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Best Glamping near Shawnee National Forest

240 Reviews

Shawnee Forest Campground and Little Lusk Trail Lodge house upscale glamping accommodations across southern Illinois, with canvas tents and yurts offering a luxurious wilderness retreat. The former golf course landscape at Shawnee Forest provides serene settings for safari-style accommodations equipped with comfortable beds, climate control, and private fire rings at each site. Little Lusk delivers a more equestrian-focused glamping experience with spacious yurts featuring full hookups, high-end furnishings, and proximity to horseback riding trails. Willow Bend Retreat adds another boutique camping option with 15 distinctive yurt rentals across its property. One reviewer highlighted, "The staff was unbelievably friendly. The sites are great. It's close to parks and food. We'll definitely be back to explore more."

Oak Point Campground and Bear Branch offer complementary glamping experiences within easy reach of Shawnee National Forest's most spectacular features. Oak Point's lakeside yurts provide direct water access where guests can fish, swim, or kayak, with Lake Glendale creating a stunning backdrop for luxury canvas accommodations. Bear Branch features distinctive glamping yurts with electricity, picnic areas, and convenient access to multiple trail systems. According to a camper, "We stayed as a larger group... The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy." Both locations serve as ideal base camps for exploring Garden of the Gods (45 minutes from Oak Point) and the extensive hiking network throughout Shawnee National Forest, with most glamping units available year-round and offering premium amenities not found at standard campsites.

Map showing campgrounds near Shawnee National Forest, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Glamping Sites Near Shawnee National Forest (25)

    1. Shawnee Forest Campground

    36 Reviews
    Vienna, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-0619

    $40 / night

    "Each site has 50 amp electric service (so you can charge your EV with a NEMA 14-50 plug), fresh water, fire pits, and picnic tables. A nice stop to visit the Shawnee National Forest."

    "Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great."

    2. Oak Point Campground

    9 Reviews
    Grantsburg, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 949-3807

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    9 miles

    $30 / night

    "Ride or hike in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest.  Campsites are spacious and can accommodate very large rigs. High lines behind sites.  Stalls can be reserved. some sites are full hookup."

    "I will be back next time I'm near shawnee."

    4. Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-4836

    "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."

    5. Bear Branch Campground

    2 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 672-4249

    $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"

    6. Pine Ridge

    17 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $10 / night

    "Beautiful scenery in the Shawnee National Forest. Quiet and comfortable."

    "First night being in the shawnee national forest and this was one of the first places I stayed this is an excellent campsite..very nice and clean it's also by the garden of the God which if u haven't seen"

    7. Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

    6 Reviews
    Bargerville, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 985-4983

    "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."

    8. Willow Bend Retreat - Temporarily Closed

    1 Review
    Johnston City, IL
    19 miles
    +1 (202) 520-0658

    $40 - $200 / night

    9. South Sandusky Campground

    19 Reviews
    Sesser, IL
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $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."

    10. South Marcum Campground

    17 Reviews
    Benton, IL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $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."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Shawnee National Forest

3 Photos of 25 Shawnee National Forest Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Shawnee National Forest

240 Reviews of 25 Shawnee National Forest Campgrounds

  • Priscilla B.
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Converted Golf Course w/fishing ponds

    Relatively 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.

  • A
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    EV Car Camping

    I’m a novice car camper, sleeping in my Tesla Model 3. This campground is quiet and clean. The host is very friendly and knowledgeable. Each site has 50 amp electric service (so you can charge your EV with a NEMA 14-50 plug), fresh water, fire pits, and picnic tables. A nice stop to visit the Shawnee National Forest.

  • d
    May. 29, 2019

    Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground

    A beautiful equestrian lodge and campground. Ride out of several trail hea

    Address: 50 Barger Rd, Stonefort, IL.

    Little Lusk is the most Spacious and beautiful equestrian campground in southern IL.    Bring your horses, or just come and camp and stay in the lodge.  Ride or hike in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest.  Campsites are spacious and can accommodate very large rigs. 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. Event barn can be reserved for weddings.  Numerous sites have electric and water.  They have a Facebook page with numerous photos.

  • D
    Sep. 9, 2019

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great place

    Gary 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.

  • J K.
    Sep. 3, 2019

    Oak Point Campground

    Quaint campground

    Yesssss! 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. The sites are mostly private and have water hookups as well as electric. A nearby beach is available to enjoy during the summer as well as hiking trails. While this campground is certainly off the beaten path it is perfect for those that want to get away and enjoy some quiet time. No reservations though so you’ll want to get there ahead of time to ensure yourself a spot If you enjoy a very

  • Jason W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Pine Ridge

    Beautiful

    Overall great place! Would recommend. Beautiful scenery in the Shawnee National Forest. Quiet and comfortable.

  • Jon H.
    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.

  • Jade D.
    Sep. 12, 2019

    Pine Ridge

    Beautiful

    First night being in the shawnee national forest and this was one of the first places I stayed this is an excellent campsite..very nice and clean it's also by the garden of the God which if u haven't seen you should definitely take a trip to see

  • L
    Dec. 7, 2022

    The Art Farm Women’s Retreat

    Serene and private. Beautiful rolling farmland.

     Lots 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the private glamping campgrounds in Shawnee National Forest?

Private glamping experiences near Shawnee National Forest can be found at Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground in Stonefort, which offers lodge accommodations alongside traditional camping and equestrian facilities. Another option is Shawnee Forest Campground in Vienna, featuring well-equipped sites with amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and full hookups. Both provide convenient access to the natural beauty of Shawnee while offering more comforts than traditional camping.

What is the Shawnee Hills Glamping Retreat and what do they offer?

Shawnee Hills Glamping Retreat is a specialty accommodation option near the Shawnee National Forest offering upscale outdoor stays. While not mentioned in the primary reviews, this retreat likely provides elevated camping experiences with amenities like furnished tents, comfortable beds, and private bathrooms. The retreat takes advantage of its location in the scenic Shawnee Hills, providing guests access to nearby attractions like Garden of the Gods and other natural wonders in the region. For specific amenities and booking information, it's best to contact the retreat directly.

What glamping options are available in Shawnee National Forest?

Glamping options near Shawnee National Forest range from upgraded campsites to specialty accommodations. The Art Farm Women's Retreat offers yurt-style glamping tents, tiny home rentals, and RV sites with various electrical hookups. Oak Point Campground provides sites with water and electric hookups nestled among tall pines with Lake Glendale access. Additional options include cabins, lodge stays, and specialty accommodations that blend camping comfort with forest immersion while maintaining access to Shawnee's incredible natural features.

Are there yurts available for glamping in Shawnee National Forest?

Yes, yurt-style accommodations are available near Shawnee National Forest. The Art Farm Women's Retreat specifically offers yurt-style glamping tents as part of their diverse lodging options. While traditional yurts are less common directly within Shawnee National Forest boundaries, the surrounding area features several private properties that have embraced this popular glamping option. These yurt accommodations typically provide the comforts of beds and protection from elements while maintaining the outdoor camping experience.

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