Johnson Creek Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Fishing, hiking, and rock formation exploration draw campers to Johnson Creek Campground, a drive-in site set within Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The campground runs from March 15 through December 15 and accommodates RVs up to 60 feet. Water access has been reported as unreliable, with spigots shut off and the dump station long out of service, so arriving self-sufficient is advisable. Pit toilets are on-site and have been noted as clean. Pets are welcome, cell service is available, and Sharp Rock Falls Recreation sits roughly two miles northeast for campers who want to compare nearby options before committing to a site.

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Map & DirectionsJohnson Creek Campground is located in Illinois near Ava

Public Campground

Coordinates

37.83345012 N
89.51575075 W

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Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 7/13/26
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 7/13/26
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

53 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
1 hr 29 min from Paducah, KY
1 hr 30 min from St. Louis, MO
2 hrs 19 min from Evansville, IN

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Reviews2 Camper Reviews - Johnson Creek Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Robert G.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2020

Mixed thoughts...

We have camped here two nights and the area is quiet, scenic, but with a few surprises. Our first being all of the water is shut off and It appears that the dump station hasn’t worked in years. We had a pleasant day driving through the area. There is a lot to explore but it would take more than two days. The trails we were on were unclear and poorly maintained. We tried to go to the beach for a swim and it was inaccessible although there was a clear paved trail. We never found the swimming area as it overgrown and apparently unused for a long time. It could have been a beautiful area with maintenance and TLC. Being a National Forest area, it was disappointing.
The pit toilets were very clean but it’s a good thing they didn’t need water to keep them that way.

Alicia B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

Scenic

As with all of southern Illinois it’s very senic rock formations neat trails and fishing.

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the elevation of Johnson Creek Campground?

Johnson Creek Campground is located at 502 feet.

What is the max vehicle length at Johnson Creek Campground?

Johnson Creek Campground allows vehicles up to 60 feet.

Are fires allowed at Johnson Creek Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Johnson Creek Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Johnson Creek Campground have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Johnson Creek Campground does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Johnson Creek Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is no coverage for AT&T, no coverage for T-Mobile, and no coverage for Verizon.

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