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Big River Outdoors Campground

80+ acres with over a mile of river frontage. Also a unique custom off road park on the property. Swimming, fishing, kayaking, and live music on weekends. Tent camping or RV/camper . Campers who need electric are allowed to bring a generator. We have limited electric as of now. We are located just 2-3 miles from 3 different gas stations but are also very secluded.

Cooking equipment

Hawks Bluff Campground

Escape the city! We have a very special property that nourishes the soul and provides space to roam and breathe fresh air. 

We have 460 acres to explore. A beautiful creek running through our property. We have cows, mules, goats, dogs and cats. We are on a bluff so if you are rock hunters you have come to the right place. We offer rock hunting. and we have extra buckets. We have the best Drusy (lots of colors), Crazy Lace Agate, Calcite, Chalcedony, Quartz, Chert, Barite, Bladed Barite, Iron Ores and more. Check us out on Facebook Hawks Bluff Farm Rocks and Drusy. We have firewood, ice, eggs, ground beef, propane exchange and new propane tanks available.

Ask us about our kayaking options! 

Teaching them young to slack line at our Between the Trees Festival

Water from springs on its way to Mill Creek

Perryville

Find & reserve the best family-friendly beach campsites near Perryville, Missouri. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

Discover the best family-friendly beach campgrounds near Perryville, Missouri

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Heron House Total Eclipse Camping

 2024 Total Eclipse Camping in the Path of Totality and Longest Duration

Four minutes and six seconds of totality!

Pitch your tent in the path of totality at the edge of Kinkaid Lake and the Shawnee Forest.  Campsites have shade and views of open skies for the eclipse.  Immerse yourself in the experience at the edge of a lake away from light pollution.  The entire eclipse will last over 2 hours, start to finish.

Additional attractions and amenities are detailed below.   We look forward to hosting you!

Heron House Campground is in the path of totality and just a few miles from the point of greatest duration.  This listing is for 1 of a handful of sites that can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Heron House is located a few miles northwest of Murphysboro at the edge of Kinkaid Lake and the Shawnee National Forest  in the Illinois Ozarks (away from city lights).  It is gorgeous country!

Here the skies are dark,  the laughs are belly-deep, the wildlife is boisterous, and deep breaths  of contentment live among the breezes in the bluffs.  

Heron House is a relaxing camping environment with friendly hosts.

$90 per camper per day, tents only.  Campsites are available April 6-April 11.  There will be numerous events taking place in the region.  3-night minimum.  Feel free to participate in all of them or simply kick back and enjoy the serenity of springtime at the edge of a lake in the Shawnee National Forest.

Campsites have shade trees and access to  uninhibited views (open skies for the eclipse).  The night skies are  stunning here.  Heron House also has a shaded porch that campers are  welcome to sit and enjoy a cold beverage on. :) Campsites  will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Attractions and Amenities: 

~Multiple gorgeous hiking trails—from easy to rigorous—and biking opportunities close by

~Owners/hosts on-site

~Walking distance to restaurant, bar, laundry (coin), showers, and convenience shop

~Kinkaid Lake Spillway is the area’s most beautiful “swimming hole” and can be accessed by car (6-min. drive) or boat

~Fishing docks and lake within walking distance  

~Beautiful lakeside and sunset strolls

~Scads of wineries and breweries in the area, including the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

~Parking on-site (one standard-size parking place per campsite)

~Award-winning restaurants nearby, including 17th Street Barbecue, three-time World Grand Champions

~Science and history museums (adult and kid-friendly)

~The area is a nature lover’s paradise, surrounded by national forest and state parks and stunning beauty.

Campers have access to shared, serviced toilet  facilities and hand-washing stations that meet county code. Laundry (coin) and shower facilities are located within walking distance.  Potable water, dumpster for trash, and a large, in-the-ground, shared campfire pit for campers to share.  Campers are very welcome to bring self-sustaining cooking/campfire  equipment as long as it is in a contained unit that is raised off of the  ground.  In other words, no fires or dig pits  on/in the ground.  Thanks!

A power-strip station is available for campers to  share to charge mobile phones, laptops, and tablets; these are the only  electronic devices that can be charged at the power station, so please  be sure to have adequate batteries or charging  equipment for other devices.  For the courtesy of others, gas-powered  generators are not permitted, and power is not available on-site for  electric generators.

Please note that each individual camper must sign a  release of liability (guardians sign for minors).  If  the release has not been signed before arrival, it must be signed upon arrival.  Please note that refunds will not be granted, including for refusal to sign the release on the part of any camper in the party.

Free coffee in the morning for early risers from 6  a.m. 'til it's gone—and free treats in the evening for after-supper  snackers ('til they're gone).   :)

We look forward to hosting your magnificent stay in Southernmost Illinois for the 2024 Total Eclipse!

Setting up the tent in the huge, beautiful backyard

Nature's harmony lives on the breath of night and day in these trees--coyotes, bobcats, frogs, foxes, owls, herons, coots, hawks, eagles, and the occasional panther. 

This is a happy place. Whatever heaven is, it's a little closer here. 

Lights are strung all throughout the trees in the backyard and create a magical ambiance at night

Delight yourself with a sunset tree swing!

The Shawnee National Forest puts on a color show in the fall. Heron House is surrounded by the Shawnee. This hike is a must. It will remain with you forever. 

Warm up or do some cooking at the large communal firepit

The drive to the Kinkaid spillway, a watering hole in the nearby area

The Kinkaid Spillway--a favorite local watering hole...just across the lake from Heron House

Pond Ridge Adventure

We have 50 acres located in Southern Illinois 4 miles south of Murphysboro connected to 100 acres of Shawnee National forest.We set up a small family primitive campground for our family to enjoy every evening we ride our utv over from our house and watch the wildlife there are deer turkeys bobcats and many other small animal.Learn more about this land:Mostly suitable for Rv with generators and self contained units

Monarch Hill Vineyard

Welcome to Monarch Hill! Tucked away in the hills of Ste. Genevieve County, we enjoy watching the sun rise and set over our secluded pastures and vineyards. 

Our hilltop sites offer an open area with fire rings and picnic tables, great for groups or social butterflies. These offer well water at the nearby barn for drinking and showering. 

The Seclusion sites are private escapes for those who want to immerse themselves in the sounds of nature. Take in the chirps of frogs, birds and crickets at these isolated sites. 

We offer a complimentary wood basket with every booking, and have additional fire-building supplies available. Be sure to check out our experiences to make the most of your stay, and don't forget to reserve a s'more kit!

*** April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse ***

We are excited to be located in the best viewing path for this year's total eclipse! We will be preparing additional sites as needed for this weekend, so if we are fully booked check back soon or message us to reserve a spot. More information to come as we approach the date.

View to the Southwest from campsites after summer bailing. 

Sunset over the horizon, taken from our campsite 

Cinco de Mayo Campground

Every morning that I wake up at Cinco I think how fortunate I am to have a place on this earth where I am excited to be. Whether it is sweaty-hot summertime or deep-freeze, snow-covered wintertime I treasure the moments sipping a cup of tea on the riverbank listening to the birds competing over food and mates...or to the ice breaking up with the morning heat. Starting the day this way can sure alleviate a lot of stress!   The tenants and guests that have stayed here make my favorite place on earth truly precious.  Sharing with others magnifies the experience.  Please give yourself the gift of staying here for a weekend.Learn more about this land:Sleep right on the banks of the river or in the clean level yard just a few feet away. Kayak or fish all day then enjoy a nice warm shower in our bathhouse.   You can freshen your gear in our new mini-laundromat. Bring quarters or download an Iphone app to start the laundry machines.  

Fredrock Waterfront Glampground

Fredrock is a small privately owned glampground on crystal clear 12mile Creek.

It is located about 15 minutes from the nearest town on 33 beautiful acres.

Enjoy one of the 7 themed stays or bring your own RV and stay in one of only 5 RV spots. 

It is just a few minutes walk to 12 Mile Creek which runs through the property.

Enjoy the beautiful bluffs, shut-ins, gravel river beds and crystal clear water. Swimming, hiking, stargazing, and horseshoes are all available at Fredrock!

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