Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- All campgrounds at Shawnee National Forest are available on a first-come, first-served basis—advance reservations are not possible.
- Smaller sites may fill up quickly over summer and holiday weekends, so plan an early Friday arrival if possible.
When to Go
Outdoor adventurers benefit from mild weather year-round in the Shawnee National Forest. Spring and fall are the most colorful times to explore, when trails bloom with wildflowers or shed a rainbow of fall foliage. Many hiking trails are accessible right through winter, but snowfall is possible in the coldest months, so dress accordingly. Camping is also possible year-round, although some campgrounds close from December through March.
Know Before You Go
- Shawnee National Forest is located in southernmost Illinois. Travel times depend on which part of the forest you’re traveling to, but most destinations are within a 2- or 2.5-hour drive of St. Louis.
- There is no admission fee to visit Shawnee National Forest, but camping fees may apply.
- Facilities include restrooms and picnic areas, but not much else—fill up on gas and pick up groceries from the nearest town before you enter the forest. Cell phone and GPS service is patchy throughout the forest.
- Accessible day-use areas, campsites, and restrooms are available at Shawnee National Forest.
Shawnee National Forest
Welcome to the wilderness in Illinois’ only national forest.
Rambling across more than a quarter-million acres and nine counties in southernmost Illinois, Shawnee National Forest has ancient woodlands, rocky bluffs, lakes, and caves, all hemmed in by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Choose from more than 403 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, discover the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the Garden of the Gods, go rock climbing at Jackson Falls, or enjoy fishing and canoeing along the lakes and creeks. Campers can choose from nine campgrounds, two of which provide electric hook-ups, as well as dispersed camping in several areas of the forest.
Rambling across more than a quarter-million acres and nine counties in southernmost Illinois, Shawnee National Forest has ancient woodlands, rocky bluffs, lakes, and caves, all hemmed in by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Choose from more than 403 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, discover the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the Garden of the Gods, go rock climbing at Jackson Falls, or enjoy fishing and canoeing along the lakes and creeks. Campers can choose from nine campgrounds, two of which provide electric hook-ups, as well as dispersed camping in several areas of the forest.
Activities in the park
8 campgrounds in Shawnee National Forest
Lake Glendale is smack-dab in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest, which means all of its plentiful amenities are equally-accessible. The usual list of great camping activities rings true here—boating, fishing, swimming, biking, and hiking are all nearby, and you can sleep really dang close to the shore of Lake Glendale. Bullseye!Read more...
Jackson Falls is one of the premier technical climbing destinations in Illinois, but even if you don't like hanging off the side of giant rocks, you'll definitely appreciate looking at them from below and camping among them. There are ample hiking opportunities created by all the topography in the area, so this is a great place if you're trying to Read more...
Bell Smith Springs 'rocks'! Known for its plethora of wacky rock formations and hidden springs and streams, it's the cliffs, canyons, and plants that combine to make the eight miles of trails here a lot better than that other Eight Mile in the state next door. Come on, feel the Illinoise!Read more...
This Garden of the Gods is right here in Illinois—no need to travel to Colorado!—but you'll be equally-awed by the wild rock formations that fill this recreation area and campground. You'll see the scenery everywhere you look, and if it piques your interest, there are plenty of explanatory plaques along the hiking trails that meander through this Read more...
The parallelism here is crazy—Camp Cadiz Campground built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Whatever your stance is on coincidences and conspiracy theories, the two chimneys and multiple foundations that remain make this a charming campground with a location that's as prime today as it was when it was built back in the day. There are probably mo Read more...
Pounds Hollow Lake was completed in the 1940's as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps' sweeping land improvement projects. This place has been popular ever since, with fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping consistently great for seventy years. The lake only allows small-motor and rowboats, so the breeze and lapping waves will never be interru Read more...
Camp on the beach where Johnson Creek meets Kincaid Lake. There's a boat ramp nearby and lots of hiking and biking in the area, but swimming is no longer allowed here, so look elsewhere unless you're trying to paddle out and fish without pesky bathers spookin' your catch. Read more...
We ain't bluffin'—the 150-foot tall limestone bluffs in Pine Hills Recreation Area were written about by Lewis and Clark on their way westward. They saw a lot of stuff, so the fact that they took the time to talk about these beauties says a lot. From the big bluffs to thick forests to prairies to wetlands, Pine Hills has some of everything. The an Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Outdoor adventurers benefit from mild weather year-round in the Shawnee National Forest. Spring and fall are the most colorful times to explore, when trails bloom with wildflowers or shed a rainbow of fall foliage. Many hiking trails are accessible right through winter, but snowfall is possible in the coldest months, so dress accordingly. Camping is also possible year-round, although some campgrounds close from December through March.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —