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Free.Toilet. Gravel drive 4 miles but watch for potholes! beautiful scenery. Raccoons!!!
Tent Camping near Shawnee National Forest, IL
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Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois offers several tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to walk-in primitive sites. Ferne Clyffe State Park features two notable tent-friendly areas: Turkey Ridge Campground and Backpack Campground, both located near Goreville. Camp Cadiz Campground sits at the eastern edge of the forest and serves as a trailhead for the River to River Trail. Tower Rock Campground provides riverside tent camping near Elizabethtown with views of the Ohio River. These locations offer varying levels of amenities while maintaining the rustic character of the region.
Most tent campgrounds in Shawnee National Forest provide basic amenities including vault toilets, fire rings with cooking grates, and picnic tables. Water availability varies by location, with some sites offering potable water from spigots or pumps while others require campers to bring their own. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly at riverside or remote locations. The camping season generally runs from March through December, with some sites like Camp Cadiz and Saline County State Conservation Area remaining open year-round. Weather can be unpredictable, with potential for flooding near riverside campsites during spring.
Backcountry tent camping in Shawnee National Forest provides a more secluded experience with access to extensive trail systems. The Backpack Campground at Ferne Clyffe State Park features wooded primitive sites with relatively easy access to water and toilets. According to reviews, these walk-in tent sites are "secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source." Camp Cadiz offers spacious tent sites that accommodate multiple tents, with one camper noting it's "super quiet despite the gravel road nearby" and has "easy access to the River to River trail." Tower Rock Campground provides a no-frills tent camping experience where, as one visitor described, sites are "spread out well, most have fire ring with grill stand and table, firewood available to gather onsite."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Shawnee National Forest (16)
1. Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
"There are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all! The tent camping accommodations were less than stellar, simply because of the “outhouses “."
"It was easy to find firewood with out having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy. The only trail I hiked was Happy Hollow."
Check Availabilityfrom $18 / night
2. Dutchman Lake Camp
"We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am."
"It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW!"
4. Backpack Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
"Not a lot of tent sites, but enough. Nice wooded primitive sites with easy access to water and toilets. Had my pups with, and no problems at all. Nice trails for different hiking skill sets."
"Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the Shawnee National Forrest near Goreville, IL., south of Carbondale."
5. Buck Ridge Campground
6. Camp Ondessonk
Check Availabilityfrom $6 - $16 / night
7. Saline County State Conservation Area
"This was a great campground with fantastic views of the lake. We also hiked Garden of the Gods and Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest. The hikes were great."
"There is a dump station and potable water at the entrance to the campground. There are also some water spigots sprinkled throughout the campground."
Check Availabilityfrom $8 / night
8. Tower Rock Campground
"Campground is smaller but the sites are spread out well, most have fire ring with grill stand and table, firewood available to gather onsite when I was there, vault toilets, right on the river so may be"
"There is a pit toilet, but no water. "
9. Fishing Pier
"Good primitive"
"Lots to do nearby if you don't like fishing! Ranger came through and was very friendly & helpful."
10. Willow Springs Campground
"We're honored that Robyn has chosen to list her property on our platform. Come here to find peace and embrace nature. Surrounded by greenery, this is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and reconnect."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $125 / night
Drive Time
- 38 min from Paducah, KY
- 1 hr 11 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
- 1 hr 31 min from Evansville, IN
- 1 hr 51 min from Owensboro, KY
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shawnee National Forest
9 Photos of 16 Shawnee National Forest Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Shawnee National Forest
707 Reviews of 16 Shawnee National Forest Campgrounds
- WWendy
TravelerGun Creek
This is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
- Ronald C.
GuideGun Creek
Great place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
Loren B.TravelerNickell Branch Campground
Awesome
MickandKarla W.
LegendMarion/Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday
Different than Most KOA Holidays
We were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.
- ttim O.Guide
Camp Cadiz Campground
Quiet clean campground, 8 sites, one water spigot, pit toilets, hiking and biking, 9 miles to Garden of the Gods. Campground is right next to road. Local traffic is minimal, most sites will accommodate 30ft trailer or motor home.
- MMark V.Traveler
Fern Lake Campground
I’m not sure where the good reviews come from. Ive tried to find another Fern Lake to make sure I was at the correct one. Bath facilities have half doors so you are shitting in public. Your kids get the nice look over by any of the weird full timers living junk squaller. The power poles are only standing by the shear strength of all the cobbled together wires and electric tape. It’s not safe. It’s fucking dangerous. Most the fire “pits” are shitty rings from 60 years ago at least. There is zero maintenance here. It’s very loud next to the freeway. Sites are small and on top of each other. Lots are small. Not level. And little gravel. The cinder blocks keep you from backing in too far. Most of the water posts are “shared” because others don’t work. Picnic tables are a fucking joke. Rotten. Lead paint and worthless. The water retaining POND has a grass path around it so you can admire what recycled concrete can create where there was once no POND. One star is extremely generous. Just like the generous $10 a bundle for wood. Keep on trucking. It’s not far to go to find something worthwhile. This is a 100% pass. Before you think I’m some kind of pre Madonna, I will say we are a minimalist family that camps in unimproved spots and boondocks all the time. This place is gross. And disturbing that anyone reviews it for more than a 1 star. Most of the reviews are flat out lies. One talks about the clean bathrooms, hot showers, and one mentions a fucking pool! Wtf? Shitting in your own fire ring is more private. Pictures sooooo under tell the story of what a shot hole this place is. It’s off the freeway very close. And there is a Mexican restaurant across the street and a Casey’s essentially attached. If that’s what you like. Have fun. But any great reviews are from either someone who came and went in the dark. Or are from the owners.
- Ronald C.Guide
South Marcum Campground
Large site
Great campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
Scott M.GuideCOE Rend Lake North Sandusky Recreation Area
Excellent campground
What started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
Guide to Shawnee National Forest
Shawnee National Forest spans 289,000 acres in southern Illinois, with elevations ranging from 300 to 700 feet above sea level. The climate features hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, though freezing temperatures aren't uncommon between November and February. Tent camping in this region can be muddy in spring with high rainfall amounts, while fall offers cooler temperatures and colorful foliage from late September through mid-November.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 3 miles of interconnected trails at Ferne Clyffe State Park let hikers explore impressive limestone formations. According to one camper at Turkey Ridge Campground, "There are several hiking trails that looked pretty... We would definitely stay again" while another notes there are "lots of well maintained trails to hike... hikes that include bluffs, caves, creeks."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes within 15-minute drive of camping areas provide good fishing spots. At Dutchman Lake Camp, one camper mentioned "Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing." The area includes several small bodies of water suitable for shore fishing without requiring a boat.
Rock climbing: Multiple limestone bluffs throughout the forest offer technical climbing routes. As a camper at Backpack Campground reported, "Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the Shawnee National Forrest near Goreville, IL. There are several limestone bluffs, great for climbing, naturally forested woodlands, cliff caves, and several small waterfalls."
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: Sites large enough for multiple tents at Camp Cadiz provide room to spread out. A camper noted, "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."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer separation between camping spots. Tower Rock Campground has sites that are "spread out well, most have fire ring with grill stand and table, firewood available to gather onsite," according to one reviewer. This provides a more secluded experience even at established campgrounds.
Quiet camping conditions: Lower visitation in off-peak seasons creates peaceful settings. A Dutchman Lake Camp visitor shared, "Beautiful little spots as you come in. Quiet and easy to get too." Similarly, a Turkey Ridge camper noted, "It was nice and peaceful. The sites are large and include a cooking grate. It was easy to find firewood without having to go very far."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Plan for communication gaps throughout the forest, particularly in valleys and remote campsites. A visitor to Camp Cadiz advised, "Not much phone signal in these parts so bring the old fashion paper map." Another camper at Saline County State Conservation Area mentioned, "We had no cell service, although a quick trip to the ridge behind the campsite (1-2 minute drive)" restored connections.
Seasonal flooding risks: Riverside camping areas may close during high water periods. A Tower Rock Campground camper observed, "Right on the river so may be closed during flood seasons." Another visitor noted finding "a line of debris left behind from when the river was higher" indicating water level fluctuations.
Local wildlife awareness: Snakes and insects are common throughout the camping areas. As one camper at Tower Rock mentioned, it's just "you and the woods and river (and bugs and snakes)." Another camper cautioned about poison ivy: "It was easy to find firewood without having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy."
Tips for camping with families
Shorter trails for younger hikers: Several 1-mile loops are suitable for children. A visitor to Turkey Ridge Campground recommended, "Our favorite is Hawk's Cave Trail. It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!" Another camper mentioned the nearby "Rebman trail is good for anyone including little kids."
Best campgrounds for amenities: Sites with showers and flush toilets make family camping more comfortable. At Saline County State Conservation Area, one camper shared, "This was a great campground with fantastic views of the lake. We also hiked Garden of the Gods and Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest."
Dealing with wildlife encounters: Keep food secure and teach children basic safety. One family camping at Turkey Ridge Campground reported, "It was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night. Overall the grounds are quite nice."
Tips from RVers
Generator policies: Rules vary by campground with some prohibiting use or limiting hours. A Camp Cadiz visitor noted one challenge: "Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey."
Road condition warnings: Many access roads are unpaved and can be challenging after rain. A camper heading to Tower Rock observed, "We drove in through Shawnee national forest. The road went through some small towns with gas and food but not much else." Another visitor warned about Camp Cadiz: "It's down a gravel road a bit but nothing too hard to find."
Water and dump station locations: Plan refilling stops as many campgrounds have limited facilities. According to a visitor at Dutchman Lake, "Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway," making it convenient for RVers needing to access services while still enjoying remote camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Shawnee National Forest?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shawnee National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shawnee National Forest 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
Shawnee National Forest?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Shawnee National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Shawnee National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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