The best camping near Ferne Clyffe State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Ferne Clyffe adventure.

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There's secret treasure to be found here in the Land of Lincoln.

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Community favorites near Ferne Clyffe State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Ferne Clyffe State Park

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Ferne Clyffe Campground

36 sites · RVs, Tents In Ferne Clyffe State Park

Equestrian Campground

1 site In Ferne Clyffe State Park

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Backpack Campground

12 sites In Ferne Clyffe State Park

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Deer Ridge Campground

23 sites · RVs, Tents In Ferne Clyffe State Park

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Turkey Ridge Campground

12 sites In Ferne Clyffe State Park

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Top-rated campgrounds near Ferne Clyffe State Park

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Wine Trail Wilderness

16 sites · RVs, Tents37 acres · Pomona, IL

The Shawnee National Forest surrounds us, accessible only by wandering roads, passing over creeks and alongside wineries. The trip is worth the beautiful drive, eventually arriving at "The Villa". Our home looks like an Italian villa, appropriately placed between two wineries in the middle of the Shawnee Forest. It is actually a straw-bale home with supplemental solar energy. Originally built as a Holistic Healing Center, we have converted it into a comfortable home with great vibes. We have converted an old grain bin into a "GrainZebo" just outside our home as a fun place to hang out with friends and family. We hope you enjoy the same relaxed feel we get while living out here in the woods, when you come visit. We will be happy to help you feel at home out here. We love sharing the Shawnee experience.

Booked 51 times

Tall Tree Lake

62 sites · RVs, Tents220 acres · Buncombe, IL

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.

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Big Muddy Brewing

37 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Murphysboro, IL

Big Muddy Brewing - Dead Center For 2024 Total Eclipse "The Great Gig In The Sky". Camping that week includes Free Shuttle Bus to Pond Ridge Adventure Campground (Eclipse Overflow Camping) plus local restaurants and attractions, Friday Night: Adlar Planetarium Presentations including Star Gazing , Music Saturday & Sunday By The Ivas John Band & The Monolithic Pink Floyd Night Show. Big Muddy's a production craft brewery and taproom offering over 25 beers on tap. Our taproom has beer tastings, pints and growlers as well as wine and craft spirits. We also have plenty of packaged beer to go. Our kitchen has Flatbread pizzas, Chicago dogs, Italian beef subs, Bavarian pretzels & more. Check our Facebook page for a schedule of events.

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Red Gate Farm, LLC

2 sites · Lodging, Tents50 acres · Creal Springs, IL

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.

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Barbara W.’s Land

26 sites · Tents25 acres · Tunnel Hill, IL

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Robyn M.’s Land

81 sites · RVs, Tents42 acres · Tamms, IL

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Ridge Camping Private

34 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents42 acres · Mill Creek, IL

You will hike to your private primitive destination. We ask that you please have an above ground firepit! Explore the property and enjoy a private stay!!!!!!!!!!! We're hosting a festival from April 4-9, so ticket prices have changed. Each site accommodates only two people during these dates. All other attendees must purchase tickets through our website: https://willowspringscampground.com/event/willow-springs-awakening-eclipse-festival/.

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Camp Ondessonk

9 sites · Tents983 acres · Ozark, IL

Operating since 1959, Camp Ondessonk is a non-profit youth camp on 983 acres of beautiful wooded property adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest. Guests have access to several miles of paved road for walking and cycling, 15 miles of on-site hiking and biking trails, and access to a huge network of public Shawnee National Forest trails including the River-to-River Trail. Our property is home to the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois, Cedar Falls, as well as rock bottom creeks, canyons, prairies, forests, and hills. Detailed trail maps of our property and the surrounding area are available. Guests are welcome to stroll the grounds, observe our horses grazing in the pastures, enjoy views of our lakes and forests, or relax by the campfire. Stop by the Camp Store at the Trading Post to purchase Ondessonk apparel, souvenirs, or essential items. To schedule a guided hike, boating, archery, or horseback riding program, or test yourself on our high challenge course or climbing wall, contact Ondessonk staff for program availability and more information. The Camp Kitchen can prepare certain meals for you; contact us for meal availability and more information.

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Ruff Neck Campsite

30 sites · TentsCarbondale , IL

Located in Southern Illinois, home to the Saluki. Ruff Neck Campsite offers a great location just 2 miles from Walker's Bluff, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (Shawnee Forest), and town amenities. The campsite is a great place to see the wildlife and if you are lucky, catch a glimps of the Bald Eagle 🦅Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent at the Ruff Neck Campsite. Located 2 miles from Walker's Bluff, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, and town with eateries.

Booked 49 times

Pond Ridge Adventure

50 sites · Tents50 acres · Murphysboro, IL

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

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Hidden Bluff Primitive Camp

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Grantsburg, IL

Perfect for Tent, Car or Backpack primitive camping, you can sleep under the stars, sit by the campfire, and view the beauty of nature on a gorgeous 5 acre woodland property located at the edge of the Shawnee National Forest. Nestled between Herron Pond, Cave Creek, Little Black Slough, and Mermet Swamps, Cache River State Nature Area, Ferne Cliff State Park, Sampsons Mountain, Lake Glendale, Little Grand Canyon, Dixon Springs State Park, Jackson Falls, Tunnel Hill State Trail, Dutchman Lake, Garden of the Gods, Burden Falls, Lake of Egypt, Giant City State Park, Cave-in-Rock State Park, and Belle Smith Springs, there is no shortage of beautiful scenery, great hiking, repelling, picnicking, boating, hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and botanic wonders! It is also located between the Southern Illinois and Shawnee Hills Wine Trails.

Booked 20 times

Solar Eclipse 2024 Campsites

98 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Ava, IL

Front and Outback Spots available- RV, campers, and tents are welcome First come, first serve 30 X 60 Camp Spots for Campers and RV's - $100 per night 30 X 30 Camp Spots for Tents- $75 per night. ( Send a message and we'll give you discount code) Available in fenced in and gated area 1 mile away from town in country setting 24/7 surveillance Beautiful sunset view 5 acre pond- No swimming, No fishing No hook up (No water, electric, or sewer) Dumpster is available for garbage Water on premise, provide own holding tank Porta Potty available Very accommodating Bring your gators to drive to town to eat at crazy Joe's fish house, or have fun at Kinkaid Lake, or go back roading, the options are endless. Half a mile from Sharp Rock Falls Campground, with a 150 permanent campers year around

The best camping near Ferne Clyffe State Park guide

Overview

About

This 2,430-acre Illinois state park is full of outstanding natural scenic spots. Camping, picnicking, hiking, and hunting come together here for a variety of outdoor diversions. Hikers will find 18 great trails here that run the gamut from relaxing to heavily challenging.

If you're on a romantic trip with your partner, take the short Bork's Waterfall Trail. This leads to a beautiful hidden spot—a natural emerald pool fed by the titular falls.

Looking to get that cardio up instead? Challenge yourself on the Happy Hollow Trail. This serpentine 5-mile journey takes you deep into tough woodland terrain.

There's plenty of game to attract hunters and fishermen here. Ferne Clyffe Lake is home to solid populations of catfish, bluegill, and bass. No boats are allowed on the lake, though—bank fishing only!

Prefer to catch dinner on land? You can hunt deer, squirrel, rabbit, and quail throughout 1,750 acres of forest.