$10 / night

Established Camping

Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

52 Reviews

About

USDA Forest Service

Shawnee National Forest

One of the most photographed locations in the state, Garden of the Gods' scenic beauty is extraordinary. In the recreation area you can hike, camp, nature watch or picnic.

The Observation Trail features unique sandstone rock formations and panoramic views of the surrounding Garden of the God…

Fee Info

Campsite $10 / night 8 people & 2 vehicle max.

Reservation Info

Campground is first come- first served. No reservations. No permit required for entering or camping in Garden of the Gods Wilderness.

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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5 Stars

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3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

72%
22%
10%
0%
10%

4.5

out of 5

52 Reviews

Sam H.
Reviewed Mar. 11, 2023

Loved it!

Visited in the first half of March, so yes it was cold, and rain one of the nights, which I'm sure contributed a lot to there being only maybe five campsites occupied. Camp area was clean of trash and obstacles. Ground around spots is mostly pine needles and cones, not grass. Lots are close to…

Site2
Month of VisitApril
D
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2022

Too Busy for 5 Stars

Hammock friendly established campsites, which are rare for IL, also accommodating for tents, campers, and RVs.

Water pump tastes pretty good, no electricity hook up, bathrooms are usually pretty clean and are emptied regularly, decent cell phone signal.

Very busy on Fridays and weekends. Too many…

Month of VisitMay
Jason F.
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2022

Near perfect for our family...

We loved our stay here.  The trails, the clean campsites, the peace, the views, the trees, the seclusion.  It is one of, if not our favorite places to camp now.  We hadn't even left and were discussing returning.  

There is no potable water on site.  That would be my only complaint.  There is…

Month of VisitJuly

Location

Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground is located in Illinois

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Harrisburg: Take Highway 145 south 5 miles, to Highway 34, then take 34 south for 10 miles. Then turn east onto Karbers Ridge Road 2.5 miles to Forest Road. Turn north. Drive 1.5 miles to the recreation area entrance road. Parking: Observation Trail has two large parking lots. Overnight parking is allowed at Backpacker's Parking Lot in the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area and at Hitching Post Trailhead along Gape Hollow Road on the west side of Garden of the Gods Wilderness. No overnight parking is allowed in picnic area or Observation Trail parking lots.

Coordinates

37.60233729408974 N
88.37947168590664 W

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