98% (82) • 17 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Marion
Tall Tree Lake
1. Tall Tree Lake
98%
(48)
48mi from Marion · 62 sites · Tents, RVs
We are a 220 acre family owned and operated campground in the middle of the Shawnee National forest. We love providing a safe, beautiful, peaceful, and central location for people to enjoy our beautiful area. Fishing and hiking are welcomed for all of our guests! Located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. Close proximity to Ferne Clyffe State Park, Tunnel Hill Bike Trail, and only a 10 minute drive from I-24.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$20
/ night
Red Gate Farm, LLC
2. Red Gate Farm, LLC
92%
(12)
47mi from Marion · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging
Welcome to Red Gate Farm, LLC, a farm with a vision! We previously ran a very successful Hipcamp site at our previous property, but completely relocated and are starting fresh! We purchased 50 acres of GORGEOUS timbered property, with rolling forested hills, several creeks, trees towering over 100 feet tall, and abundant wildlife. It's absolutely perfect for Hipcamp!
Building a new farm (and Hipcamp program) from scratch takes time--years even, but we decided now is as a good a time as any to share our beautiful timber with Hipcampers looking for some peace and privacy. While the site itself will be groomed and set up as listed, the surrounding grass won't be perfectly green yet, there will still be a lot of dead-wood and natural debris around the sites, and trails are a bit rough and uneven. If you can overlook the "rustic" aspects though, and enjoy the beauty of the peace and quiet of just enjoying nature, as it has sat unmanaged for roughly 50 years around the sites, then you are likely to love every moment!
If you desire more adventure than just hanging around and enjoying nature, be sure to check out the additional experiences we offer here on the farm, as well as the entire surrounding area. Southern IL is made up of the Shawnee National Forest and multiple state parks and recreational areas. You can find a wide variety of activities to keep you busy! Even the local towns have much to offer, whether you enjoy fine dining, casual restaurants, antique shopping, or a nice theater production.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$25
/ night
Deaf Barefoot Melange Farm
3. Deaf Barefoot Melange Farm
99%
(35)
42mi from Marion · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Off the Historic Goshen Trail that runs from mid-Illinois thru here to Alton, IL which is close to St.Louis, MO. Oldest house on the trail. 1922 farmhouse but homestead older than that.
Learn more about this land:
Tent or small camper welcome. Peaceful, farm work around you, fresh eggs available and friendly farmers. Firewood can be found in piles around the farm. Very quiet, wildlife crossings and lots of berries to pick.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$30
/ night
Shawnee National Forest
4. Shawnee National Forest
94%
(27)
172 sites · Elizabethtown, Illinois
Welcome to the wilderness in Illinois’ only national forest.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Dixon Springs State Park
5. Dixon Springs State Park
100%
(1)
23 sites · Simpson, Illinois
Rock your wilderness exploration at this geology-rich state park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Ferne Clyffe State Park
6. Ferne Clyffe State Park
100%
(1)
84 sites · Goreville, Illinois
There's secret treasure to be found here in the Land of Lincoln.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
98% (82) • 17 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Marion
Tall Tree Lake
1. Tall Tree Lake
98%
(48)
48mi from Marion · 62 sites · Tents, RVs
We are a 220 acre family owned and operated campground in the middle of the Shawnee National forest. We love providing a safe, beautiful, peaceful, and central location for people to enjoy our beautiful area. Fishing and hiking are welcomed for all of our guests! Located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. Close proximity to Ferne Clyffe State Park, Tunnel Hill Bike Trail, and only a 10 minute drive from I-24.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$20
/ night
Red Gate Farm, LLC
2. Red Gate Farm, LLC
92%
(12)
47mi from Marion · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging
Welcome to Red Gate Farm, LLC, a farm with a vision! We previously ran a very successful Hipcamp site at our previous property, but completely relocated and are starting fresh! We purchased 50 acres of GORGEOUS timbered property, with rolling forested hills, several creeks, trees towering over 100 feet tall, and abundant wildlife. It's absolutely perfect for Hipcamp!
Building a new farm (and Hipcamp program) from scratch takes time--years even, but we decided now is as a good a time as any to share our beautiful timber with Hipcampers looking for some peace and privacy. While the site itself will be groomed and set up as listed, the surrounding grass won't be perfectly green yet, there will still be a lot of dead-wood and natural debris around the sites, and trails are a bit rough and uneven. If you can overlook the "rustic" aspects though, and enjoy the beauty of the peace and quiet of just enjoying nature, as it has sat unmanaged for roughly 50 years around the sites, then you are likely to love every moment!
If you desire more adventure than just hanging around and enjoying nature, be sure to check out the additional experiences we offer here on the farm, as well as the entire surrounding area. Southern IL is made up of the Shawnee National Forest and multiple state parks and recreational areas. You can find a wide variety of activities to keep you busy! Even the local towns have much to offer, whether you enjoy fine dining, casual restaurants, antique shopping, or a nice theater production.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$25
/ night
Deaf Barefoot Melange Farm
3. Deaf Barefoot Melange Farm
99%
(35)
42mi from Marion · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Off the Historic Goshen Trail that runs from mid-Illinois thru here to Alton, IL which is close to St.Louis, MO. Oldest house on the trail. 1922 farmhouse but homestead older than that.
Learn more about this land:
Tent or small camper welcome. Peaceful, farm work around you, fresh eggs available and friendly farmers. Firewood can be found in piles around the farm. Very quiet, wildlife crossings and lots of berries to pick.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$30
/ night
Shawnee National Forest
4. Shawnee National Forest
94%
(27)
172 sites · Elizabethtown, Illinois
Welcome to the wilderness in Illinois’ only national forest.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Dixon Springs State Park
5. Dixon Springs State Park
100%
(1)
23 sites · Simpson, Illinois
Rock your wilderness exploration at this geology-rich state park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Ferne Clyffe State Park
6. Ferne Clyffe State Park
100%
(1)
84 sites · Goreville, Illinois
There's secret treasure to be found here in the Land of Lincoln.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Scott
October 2025
Tent
Tent camping here is great. The folks I met were all very friendly and helpful. The place is an operational farm with chickens, geese, horses and lots of cats. Directions were clear and straight forward. You are very close to the small town of Eldorado Illinois and they have a great pizza place, mimmos and the Mexican restaurant in town I was told is very good. Very unique experience camping on active farm. Enjoyed it very much.
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K
Kristen
August 2025
40 ft Class B
With pets
This quiet site was perfect for our family trip. We loved the sunsets on the lake and hanging out by the fire. Highly recommend!
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J
Jerry
June 2025
16 ft pop-up camper
It was a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.
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Justin
June 2025
26 ft Class C
With pets
Tall Tree Lake worked perfectly as a base camp for our weekend exploring the local state parks. Aside from two other RVs, who we only saw one night, we had the place to ourselves. We never saw or spoke to the host, but that could have been because we left early each morning, and stayed gone until evening. We did leave a message at the number provided when we first arrived & never received a call back, but prior to booking, my questions were answered via the app almost immediately. We were unsure if there were any requirements on how & where to park, but with no call back we just did what worked. For those curious, there was potable water as well as a dump station available on site near the barn, neither of which (I don't believe) were shown on the Hipcamp listing. There are also bathrooms and showers in the barn, that while usable, made me glad we had our own in our motorhome. The access road leading to the sites was packed gravel, and we had no issues in our Class C. I was glad, however, that we didn't have the sites further back, as like many of the local access roads in the area, it has suffered a bit of washout lately and might have made for an interesting ride. All told, if we plan a trip to the area in the future, we are likely to look this place up. Once again, its central location and private setting made for a perfect base camp for our weekend getaway.
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