Top Tent Camping near Pomona, IL

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Pomona and then fall asleep in your tent? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Pomona, IL (17)

Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In Pomona

453 Reviews of 17 Pomona Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from General Watkins Conservation Area
    September 11, 2024

    General Watkins Conservation Area

    Maybe not a travel destination, but certainly a good waypoint.

    We opted for this site on our way west as a stopover because it was free and not a parking lot. There are a couple of loop trails and we walked one of them. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. The locals use the area for fishing and walking and it was somewhat busy in the afternoon. A couple of guys fished at night until about nine. There was only one other couple camping. Very quiet and peaceful. There was a portable toilet but we didn't investigate.

    The cool thing was that the loop trail was forested by hundreds of paw paw trees. It must have been just past the season and we saw only a couple of decaying ones, but the entire trail smelled of apple cider vinegar and was quite pleasant.

    If you consider this waypoint, two things:

    1. The last mile is good, but very dusty, gravel road.

    2. No cell coverage in the parking lot for T-Mobile, some coverage on loop trail.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Pine Hills
    August 15, 2024

    Pine Hills

    Very nice

    Very quiet and secluded. Campsites are roomy and some firewood is supplied.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point - Lake Glendale
    July 24, 2024

    Oak Point - Lake Glendale

    Stellar Illinois

    This is a little gem of a refuge within the Shawnee NF - about 30min from Marion, down a beautiful country road before nestling among the trees around the lake. The drive is paved/gravel the whole way, so very easily drivable for anyone in anything. Plenty of camp sites, both with electric and non-electric, double and single. Bring bug spray - horseflies and ticks. Beautiful lake, beautiful biking trails, etc. Firepits w/ grates are spacious and nice, fees are online. 1 bar verizon at camp, can get up to 3 bars within the area.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hilltop Campground
    July 22, 2024

    Hilltop Campground

    Nice stop

    Stopped here for the night driving through the area. Nice campground, clean, safe, and right off the interstate.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Bean Ridge Pond Campground
    July 14, 2024

    Bean Ridge Pond Campground

    Nice private locationl

    There are only two camp site at this location and they are very close to each other. The camp sites are also very narrow. We camped in the lower site and had a difficult time getting everything out of the road.

    On the positive side, the site was clean, there was nobody there over the weekend and there was a humming bird. The pond had lots of frogs and and a few fish.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
    June 16, 2024

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great place to camp!

    We stayed 4 days and had a great time. The camp was clean and well maintained. The staff are very friendly and helpful and was more than happy to offer places to visit in the area, places to eat and provide assistance as needed. The trails are paved so we had a nice area to walk (twice around the lake from our site was 3 miles). :) We plan to visit again!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Benton KOA
    May 30, 2024

    Benton KOA

    Loud

    1 side is directly on the freeway VERY loud, the other is in between the sewer treatment plant and municipal airport. If you're a light sleeper might want to stay away Full video review on YouTube https://youtu.be/QpuNpA7UVZI

  • Camper-submitted photo from South Marcum Campground
    May 13, 2024

    South Marcum Campground

    Great Campground

    Only $26 a night for full-hookups is amazing. Cell service for AT&T is marginal at 2 bars LTE. Only issue that I have is that site 49 is very hard to get level in, make sure that you bring extra leveling blocks if possible

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Campground
    May 9, 2024

    Crab Orchard Lake Campground

    Probably nice in a big rig, sucks otherwise

    This campground was essentially an RV park. Only big rigs, some sites well spaced physically but no privacy in between so feels like everyone staring at each other. Some of the waterfront sites okay privacy-wise, but not most. Hookups work well, but bathrooms in terrible condition - especially showers.

    The whole place also smells like dead fish. We saw a raccoon go right through our campsite so be careful what you leave out, also tons of geese and saw two baby copperheads.

    The lake is at least really pretty and there’s a small beach area.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point - Lake Glendale
    May 9, 2024

    Oak Point - Lake Glendale

    Solar Eclipse Crossroads

    We camped here during the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse and it was also the overflow site which at that time was the side of the camp entrance road. Fast forward to April 7,8 & 9 2024 We are again on overflow campground where this time was their group camping site which was much better than the side of the road. The overflow site has 4 unisex bathrooms but no showers (showers are at the main campground) there is dining (open) pavilion with a fireplace and a filtered well water system. We had a blast watching the Total Solar Eclipse.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Oak Point Campground
    May 6, 2024

    Oak Point Campground

    Nice national park campground

    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.
    There are primitive and electric (with water) sites. There are no sites with sewer hookup. There is a dump station at the entrance.

    Sites are generally level and well kept. Very large rigs (35+) will be challenging, but I've seen them - more towards the front. There are some lake front spots that can be had. Sites are first come and there are no reservations taken. During the week, no problem. Weekends would be iffy.

    Large lake with swimming, fishing, kayaking. Also has a bike trail around it - maybe 2 miles.

    Shower houses are kept clean, but as of this posting, they need some maintenance work.

    All in all, this is a must stop if you want to enjoy what the area has to offer.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
    April 30, 2024

    Gun Creek

    Blue Jay #49 Water site

    Love this state park! Clean, quiet, water views and lots of bike paths to ride.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Campground
    April 24, 2024

    Crab Orchard Lake Campground

    Excellent Lakeside Campgrouind

    Getting there: Easy access off Illinois 13 East of Carbondale 

    Check in and staff: Campground is now under the egis of recreation.gov& reservations through them are a must. This is new& when planning the trip the website said“first come first serve” so we arrived on a Friday evening(4pm) with no reservation. The sign said RV sites all taken. The host was wonderful! He has been here 9 years and steered us to a nice site for the one night we will be here. The online experience with recreation.gov was not pleasant, impossible in fact. So I had to call. This took quite awhile. Once I got a real live person it was great, and we got our site with no problems. 

    Amenities: Bathrooms: clean, paper towels& air dryers. 

    Site: A-35. In the middle of the A loop and therefore not on the water. Still, very nice. After all, beggars can’t be choosers! Sites are somewhat spacious, but not terribly private.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Sharp Rock Falls Recreation
    April 4, 2024

    Sharp Rock Falls Recreation

    Longbranch Shooting House And Saloon

    You're welcome to at longbranch! Please make your reservations.
    Only 16 spots left!

    Ava Illinois +1 618-318-6734 Text your name and number of people on your campsite to reserve your spot.

    The Solar Eclipse Event "PARK @ THE MOON"

    Extended or early arrivals welcome. Just simply request more information in the text. We will get ahold of asap with a more information and a confirmation number.

    #ShareThisPost #solareclipse2024

  • Camper-submitted photo from Shawnee Forest Campground
    March 18, 2024

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great Place!

    Stayed here on the way to and from Florida (home in Minnesota). Very nice campground. Well maintained, big sites for our 40ft fifth wheel, great sunrise/sunset views, and the bathrooms are very clean and well lite. The gentleman/host that greeted us at the office upon arrival was polite and helpful. Will definitely stay again!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    February 23, 2024

    Giant City State Park Campground

    Great trails and well kept campsites

    We stayed at Giant City in February on a very cold weekend. It was still a fantastic trip! 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. Definitely visit the Lodge!!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
    February 4, 2024

    Pyramid State Recreation Area

    Nice campsites and lots of lakes

    We stayed at the campground on the north end of Pyramid. The campsites were close together but we visited in February so we were the only campers. The fire pits were a little run down but the sites were nice and level with a table. No lantern posts. Pit toilets that were decent. The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer. Overall pretty nice stay

  • Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
    November 30, 2023

    Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    Southern Illinois getaway

    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. NORTH LOOP SITES 24 - 59 Reservable at https://camp.exploremoreil.com/ Some 50 amp sites (4, 6, 18, 32, 36, 38, 47, 48) rest have 30 amp. See map in photos. WATER potable at Dump Station also 5 hydrants scattered amongst camp sites. TENT and Equestrian camps take road to the south west of lake.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hilltop Campground
    November 29, 2023

    Hilltop Campground

    Convenient Campground w/hookups to visit Shawnee Forest

    Stopped to check out campground for future needs. Had some seasonal campers. Good transit camp if on I57. Close to lots of Shawnee Forest hiking locations.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
    November 14, 2023

    Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

    Quiet in November

    We do most of our RV travel in the early spring and late fall.  Ferne Clyffe does not take reservations after November 1, so its first come first served.  Payment is deposited in a kiosk near the black water dump site.  This was not well explained on the signage or websites, but, at least in mid-November, there were enough experienced campers around to explain things. 

    Otherwise, Ferne Clyffe is gorgeous. Great for star-gazing. Lots of mature oak and sycamore trees that I'm sure provide nice shade in summer.  In mid-November, there's lots of deer hunters, which means it gets quiet early in the evening.  Spaces are of moderate size on the interior, and are more spread out on the perimteter.



Guide to Pomona

Camping near Pomona, IL, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and friendly campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: The area is home to stunning trails. At Giant City State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter." Another camper noted, "There are many wineries within a short drive of the camp, which made for a fun afternoon."
  • Fishing and Boating: If you enjoy water activities, Crab Orchard Lake Campground is a great spot. A camper shared, "The campground has it all - spacious sites with many right on the water," making it perfect for fishing and relaxing by the lake.
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campgrounds, like Jackson Falls, offer opportunities to see local wildlife. One reviewer said, "It’s an interesting thing to hear what nature does when people aren’t around."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Shawnee Forest Campground, a visitor remarked, "The bathrooms are very clean and well lit."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Giant City State Park Campground said, "The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A review for South Marcum Campground noted, "The sites are set up to provide some privacy and are not right on top of each other."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Benton KOA mentioned, "One side is directly on the freeway VERY loud," so consider your site carefully.
  • Reservation Policies: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Crab Orchard Lake Campground said, "Reservations through recreation.gov are a must."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be mindful of wildlife, especially at more remote sites. One camper at Jackson Falls warned, "If you’re terrified of wildlife, this is not the place for you."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and safe areas for kids to explore. South Sandusky Campground has been noted for its "close restrooms and playgrounds."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A family at Turkey Ridge Campground enjoyed the "quiet in November," which made cooking outdoors more enjoyable.
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on younger campers, especially near water. One parent at Giant City State Park Campground mentioned, "The hiking trails are beautiful, and not too crowded."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Some sites can be tricky to level. A reviewer at South Marcum Campground advised, "Make sure that you bring extra leveling blocks if possible."
  • Connectivity: Cell service can vary. One camper at Benton KOA noted, "T-Mobile worked well," while others had issues with Wi-Fi.
  • Dump Stations: Be aware of dump station availability. A visitor at Trail of Tears State Park Campground mentioned, "Dump station backs up on Sunday for close to an hour wait."

Camping near Pomona, IL, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

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 17 tent camping locations near Pomona, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.