Best Campgrounds near Stonefort, IL
Southern Illinois around Stonefort features diverse camping opportunities within the Shawnee National Forest and surrounding public lands. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs provides spacious tent and RV sites with basic amenities including pit toilets and fire rings, operating from March through mid-December. Garden of the Gods Recreation Area offers year-round camping with drinking water and electric hookups, situated near dramatic sandstone formations. Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground serves as a specialized equestrian facility with high lines for horses and full hookup options. Lake Glendale Recreation Area and Ferne Clyffe State Park round out the options with shaded sites and water access.
Many campgrounds in this region have limited or no cell service, requiring advance planning. According to one camper at Camp Cadiz, visitors should "fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill." Gravel forest roads are common, sometimes generating dust that can affect campsites positioned too close to roadways. Water availability varies significantly between locations, with some campgrounds like Jackson Falls requiring campers to bring their own drinking water. Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions, while summer brings higher humidity. Hunting seasons, particularly turkey season in spring, can suddenly increase campground occupancy.
The unique geology of the area distinguishes camping experiences from typical Illinois landscapes. One visitor noted that Ferne Clyffe State Park is "situated on a limestone bluff which is cut by a small rivulet and some seasonal small waterfalls." Campers frequently mention the sandstone formations, particularly at Garden of the Gods, as a highlight. Weekday camping generally provides more solitude, with one reviewer noting, "By Saturday morning all but 5 sites had cleared out and we had the place nearly to ourselves for the rest of the stay." Water-based recreation opportunities exist at several locations, with Lake Glendale offering "a nearby beach available to enjoy during the summer as well as hiking trails." The region serves well as a base camp for exploring attractions including Cave in Rock State Park and the Ohio River.
