Pine Ridge, near Junction, Illinois, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors in the Shawnee National Forest. This campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and glamping options, making it accessible for various camping styles.

The sites here are spacious, with many visitors noting the privacy they provide, especially in the rustic areas. You’ll find clean vault toilets and drinking water available, which is a plus for campers. As one reviewer mentioned, “The campsites are very roomy, especially for a small camper,” making it a comfortable spot to set up camp.

For outdoor activities, Pine Ridge is close to hiking trails and a beautiful lake with beach access. Campers have enjoyed the scenic walks and the chance to explore the nearby natural wonders, including the Garden of the Gods. The area is also dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for the adventure.

With a laid-back vibe and a price tag of just $10 a night, Pine Ridge is a great spot for a weekend getaway or a longer stay. Whether you're stargazing at night or enjoying a peaceful afternoon by the lake, this campground has plenty to offer for a memorable camping experience.

Pine Ridge

Join the fun near Karbers Ridge. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. 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 Karbers Ridge, IL. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Karbers Ridge

The Best Camping Near Karbers Ridge, Illinois

Nice sites, and decent fishing and beach for swiming

Nice

**Pounds Hollow Recreation Area** located in _Shawnee National Forest_, Il is easier to find then some of the other areas in Shawnee. 

You have the Pounds Hollow Lake, there is the Rim Rock Trail and picnic area and there is Pine Ridge Campground. 

First there is no boat ramp at the lake and it is an electric motors only area. So it’s excellent for kayak, SUP and canoe excursions. There is a swimming area and picnic shelter circa CCC era construction.

Next Rim Rock trail is for hikers only, there are horse trails on the far side of the lake. 

And then the Pine Ridge Campground which sits, you guessed it, on a ridge above the lake. There are access trails through the woods to the lake. There are nice size sites spread throughout the campground area. Tons of privacy. Electric sites as well as your basic sites with picnic tables, fire rings and those poles with hooks( I’ve seen them used for many things in addition to lanterns ) and of course pit toilets. But newer, cleaner pit toilets. 

The lake was quiet and relaxing. Even though there was a large group present at the pavilion the area of the lake makes it easy to find a quiet space to just float or fish. 

Only thing that would have made it better for me would have been if there was direct put in to lake. I like to park the vehicle and then leave it for the whole visit. Having to move the water craft back and forth takes away some of the enjoyment. (Very, very minuscule take away)

Bliss in the woods 

We love camping and have stayed at Pounds hollow several times. They have primative or electric camping. Two of the times we stayed our electricity didnt work.

all types of camping

This this is a very peaceful Campground. A couple of the sites Overlook the river. The facilities are very nice. If you are looking for a hike it is a great place.

Rough terrain,  plenty of trees, peaceful

First night being in the shawnee national forest and this was one of the first places I stayed this is an excellent campsite..very nice and clean it's also by the garden of the God which if u haven't seen you should definitely take a trip to see

Beautiful 

I’ve always used this site as a backup if Garden of the Gods is full when I get there. To be honest, this site is prettier, its just further out from the hiking I usually come to the area to do.  The sites are well maintained and the area is BEAUTIFUL. The only negative thing I might be able to point out is that there seems to be poison ivy just about everywhere. 

Great Site Near Garden of the Gods

I enjoy this campground, and the sites are nice &amp; private, but a bit small.  The electric is iffy, but the sites are mostly shaded. There is a trail system so there is lots of hiking available here. You can also hop over to the Pounds Hollow rec area for a swim/paddle.

Great for tent camping

Headed here after garden of the gods was full. This place is very close to where you need to be. Outpost in between sells food, firewood, ice etc. Very basic campsite for drive up. People were very respectful, very dog friendly. Great places around to hike.

Great 10$ campsite

Overall great place! Would recommend. Beautiful scenery in the Shawnee National Forest. Quiet and comfortable. 

Spent a week here and had a blast! Camp sites are fairly well spaced, though not private. Area is split with power and no power. Vault style restrooms are very clean and regularly maintained. A great, centralized location for quite a few natural wonders and a hop, skip, and a jump away from quite a few more! 

A Week of Paradise 

Pine Ridge is a loop campground with some electric and non-electric sites. In April the leaves were not on the trees so there was intermittent shade. This was a decent place for $10 a night.

  

The main draw for us was the hiking trails. If you go over to the Pounds Hollow Rec Area you can find picnic areas and a pond to explore by boat. We saw a few kayaks and a family having a picnic lunch. However there is a trail that you definitely should try.

  

Go to the far end of the picnic area (away from the parking). There is a trail that goes west along the shore of the lake. You can keep following it and you end up at the Rim Rock Trail. Now you have choices. You can go left and follow a gradual uphill along the side of the cliffs to another parking area. Then you can access Rim Rock trail info. If you go right (pretty amazing choice!) you will find a hollow cave with historical significance. Keep going and you can squeeze into a crack in the rock and discover a staircase bringing you to the top and a lookout area. The trail goes around and you can find your way back to the same trail along the pond to return.

  

Garden of the Gods area is also a short drive away.

Camping near hiking trails and close to the lake

We spent 2 nights here at the end of July, and there were only a few other parties there at that time. About a 15 minute drive to the Garden of the Gods. There was a vault toilet in a central location, very well kept up! Only $10 a night for sites with electric hook up &amp; drinking water!! 

Great camp site!

Awesome spot. We were trying to hit garden of the gods. Drove through that campsite and it was packed on a Friday afternoon. We refilled our 7 gal water jug there in the weirdest spin crank pump ive encountered yet. It tasted a bit bleachy, but it's there. Checked out the local camp country tourist trap store right at the entrance to garden of the gods. Trash spot nice enough staff. But sold like old chopped plywood in small bundles very overpriced we skipped it. Came to this spot foraged plenty of wood there. just bring a good saw to cut up what's already fallen. Two camp site loops some have power I think. On the left loop. Not 100%. Didn't see any water spigots though. Loved our spot, the next campers were two sites away, so it was a peaceful spot but still close to all the cool spots we wanted to check out in Shawnee. Have fun campers

Tits

This campground area is beautiful! We stayed here 3 nights. We arrived on a Thursday and there were plenty of open spots. Friday they open some of the other loops up for more people to stay and it did fill up for the weekend. 

  

You can get some cell service but only in choice areas (at the front by the water spigot and some of the roads leading down to the lake. We were not able to get any cell service (Verizon, AT&amp;T, or T Mobile) in the electric loop. 

  

This area is a primitive area and is not really set up for RVs. Don't get me wrong... RVs can definitely fit in most of the camping spots but only 1 loop has electricity, there is no sanitary dump station, and the water spigot does not have a way to hook up a hose to fill your tank. If you dump your tanks and fill with fresh water before coming you should be good. 

  

It does have vault toilets... no showers. The toilets were very clean for vault toilets. 

  

The lake area is beautiful with a swimming area, fishing pier, and pavilion to eat or sit under for shade. It looks like they really keep the area cleaned up!

  

Another little note that we learned is that the park rangers can help you move sites... or even campgrounds if your site is not working for you so you don't loose out on money like we did. This only applies to other Shawnee campgrounds of course but there are quite a few to choose from!

Beautiful Area with large sites!

Trying out my recently purchased 17’ clipper travel trailer.   Loved the area and the campsites are very roomy, especially for a small camper.   There were a few other folks camping that weekend but still very quiet.   The left loop has power 50/30/20 amp hook ups but no water or sewer on the campsite.  Great location for hiking trails and it’s exactly 23 Miles to Walmart.   We will definitely stay here again.  Fall foliage was kick’n too.   And it was only $10 a night!!!   

Peaceful 

I spent two night at Pine Ridge in early November. Really liked the place. The rustic sites are well spread out so they feel very private. The hookup sites were closer together and did not look as well spaced. There is a 2 mile loop road that goers around the whole campground and down to a beach access point for a gorgeous lake. That was a perfect little g walk with the dog. Spectacular. 

Beautiful trees!

Good spot to car camp or park next to your tent. Bathrooms have vault toilets, but were clean.  Nice stargazing.  

Photos of Pine Ridge

Real photos from real campers