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Established Camping

Dixon Springs State Park Campground

Dixon Springs State Park Campground, near Golconda, Illinois, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a mix of amenities and natural beauty. The campground offers a variety of sites for tents, RVs, and even cabins, making it accessible for different camping styles.

One of the highlights is the nearby swimming pool, which is a hit with families, although it does come with a small entrance fee. Campers appreciate the shaded sites, fire pits, and picnic tables that create a cozy atmosphere for gatherings. As one visitor noted, “This is a very clean, well-maintained campground,” which speaks to the care taken in maintaining the facilities.

For those eager to explore, the campground is close to several hiking trails, including the scenic Trail of Tears. Visitors have enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, with plenty of trees providing privacy between sites. Just keep in mind that some sites can be a bit sloped, so it’s wise to check your spot before settling in.

While the campground has its quirks, like pit toilets and limited water access, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. Whether you're here for a quick weekend or a longer stay, Dixon Springs offers a chance to unwind and connect with nature.

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Location

Dixon Springs State Park Campground is located in Illinois

Detail location of campground

Directions

Located in Pope County, just 30 miles south of Harrisburg, IL, or 20 miles north of Paducah, Ky. To reach Dixon Springs State Park from I-24 traveling East, take exit #16 to Rt. 146. At the stop sign turn left and the park is 13 miles on the left. If you are traveling West on I-24 you take exit #16 to Rt. 146. At the stop sign turn right and the park entrance is 13 miles on the left. The park entrance sign is across from the Chocolate Factory. Dixon Springs State Park is 1 mile east of Rt. 145.

Coordinates

37.38300069 N
88.66600082 W

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Access

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

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2022

Solidly okay

Very few other campers, campground was empty, no attendants. Pit toilets with no hand washing station or showers and no water hook ups. There is water at the entrance to fill up, however. There were electric hook ups and dump station. A few trails surrounding the campsite and a fun pool with a slide attached to the campground with an entrance fee of $6. Besides the pool none of the facilities were great and the site just had a weird vibe. You can shower at the pool— but those showers are truly, not good. Close to garden of the gods—which is why we went. And it honestly wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either.

Lots of ticks (pulled some off every day) and fireflies.

Site9
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Amy & Stu B., June 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Amy & Stu B., June 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Amy & Stu B., June 12, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Feb. 6, 2022

Nice campground with plenty to see

We had a very nice time and this campground and wish we could have stayed a few more nights to see more of it. There was a couple nice playgrounds for the kids to play on and plenty to walk around and see.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Michael V., February 6, 2022
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Michael V., February 6, 2022
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Michael V., February 6, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

Needs a bathhouse !

Liked the state park and it’s beauty a lot. Pool was closed on Labor Day weekend???Pretty wooded campground on the side of a hill has a lot of shade but most sites are not level for larger RVs. Our reserved site #6 was so sloped for our 24’ C class that we had to give up on it and move to a vacant more level spot. The pit toilets leave a lot to be desired and the lack of showers on site is reprehensible. The campers deserve better from this camping

Site12
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Muffy Clark G., September 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Muffy Clark G., September 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Muffy Clark G., September 5, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2021

Clean, Fun, and Lots of Features

We were a bit nervous about this campground when reading reviews and seeing the location (there is an Impact Incarceration Program that shares the border), but I'm glad we found it. We booked this spot a few weeks in advance for Memorial Day weekend, and honestly we only booked it because it was the only campground left that seemed somewhat acceptable out of campgrounds that accept reservations. I'm glad we did. The location is amazing, it didn't seem as crowded as other campgrounds in Shawnee National Forest, it was well maintained, and had lots of features that range from hiking trails to a swimming pool (and pretty confident a basketball court as well). Even though we did not take advantage of these features, the campsite itself was wonderful. It was exactly what we wanted - a little pine forest to sleep in and get away from the city and take it easy for the weekend. There were lots of kids and other people as expected for the holiday weekend, but that did not interfere with our stay. The campsites are very compacted, but it still feels very personal and private due to all the tree cover and bushes. Additionally, there are bathrooms onsite that are pretty clean, but expect lots of mosquitos on them. Finally, Golconda is only 10 miles away and has a grocery store that was stocked with essentials we forgot and a gas station to fill up. 

Here are some of the negatives: LOTS of poison ivy and ticks. Luckily, we expected this and came prepared with tweezers, tick remover, insect repellant, and poison ivy wipes. I gave my dog tick medicine two days prior to our departure, and the tweezers and tick remover came in handy since I was bit despite the ample amounts of insect repellant. The poison ivy is EVERYWHERE. Anywhere you see trees and bushes, there will be poison ivy. It was definitely nerve wracking putting up the hammock and unfortunately did not get to cuddle our dog at all since we were nervous of the possible oils on his fur. Also, their system for reservation is flawed - when we arrived the campsite we booked had a family already all settled in, and luckily we were able to find another available campsite otherwise we'd need to talk to the superintendent and kick that family out in order to get settled in. I would have been incredibly disgruntled if this ended up happening, but luckily the campsite we ended up having was better than the one we originally booked. Could have gone either way though. Finally, cars aren't allowed next to the campsite. We initially parked next to it and the superintendent asked us to move it to the parking lot. Makes it a hassle and is a bit of a bummer, but it was fine.

Site8
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Marta S., June 11, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2020

Beautiful family friendly campground

Beautiful campground with plenty of room between sites. Most are shaded with rings or fire pits. Great family friendly place. Trails and roads maintained well. Tip: know where your spot is prior to entering campground, it makes it easier to find and navigate.

  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Bridget C., October 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Bridget C., October 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Bridget C., October 4, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2020

Fun times

We enjoyed our stay at Dixon Springs. We were the only campers in our loop for the entire stay. This is a very clean, well maintained campground, the hosts were very friendly and helpful.

  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Joel H., October 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Joel H., October 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Joel H., October 1, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2020

Nice little area for family fun time

We have a smaller travel trailer and it fit just fine, but the sites are on the smaller side. There were plenty of trees for hanging out hammocks, and lots of grassy areas for the kids to run around. We hiked the trail and it took us about 2 hours total. They were very well maintained. The bathrooms were out toilets, but they were immaculately cleaned! They also offer free firewood for campers, which was such a treat! We have already scheduled our next visit for next weekend. Also, there is a work camp next door, but we didn’t see or hear anyone. Staff drove by a few times delivering park maps and answering questions. Oh and we saw a baby fox, and enjoyed the chocolate factory fight across the street. :)

  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Chelsea D., June 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Chelsea D., June 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Chelsea D., June 16, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 30, 2020

Small sites

We have a 29 foot camper: the sites and roads are snug for it. At site 6 it goes downhill so it is difficult to get your camper level. Water available at dump station but not consumable. The area is very beautiful and quiet. Perfect for those with smaller campers. Electric available at site.

  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Jessica R., May 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Jessica R., May 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Jessica R., May 30, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2018

Go to Lake Glendale instead!

There is a minimum security correctional facility on the property. A boot camp. You will hear them from your campsite - it’s about it 300’ away from he campsites just on the other side of the woods.

There are no hosts nor is there a DNR officer who is on site. We were told he stops by every other week.

Other than that the park is clean and empty.

Reviewed Jul. 12, 2018

Good natural features and swimming pool

Electrical hookup available few sites only seen 2 or 3 sites that had water available. Quiet site with general facilities. Toilets in campground are vault type. RV tank dump site does not have running water site. Park staff states updates and budget minimal at this time. Still a very nice time and felt like a our own personal camp site.

Site31
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2018

That’s all folks

Dixon Springs State Park is within Shawnee National Forest near Golconda, Il. This park has some unique features. 

It sits on a block of rock along a fault line. Directly accessible from the parking lot is a waterfall and covered spring. Plus huge rocks to wander through. The pool is in the same area. Ghost Dance Canyon Trail is .7 miles long and an interesting, picture worthy hike. 

Up the hill you will find the campgrounds.The RV campground is very open , you do have more space if you pick an outer site. Past some historical buildings you will find the primitive area parking lot. Hike in and pick your site. Some of those sites aren’t far from the parking area, others are further in the woods. 

This is a nice basic camping area, but I wouldn’t choose to stay here for longer then a night/weekend, my opinion. If you have young children or just want to relax at the camper and pool it’s quiet and slow paced. We overnighted and got on the road home.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Shelly S., June 25, 2018
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Shelly S., June 25, 2018
  • Review photo of Dixon Springs State Park Campground by Shelly S., June 25, 2018
  • (11) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Dixon Springs State Park Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Dixon Springs State Park Campground has 50 amp electric hookups and water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Dixon Springs State Park Campground?

    Dixon Springs State Park Campground allows vehicles up to 50 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Dixon Springs State Park Campground?

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

  • Is there cell phone reception at Dixon Springs State Park Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is poor.