U.S. National Forest Campground Guide

Shawnee National Forest

Illinois



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CAMPGROUND NAME: Johnson Creek

VISIT DATE: 09/16/1996

UPDATE DATE: 11/25/2023

STATE: Illinois

REGION: Eastern

RANGER DISTRICT: Mississippi Bluffs

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Ava

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
In Ava, IL, take State Rt. 151 south 3.6 miles to forest sign
(Johnson Creek Recreation Area) - Johnson Creek Rd.  Turn left
onto Johnson Creek Rd. and go 1.5 miles to campground.

NOTE:  Johnson Creek Rd. can be rough with low branches.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 600 ft.

The campground's campsites are located in a series of overlapping loops 
meandering through a forest of oak, popular, and other hardwoods.  These 
campsites offer hitching rails and picket lines for equestrian campers.  
The tent sites are all walk-ins located on the banks of Kincaid Lake 
between the boat ramp entrance and other campsites.  This is a good 
campground for anglers, hikers, and equestrian from single campers through 
large families.  Lantern poles have been installed.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year: No

Comments:
Open March 15 through December 15.

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $10 per day - single
$12 per day - double
$18 per day - triple
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 20
   
   Total Sites: 20

Tent Pads: No
Open Sites: No
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 20
No. Grilles on Sites: 20
Equestrian Camping:  Yes

RV INFORMATION
Hookups:		No
No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: No*
Potable Water at Waste Station: No 
Average Parking Apron Size: 25' X 60'

Comments:
Parking aprons are gravel and grass.  The interior road is rough and 
there are low overhanging branches.  

Note:  *Problems with water system has temporiarly closed the Waste
Station; contact ranger district office for status.

FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1
  No. Threaded: 0

Comments:
NOTE:6/29/2023 - Water for entire Johnson Creek Recreation Area 
is temporarily unavailable. Forest Service recommends that visitors 
bring thier own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Contact ranger 
district office for status.

WATER SPORTS
Lake: Yes
Swimming (provided): No
Sailing: No
Boat Ramp: Yes
Boat Carry Down Access: No
Power Boating: Yes
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: No
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Kincaid Lake is 1 mile from campground and is 2,750 acres.  

HIKING
Many hiking trails accessible from campground, but
unidentifiable.

FISHING
Largemouth bass, sunfish, Bullhead trout, Bluegill, Carp,
catfish, Walleye, crappie and muskie

CAMPGROUND NAME: Oak Point VISIT DATE: 09/19/1996 UPDATE DATE: 11/25/2023 STATE: Illinois REGION: Eastern RANGER DISTRICT: Hidden Springs NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Vienna RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Vienna, IL, at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 24 and State Rt. 146, take State Rt. 146 east 11.4 miles to an exit ramp on the right. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto State Rt. 145 and go north 2.5 miles to Lake Glendale Recreation Area sign. Turn right at sign onto Lake Rd. and proceed to campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 420 ft. The campground is a series of unnamed overlapping loops near Lake Glendale in the Lake Glendale Recreation Area. Campsites in the loops with electric and water hook-ups tend to be larger than those with no hook-ups. Although views of the lake are limited by heavy vegetation, there are connector trails from some campsites to the Lake trail. Campsites are tucked into a mature mixed forest with oak and beech trees providing shade and fair to good privacy between campsites. Firewood, ice and boat rentals (paddle, canoe and fishing boats) are available for a fee from a concessionaire. Possible day trip is to Millstone Bluff Trail which is a 0.6 mile to an archaeological site. NOTE: The use of generators is not permitted in the campground. SEASONS Open Seasonal: No Open All Year: Yes Seasonal Comment: Sites 1 through 35 - Open year round. Sites 36 through 60 - Open March 1 through December 15. RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED $15 per day - single, no electric and water hookups $25 per day - single, electric and water hookups $28 per day - double, no electric and water hookups $48 per day - double, electric and water hookups NOTE: No discount on surcharge. Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 60 Total Sites: 60 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 60 No. Grilles on Sites: 60 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0 No. Water and Electric Only: 35 No. Water Only: 0 No. Electric Only: 1 No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: Yes Potable Water at Waste Station: No Average Parking Apron Size: 12' X 50' Comments: The parking aprons are gravel. Beware of low-growing branches across some parking aprons. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: Yes Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: Yes Playground: Yes No. Water Spigots (non-site): 3 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: Shower is wheelchair-friendly. WATER SPORTS Lake: Yes Swimming (provided): Yes Sailing: No Boat Ramp: Yes Boat Carry Down Access: Yes Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Power boats are limited to electric motors. The beach is large and sandy with change rooms. Lake Glendale is 79 acres. HIKING Lake trail (foot and mountain bike) - 1 mile FISHING Bluegill, catfish and bass

CAMPGROUND NAME: Pharaoh VISIT DATE: 09/18/1996 UPDATE DATE: 11/25/2023 STATE: Illinois REGION: Eastern RANGER DISTRICT: Hidden Springs NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Elizabethtown RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Miltchellsville, IL at the intersection of State Routes 45 and 34, take 34 south 9.5 miles to Garden of the Gods sign. Turn left, onto Karbers Ridge Rd/County Route 4 and go 2.8 miles to another Garden of the Gods sign. Turn left at sign onto County Route 10/Good Hope Hill Rd. and go 1.4 miles miles into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 900 ft. This single loop "rustic" campground is located in the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, that is adjacent to the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. Some steep cliffs give a few campsites a panoramic view of the valley and Shawnee Hills as well as the Garden of the Gods Wilderness through the thick vegetation. No motorized vehicles or mechanized equipment are permitted in the Wilderness, making the hiking outstanding for exploring the Wilderness on foot. No horse facilities are available. A pleasant mix of Red pine and various deciduous trees provides ample shade and good privacy between campsites. A "must" do while at this campground is the 1/4-mile Garden of the Gods Observation Trail. The sandstone rock formations and cliffs found along the trail took 320 million years to develop into their fascinating and strange shapes. Some of these formations have been given names such as Camel Rock, Devil's Smokestack, etc. Bring your camera. SEASONS Open Seasonal: No Open All Year: Yes RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $10 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 12 Total Sites: 12 Tent Pads: No Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 12 No. Grilles on Sites: 12 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 13.5' X 56' Comments: The parking aprons are gravel and not level. Be aware of low hanging branches FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: The water spigot is a hand pump. WATER SPORTS - None HIKING Garden of the Gods Observation Trail (foot) - 0.25 miles River to River Trail (foot & horse) - meanders through the Garden of the Gods Wilderness and connects with various other trails FISHING - No

CAMPGROUND NAME: Pine Hills VISIT DATE: 09/16/1996 UPDATE DATE: 11/25/2023 STATE: Illinois REGION: Eastern RANGER DISTRICT: Mississippi Bluffs NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Wolf Lake RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Wolf Lake, IL, at campground sign (State Forest Rd), go east 0.6 miles to another campground sign (sign is on north side of road). Turn left (no displayed road sign) and go 0.7 miles to campground. Note: When turning left at the campground sign onto Pine HIlls Rd (Forest Route 236), there is a dip the could be flooded. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 600 ft. The campground is in a stand of old pines and hardwoods adjacent to a stream. Most sites are spacious, well cleared and could accommodate multiple tents. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: Yes Comments: Services provided March 15 through December 15. RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $10 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 13 Total Sites: 13 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 13 No. Grilles on Sites: 13 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 12' X 45' Comments: The parking aprons are gravel. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0 No. Threaded: 0 WATER SPORTS - None Comments: There is a 1/4 acre pond. HIKING White Pine Trail - 2 miles FISHING Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish and Largemouth bass

CAMPGROUND NAME: Pine Ridge VISIT DATE: 09/18/1996 UPDATE DATE: 11/25/2023 STATE: Illinois REGION: Eastern RANGER DISTRICT: Hidden Springs NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Elizabethtown RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Mitchellsville, IL, at the intersection of State Routes 45 and 34, take Rt. 34 south 9.5 miles to Garden of the Gods sign. Turn left onto Karbers Ridge Rd/Country Route 4 and go 9.5 miles,to a Pounds Hollow sign. Turn let at sign onto Pounds Lake Rd/Forest Route 134 and immediately turn left into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 700 ft. The campground, in Pounds Hollow Recreation Area, is "rustic" with two loops in a stand of mature red, shortleaf and loblolly pines and hardwoods that are near the Pounds Hollow Lake. The dense overstory provides ample shade. Convenient to Shawnee Hills on the Ohio Scenic Byway, this campground is good for an overnight stay. However, with a pleasant swimming beach, boating on the lake, good fishing, several hiking trails and interesting geology to explore, the campground is well suited for a family get-away. It is the dense vegetation, not separation between campsites, that provides good privacy. Pounds Hollow Lake, developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, is the oldest recreation area in the forest and continues to be a popular spot for families to cool off during the summer heat. The Lake is one mile from the campsites. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open March 15 through December 15. RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $10 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 6 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 28 Total Sites: 34 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 34 No. Grilles on Sites: 34 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0 No. Water and Electric Only: 0 No. Water Only: 0 No. Electric Only: 14 No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 12' X 47' Comments: The parking aprons are grass and gravel and irregular ih shape. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: There are showers to rinse off at the beach. The water spigot is a hand pump located at the campground entrance. WATER SPORTS Lake: Yes Swimming (provided): Yes Sailing: No Boat Ramp: No Boat Carry Down Access: No Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Power boats are limited to electric motors. Beach is grass and sand. HIKING Rim Rock Trail (Interpretive) - 0.8 miles Beaver Trail Pounds Hollow Trail Note: Above trails are all within Pounds Hollow Recreation Area. Go to ranger district office for information. FISHING Bass, Channel Catfish and Sunfish

CAMPGROUND NAME: Redbud VISIT DATE: 09/19/1996 UPDATE DATE: 11/25/2023 STATE: Illinois REGION: Eastern RANGER DISTRICT: Hidden Springs NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Eddyville RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Eddyville, IL, at forest sign (Bell Smith Springs) - Main Street, go north on Main Street for 5.5 miles to another forest sign and Bellsmith Springs. Turn left onto Bellsmith and go 1.8 miles to campground. NOTE: Main Street becomes Ozark Road. Bellsmith Rd. is gravel and can be rough. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 420 ft. This single loop campground is the only one in the Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area. It is heavily wooded with Red pine and hardwoods with secluded campsites and good privacy. The recreation area contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons. The abundance of vegetation unique to Illinois and provides ample shade and good privacy between campsites. The Bell Smith Springs Trail System is a great "must do" to enjooy the area's rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs, and the area's flora and fauna. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open March 15 through December 15. RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $10 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 2 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 19 Total Sites: 21 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 21 No. Grilles on Sites: 21 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Average Parking Apron Size: 14' X 48' Comments: The parking aprons are gravel and grass. Erosion of the campground's interior road and parking aprons will pose a problem for recreational vehicles FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: The water spigot is a hand pump. WATER SPORTS - None HIKINGThe Bell Smith Springs Trail System (foot only) is an eight-mile network of interconnected trails which include: Hill Branch Trail - 1.6 miles Sentry Bluff Trail - 2.7 miles Natural Bridge Trail - .9 miles FISHING - No




Fred and Suzi Dow