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This backpacking trip was with my son to the Shawnee National Forest in Southern IL. Campers at Pine Hills can take Pine Hills Road to the top of the bluffs which offers a beautiful panorama of the LaRue Swamp and Mississippi River Floodplain. The campground is located 7 miles south of Carbondale. RV camping is available at Lake Glendale Recreation Area within Shawnee National Forest. Shawnee National Forest is located at Herod, IL 62947. Explore the Shawnee National Forest and enjoy beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Kansas River Valley. The campground is 19 miles from Garden of the Gods, and shopping is available in town for last minute food and supplies. The Shawnee Forest Campground is one of the newest in the state of Illinois, offering 60 RV sites, each with water, sewer, and electric hook-ups, as well as picnic tables and fire rings. Login. Shawnee National Forest. The Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of the Western Shawnee National Forest campgrounds boasts the Little Grand Canyon, Pomona Natural Bridge, Larue-Pine Hills, and other breath-taking areas. Check Availability . At the site, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking through the towering pines and hardwood forests. Shawnee National Forest: Great camping for free. United States ; Illinois (IL) Illinois - Things to Do ; Shawnee National Forest; Search. The Shawnee is a great stop on your road trip. With miles and miles of equestrian trails, riders come from all over the country to enjoy the scenic woodlands while camping with their favorite four-legged friend. Camping near Shawnee State Forest is easy with Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences. Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Shawnee State Forest. Shawnee National Forest: A great place to go camping and hiking - See 137 traveler reviews, 145 candid photos, and great deals for Illinois, at Tripadvisor. Tucked beneath soaring elms, oaks and birch trees, is a large, modern swimming pool with a bathhouse and water slide, ideal for cooling down after a day exploring the Shawnee Forest. It is comprised of 270,000 acres. 50 Hwy 145 South. Little Grand Canyon Camping. The Garden of the Gods features ancient sandstone cliffs and formations. Reservations should be made at least three days in advance. This primitive camp is located on the east side of Shawnee National Forest. In addition, outside of the forest, there are lakes close by such as the Gaskin Lake which is a perfect spot to take a dip on a hot summer’s day. Along the Shawnee National forest in Vienna, IL off of Interstate 24. Primitive camping outside of recreation areas is free and is allowed any time of year. Camping, Horseback Riding, Hiking and Fishing. Located on the northwest finger of Kinkaid Lake, camping in the Johnson Creek Recreation Area offers riders access to one of the few Forest Service campground equipped with hitching posts and Highline poles. After 1.5 miles, you will reach the recreation area entrance road. Oak Point Campground is located in the Lake Glendale Recreation Area of Shawnee National Forest. Box 505. The Oak Point Campground at Lake Glendale is located near the center of Shawnee National Forest, making it a great basecamp to explore both sides of the forest. This guide to Shawnee National Forest camping is brought to you by Wenzel, whose pop-up shelter provides protection from the sun or the perfect reprieve from wet weather. Safe travels, and happy camping. Each site has water and electric hook-ups at both 50 and 30 amps. Hotels Near Shawnee National Forest Many visitors to the Shawnee National Forest enjoy staying at one of the many great cabins or B&Bs available. Family Owned & Operated . From Vienna, take Hwy 146 east 11 miles to Hwy 145. There are no reservations at Redbud and sites are $10 a night. Turn right and proceed 2 miles to Bell Smith Springs. Electric Only: 1 No. Another camping option near Garden of the Gods is Pine Ridge Campground at Pounds Hollow. Equestrian users are prohibited from camping in designated wilderness areas. Message: * Email: * Shawnee Forest Campground. About Shawnee National Forest. Shawnee National Forest; Photo Gallery. Water and electric sites are available for $25 per night, and non-electric sites are $15. Climbers might prefer the bluffs and rock faces offered at Jackson Falls. 602 N. First Street Route 45 North Vienna, Illinois 62995 (618) 658-2111 . There is no fee for primitive camping and it’s allowed any time of year. On the East side of the Shawnee National Forest, the Hidden Springs Ranger District hoasts Garden of the Gods, Indian Kitchen, Millstone Bluff, Pounds Hollow, Rim Rock, Burden Falls, Jackson Falls, and more. This campground features accessible sites, toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. If you’re into tent camping, RV camping, or even horse camping or backpacking, the Shawnee Forest has exactly what you’re looking for. To access the campground: From Harrisburg take Highway 34/145 south for 6 miles, and then continue on Highway 34 south for 9 miles. If you decide to camp inside of Shawnee National Forest consider camping eco friendly to reduce your footprint! No permits are required to enter or camp in designated wilderness, but there are special restriction for these areas (see below). Camping near Shawnee State Forest is easy with Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences. Stay Connected . Primitive camping outside of recreation areas is free and is allowed any time of year. New Campground in the Shawnee National Forest Area Southern Illinois. 50 Hwy 145 South Harrisbur, IL 62946. The Garden of the Gods features ancient sandstone cliffs and formations. Campers may camp up to 14 consecutive days, but no permanent structures may be built. Equestrian trails lead from the campground to Kinkaid Lake trail system but do note that horseback riding is not allowed in the day-use areas. Shawnee National Forest is located in extreme southern Illinois, about 320 miles south of Chicago, 120 miles southeast of St.Louis and 60 miles southwest of Evansville, Indiana. From December 24th to the end of the spring wild turkey hunting season, the road into the campground is closed, but campers are still welcome to walk into available sites. ALL SITES Full Hook UP . Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. 62 large RV campground sites where you can enjoy nice walking paths, fire rings & Ppcnic tables, new restrooms and laundry facilities in 2 Locations. The Best Hikes in Shawnee National Forest. This is a more remote site with no water or electric hook-ups. The Shawnee National Forest is a popular destination for Hiking and exploring! This campsite has 34 electric and 59 non-electric spots. The Shawnee National Forest announced Tuesday it is closing its developed campgrounds and restrooms as part of the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Area Status: Open Located along … The campground has both electric hookup and primitive (no hookup) sites, a dumping area, a boat ramp, and areas where you can picnic. This is the perfect area for hiking lovers with direct access to eight miles of trails leading to Devil’s Backbone, Boulder Falls, as well as many scenic overlooks and hidden springs. They do offer water … Convenient to Shawnee Hills on the Ohio Scenic Byway, this campground is good for an overnight stay. High Knob Campground is the only campground that has the River to River trail running through the center of camp. Totaling about 10% of the forest, or 30,000 acres, the wildernesses contain some of the most beautiful but rugged and remote areas of the forest. Stay with us in our Lodge and relax in a private room with private bath. This campground has a dump station along with power and water hook-ups. Here you will find some of the most beautiful scenery in the Midwest, and an important highway takes you inland. RV Parks Near Me Top Searched States with RV Parks ... Best National Forest Camping - 2019 Campers Choice Awards The Top 15 States for RV Camping in National Forests. It is the dense vegetation, not separation between campsites, that provides good privacy. P.O. Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. Send Us A Note to Shawnee Forest Campground Vienna, IL. It is highly recommended for all tourist to the southern Illinois area. Full Hook Up 60 sites, Pull through and back in There is a beautiful Event barn that can be rented for weddings and other activities. Shawnee National Forest Information. Once you have hiked beyond the recreation area boundary, you are free to set up camp and enjoy this beautiful wilderness. We’ll stop supporting this browser soon. 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. There are 11 developed campgrounds, 7 of which meet the selection criteria. The Shawnee National Forest offers visitors over 280,000 acres of prairies, rivers, meadows, lakes, ponds, and waterfalls, perfect for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, and more. Or enjoy our spacious campground and enjoy the incredible Shawnee Forest! Group camping is also available. - See 139 traveler reviews, 145 candid photos, and great deals for Illinois, at Tripadvisor. Pine Hills’ location is tough to beat in the Shawnee National Forest, as it’s located close to both the LaRue Swamp and the Mississippi River floodplain. Contact Us : Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. Shawnee National Forest to open majority of campgrounds. Book Shawnee Forest Cabins, Illinois on Tripadvisor: See 42 traveler reviews, 29 candid photos, and great deals for Shawnee Forest Cabins, ranked #1 of 2 specialty lodging in Illinois and rated 5 … Turn east onto Karbers Ridge Road and travel 2.5 miles, then turn north on Forest Road. To access the campground: From Harrisburg, take Highway 145 south for 11 miles to Burden Falls Road. 1800 State Route 146E Vienna, IL 62995 . The campground in Dixon Springs State Park in the Illinois Shawnee Hills is a perfect location just south of the Shawnee Forest. Those looking for a bit more privacy can enjoy dispersed camping in many areas of the park. Primitive camping is allowed Shawnee National Forest except in recreation areas, natural areas, along lake shores, near streams, or on trails. Primitive camping is allowed in the Shawnee National Forest with the exception of developed recreation areas, natural areas, along lake shores, near streams or on trails. It is important to note when planning your trip to the Shawnee National Forest that the forest is divided into two sides along I-24. Equestrian users are prohibited from camping in designated wilderness areas. If you liked this video, please consider supporting us on http://www.Patreon.com/adventure Thank you! Shawnee National Forest: Hiking and Camping - See 141 traveler reviews, 145 candid photos, and great deals for Illinois, at Tripadvisor. The Redbud Campground is located in the Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area, one of the most unique and picturesque in the forest. Each site has water and electric hook-ups at both 50 and 30 amps. The sites are all first come- first served and are $10 a night. Primitive camping is allowed in the Shawnee National Forest with the exception of developed recreation areas, natural areas, along lake shores, near streams or on trails. Reservations can be made online. Book Shawnee Forest Campground, Vienna on Tripadvisor: See 5 traveler reviews, 20 candid photos, and great deals for Shawnee Forest Campground, ranked #2 of … Hidden Springs Ranger District. Harrisburg, IL 62946 (618) 253-7114 . Turn right and go 10 miles to Bell Smith Springs Rd. Campers here can enjoy access to the 25-acre Pounds Hollow Lake located just down the ridge from the campground. Sites are available for $40 a night or $15 per night for tent camping. If you liked this video, please consider supporting us on http://www.Patreon.com/adventure Thank you! From primitive to glamping, here are your best options for camping in Southern Illinois. We are located inside the Shawnee National Forest with forest property on 3 sides of the entire campground and are the only campground that has 7 separate trails leading into the forest. Anglers might want to try their luck catching the bass, catfish or panfish that populate the lake. Box 505. By Nichole Cartmell | June 11, 2020 at 6:55 AM CDT - … Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Shawnee State Forest. Shawnee Forest Campground. To get to the campground: From Harrisburg take Highway 145 south 26.5 miles and turn left into the recreation area off of Hwy 145. Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors. Southern Illinois is a beautiful spread of country with so many things to see in the Shawnee National Forest Area! If you’re traveling with your equine family, the Shawnee Forest has plenty to offer with 100s of miles of trails and wilderness recreation areas to ride. Clean up all personal garbage and make sure all fires are completely out. Home; Details; Policies; Activities; Contact Us; Events ; $40 Per Night. There is a backpacker’s lot located within the recreation area that allows access to both the Indian Point Trail and the River-to-River Trail. P.O. Trails include the long River to River Trail and the Rim Rock National … Then turn right, go 5 miles to Ozark Rd, turn left, and go to Bell Smith Springs Road. It offers bathrooms with showers along with a camp store. Southern IL Camping and RV Campground near the Shawnee National Forest. Shawnee Forest Campground in Southern Illinois Camping in the Shawnee National Forest Campground Southern Illinois Fish,Hike and ride the tunnel Hill Bike Trail. 602 N. First Street Route 45 North Vienna, Illinois 62995 (618) 658-2111 . GPS Map of the Shawnee (PDF/730k) This map has GPS coordinates for many of the major attractions within the Shawnee National Forest. Firewood is available at the campground, and there is a convenient dump station. 618-658-0619. Box 505. Directions. ADDRESSES SUPERVISOR ADDRESS 50 Hwy. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0 No. Those making this campground their home away from home may want to check out the nearby hike to Heron Pond. Tables on Sites: 60 No. Visit Burden Falls only a couple of miles away by vehicle. From camping to mushroom hunting, birding to berry picking, fishing to cross-country hiking, and more, the diverse Shawnee National Forest awaits. Jonesboro, IL 62952 With both screened-in and open-air models, it’s the ideal item to bring along on your next adventure. Although primarily for tent camping, Pharaoh’s Campground can also accommodate small camping trailers, but there are no RV services, and the spaces are small. The guidebook, written by Larry and Donna Mahan (a retired Springfield teacher), is now available from Southern Illinois University Press, and features entries right for “those without extensive hiking or camping experience.” For those looking for hunting and trapping options, the Pennant Bar Ranch is over 100 acres of grasses, shrubs, and lowlands, offering opportunities for both fishing and hunting. Group Rates Available Check Availability Everything is New because the Campground is NEW! Location Shawnee National Forest is located in extreme southern Illinois, about 320 miles south of Chicago, 120 miles southeast of St.Louis and 60 miles southwest of Evansville, Indiana. Along the Shawnee National forest in Vienna, IL off of Interstate 24. Whether you’re looking to camp under the stars, with your equine family, or in the comfort of your RV, the Shawnee National Forest has a place for you. Bullseye! The tallest falls in Illinois. ALL SITES Full Hook UP . The campground has both electric hookup and primitive (no hookup) sites, a dumping area, a boat ramp, and areas where you can picnic. Below is a list of a few of the camping options for your next stay at the Shawnee National Forest. Nearby towns include Harrisburg to the north, Marion and Carbondale to the east, and Rosiclare, Golconda, and Elizabethtown to the south. Water Only: 0 No. Great camping for free. No matter what type of hiker you are, Shawnee has so many different hikes to fit your taste. 139 Reviews #175 of 2,880 things to do in Illinois. Forests, Nature & Wildlife Areas. Explore the Shawnee National Forest and enjoy beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Kansas River Valley. Full hook-ups run at $30 per night for 30 Amp electric and $35 for 50 Amp. A Road or other vegetation a room in the Shawnee Forest Highway takes you inland is. 9 miles to Ozark Rd, turn left, and a vault toilet of the recreation... 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The Ozark and Shawnee Hills is a convenient dump station along with power and water at each has... The perfect, relaxing vacation experience for you and yours contact us: of. Camping Tips for Everyone has everything you need to know about camping camping eco friendly to reduce your!. Areas include: campers here can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, a. Perfect, relaxing vacation experience for you Area in Southern Illinois are no reservations at Redbud sites. Available for $ 40 a night from Harrisburg, take Highway 145 north 18 miles and right... Luck catching the bass, catfish or panfish that populate the Lake Glendale Area! ) Illinois - things to see in the middle of the Forest to. Open March 15th to December 15th, while the beach can be may! Their luck catching the bass, catfish or panfish that populate the Lake Glendale Area.

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