Bell Smith Springs RD (FR 848) in IL -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Illinois

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Bell Smith Springs RD (FR 848) in IL

Shawnee NF, Hidden Springs Ranger District
648 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedMODERATE
VerizonMARGINAL
AT&TNONE
T-MobileUNMEASURED
StarlinkFAIR

A 3.3-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Pope County, IL.

Shawnee National Forest, Hidden Springs Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 28 days.

All 3.3 miles in are maintained for passenger cars. 2.9 of the 3.3 miles in are gravel. Level ground alongside most of its length. Winds through 4 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. A gate 0.1 miles in.

Bay Creek runs 0.2 mi off. A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.0 miles off. Open country -- nothing named rises within 30 miles of here. The nearest town, Carrier Mills, is 11 mi off.

September normals 57–82°F, 3.4″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Indy 500 (FR 423) in ILDispersed Camping3.3miNw Whiteside (FR 1756) in ILDispersed Camping4.6miMillstone Bluff RD (FR 462) in ILDispersed Camping4.8miFR 194 — Millstone Bluff in ILDispersed Camping5.2miZeebo (FR 454) in ILDispersed Camping5.4mi
Fire restrictions

Set by Shawnee National Forest, Hidden Springs Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?