Tent camping options near Murphysboro, Illinois range from primitive sites to more developed facilities within the Shawnee National Forest region. Located in southern Illinois where the terrain transitions from prairie to hilly woodlands, this area offers camping experiences at elevations ranging from 400 to 700 feet. The region experiences humid summers with average temperatures in the 80s and cooler spring and fall seasons ideal for outdoor recreation.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Turkey Ridge Campground offers access to multiple trail systems with varied difficulty levels. "There are lots of well maintained trails to hike... hikes that include bluffs, caves, creeks, etc. Our favorite is Hawk's Cave Trail. It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!" notes Dani B.
Water recreation options: North Marcum Day Use Area provides beach access for swimming at Rend Lake. A visitor mentions, "This is an beautiful little beach on Rend lake. The lake is an important bird habitat making it a great place for my fellow bord watchers to go! The beach is also tidy and free of alot of trash, perfect for the youngsters to play in."
Fishing opportunities: Dutchman Lake Camp offers accessible shoreline fishing. Jonathan H. reports, "Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing." The lake provides opportunities for both bank fishing and small watercraft.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Backpack Campground offers more secluded tent sites than other nearby options. Tye K. notes, "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."
Seasonal variations: Fall and spring offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds at most campsites. One camper at Turkey Ridge Campground shares, "My brother and I camped here in September on a weekday. We were the only tent campers, so it was nice and peaceful. The sites are large and include a cooking grate."
Natural features: Buck Ridge Campground provides a more remote experience in a wooded setting. Art S. mentions, "The area looks wooded and beautiful," though notes access issues have occurred during high water periods.
What you should know
Facilities condition: Toilet facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Turkey Ridge Campground, TJ V. reports, "There are 'out houses' close by. Although they were pretty bad my buddy said 'storm of flies came shooting out the hole like a tornado.' So I do agree they deserve some slight repercussion for the lack of cleanliness."
Firewood availability: Some campgrounds have limited natural firewood despite wooded settings. One camper at Backpack Campground notes, "Only issue I found at all was firewood is surprisingly difficult to come by."
Site spacing: At several campgrounds, proximity to neighboring sites varies by location. At Turkey Ridge, one visitor shares, "Spots are pretty dam close to each other. There is camping you can walk off to." For more privacy, select sites farther from parking areas when possible.
Tips for camping with families
Trail selection: Choose appropriate hiking paths based on children's ages and abilities. At Turkey Ridge Campground, Dani B. recommends, "Our favorite is Hawk's Cave Trail. It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours!"
Water safety considerations: For families with young children, World Shooting and Recreational Complex offers lake access with shoreline areas suitable for supervised water play. Christi L. notes, "Huge campground with a lake to boat, kayak or fish from the bank."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to observe local wildlife. One camper mentions, "There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Turkey Ridge Campground, certain sites offer more spacious accommodations. David H. advises, "#35 is a nice location. Large yard and not super close to other campers. #53 is smaller but very private. Camped end of April and park was full."
Electrical hookups: For RVers needing power, some campgrounds offer limited electrical access. Debra B. notes at Turkey Ridge, "On arrival, the electric wouldn't work. Apparently a breaker was involved. Camp host fixed it."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads that require careful navigation. At Buck Ridge, Art S. cautions, "The road is deceptively smooth. Ruts and water crossings appear suddenly."
