Tent campsites near Whittington, Illinois include several established options within the Shawnee National Forest region. Ferne Clyffe State Park offers dedicated tent camping areas at both Turkey Ridge Campground and Backpack Campground, with sites nestled among wooded terrain. Dutchman Lake Camp provides a more dispersed tent camping experience approximately 30 miles south of Whittington, while Saline County State Conservation Area offers additional tent camping options within reasonable driving distance.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Turkey Ridge provides drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables at most sites, while the Backpack Campground area offers more primitive tent sites with vault toilets nearby. Campers should note that firewood can be difficult to find at some locations, as one visitor mentioned that "firewood is surprisingly difficult to come by" at Ferne Clyffe. Sites typically feature dirt or natural forest floor surfaces, with some areas requiring short walks from parking areas to reach tent pads. Most tent camping areas remain open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months.
The tent camping experience in this region offers excellent access to hiking trails and natural features. Tent campsites at Ferne Clyffe provide direct access to numerous trails featuring limestone bluffs, caves, and seasonal waterfalls. A camper noted that "there are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all," highlighting the recreational opportunities available directly from tent camping areas. Sites at Dutchman Lake Camp offer more seclusion with drive-in and walk-in tent options, though amenities are minimal. Most tent camping areas in the region provide good shade coverage from mature oak and sycamore trees, making summer camping more comfortable. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with many campers reporting deer sightings and diverse bird species throughout the camping areas.
"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!"
from $150 / night
"There are a lot of hiking trails and we really enjoyed them all! The tent camping accommodations were less than stellar, simply because of the “outhouses “."
"It was easy to find firewood with out having to go very far, becareful there is a good amount of poison ivy. The only trail I hiked was Happy Hollow."
from $18 / night
"We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am."
"It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW!"
"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."
"Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the Shawnee National Forrest near Goreville, IL., south of Carbondale."
"There is a dump station and potable water at the entrance to the campground. There are also some water spigots sprinkled throughout the campground."
"This was a great campground with fantastic views of the lake. We also hiked Garden of the Gods and Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest. The hikes were great."
from $8 / night
TravelerThis is a 100 site campground on Rend Lake in Illinois. Lots of trees. Level paved sites unless you book right by the lake. Some are very steep. Bring lots to level with! We are in site 92. Away from the lake but beautiful sunshine.
GuideGreat place easy on off the hyw sites are old so you may need to block up your RV to level it . Some sites only have electric so be careful when you book it. Heard some road noise from the HYW but the campsite had plenty of room
LegendWe were heading back to our home base and decided to check out this new KOA Holiday and dump our tanks before heading home. The campground (CG) was approximately 10 miles and 20 minutes off I-57 on southern Illinois backcountry roads. Along the way, we encountered a suspiciously low power line that our 13.5'-high rig cleared. Small KOA signs guided us all the way in. We've stayed at many KOAs and particularly enjoyed KOA Holidays for their service and amenities, but this CG was not what we expected. We arrived at a large gravel parking area and found a check-in room at the end of a warehouse, with envelopes on a bulletin board and a phone number to request an escort. Since the RV sites were down a steep hill, we checked our assigned Creek Side site 26 before moving our rig. Sites 23–26 sat in a bowl at the bottom of the CG, with little room to maneuver our 41' fifth wheel and F450. The escort number went to voicemail, but we reached the manager using the CG brochure number. He agreed our rig wouldn't fit and moved us to back-in site 18 on the hill. All RV sites were back-ins. Creek Side sites appeared better suited for smaller RVs, although larger rigs might fit sites 23 and 24. We later discovered the main KOA office near the marina, which handled cabin check-ins, food, and boat rentals. Sites 1–19 were former pull-through motorcoach sites converted to back-ins, with utilities on the opposite side to accommodate other RVs. Our site 18 was exceptionally wide but close to neighboring sites. We positioned our rig toward the right side of the gravel pad (facing the site) to maintain reasonable access to hookups. The electrical pedestal was at the far back, requiring approximately 35' of power cord to accommodate our toy hauler's rear deck. The wide pad provided plenty of parking for a tow vehicle or boat. However, the CG brochure listed a $75 fee for parking boats or trailers at sites, and a marina sign listed a $50 launch fee. We couldn't determine how these fees applied. Water pressure was excellent, so use a regulator. CG Wi-Fi delivered 20.9 Mbps, Verizon had two bars, and T-Mobile had three. Our T-Mobile Home Internet delivered 358 Mbps, allowing us to stream golf and football. With no trees around the RV sites, satellite reception shouldn't be a problem. Some sites had limited lake views, but don't expect panoramic views or direct lake access. The CG had undergone considerable improvements, including attractive cabins, several right on the lake. KOA cabins were mixed with privately owned cabins, while lake access was concentrated near the small marina and swimming area. We expected more direct lake access and walking trails, but neither was available from the RV sites. A standard fenced KOA dog park was available, but longer walks with our pup were limited to a short path around the fishing pond, gravel areas, and CG roads. Considerable work and investment had gone into this CG, but our experience didn't entice us to return.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
GuideWhat started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
GuideVery small, maybe 10-12 sites that are first come first serve. $10 per night as of September 2026. Solid Verizon cell coverage. Very quiet.
GuideI stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.
GuideGreat campground, no reservations required and has bathrooms available. Overall good location and an occasional train but overall great spot.
Tent campsites near Whittington, Illinois range from developed sites with amenities to secluded primitive spots within the Shawnee National Forest region. Located in the southern part of the state where the terrain transitions from prairie to wooded hills, the area features limestone formations and hardwood forests. Winter camping remains accessible at most sites, though temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February.
Fishing opportunities: North Marcum Day Use Area at Rend Lake offers both beach access and fishing. "This is a beautiful little beach on Rend Lake. The lake is an important bird habitat making it a great place for my fellow bird watchers to go!" notes visitor Jill R.
Explore rock formations: Many campgrounds provide access to the unique limestone geology of the region. At Dutchman Lake Camp, campers can find "beautiful little spots as you come in. Quiet and easy to get to," according to reviewer J A.
Seasonal waterfalls: After rainfall, several trails feature active waterfalls. "One of our favorites!" says Dani B. about hiking near Hawk's Cave Trail. "It's an easy hike and the kids explored the caves for hours! Also in this park is a little lake and a gorgeous waterfall."
Spacious sites: Many campsites feature ample space between sites. At Turkey Ridge Campground, David H. notes, "#35 is a nice location. Large yard and not super close to other campers. #53 is smaller but very private."
Wildlife viewing: The forests host diverse wildlife. Gina J. describes camping at Turkey Ridge: "There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night."
Quiet atmosphere: Even on busy weekends, many campgrounds maintain a peaceful environment. At Dutchman Lake Camp, Katie B. says, "We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am. Very peaceful! No bugs."
Variable site conditions: Site quality can differ significantly within the same campground. TJ V. shares about primitive sites: "We camped at the primitive area spot 11. Spots are pretty dam close to each other. There is camping you can walk off to."
Bathroom facilities: Vault toilets are common at primitive sites, with variable maintenance. As one camper at Backpack Campground notes, "walk up primitive sites are secluded, wooded, and within a pit toilet and water source."
Firewood availability: Gathering may be restricted in certain areas. Tye K. notes, "Nice wooded primitive sites with easy access to water and toilets. Had my pups with, and no problems at all. Only issue I found at all was firewood is surprisingly difficult to come by."
Trail difficulty levels: Many campgrounds offer trails suitable for children. Scott N. notes about Turkey Ridge, "The only trail I hiked was Happy Hollow. A large portion of it is an equestrian trail, so the path was very wide. The views on the trail were amazing."
Swimming options: Several locations feature swimming areas appropriate for children. The Saline County State Conservation Area offers "fantastic views of the lake," according to Don N., who camped there with grandchildren.
Cave exploration: Kids particularly enjoy exploring the numerous small caves. "Really, this state park is a must for anyone who lives nearby or is driving through," says one visitor about hiking with children. "The kids explored the caves for hours!"
Limited hookup sites: Most primitive tent camping areas near Whittington lack RV hookups. At the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Chip notes, "Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue."
Access challenges: Some roads leading to camping areas can be difficult for larger vehicles. Art S. warns, "The road is deceptively smooth. Ruts and water crossings appear suddenly."
Cell service: Signal varies significantly based on location. Don N. explains, "The only drawback is that we had no cell service, although a quick trip to the ridge behind the campsite (1-2 minute drive)" restored connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Whittington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Whittington, IL is North Marcum Day Use Area with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Whittington, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Whittington, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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