Giant City State Park Campground and Shawnee Forest Campground house upscale glamping accommodations near Thebes, providing the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and resort-style comfort. Both locations offer safari-style canvas accommodations among shaded woodland settings, complete with electricity, comfortable beds, and high-end linens. The Art Farm Women's Retreat provides a unique glamping experience with yurts and specialty cabins featuring fifty-amp electrical hookups, showers, and picnic tables in a serene environment. Whippoorwill Lake Campground Resort boasts waterfront glamping units that combine natural beauty with essential amenities. These elevated camping experiences typically include furnished interiors, climate control, and proximity to hiking trails and natural attractions. One guest shared, "The lodge is worth the visit alone. The rock formations that make up the park are great for repelling and hiking. The hardwood forest provides great cover."
Hiking enthusiasts gravitate to the sandstone formations and extensive trail networks accessible from these glamping sites. Giant City's glamping accommodations provide easy access to the park's unique rock formations, with the Red Cedar Trail and Devils Stand Table being particular highlights for outdoor adventure. Several wineries operate within a short drive of the glamping locations, offering afternoon tasting opportunities after morning hikes. The on-site lodge at Giant City serves renowned fried chicken dinners in a historic dining hall, providing glampers with a convenient dining option. According to a camper, "We had dinner at the historic lodge which is very popular and known for their huge portions and outstanding fried chicken. The lodge is worth the visit alone." During summer months, nearby Lake Glendale offers swimming and kayak rentals for glampers seeking water activities to complement their luxury camping experience.
"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."
"The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel."
$40 / night
"Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great."
"There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property
Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!"
"Boomland RV Park& Campground was super easy to find off I-57 near the I-55 junction. After passing the Boomland complex, the large campground sign clearly marks the right turn into the park."
"Easy to access off the highway, easy gas station nearby, cheap, AND fhu. Office looks like it hasnt seen a soul in 20 years but this place is the perfect stop."
"Decorated for Halloween and very kid friendly. Spots are tight (wouldn't want to be here when the park is full). Nice park for kids, hiking trail and jump pad (trampoline)."
"It isn’t what we’re used to, we usually like more remote, isolated, rugged, off the grid type sites (we had just travelled from Utah where we spent 15 straight days in the desert on the rim of a canyon"
"Small lake. Has tent camping or cabins. All roads are gravel. We have stayed in the cabins. It was a double bed and also had a set of bunks. So plenty of room. Lake has sandy beaches."
"We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around."
"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."
"We stayed as a larger group on a non-electric site. The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy."
"Next depending on which site you pick it can be a short walk to the lake and direct put in of your water craft. A very cool feature is that several of the sites are double."
$30 - $90 / night
"They also offer tiny home rentals, yurt-style glamping tents, RV spots with 30 amp, 50 amp and 110 outlets, and The Art Barn for larger groups, retreats or family reunions."
"Laura was quick to reply to questions and was waiting for us when we arrived. Spot was easy to get into. Quiet and peaceful. Hot tub was great! We didn't use the showers but they looked nice."
"You're welcome to at longbranch! Please make your reservations.
Only 16 spots left!"
ScoutGary and his family are very polite and very happy to be helpful. Great prices. Burn pit and cooking grill above the pit at every site I visited. Clean Air condition in the bathroom. Showers work great. I stayed here twice, my family and I had a great time and met some really nice people.
TravelerRelatively new. Has great potential. Located in Vienna, IL near Shawnee National Forest. It has 3 fish & release ponds. Sites were a bit hilly which stands to reason since it was converted from a golf course in 2016. Some sites are pretty long. It accommodated our 35ft. MH with attached car. Some sites are close together with very little shade. The campground had lots of open sites during our stay (3rd week in Aug), but during our stay 2 other short stay campers came in & they parked them right next to us. -Full hook ups available -Hosts were very friendly & provided insight to area. -Bath house - provided air conditioning. Although new & spacious there were only 4 in the entire campground & the toilet & shower were in same space. Upon arrival only 1 was open near us. Subsequently the 2nd was closed due to a water valve malfunction & wasn’t re-opened during our stay. My husband likes level sites & facilities he could use. He said he wouldn’t come back any time soon.
GuideLots of choice camping spots! Serene and private. Beautiful rolling farmland, just minutes from town. They also offer tiny home rentals, yurt-style glamping tents, RV spots with 30 amp, 50 amp and 110 outlets, and The Art Barn for larger groups, retreats or family reunions.
TravelerWe stayed as a larger group on a non-electric site. The sites were sort of close together but the trees still helped provide a sense of privacy. There were clean bathrooms with running water a short walk away, didn’t attempt to use the showers. We could easily walk to the trails and we went fishing in the lake. It was mild and quiet the days we went in Mid-May 2020. 🙂 Beautiful scenery.
LegendWe 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. Not sure if they are upgrading a little at a time?? There are plenty of trees for shade. Some sites are close together and some have more room in between them. 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. No water hook up at each site, only electricity. . While you are here, check out the Lodge for dinner one night and climb to the top of the water tower observation deck for some amazing views! Make the quick drive to Makanda and explore the little hippy town. Don’t forget to take a stroll through the secret garden! . The Giant City Nature Trail and Devils Standtable were really pretty, easy strolls. The Trillium Trail is a little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails.
RangerThis campground is very clean! Large open sites- shade is minimal for most sites but we had a beautiful large site with some shade (site 51). They have new trees planted.
There is no pool or activities for kids but we went out and explored the area
Beautiful walking/bike paths around the property
Hosts were very kind and helpful, we felt very welcomed!
There is some freeway noise but didn’t bother us at all
Laundry and bathroom facilities were very clean - was great to do a laundry mid trip!
ScoutWhile they cater mainly to RV's, they do allow pitching tents. Angela was super friendly and helpful in selecting a site best for pitching a tent. It was moderately busy with RVs. The bathrooms were very clean and grounds generally well kept. It's quiet at night but it is near the highway and a relatively slow main road, so you will get some traffic noise, especially if your not in a motor home. All in, it was a great quick stop for us as we travel north.
ScoutI’m a novice car camper, sleeping in my Tesla Model 3. This campground is quiet and clean. The host is very friendly and knowledgeable. Each site has 50 amp electric service (so you can charge your EV with a NEMA 14-50 plug), fresh water, fire pits, and picnic tables. A nice stop to visit the Shawnee National Forest.
ScoutYou're welcome to at longbranch!
Please make your reservations.
Only 16 spots left!
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Camping options near Thebes, Illinois range from primitive tent sites to upscale accommodations with water access. The area sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, with elevations ranging from 325 to 600 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach into the 90s with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-70°F range with occasional thunderstorms.
Hiking trails with unique features: The Trillium Trail at Giant City State Park Campground offers a more rugged hiking experience away from crowds. "A little more rugged for those who prefer less crowded, slightly tougher trails," notes camper Shana D. The trail features seasonal wildflowers and distinctive rock formations.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds at Shawnee Forest Campground provide catch-and-release fishing. "Several ponds fishing catch and release very nice walking paths plenty of woods easy on easy off one of akind campground a must visit," shares Michael S. The campground's unique setting on a former golf course creates excellent shoreline access points.
Winter stargazing: The rural setting provides exceptional night sky viewing during cooler months. "Due to the somewhat rural location you could not beat the view of the stars at night," reports Josh M. from his winter camping experience. Light pollution is minimal throughout the region, particularly at primitive camping areas.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas receive consistent maintenance at most established campgrounds. At Oak Point Campground, "The campsites and showers/bathrooms are always kept clean and maintained," according to Claudia L., who has been visiting since 2006.
Reasonable pricing: Camping costs remain lower than many comparable recreation areas. "Cheap campground that is clean and quiet. The back in site we had overlooked the lake. For the price, you can't beat the view," reports TJ G. about his stay at Crab Orchard Lake.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural separation between campsites. "The sites are pretty close together, but still offer some privacy," notes Dave N. about Oak Point Campground. Tree cover and strategic site placement create secluded spots even in more developed campgrounds.
Seasonal closures: Beach facilities typically operate May through September with additional fees. "There is also a beach, but you have to pay $5/person which felt excessive for what it was," mentions Chelsea D. about Oak Point Campground.
First-come, first-served policies: Several campgrounds don't accept reservations. "During the week, no problem. Weekends would be iffy," advises Jon H. about securing sites at popular locations.
Poison ivy presence: Some wooded areas contain significant poison ivy patches. "Unfortunately, there was SO MUCH poison ivy that we couldn't play in the woods," warns Rachel C. about her May camping experience at Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR.
Highway noise: Proximity to interstates affects some camping locations. "The highway is also extremely close and can be heard at all times," notes Jamey W. about Perryville RV Resort, though they still rated their stay positively.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Our kids enjoyed the playground and walking down to the lake," shares Chelsea D. about Oak Point Campground's family-friendly amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Thebes, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Thebes, IL is Giant City State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Thebes, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 glamping camping locations near Thebes, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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