Free Camping Collection
Established Camping
Bean Ridge Pond Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Shawnee National Forest
Location
Bean Ridge Pond Campground is located in Illinois
Coordinates
37.249818 N
89.3778945 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Free, primitive campground, loud partiers
Got here on a Saturday night in late September and both of the campsites were available. Campsites consist of a clearing with a fire pit and a picnic table. No litter. No toilets. Very slow and spotty AT&T service: I was able to text but not access the Internet. The area is very pretty. Soft ground for staking a tent. Bugs were alright, no need for bug spray. There’s water access at the pond, but it’s obviously stagnant and very brackish. Big downside was a convoy of Jeeps full of partiers rolled down to the pond at 12:30am and hung out down there blasting music for an hour, which is a real sleep ruiner. This might be a local party spot, so be aware and maybe pack earplugs if you’re coming on a weekend. Upside is that it’s in a National Forest, so if both sites are taken, you can always dispersed camp
Solitude
Small little pond with 2 primitive campsites. It's very quiet and peaceful. Some signs of litter, but mostly clean. Saw a few deer during my stay. No facilities, pack in-pack out. 1/2 mile gravel road leads to sites. Should be accessible by cars, vans, and small motorhomes/trailers.