The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Vienna. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Illinois camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Vienna, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$40 / night
"There is easy access to the tunnel state trail in Vienna. It’s about a 9 mile ride to the tunnel. Be sure to visit Garden of the Gods. Really remarkable."
"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."
$15 / night
"However, by Saturday morning (Easter weekend) all but 5 sites had cleared out and we had the place nearly to ourselves for the rest of the stay. "
"This campground is super remote and is near a couple trails with waterfalls."
"Jackson offers some of the best rock climbing in southern Illinois. There are about 60 climbing areas along the sandstone bluffs and freestanding boulders, with multiple routes."
"We are a Jeep family so I may have more experience than others in off-roading.
We opted to turn around and stay at the main parking lot which is VERY accessible."
$18 / night
"Had very nice trails, very clean. Forest is beautiful. We camped at the primitive area spot 11. Spots are pretty dam close to each other. There is camping you can walk off to."
"Great campground away from roads and noise. Goreville is small local town with grocery store and service station for supplies. South LOOP sites 1-23 are first come sites."
"Ferne Cliffe State Park is situated in the Shawnee National Forest, in the southern part of Illinois."
"Dog friendly, pretty well spaced out campsites but some are used as paths with to get to farther back campsites. Good set up, not too close to neighbors and it’s heavily wooded in between."
$10 - $20 / night
"Our favorite in all of Illinois!!"
"Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many that back right up to Lake Glendale."
$12 - $44 / night
"Lake Glendale is a true southern Illinois gem. They have recently improved the shower houses, the kids love the playground, and there is SO much shade!"
"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."
"Tucked into the tall pines of the Shawnee national forest, this park offers a handful of gorgeous sites for campers to enjoy, many that back right up to Lake Glendale."
"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."
"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."
"There was a couple nice playgrounds for the kids to play on and plenty to walk around and see."
"Beautiful spot with easy access and not far off the highway"
GuideThere is nothing special about the location. There is a boat ramp nearby. There were only people set up in the park today. They do have a playground.
ScoutFunctional clean porta potties. Fire pits, tables and water( not at the campsite but available at the entrance). Not a ton of privacy but very friendly people. Not great for starlink but very moderate t mobile a slightly better Verizon. Lots of tents and vans. Not many spots. Beautiful.
LegendGrand Rivers KY Canal Campground at Barkley Lake COE Site 111 This is a great COE campground located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with views of the Barkley Dam. The canal connects them and you can see boats and occasionally barges passing through. There are over 100 campsites are available, many with water views. We had a spacious site with a river view. Other loops are closer together and no view. Sites offer electric and/or water hookups, tables and fire ring. Other amenities include clean old style bathhouses, a dump station, laundry facilities, a playground, and picnic pavilions. We saw several deer roaming the grounds. There's a great pizza place in town Papa Z.
TravelerOverall 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.
GuideNice, 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.
GuideWe are the only campers here in a very well kept campground. The bathrooms are clean and the only sound is from the birds. $20 for a state park site with electricity is incredible. It is out of the way (we took the ferry from Kentucky).
RangerStayed here for 2 nights at site 25 on the back side of the campground. The back sites have sewer. These sites were paved, but not level, so be prepared to level. TIP: If using those yellow camco "lego" block to level, be sure to put a canvas tarp or rubber mat between the blocks and the pavement, otherwise they will slide when you try to roll on top of them. My daughter used the bathhouse, and she said it was not good. Leaky, standing water. The park was awesome, which made the bathhouse an oddity. The little snack shack over by the chain was a nice evening diversion of ice cream and funnel fries. The camp host couple was wonderful. The park is clean and well maintained.
RangerYes, 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
LegendWe 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.
Camping near Vienna, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic views to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.
Camping near Vienna, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities do Vienna campgrounds offer for visitors?
Campgrounds near Vienna offer diverse amenities to enhance your stay. South Marcum Campground is considered one of the nicest in Illinois, featuring numerous bathrooms, lakefront sites, and wooded options. Just a short drive from Vienna, Oak Point - Lake Glendale provides water and electric hookups at mostly private sites backing up to Lake Glendale, with a beach available for swimming. Many area campgrounds feature fishing opportunities, with Shawnee Forest Campground offering three catch-and-release ponds. Visitors can generally expect picnic tables, fire pits, and access to trails, while developed campgrounds typically provide restrooms, showers, and drinking water, creating comfortable bases for exploring the region's natural attractions.
What RV camping options are available in Vienna?
Shawnee Forest Campground offers excellent RV accommodations in Vienna with spacious, level sites featuring full hook-ups. This campground was converted from a golf course in 2016 and can accommodate larger rigs - reviewers mention successfully parking 35-foot motorhomes with attached vehicles. For RV campers looking to explore beyond Vienna, South Sandusky Campground at Rend Lake offers full hookups with spacious sites that can accommodate big rigs. It's a Corps of Engineers campground where America the Beautiful passes are accepted. The campground is well-maintained and offers a variety of amenities that make it suitable for extended RV stays.
Where are the campgrounds near Vienna, Illinois located?
Vienna, Illinois is surrounded by several excellent camping options in the scenic Shawnee National Forest region. Shawnee Forest Campground is conveniently located in Vienna itself with easy access to the tunnel state trail (about 9 miles to the tunnel). Just a short drive from Vienna, you'll find Deer Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park situated in a beautiful limestone setting within the Shawnee National Forest. Other nearby options include Rend Lake campgrounds and various sites throughout the Shawnee Forest area, all within reasonable driving distance of Vienna.
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