Dispersed Camping in Union County, Illinois
Showing 25 locations in Union County.
Burner Hill Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping along the gravel-surfaced Burner Hill Road in Shawnee National Forest, offering year-round access near the Burner Hill area.
Cany Ridge Road Dispersed
A highly scenic forest road corridor providing shaded pullouts in the Shawnee National Forest. The corridor lies near several nature preserves and hiking loops, making it an excellent basecamp for outdoor activities.
Cedar Lake Trailhead & Boat Launch
A spacious gravel parking area adjacent to the Cedar Lake boat launch. The trailhead features vault toilets and trash receptacles, but strict limits prohibit vehicle/RV sleeping; only dispersed tent camping established at least 150 feet from the shoreline is permitted.
Forest Road 211B Dispersed
Primitive dispersed camping corridor located along Forest Road 211B in Shawnee National Forest.
Forest Road 310 Dispersed Camping
Isolated dispersed campsites located along Forest Road 310 in the Shawnee National Forest. This dirt route winds through scenic woodland, offering a quiet primitive stay.
Forest Road 348C Dispersed
A seasonal National Forest road corridor offering dispersed camping access in the Shawnee National Forest near Cedar Lake.
Forest Road 619 Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Forest Road 619 within the Shawnee National Forest, offering quiet wooded sites.
Forest Road 721A Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Forest Road 721A in Shawnee National Forest.
Forest Road 807A Dispersed Camping
Rustic dispersed camping corridor along Forest Road 807A within the Shawnee National Forest. It provides a peaceful retreat surrounded by native Illinois hardwoods.
Grabber Road Dispersed
A gravel forest road offering year-round dispersed camping in Shawnee National Forest. Heavily shaded pullouts are scattered along the road corridor, providing comfortable primitive sites.
Hard Times Road Dispersed
Quiet woodland corridor in the Shawnee National Forest. This primitive route provides a peaceful setting for dispersed campers seeking deep-woods seclusion near local hiking paths.
Horse Campground
A developed campground catering to equestrian campers, located near scenic sandstone bluffs and trails.
Iron Mountain Road Dispersed Camping
Peaceful dispersed camping along Iron Mountain Road in the Shawnee National Forest. The route sits near Iron Mountain and Kaolin Pond, offering basic wooded camping spots.
Kaolin Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Kaolin Road in the Shawnee National Forest. It offers a quiet, wooded setting with access to Kaolin Pond and Iron Mountain nearby.
Mississippi Bluffs District, Shawnee National Forest
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N Hamburg Hill Spur AA Dispersed
A scenic forest spur road winding through the dense woods of Shawnee National Forest. The route offers peaceful dispersed camping opportunities with simple, primitive pullouts along native dirt and gravel pathways.
Opossum Trot Road Dispersed
Dispersed camping corridor along Opossum Trot Road in Shawnee National Forest. This dirt and gravel route features secluded, shaded spots set deep within the forest.
Pine Hills Campground
A peaceful and basic campground situated within the pine-wooded hills of the Shawnee National Forest. The campground features mostly level gravel spaces with picnic tables, fire pits, and pit toilets. There is no pressurized drinking water or electrical hookups on-site, providing a rustic and quiet camping experience near local nature preserves.
Pine Hills Road Dispersed
A scenic gravel route leading through the Shawnee National Forest, offering occasional pull-offs suitable for dispersed camping along the forest corridor.
Pot Belly Road Dispersed Camping
Quiet dispersed camping corridor along Pot Belly Road in the Shawnee National Forest. The native material road surface provides access to primitive wooded campsites.
Shawnee National Forest near Jonesboro, IL
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South Cooper Spur Dispersed Camping
Wooded dispersed camping along South Cooper Spur within the Shawnee National Forest, located near Italian Hill. It features pull-offs suitable for standard passenger vehicles.
Trail of Tears Campground
The primary developed campground within Trail of Tears State Forest, offering established, shaded campsites under mature trees. Ideal for families and standard rigs looking for a structured forest stay with basic amenities.
Trail of Tears State Forest Designated Primitive Sites
A collection of numbered, designated primitive campsites scattered along the gravel forest roads of Trail of Tears State Forest. These sites offer quiet, deeply wooded backdrops with basic fire rings, ideal for standard vehicles and camper vans looking for a secluded forest experience. Campers must secure a permit from the forest headquarters before setting up camp.
Youth Campground
A developed group campground off Devils Stand Table Road designed for youth group overnight stays and outdoor education.
