Best Cabin Camping near Simpson, IL

Several cabin options exist near Simpson, Illinois, with Dixon Springs State Park and Giant City State Park offering cabin lodging for overnight stays. Cabins in the region generally include electricity, heating, and basic furniture, though amenities vary significantly between locations. At Giant City State Park, the cabins come with more substantial amenities, including access to "an amazing CCC lodge that has cabin rentals and a pretty good area restaurant," according to a visitor. Touch of Nature Education Center provides lakeside cabins along Little Grassy Lake, while Bear Branch Campground offers cabins starting at $40 per night. "We stayed in Shawnee Lodge in camp campus. Camp amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/fireplaces all with wood supplied," notes one camper about the Touch of Nature facilities.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Cave-in-Rock State Park includes cabin accommodations alongside its camping areas, providing access to the Ohio River and nearby cave formations. Most facilities require reservations, particularly during summer months when occupancy increases. Pet policies vary by location, with many sites allowing pets in or near cabins. Bear Branch Campground offers multiple cabin types, though visitor experiences vary widely. One review warned about conditions at a particular cabin: "We rented the Wrangler cabin for 2 nights, the cabin (single-wide trailer) looked as if it was placed in the 1980's and has never been touched."

Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Basic cooking equipment is typically available, though supplies differ between locations. Hayes Canyon Campground and Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground both provide cabin options with varying levels of amenities. Some properties include fire rings and picnic tables outside the cabins for outdoor cooking and dining. Market facilities exist at select campgrounds like Giant City State Park and Cave-in-Rock State Park, though selection is limited. Arrowhead Lake Campground receives positive reviews for its cabin facilities: "Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle."

Best Cabin Sites Near Simpson, Illinois (29)

    1. Dixon Springs State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Grantsburg, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 949-3394

    "We were a bit nervous about this campground when reading reviews and seeing the location (there is an Impact Incarceration Program that shares the border), but I'm glad we found it."

    "Most are shaded with rings or fire pits. Great family friendly place. Trails and roads maintained well."

    2. Giant City State Park Campground

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

    "Kind of a bare bones campground but this state park does offer rock climbing (if you have the expertise and your own gear)."

    "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."

    3. Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    12 miles

    $30 / night

    "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."

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

    4. Hayes Canyon Campground

    1 Review
    Eddyville, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 672-4751

    $15 - $32 / night

    "A luxurious crowded but nice campsites older stalls cabins available great trails and maps available store and cowboy church. Permanent sites available"

    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. Camp Ondessonk

    Be the first to review!
    Ozark, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 695-2489

    $6 - $16 / night

    7. Touch of Nature Education Center

    5 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 453-1121

    "Camp Amenities include: lodges, cabins, shelters, parking, fire pits/ fireplaces all with wood supplied, amphitheater s, fishing along Little Grassy Lake, trails, swing set."

    8. Birdsville Riverside RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Smithland, KY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (270) 928-2772

    $45 - $65 / night

    "This little gem is off the beaten path but well worth it! Super nice owner, very clean small park without a lot of extra frills. All open sites waterfront, 30 or 50 amp, sewer and water hookups."

    "Sites alternated pull in and back in sharing water and electric pedestals. Lots of space on door side of TT. Trash picked up daily from end of the site."

    9. Arrowhead Lake Campground

    5 Reviews
    Johnston City, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 983-3535

    "Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility."

    "Campground was nice and clean, has a beautiful walking trail, the camp host was nice. The restrooms and showers were super clean. Enjoyed our stay will definitely be back."

    10. Cave-in-Rock State Park

    14 Reviews
    Cave-In-Rock, IL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 289-4325

    "General: I was a bit apprehensive about this state park because it did not take reservations, so we made sure to arrive by 11 am but we had no reason to worry – compared to other Illinois campgrounds"

    "Cave in Rock State Park, Il is sorta out in the middle of nowhere. That being said it is an adventure worth the trip."

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Recent Cabin Photos near Simpson, IL

2 Photos of 29 Simpson Campgrounds


Cabin Reviews near Simpson, IL

195 Reviews of 29 Simpson Campgrounds


  • Ashley Y.
    May. 22, 2017

    Giant City State Park Campground

    Wonderful southern illinois scenery

    Kind of a bare bones campground but this state park does offer rock climbing (if you have the expertise and your own gear). A few picnic shelters and an amazing CCC lodge that has a cabin rentals and a pretty good area restaurant. The park used to have an interp center but I believe the state closed it do to funding. The trails aren't always maintained it definitely depends on the season but the park itself is not to be missed.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 28, 2021

    Cave-in-Rock State Park

    Nice option in southern Illinois

    General: I was a bit apprehensive about this state park because it did not take reservations, so we made sure to arrive by 11 am but we had no reason to worry – compared to other Illinois campgrounds we visited on this trip, this one was almost empty on a Wednesday in mid-October. Steve, the host, was very friendly and checked us in. The rate of $20 for an electric site was reasonable; we put a tag on our site and set off to explore nearby Garden of the Gods for the rest of the day, secure that we had a place to rest our heads for the night! 

    Sites/Facilities: The sites are set a decent amount of space apart and have an additional parking space for a second vehicle. A large picnic table and fire ring (although the windy conditions were not favorable for a fire) completed the site. Some are not completely level, so it was good to be able to select the best site. 

    Bathhouse: The bath/shower house was clean, and the shower had nice hot water and good water pressure. The drainage wasn’t optimal, however, and much of the water ended up in the rest of the bathroom. The only other thing to note is that the generator for the bathhouse is VERY loud so if you are in a site close by (we were across the street and one up), you WILL hear it but thankfully, when not in use, it was quiet through most of the night. 

    Activities/Amenities: There is a playground and picnic shelter, and the (not very deep) cave is cool to explore (a short walk from the campground). There are a dump station and dumpster. I had good cell service (Verizon/three bars) in this campground. 

    Conclusion: Although this state park is right on the Ohio River, the campground is set apart from the river so you will not see the river from the campground but it is close enough to walk to the banks of the river when exploring the cave. Nice place to spend a night.

  • James D.
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Devils Backbone Park

    Cool to see the Devil's Bake Oven and Tower Rock but otherwise blah

    Maybe it's because I am from WI and we tend to rip on IL a lot, but I really found this park sub-par. I am also spoiled from getting to see some of the larger parks in the country. Would probably be nice for a long weekend with the kids. But I don't have kids. It's more of a touristy place than a real campground in my opinion. If you are in the area check out the view of Tower Rock. There are a lot of campsites available for both tent and RV, and they do offer grills, tables, camp fire pits, toilets, and a playground. Pets are welcome. Part of a foundation of an old house built on a rock is still around and is a neat part of history.

  • C
    Oct. 6, 2019

    Gun Creek

    So beautiful

    There’s not a bad campsite here. There are sites with electric, water, and sewer. Several sites are right on Rend Lake. Most sites have concrete picnic tables and fire rings. The bath houses are really nice, they are individual shower houses that are clean and well lit. The grounds are very well maintained. The park was full while we stayed there, but was really quiet. You can tent camp or use a camper.

  • t
    Jun. 13, 2022

    Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area Hillman Ferry Campground

    Maybe nice at one time.

    We were very disappointed to find the bicycle trail in unusable condition. It should have been repaved many years ago. The restroom in the C loop had 2 unusable showers and a 3rd with a broken screen so it was filled with bugs. In the toilet side the windows were closed so it was hot and stinky. Campsites here are not cheap so I think hand soap should be included. There are a lot of semipermanent rigs set up; it's probably packed on weekends. We had a small water view site with a cement picnic table where we could watch a family of very bold squirrels. The store had ice cream, firewood and a few essentials. There was reasonable WiFi outside but the area was dirty and never cleaned. Perhaps if we had a boat or jet ski this place would be a better fit but as it was we left early and won't return,

  • Barb N.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Gun Creek

    Lots of space by a Lake

    RV or tent, book online at Recreation.Gov not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site. We will be back and book closer to the lake in a level site.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2022

    Gun Creek

    Lake Views

    We loved staying here. Pet friendly and beautiful lake views from many of the camp sites. I recommend checking the grade of the camp site because some of the ones next to the lake were at a pretty big angle. Our site was nice and flat so no issues there. We loved it and would definitely stay again.

  • Lori W.
    Sep. 20, 2021

    Arrowhead Lake Campground

    Arrowhead Campground

    Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail. Lake side sites, wooded sites and regular sites in the middle. Water, 30 and 50 amp, shower house, small laundry facility. Wifi fiber being installed, boat ramp, primitive cabin, tent camping, large childrens playground. Very nice, quiet, clean. We come here often. $25.00/night.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2018

    Cave-in-Rock State Park

    Up on the rock

    Cave in Rock State Park, Il is sorta out in the middle of nowhere. That being said it is an adventure worth the trip. Weekday visits will supply you with more things to do but weekend adventures are just as fun. 

    If your coming from the Kentucky side first there is Amish country to visit. Check in Marion for what’s available and where (fill your gas tank up!)

    Next there is the ferry ride across. If you’ve done it a lot no big deal, but my kids used to love it every time.

    Write your directions down for this whole area, the cell phone coverage is spotty and it will keep frustration down.

    Signage will greet you as soon as you exit the ferry and Cave in Rock city has several small businesses you might want to visit. Plus a bunch of painted bikes...

    To the right down the road a bit and your in the park.

    The RV area is spread throughout a hilly, tree’d area, after being in Army Corp of Engineers last week which uses every foot of area available this campground seems huge and vacant. There were many sites occupied they are spread out across a huge area which is awesome. There is a playground near the showerhouse and a pond back in behind the playground.

    The primitive area is up another hill back in the woods, my favorite. Two handicap accessible spots next to the pit toilet let’s everyone have some fun. 

    If you want a shower you have to return to the RV area. These basic sites have a grill, fire pit and picnic table. Some are pretty level some not so much ;) Best of all there are several options if you have a Tentstile. 

    We took a 2 mile loop hike across to the lodge, along the cliff face and down to the cave. A lot of history here and some nice views. 

    This was our second outing with our new to us EVAC Trailer (www.evactrailer.com) I added some metal poles and a tarp and bam! we have an impromptu sitting area. The tool box made a nice meal prep and cooking area. Still looking at other ideas, but it’s a sturdy little trailer that is serving its purpose well!


Guide to Simpson

Cabin accommodations near Simpson, Illinois offer overnight lodging options within wooded settings of the Shawnee National Forest region. Rental cabins in this area range from basic structures to fully-equipped units with varying amenity levels. Most cabin facilities operate year-round with seasonal pricing adjustments during peak summer months.

What to do

Hiking trails near cabins: Dixon Springs State Park offers Ghost Dance Canyon Trail, a 0.7-mile path accessible from cabin areas. "We hiked the trail and it took us about 2 hours total. They were very well maintained," notes a visitor who stayed in the park's cabin facilities.

Water activities: Fishing and boating opportunities exist at Arrowhead Lake Campground where cabins provide lake access. "There were ducks and geese, and it was a lovely reprieve from our travels to walk along the edges of the lake," mentions one camper about the waterfront activities.

Historical sites: Explore rock formations near cabin accommodations. "The cave has some pretty interesting history it was once a hideout for river pirates," explains a visitor about the geological features at Cave-in-Rock State Park, where cabin rentals provide convenient access to natural landmarks.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Cabin users appreciate well-maintained properties. "Very clean, level sites, large lake with a well maintained walking trail," notes a reviewer from Arrowhead Lake Campground about the surrounding grounds of their cabin area.

Affordability: Budget-friendly cabin options exist throughout the region. At Bear Branch Campground, "many cabins from 40 a night on up" are available according to a visitor who appreciated the price point options.

Privacy and space: Birdsville Riverside RV Park cabins offer spacious settings. "All the spots are spaced out too," reports a camper who found the cabin locations provided adequate separation from neighbors.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, particularly for specific unit types. "We called to secure a site last minute and are glad we found this campground," mentions a visitor to Arrowhead Lake Campground.

Facility limitations: Bathroom accessibility varies between cabin locations. At Cave-in-Rock State Park, "the shower house was very nice and clean and had flush toilets. However the other restrooms were not so nice (pit toilets with spiders and mosquitoes everywhere)."

Supply needs: Cabins typically require guests to bring personal items. "Also note that there is no place to buy ice or firewood nearby. We crossed the ferry and went to Marion Kentucky and found some there," advises a cabin user at Cave-in-Rock State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds: Select cabin locations with recreational facilities for children. Arrowhead Lake Campground provides "large childrens playground. Very nice, quiet, clean," according to a family who stayed in the cabin accommodations.

Wildlife viewing: Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground cabins offer nature observation opportunities. "Bring your horses, or just come and camp and stay in the lodge. Ride or hike in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest," suggests a visitor about family activities.

Seasonal considerations: Summer visits to cabin areas may involve insect preparation. "Lots of ticks (pulled some off every day) and fireflies," reports a camper about their experience at Dixon Springs State Park during warmer months.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: Cabin locations often share facilities with RV camping areas. Dixon Springs State Park has "small sites" where "we have a 29 foot camper: the sites and roads are snug for it. At site 6 it goes downhill so it is difficult to get your camper level."

Utility access: Giant City State Park provides "electric sites, and water is available but you need to fill your tank before setting up camp. Sites are flat and most are pull through," notes an RVer who stayed at the park's camping facilities.

Equipment limitations: Some cabin areas have restrictions on vehicle types. "We stayed Easter Weekend here in the campground and had a great time. The campground is clean and maintained. Some sites are gravel and some are asphalt," explains a visitor about the mixed surface conditions at Giant City State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Simpson, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Simpson, IL is Dixon Springs State Park Campground with a 3.2-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Simpson, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 cabin camping locations near Simpson, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.