viewing 

    No highway/road noise, but... 

    Asphalt parking pad surrounded by grass 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    One hook lantern pole 

    Moveable wooden picnic table in the grass 

    Toilet/shower building.35 miles from campground very nice and very clean with ample TP and hand soap 

    Firewood for sale by camp host $5 

    Mississippi River Scenic Overlook was very nice V

    Visitor Center has small museum (no admission fee) on the Trail of Tears Native American tribal migration 

    Coin-operated laundromat on South Hope Street Jackson after the roundabout 12 miles from campground 

    Tractors Restaurant Main Street Jackson very good diner type restaurant 

    CONS

    $8.50 reservation fee for online self made reservation 

    Sites that back to the river very close to each other. We stepped out our door onto the neighbors stinky slinky. Insufficient space to deploy awning. 

    Electrical utility connection is on passenger side of the campsite#6 

    Sewer connection was high above ground so drainage was up hill. Camp host warned us upon arrival we may need to use dump station to get tanks totally drained. 

    Site 6 not level side-to-side 

    Lots of trains, day and night with train horn blaring due to road crossing at campground Lots of river barge noise 

    Only one single unisex pit toilet in campground 

    No park headquarters or entrance gate office for check-in. Sign in campground informing how to conduct virtual check in. 

    No security gate closed overnight 

    No ranger patrolling campground

    No WiFi 

    2 bars Verizon LTE

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2020

    Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    Fun swimming holes and good hiking

    21 campsites with a fire ring/barrel, lantern post and picnic table. A couple of the campsites had damaged fire rings. Most sites should be able to fit medium size trailers, other sites have trees in the way. Vault toilets and a water station. Very quiet, clean and peaceful. Trail system is about 8 miles and has great views. Don’t forget to bring your swimming suit!

  • AC
    May. 16, 2021

    Washington County State Recreation Area

    Shady Rest campground

    Really great campground. Good mix of tents and RVs. Bath house was very well kept and clean. Showers ran cold at first but after a few mins it gets warmer! There were plenty of pit toliets through out the campground and trash cans. My tent site was clean, good flat spot for tent, picnic table and fire pit with attached grill.

    The Concession building in the park is closing. No boat rentals, selling everything he has on the shelf.

    Caught a few bass and and good amount of hiking. Large trail around the whole lake, smaller trails lead to sites around the different campgrounds.

  • Cameron
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Bean Ridge Pond Campground

    Free, primitive campground, loud partiers

    Got here on a Saturday night in late September and both of the campsites were available. Campsites consist of a clearing with a fire pit and a picnic table. No litter. No toilets. Very slow and spotty AT&T service: I was able to text but not access the Internet. The area is very pretty. Soft ground for staking a tent. Bugs were alright, no need for bug spray. There’s water access at the pond, but it’s obviously stagnant and very brackish. Big downside was a convoy of Jeeps full of partiers rolled down to the pond at 12:30am and hung out down there blasting music for an hour, which is a real sleep ruiner. This might be a local party spot, so be aware and maybe pack earplugs if you’re coming on a weekend. Upside is that it’s in a National Forest, so if both sites are taken, you can always dispersed camp

  • Chelsea D.
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Pine Hills

    Beautiful new Picnic shelter, quiet campground

    This is a very basic campground with some shade. No hookups, really good for tent camping. The new picnic shelter is beautiful and there is seating around a fire pit. This forest does a great job of keeping restrooms very clean.

  • Brennan M.
    Jul. 26, 2020

    Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    Very RV heavy

    I actually didn't end up camping here because it looked like a rock site. I maybe saw two tents, everyone else in big RV's. If you are doing tent camping I would look elsewhere. I might've missed an area that was more tent friendly but I didn't see it. I would do primitive with a tent probably.

  • Jessica R.
    May. 18, 2020

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Quiet

    The sites are nice and level. Quiet in the area. Picnic table and fire ring at every site. Park offers firewood. Pond for fishing so bring your poles. It's catch and release. Manager is very friendly and accommodates you as possible.

  • Joy H.
    Oct. 9, 2017

    Giant City State Park Campground

    Great experience!

    Camped here for a weekend and was not disappointed! There are multiple easy to get to "primitive" campsites for tent camping but all are within an easy walk of the outhouse, water hydrant, and parking lot. There are several easy hikes within a short drive to other areas of the park. The park also has a 6 mile hike-in campsite for backpacking and a lot of electrical hookups for RV camping. The trails are over cliffs and through gorgeous boulders.

Guide to Pomona

Tent camping near Pomona, Illinois offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of well-equipped campgrounds. Whether you're looking for amenities or outdoor activities, there are plenty of options to explore.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Turkey Ridge Campground features drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable spot for your camping experience.
  • At the Backpack Campground, you'll find secluded, wooded sites with easy access to water and toilets, perfect for a primitive camping experience.
  • Willow Springs Campground offers reservable sites with amenities like showers and trash disposal, ensuring a hassle-free stay.

Tent campers should check out Turkey Ridge Campground

  • The Turkey Ridge Campground is known for its peaceful environment, away from roads and noise, ideal for a relaxing getaway.
  • With its proximity to Goreville, this campground allows easy access to local grocery stores for any supplies you might need during your stay.
  • The campground features a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites, catering to different camping preferences.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Hiking enthusiasts will love the trails at Ferne Clyffe State Park, which include scenic bluffs, caves, and waterfalls.
  • The Backpack Campground is perfect for those who enjoy rock climbing and exploring the natural beauty of the Shawnee National Forest.
  • For a unique experience, visit the Apple Creek Conservation Area for fishing and kayaking opportunities in a serene setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pomona, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pomona, IL is Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 16 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Pomona, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Pomona, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring