Julien Hill (FR 1501) in IL -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Illinois

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Julien Hill (FR 1501) in IL

Shawnee NF, Hidden Springs Ranger District
423 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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AT&TNONE
T-MobileUNMEASURED
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A 2.8-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Pope County, IL. The road serves Shelter Cave. The road is open seasonally, May 9 to December 9.

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

All 2.8 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Dirt the whole way in (2.8 miles). Climbs 360 ft over 2.8 miles -- sustained grades near 12%, with pitches to 18%. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. A water crossing 0.2 miles in.

Private here -- the nearest through road is 2.0 miles off. The North Pond shoreline is 1.1 mi off. The nearest town, Carrier Mills, is 17 mi off.

September normals 58–82°F, 3.3″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Vaughn Cem RD (FR 855) in ILForest Road Road0.6miSimmons RD (FR 1498) in ILDispersed Camping1.1miBig Creek Fork RD (FR 1486) in ILForest Road Road1.2miRaum Lookout RD (FR 427) in ILDispersed Camping2.8miWhiplash (FR 444) in ILDispersed Camping3.0mi
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?