Turkey Ridge Campground, near Goreville, Illinois, is a solid choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. Tucked away in Ferne Clyffe State Park, this spot offers a peaceful environment with plenty of trees providing shade and privacy between sites.

The campground features basic amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, making it easy to settle in and enjoy your stay. Many visitors have praised the hiking trails, noting that the park boasts some of the best trails around, with stunning views of bluffs and waterfalls. One camper mentioned, “This park has more and better trails than anywhere I’ve ever been!”

For those who enjoy stargazing, the clear night skies here are a real treat. Reviewers have highlighted the tranquility of the area, especially during the off-peak months when it’s quieter. Just keep in mind that the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis after November 1, so plan accordingly if you're visiting during that time.

While the facilities are basic, the natural beauty and the chance to connect with nature make Turkey Ridge a worthwhile destination. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, this campground offers a great base for outdoor adventures.

Turkey Ridge is for campers who want a serene outdoor experience. It is a Class C walk-in campground that includes camp pads, picnic tables, cooking grills and showers. Drinking water and toilets are located near the parking lots.

Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

Are you in need of a campground near Goreville, IL? Goreville is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Goreville

The Best Camping Near Goreville, Illinois

Nope, but there is some amazing views not far from your campsite thanks to an amazing drop off. The views of the tree tops in the fall are quite pretty. There's a lot to hike around here with sings detailing different trails in the area. You can even venture down into the valley below. Lots of cool things to climb. It's really a choose your own adventure kid of hike and it's all physically manageable. 
Sites themselves are well maintained and the grounds are very large. Sites have fire pits. 

Mountains in Illinois?

Peaceful place, love hicking, waterfall, family goes her every year.

Very nice

Really, this state park is a must for anyone who lives nearby or is driving through. It's just that gorgeous! The campground is wonderful! There are lots of well maintained trails to hike... hikes that include bluffs, caves, creeks, etc. Our favorite is 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. We will be back again next year. One of our favorites!

So much to do here!

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 “.  There was a ton of wildlife though and it was really neat to listen to all the different species throughout the night.  Overall the grounds are quite nice.  

Great Hiking

My brother and I camped here in September on a weekday. We were the only tent campers, so it was nice and peaceful. The sites are large and include a cooking grate. 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. A large portion of it is an equestrian trail, so the path was very wide. The veiws on the trail were amazing.

[Click here for my video](https://youtu.be/SEzCCGsfLro).

[Click here for my write up](https://www.lost13.com/camping/2017/10/21/tent-camp-ferne-clyffe-september-2017).

Spacious, great trails, and even better views.

On arrival, the electric wouldn’t work. Apparently a breaker was involved. Camp host fixed it. We stayed 3 nights and it was awesome. 

Soo nice

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. We stayed for 1 night at the Turkey Ridge, so we stayed closer to the parking. Was only 1 other group camping on a Wednesday. There are “out houses” close by. Although they were pretty bad my buddy said “storm of flies came shooting out the hole like a tornado.” So I do agree they deserve some slight repercussion for the lack of cleanliness. All and all a great area to camp. A great hidden gem! 

Good spot deserves 4 1/2 stars  

This place is really great. Hiking and camping get an a+

Fern cliff

There were several hiking trails that looked pretty, but we didn't get a chance to walk them. Overall, this is a nice and quiet campground. We would definitely stay again. We camped at Ferne Clyffe State Park in a Motorhome.

Amazing

We loved that the campsites are well-separated by a lot of shady trees. 


Shady and space for privacy

The experience didn’t start out well because the coordinates and map directions from this website were absolutely wrong. They let us to a subdivision about 17 miles away. But then when we finally did make our way to the campground the sites were on top of each other. Not possible to open your awning without touching the rig next to yours. Also appears as though people live there as they had Halloween decorations and LED lights strung up in the trees. Ended up having to drive another 20 miles to find a spot that was suitable.￼

Completely Packed 

Stayed here 3 nights in travel trailer.  Water available to fill your holding tank and in. Couple of locations in campground.  #35 is a nice location. Large yard and not super close to other campers. #53 is smaller but very private.  Camped end of April and park was full.  Very nice hiking trails with waterfalls and beautiful bluffs.  Rebman trail is good for anyone including little kids.  

#35 Large yard 

I spent a week working remotely and camping here in ADA spot #58. 

This park has more and better trails than anywhere I’ve ever been! 

The campground is basic—there’s an honor box if you don’t pay online. Even staying for a 
week I never interacted with a ranger or manager. 

There are a couple campgrounds. Equestrian, group, primitive, and Deer Ridge which has two halves—one non reserved which was only 20% on the weekend.  The reserved part is practically on the trails. 

Bathhouses were gross and a raccoon lives in the dumpster. 

The trails include everything — bluffs from above and below, a huge cave, and several falls. 



Amazing trails

We do most of our RV travel in the early spring and late fall.  Ferne Clyffe does not take reservations after November 1, so its first come first served.  Payment is deposited in a kiosk near the black water dump site.  This was not well explained on the signage or websites, but, at least in mid-November, there were enough experienced campers around to explain things. 

Otherwise, Ferne Clyffe is gorgeous. Great for star-gazing. Lots of mature oak and sycamore trees that I'm sure provide nice shade in summer.  In mid-November, there's lots of deer hunters, which means it gets quiet early in the evening.  Spaces are of moderate size on the interior, and are more spread out on the perimteter.

Quiet in November

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.
NORTH LOOP SITES 24 - 59 Reservable at https://camp.exploremoreil.com/
Some 50 amp sites (4, 6, 18, 32, 36, 38, 47, 48) rest have 30 amp.  See map in photos. WATER potable at Dump Station also 5 hydrants scattered amongst camp sites.
TENT and Equestrian camps take road to the south west of lake.


Photos of Turkey Ridge Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

Real photos from real campers