Southern Illinois Camping Guide
Campers visiting Southern Illinois are thrilled to find an incredible range of recreational opportunities, as well as beautiful scenery, magnificent vistas, woodlands and wildlife. A camping vacation in Southern Illinois offers many fun things to do at only minimal cost.
Ranking among America’s top spots for outdoor adventure activities, Southern Illinois abounds with world class RV and tent camping experiences. Many camping areas are located in the lovely area of the Shawnee National Forest. Some campgrounds have access to trails for horses, hiking, or biking. Others provide lakeside campsites with fishing, swimming, and boating. Numerous hunting/camping adventures are available, featuring deer, turkey, and small game. Or simply find much needed rest and relaxation at a Southern Illinois campground.
The following campgrounds offer a variety of services for campers in Southern Illinois:
34 Ranch Campground
www.34ranch.com
Rt. 34, Herod
(618) 264-2141
200 modern horse camp sites, electric, water, showers, restrooms.
Arrowhead Lake Campground
1600 Peterson Ave, Johnston City
(618) 983-3535
Over 50 sites, electric hookups, dump station, year-round camping and fishing. 30 acre lake, showers and concessions, and general store.
Austin Acres Kamp Outback
Tower Rock Road, Elizabethtown
(618) 287-7454
Shaded primitive and RV camping, horses welcome, riding and hiking trails. Dump station, water, electricity, bath houses. Extended stays welcome.
Barnhill Campground
Exit #110 off I-64 near Fairfield
(618) 847-4502
74 sites, full and partial hookups, 30 amp service, pull-throughs, extended stays, tent camping, lake on grounds, bank fishing, picnic shelter, playground, mini-mart, gas, café, summer flea markets, game room, camp open March – October.
Bay Creek Ranch
www.baycreekranch.com
Rt 145
(618) 695-2670
Horseman’s camp. Also hikers, hunters welcome. Full service RV and tent sites, wooded. Laundromat. 1 mile north of Glendale off Rt. 145. Open year round.
Beall Woods State Park
9285 Beall Woods Ave., Mt. Carmel
(618) 298-2442
16 Primitive class C sites, (vehicular access or walk -in with nearby shower access), Tents. Restrooms, playground, fishing.
Bear Branch Campground
www.bearbranch.com
Eddyville, Rt. 145
(618) 672-4249
80 full service campsites with horse lodging facilities and trails. Restaurant. Laundry. Hunters welcome.
Bell Smith Springs Rec. Area
Red Bud & Teal Pond Camps
(618) 658-2111
Red Bud Campground has 21 units with drinking water and restrooms. Teal Pond has 10 units with drinking water, restrooms and fishing.
Benton KOA Campground
www.koa.com
1500 N. DuQuoin, Benton
(618) 439-4860
Extra long pull-throughs, full service and grassy tent sites. Near Rend Lake, pool, store, tourist info. Open March 1 – November 30.
Benton Best Holiday Trav-L-Park
12997 State Hwy 37, Whittington
(618) 435-3401
137 shaded sites, showers, pool, game room, store, laundry, supplies, full service.
Broken Wheel Ranch
Alto Pass
(618) 893-4600
Horse camping, RV sites, no tents. Showers and restrooms, fishing, hunting, hikers.
Brush Creek Campground
Xenia
(618) 835-4415
24 trailer hookups. RV’s and tents. Grills, dump station, showers, restrooms, grills, playground.
Burrell Woods Park/Campground
Exit 130 off I-64, 6th & Stewart, Carmi
(618) 382-2693
30 sites. RV facilities. Dump station, showers.
Camp Cadiz
Off Hwy 1, east of Karbers Ridge
(618) 287-2201
Primitive camp, 11 units, horse riders, River to River Trail access.
Cave-In-Rock State Park
Off Hwy 1, Cave-In-Rock
618-289-4325
34 class A sites with power, 25 class B tent sites, handicap accessible, grills, dump station, showers, restrooms, fishing, boating, hiking and cave attraction, restaurant.
Cedar Lake Ranch
2090 Gilead Church Rd., Vienna
(618) 289-4325
Horse riding, hunting, bikers, convenience store, over 200 campsites with water and electric, shower house. 3 miles to Tunnel Hill Bicycle Trail.
Charlie Brown Park
Rt. 5- West, Flora
(618) 662-8202
125 sites. Full service available for RV’s. Tent camping. Grills, dump station, showers, restrooms. Playground. Fishing.
Cherokee Crossing Campground
Thebes, (618)747-9262
Circle B. Ranch
Rt. 145, Eddyville
(618) 672-4748
13 wooded RV campsites with full service. Horse camp. Restrooms, recreation building, laundry. Open April through November. Reservations required.
Coy & Wilma’s Onestop
14405 N. Rend City Rd, Sesser
(618) 625-2101
Near Rend Lake, full service supply store and campground, 50+ hookups with water, shower house, laundry, fishing.
Crab Orchard Campground
Hwy 13 near Carterville
(618) 985-4983
Full Service sites for Rv’s, motor homes, tents, hot showers, flush toilets, country store, waterfront sites. Monthly rates, open all year.
Deer Run Campground
Bay City Rd, Golconda
(618) 683-841
22 Full service sites, shower house. Open year round. Near full service marina, Smithland Pool and Ohio River fishing.
Devil’s Backbone Campground
Grand Tower
(618) 684-6192
51 campsites with water and electric. On the Mississippi River.
Devil’s Kitchen Campground and Marina
South of Carbondale
(618) 457-5004
Camping from February 25 to December 10 by day or week. Some electrical hookups. Boat dock, boat rentals. Concessions and supplies. RV’s available for rent.
Dixon Springs State Park
Hwy 146, east of Golconda
(618) 949-3394
Class B (electricity and vehicular access), trailer camping with dumping station and electricity, primitive tent camping sites, group camping area available, outdoor pool, trails, (Chocolate Factory nearby).
Double M Campground
5320 Thacker Hollow Rd., Junction
(618) 275-4433
100 campsites for horse riders, trails in Shawnee National Forest, restaurant, RV pads, full hook ups or primitive camping, shower house, groups welcome, one mile to Pounds Hollow Lake for swimming, fishing, boating.
DuQuoin State Fairgrounds
www.state.il.us/dq/camp
655 Ex. Dr., Hwy 51 DuQuoin
(618) 542-1515
300+ full service sites electric, water bath houses and dump stations. Primitive camping available.
Egyptian Hills – Lake of Egypt
Southeast of Marion
(618)996-3449
Full service campground on lake, 65 units, dump station and shower facilities, marina, store.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
Hwy 37, south of Goreville
(618) 995-2411
Several camp grounds: Deer Ridge class A trailer camping (showers, electricity and vehicular access); Turkey Ridge class C, walk-in campground includes grills, and showers and restrooms nearby; Youth groups class D facility, (tent camping or primitive sites) with grills, tables, drinking water and toilets; backpack & horse camps (class C – vehicular access or walk-in with nearby shower access); 2430 acre park with unique rock formations and beautiful trails, 16-acre lake for bank fishing.
Ft. Defiance State Park
Cairo off Rt. 51
(618) 734-4127
31 campsites at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Historic sites and markers.
Ft. Massac Campground
1308 E. 5th St., Metropolis
(618) 524-4712
50 class A, RV camping sites, (showers, electricity and vehicular access), disposal station and, tent camping and separate group camping. 2 class A sites handicapped accessible. Located along the Ohio River, boating and fishing permitted, hiking trails. Historical Ft. Massac replica and museum, weekend events.
Four Seasons Campground
721 E. Carroll St., Herrin
(618) 942-2069
20+ sites, 10 full hookup, water, electric, sewer, shower house, laundry, across from Herrin Park. Weekly, monthly, and senior rates; lake. Open year round.
Garden Inn RV Campground
Hwy 3 & 51, Cairo (618) 734-9554
Giant City State Park
Makanda (618) 457-4836
Class A, (showers, electricity and vehicular access) class C, (vehicular access or walk-in with nearby shower access) youth and group camping. RV’s and tents; class A horse camp, lodge, restaurant, riding stables, 4,055 acre park.
Goodbread’s Lost Acres
Olive Branch
(618) 776-5116
2 RV full service units, on Horseshoe Lake, boats for rent.
Grand Chain Lodge & Campground
www.grandchainlodge.com
Hwy 37 Tick Ridge Rd., Grand Chain
(618) 634-9411
25 pads, bathhouse, lodge with restaurant and 4 rooms, on the Ohio River
Grapevine Trail Campground
McClure / Tamms
(618) 833-8576
18 units with drinking water, restrooms, tent and RV camping. Open all year.
Grayville Hilltop Campground
off I-64, 122 Court St., Grayville
(618) 375-3671
25 camp sites. Tent and RV facilities. Dump station, showers, restrooms, grills. Fishing nearby, playground.
Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area
8 miles southeast of McLeansboro off Rt. 14
(618) 773-4340
Tent and trailer sites with electric and dump station. Class B/E, (electricity and vehicular access) & D, (tent camping or primitive sites) & Youth camping, restaurant, fishing, hunting, 76 acre lake.
Hayes Canyon Campground
www.hayescanyon.com
Eddyville
(618) 672-4751
125 shady, Full service sites. Clean restrooms and showers. Open all year. Horses, riders and hunters
High Knob Ranch
Equality
(618) 275-4494
Campground water and electric service, catering to horse riders. Shower house, dump station., camp store. Shawnee National Forest trails.
Hill Top Campground
Goreville, exit 40 off I-57,
(618) 995-2189
34 full service sites, shade. Store, gas, restrooms, playground, pavilion, hiking trail, tent sites available.
Horseshoe Bend Campground
Ohio River 2 miles west of Rosiclare
(618) 285-6953
28 full service sites for RV’s, tents, picnic tables, playground, shower house, boat launch and dock on Three mile Creek to Ohio River, on Smithland Pool, hiking trails, fishing. Open year-round, extended stays.
Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area
Miller City
(618) 776-5689
Several camping areas, class A, (showers, electricity and vehicular access) B/E, (electricity and vehicular access) D, (tent camping or primitive sites), and H (handicap access). Tent and trailer sites with water hydrants and pit toilets. Trailer sites include electric and dump station. West-side campground has showers.
Hutchins Creek Camping
550 Cabin lane; Alto Pass
(618) 893-2351
12 campsites with water, electric and dump station.
Johnson Creek Recreation Area
north of Kinkaid Lake off Hwy 3
(618) 687-1731
Campgrounds include 43 units with drinking water, restrooms and dump station; 20 group camping sites and 12 walk-in camp sites.
Kinkaid Lake Village Marina
Murphysboro
(618) 687-4914
Ed Bottom Memorial Campground, full service, RV’s and tent camping, showers and restroom facilities, restaurant, dock, dump station.
Kuhl’s Kozy Kampground
1023 #500 Ingraham (south of Newton Lake)
(618)752-5473
125 sites, full service RV hookups. Dump station, restrooms, playground.
Lake of Egypt Recreation Area
south of Marion
Buck Ridge Campground
(618) 658-2111
37 units, primitive; drinking water and restrooms.
Lake Glendale Recreation Area
Oak Point Camp, Glendale
(618) 287-2201
57 units, 31 full service sites, beach, concessions, and Bailey Place group camping – call for reservations.
Lake Murphysboro State Park
52 Cinder Hill Drive, Murphysboro
(618) 684-2867
“Big Oak” campground. Class A, (showers, electricity and vehicular access) B/S, youth, concessions, fishing. 54 Class A trailer sites with dump station, 20 tent sites, open all year.
Lakeside RV Park & Bait Shop
Olney
(618) 393-4352
60 camp sites, tent and RV facilities. Dump Station, showers, restrooms. Playground, fishing nearby.
LB’s Campground
5272 Peach Orchard Rd., Sesser
(618) 625-6250
April to Nov. 1st. 69 RV sites full service, (electric, sewer, and water), tent camping. Swimming pool. Dump station, restrooms, shower house, 3 miles to Rend Lake.. Playground. Propane. .
Little Grassy Lake Campground
Makanda
(618) 457-6655
Full service and primitive campground. Showers. Private beach. Boat dock and rentals, marina, supplies.
Little Lusk Trail Lodge
Rt. 1, Stonefort (Delwood)
(618) 672-4303
65 units, full and partial service, tents, shower house, handicapped facilities, Horse riders, beach, pond fishing, hiking. 12 miles south of Harrisburg on Rt 145.
Motel Marion Campground
2100 W. Main, Marion
(618) 993-2101
Limited number of overnight camping sites behind motel.
Melton’s Fishing Camp Cabins
East Side Dr., Horseshoe Lake, Olive Branch
(618) 776-5504
Odd Fellows Campground
Hwy 50 east, Clay City
(618) 689-3465
52 hook up sites, RV full service available. Tent camping. Dump station, showers, restrooms, playground. Fishing nearby.
Pharaoh Campground
at Garden of the Gods
(618) 287-2201
Primitive. 12 camping units with drinking water and restrooms.
Pine Hills Campground
off Hwy 3 near Wolf Lake
(618)687-1731
Tent and RV camping. 13 primitive units, restrooms (handicapped accessible).
Pounds Hollow Recreation Area
Pine Ridge Campground
(618) 658-2111
Pine Ridge campground, 76 primitive sites, drinking water, pit toilet restrooms, swimming beach, fishing, most facilities handicapped accessible.
Pyramid Acres Campground/Marina
Lake of Egypt, 12201 Marina Rd., Marion
(618)964-1184
Full service camping on north side of the lake, restaurant, store. Open all year.
Pyramid State Park
1562 Pyramid Park Rd., Pinckneyville
(618) 357-2574
3 class C camping areas, (vehicular access or walk-in with nearby shower access) class D hike-in sites, (tent camping or primitive sites), horse & youth camping, water and dump station available near the site office but no electrical hookups in camping areas, 19,000 acre park with numerous lakes and ponds.
Quality Times Inc. Campground
Rt. 15, Mt. Vernon
(618) 244-0399
42 sites, 38 full hookup and cable TV, all pull-through sites, level, shaded, dump station. Tent area, shower house, restrooms, handicapped accessible facilities, playground, laundry. Near Interstates 57 & 64. Open year round.
Rauchfuss Hill Campground
Hwy 146 north of Golconda
(618) 949-3394
Located north of the Golconda Marina on a large bluff overlooking the Ohio River. Offers camping, picnicking, and hiking. Nearby Smithland Pool is famous as one of the finest fishing and boating areas in the nation.
Red Hills State Park
off Hwy 50, Sumner
(618) 936-9076
More than 100 class A, (showers, electricity and vehicular access) primitive tent camping, handicapped sites available, rent-a-camp cabin, horse, & youth camping, restaurant, special events, winter sports, trails, fishing/boating, 950 acre park, 40 acre lake.
Rend Lake Campgrounds
Whittington, near I-57 and I-64
Rend Lake is the 2nd largest lake in Illinois (19,000 acres). It offers 5 campgrounds: Gun Creek (618) 629-2338; So. Marcum (618) 435-3549; North & South Sandusky (618) 625-6115; Wayne Fitzgerrell (618) 629-2320 -40 tent sites, 243 modern class A campsites full service w/ restaurants, weekend events, info. center, golf, shooting complex, artisans shop, stables, beaches, trails.
Rest In Peace Campground
McClure / Tamms
(618) 747-9344
Primitive sites as well as full hookups, shower house, dump station. In Shawnee National Forest.
Riverview Campground
Joppa Rd, Concord Lane, Grand Chain
(618) 634-2260
20 tent or RV spaces. Open April through October. Overlooking the Ohio River.
Saline County Fish/Wildlife Area
Glen O. Jones Rd. , Equality
(618) 276-4405
Tent and trailer camping with sanitary disposal but no electric or showers, 105 acre lake, fishing, hunting, store, hiking & horse trails.
Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area
off Rt. 161, Johnsonville
(618) 835-2292
2 class B campgrounds, (electricity and vehicular access) and sanitary dump station, primitive tent camping areas and group camping, some handicapped sites. 1300 acres of enjoyment – wildlife, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking or hunting, and 8.5 miles of horse riding trails..
Sherwood Camping Resort
Rt. 37, Ina
(618) 437-9009
Near Rend Lake, pull through sites, pond w/fishing, bathhouse, store
Tall Tree Lake Campground
Buncombe (618) 658-9179
lake w/ beach, 35 camping sites, Shawnee Forest
Thebes Landing Campground
Thebes
(618) 764 2658
Overnight camping, full hookups and free boat ramp. On the banks of the Mississippi River.
Tower Rock Campground/Picnic Area
off Hwy 146, Elizabethtown
(618)287-2201
25 camping units with drinking water and restrooms, boat launch, fishing, hiking.
Trail of Tears State Forest
Jonesboro
(618) 833-4910
No access for large RV’s. Class C, (vehicular access or walk-in with nearby shower access) D(backpack camping), primitive, each site has picnic table, grill or fire ring and nearby privy. Some rustic shelters. One youth group facility with shelter available by reservation. Horse riding & hiking trails.
Trail of Tears Lodge
www.trailoftears.com
Jonesboro
(618) 833-8697
Camping, recreational activities, food, trail rides. Open all year.
Turkey Bayou Campground
Off Hwy 3, Grand Tower
(618) 687-1731
17 primitive camping units, restrooms, fishing, boat launch.
Williams Hill Pass
www.williamshillpass.com
Southeast of Harrisburg
(618) 252-3978
20 primitive camping sites, bathrooms and showers. ATV’s, motor cycle trail riding.