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Best Campgrounds near Murphysboro, IL

586 Reviews

The Shawnee National Forest region surrounding Murphysboro, Illinois contains several established campgrounds with varied accommodation options. Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground, located within city limits, provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with year-round availability. Giant City State Park Campground in nearby Makanda offers similar amenities plus equestrian camping opportunities. Turkey Bayou Campground in Pomona provides more primitive camping with tent and RV sites but fewer amenities. The landscape features a mix of forested areas, lakes, and rivers that support diverse camping experiences across southern Illinois.

Seasonal considerations affect campground operations throughout the region. While Lake Murphysboro State Park remains open year-round, other facilities like Crab Orchard Lake Campground and Little Grassy Lake Campground operate from April through October. Most developed campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Turkey Bayou offers free primitive camping with minimal facilities for those seeking a more rustic experience. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas of the Shawnee National Forest. According to one visitor, "Turkey Bayou is in a beautiful location by the Big Muddy River. It is volunteer run and relatively well-kept up, but there are not many amenities. It's like front country, back country camping."

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for the Murphysboro area, with several campgrounds situated on lakes or rivers. Campers frequently mention the fishing opportunities at Lake Murphysboro, Crab Orchard Lake, and Little Grassy Lake as highlights of their stays. The region's topography includes unique geological features uncommon in other parts of Illinois. A visitor noted that Giant City State Park has "fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains." Many campgrounds in the area maintain shower facilities and restrooms that receive positive reviews for cleanliness. The proximity to Shawnee National Forest attractions like Garden of the Gods and Cave In Rock provides additional recreational opportunities for campers using Murphysboro as a base camp for exploring southern Illinois.

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Best Camping Sites Near Murphysboro, Illinois (98)

    1. Giant City State Park Campground

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

    "There is currently walk in only unless you are reserving a horse camp. There are fantastic hiking trails and equestrian trails here and you would think you are in the mountains here."

    "Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.

    All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."

    2. Turkey Bayou Campground

    13 Reviews
    Gorham, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 687-1731

    "We took a chance camping here since we hang hammocks but we found a site that had some trees nearby. We were pleasantly surprised to see a port-a-pottie at the campground."

    "Stayed during the eclipse so crowds were intense but the hosts lets us camp where we could find room, the site was clean and the pond was beautiful (as always bring the bug spray when camping near the"

    3. Crab Orchard Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bargerville, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 997-3344

    $10 - $25 / night

    "Wthat a nice find in southern Illinois just outside of Marion. Very big roomy and grassy sites. Some right on the lake shore."

    "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."

    4. Lake Murphysboro State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Murphysboro, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 684-2867

    "We had pit toilets, but had to drive elsewhere for showers. I would come back again."

    5. Little Grassy Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-6655

    $15 - $35 / night

    " We've been wanting to explore southern Illinois for a long time, but it's a six hour (min)  drive from our home."

    "The lake is quiet and clean. A nice hidden gem located a short drive from beautiful hiking trails. We will definitely be back."

    6. Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

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

    "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."

    "Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."

    7. Touch of Nature Education Center

    5 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    14 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. Johnson Creek

    5 Reviews
    Ava, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    "single, double, and triple camping spots set up on three loops in this small campground nestled in the corner of shawnee national forest. there's a central bath house located near check in. only amenities"

    "The site was fairly secluded, and right on Kincade lake."

    9. Little Grassy Lake - Crab Orchard NWR

    4 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-6655

    "Quite quaint and easy access to campground."

    "This campground is family friendly and right on the lake. We were lucky to come on a cooler weekend and get a more private campsite."

    10. Wine Trail Wilderness

    2 Reviews
    Pomona, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 263-9625

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Surrounded by wineries, hiking places, historic sites, close to town for dining out, visiting for special events. Whatever you may schedule."

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Recent Camping Photos near Murphysboro, IL

102 Photos of 98 Murphysboro Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Murphysboro, IL

586 Reviews of 98 Murphysboro Campgrounds

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great spot for location

    Overall we’ve really enjoyed our stay. Came over the Labor Day weekend and staying a week. Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been. A little noisy at night with the interstate in the distance but we’d expected that. Only thing we wish we would’ve known about was the paving of the road happening directly outside of the park. They obviously can’t control that but a heads up would’ve been helpful. One day we couldn’t get out for a bit and thankfully we had flexible plans. Overall- it’s a great park with decent proximity to a lot of nature. Anna, Marion and Harrisburg are your best bets for restaurants and grocery etc. Vienna only has a dollar general and a few restaurants- a diner, longhorn cafe, Mexican restaurant and Family Pizza- we tried the last one and it was good! Prepare for a 40 min wait time if picking up and it gets packed if you want to dine in. Would def stay here again to visit Shawnee.

  • Chip
    Sep. 2, 2025

    World Shooting and Recreational Complex

    Lot's of full hookups

    This was our first camp in our new to us travel trailer. Not many trees.  Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue.  This is the site of the American Trap Shooters Association "Grand" Event.  During that event the first couple weeks in August the campground is full.  We were here last weekend in August. Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning.  There is a shower house I believe but could not access a couple of the doors I tried.  I imagine they had some unlocked but I didn't try all the doors when I was there.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gun Creek

    Nice!

    Nice, large, well thought out campground. Lots of trees, paved sites, bathrooms, showers, and well maintained. Offers full hookups, partial or none. Convenient to I64. Only stayed 1 nite, but would definitely come back.

  • A
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Lake Perry Campground

    His Website is a Total Lie

    I had a Reservation for a month long stay. I get there and he said that he would have to guide me to the Site. He guided me for sure right into another Camper. It did over $3,000.00 Dollars of Damage to my Camper. I don't know what the Claims Adjuster paid for Damages to the Camper that the Campground Owner guided me into. His sites are not 25-40 feet wide and 35-100 feet long. If the campsites were that big, the owner wouldn't have had to guide me to my site. I'm going to get a Lawyer and Sue the Campground for all of my Damages to my Camper and the Camper the owner guided me into.

  • Tom B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Benton KOA

    Good KOA

    Yes, there is highway noise. It's a KOA. Convenience of being easy off an interstate has its tradeoffs. That said, excellent staff, clean, professional KOA

  • Scott B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Shawnee Forest Campground

    Great stop for the night.

    We were driving south on I24 towards Nashville and needed a spot to stop for the night. We booked online and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The campground is really nice and had a great paved walking trail to stretch our legs and walk the dog. Would definitely recommend if in the area.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Lake Glendale Recreation Area

    Camping in July 2025

    Campground was not crowded during the weekdays. Nice shaded sites w electric and water hookups. Campground hosts were very engaged. $19 a night electric w Sr Pass.

    There are several historical sites to visit. Ill Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods and Trail of Tears segments on

    ATT cell service was spotty but I drove to Dixon Springs SP where there was a cell tower. An easy 3 mile hike around the lake

    There are several historical sites in area. Illinois Iron Forge, Garden of the Gods , and segments of the Trail of Tears

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Blue Heron Campground & Marina

    50% off with america the beautiful pass

    Nice spot on the lake. Nice staff. Lots of Geese. 1 washer washer and dryer, need $4 dollar in quarters to do full cycle.

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Jackson Falls

    Quiet

    Be sure to make sure you set the correct location into GPS. We ended up at the wrong location at first try.

Guide to Murphysboro

Camping near Murphysboro, Illinois, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Easy walking distance to the observation trail that is the highlight of this park."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Gun Creek. A camper shared, "Excellent park but many sites aren’t flat. Not all have water, septic. Clean facilities."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Hawn State Park Campground, you can spot various wildlife. One reviewer noted, "The park was very clean and family-friendly."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the sites. A visitor at Shawnee Forest Campground said, "Facilities clean and very nice, roads and park well taken care of."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment. A review for Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs stated, "Very quiet and peaceful."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention helpful staff. One camper at Hawn State Park Campground said, "The staff are very friendly and helpful."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Jackson Falls, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, "No cell service. I was too busy enjoying being there."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Hawn State Park Campground mentioned, "Too many people, mostly day hikers."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds, like Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, are only open during certain months. One camper said, "The campground filled up by 11 am on Friday."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Giant City State Park Campground, which has great trails and a playground. A family reviewer said, "The playground was good."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. One camper at South Sandusky Campground mentioned, "There are miles of paved bicycle trails, a marina, fishing, and a 27-hole golf course."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks handy can keep kids happy. A visitor at Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground noted, "Ground around spots is mostly pine needles and cones, not grass."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Not all sites are level or spacious. A reviewer at Gun Creek said, "Not all sites have water/sewer, but many water points available throughout camp."
  • Book in Advance: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Trail of Tears State Park Campground mentioned, "Able to reserve online 365 days prior to arriving."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may not have full amenities. A visitor at Jackson Falls noted, "The bathroom was stocked with tp but you will want to bring hand sanitizer or water."

Camping near Murphysboro, Illinois, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Murphysboro, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Murphysboro, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 98 campgrounds and RV parks near Murphysboro, IL and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Murphysboro, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Murphysboro, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Murphysboro, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Murphysboro, IL.

What parks are near Murphysboro, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Murphysboro, IL that allow camping, notably Rend Lake and Shawnee National Forest.

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