If traveling on I-24, take exit #7 (Goreville), turn west and go 2 miles to IL Rt. Ive stayed here a couple of time, car camping and tent camping. They serve up your favorite Italian dishes like baked manicotti, pasta con broccoli, fettuccine alfresco, and more. All Rights Reserved. Bennies Italian Foods is a restaurant that's been family-owned and operated since 1983.

Youll be motivated to move all over the place to experience this parks natural beauty. Bathrooms and showers were extremely clean and looks like the dump station is new. By Saturday afternoon the 2 vehicle per site rule was a joke, with three and sometimes four vehicles in each site. Junction City - Schreiner Park Campground, Upper Teton View - Toppings Lake Dispersed Campsites #8 - 16, How and Where to Get a First-Come, First-Served Campsite. Volunteered as camp host in 2014. Ferne Clyffe Campground is a camping ace in an otherwise niche-like deck; it can comfortably accommodate anyone from the novice, amenity-minded camper to the more primitive, bare-boned outdoorsperson. Illinois!

10 LGBTQ+-Friendly Campgrounds Throughout the U.S. 7 RV Campgrounds Along the Natchez Trace Parkway, RV Campgrounds Along Florida’s Overseas Highway, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, lead_photo_url_cache => ["https://campcdn.com/photos/5/9/5944/150465/large/ferne-clyffe-state-park.jpg?v=1525003966", "https://campcdn.com/photos/5/9/5944/150465/large/ferne-clyffe-state-park.jpg?v=1633819725"]. There are no horses available for rent. Enjoy a getaway to nearby Southern Illinois with Shawnee National Forest Cabins. This park has more and better trails than anywhere Ive ever been!

Furthermore, it sits right in the middle of Ferne Clyffe State Park. We swung in for the night on our way north to MI. Stopped for the night. The 53-acre Round Bluff Nature Preserve in Ferne Clyffe State Park has a glorious mix of unusual plant species and unique geological formations. We are located right in the Shawnee National Forest. I would like to receive news, exclusive offers, and fun updates from Hipcamp.

Believe at least 4 drive thru sites. Great campground with several options for camping. This serpentine 5-mile journey takes you deep into tough woodland terrain. The picnic areas are equipped with tables, cooking grills, restrooms, playgrounds, drinking water, and ample parking for large vehicles, and it's no wonder that Ferne Clyffe is known for its top-notch picnic facilities. You can also send us some information along with a few snapshots to [emailprotected] You might even see them featured on our next blog post or one of our social media profiles. Home to a spectacular skyline and one of the world's tallest buildings, Chicago has long been revered as an architectural showcase, but this trip is about more than just taking in the sky-high sights. Please note that the park does not allow motorized vehicles or bicycles on the trails. Trails wind through picturesque woods, allowing visitors to view fascinating rock formations and inspiring vistas. No matter which park trail your traverse, you'll see some amazing rock formations, which include the 100-foot-tall intermittent waterfall and Hawk's Cave, a 150-foot-long shelter bluff. Moments from anywhere yet feels like miles from it all. interior roads, sites, registration area, hookups, recreation, swimming, security, laundry, store and building maintenance cleanliness and physical characteristics of restrooms, including interior construction, adequate supplies/odor free, adequate number of facilities, exterior appearance and location in relation to park spaces, and interior appearance. Bank fishermen will surely be impressed by how populated the lake is with redear, bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. 37, go one mile south of Goreville to park entrance. Virtually every campsite had a campfire going continuously for both weekend days, making it very smoky. When uploading your photographs and memorable times, don't forget to tag us on your social media accounts. Quiet and peaceful. They have electrical hookups, walk-in tent camping and backpacking sites. If you don't happen to own an RV, consider renting one from RVshare.com, where you can select from a variety of sizes and brands that fit your familys needs. A few years ago, I had a camping trip planned to Sequoia National Forest in California for Labor RV Camping Guide to Californias Lesser-Known National Parks. Learn more, By continuing below, you agree to Hipcamps. There's also a gift shop so that you can take railroad treasures home. Rustic log cabin rentals with modern comforts such as hot tubs, Wifi and satellite TV located near Garden of the God in the Shawnee National Forest. Rigs measuring a maximum length of 70 feet or less will fit onto the campground's gravel pads. If you've brought your horse to Ferne Clyffe State Park, you'll find a spacious, Class C equestrian campground located on-site. You have to walk from the parking lot into the basic sites but they are super close. Turkey Ridge is for Tent campers quiet in the woods sites near Lake is a Class C walk-in campground. Williamson County Historical Museum is run by membership dues. Don't miss the 100-foot waterfall along Big Rocky Hollow Trail and the massive shelter bluff known as Hawks' Cave. Experience the comfort and convenience of Marion Campground & RV Park, conveniently located one block east of Interstate-57. For your safety, it's recommended you hike on designated trails. Some campsite are better than others so drive around first and check them out. There are also a variety of sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables and cooking grills for picnicking. mile to park entrance. The beautiful scenery should not be missed. Also rated are physical characteristics of restrooms, including interior construction, adequate supplies/odor free, adequate number of facilities, exterior appearance and location in relation to park spaces, and interior appearance. Hikers will find 18 great trails here that run the gamut from relaxing to heavily challenging. more. For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly. Take a tour at the museum and learn about the history, genealogy, and preservation of Williamson County. Lots of bike trails & trailheads to walk. I called ahead to ask about the protocol for showing up after hours and the ranger told me to pick any open spot and hed catch up with us in the morning. There is a nice playground near one end so it may be a little noisy at times. Note that horse rental is not available at the park, so come along with your horses. Rt. Facilities at Turkey Ridge include camp pad, picnic tables, cooking grills, and showers. The grocery store closest to Ferne Clyffe State Park is Goreville Food Market, and it's perfect for restocking your RV refrigerator. Checkout time is 3pm its nice if your leaving but if your arriving it can be a challenge because we had to wait and the host was very unhelpful and didnt want to be bothered. It's a great place to purchase tools, household goods, clothing, and more. Rt. Surrounded by prominent rock formations, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and a magnificent waterfall, Deer Ridge Campground is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. RV hookup facilities are not available; however, the campground is equipped with drinking water, cooking grills, picnic tables, and a parking lot for your RV or trailer. The tour has three suspension bridges, three short hikes, and eight zip lines that take you through the trees. Too wet to explore the trails, but used this as a jumping off place to explore Southern Illinois, especially Shawnee National Forest areas, Paducah, Ky (Quilt Museum) and Land Between the Lakes area.

Only down side is there is no lake for swimming. Very clean.

Nice little playground for the kids to congregate and make friends. Great with the prettiest sunset Ive ever seen! If you plan a walk during one of these seasons, and you tread lightly, you might get to spot some of the park's full-time residents. Hiking on marked trails in the Nature Preserve is a pleasurable experience. All with power some 30amp others have 50amp see details on camp ground web site. The park was clean and well kept. The showers are warm and all facilities were clean and well maintained. You will enjoy the The park, located in Goreville, Illinois, features impressive rock formations, rare plant communities, and a serene atmosphere, the perfect combination to suit your RV camping desires. Other amenities: Laundromat, showers, lounge and restrooms. Coverage on our iPad was 3 bars, while on our phones between 2-3. Location: 112 E Main Street, Marion, IL 62959. Campendium users haven't asked any questions about Ferne Clyffe State Park, Will visit here 1 or 2 time each year using RV sites with 37ft fifth wheel Trailer. Hikers have the opportunity to assess Ferne Clyffe in all its beauty while out on a walk. There are even several semi-sweet to dry wines to select from, each providing a unique taste. Ferne Clyffe State Park is home to spectacular plant and animal life. Hipcamp is created with and hope for our future. The showers were closed since it was still off season but there were vault toilets. Dont get carried away by the lush 2,430-acre vegetation in Ferne Clyffe State Park and miss the rock formations that exist directly below the soil. 37, turn left (south) and go ? Non-reserveable (newest gravel), 23 is host, 24- 59 reserveable Location: 1704 N State Street, Marion, IL 62959. Cleanliness and physical characteristics of restrooms and showers. Miles Brothers Foods sells a variety of freshly cut and ground meats that are prepped in-house, including homemade pork sausage, steak, and ground beef. This hidden gem is right off of Interstate-57, just a short, drivable distance from the state park. Apart from that issue, the sites are gravel and level-ish, and electricity worked fine, but the multiple loops and sites were too close together with no foliage in between even without the problem of excess vehicles. If you are on your RV vacation as part of a group, then you may wish to check out the Youth Group campground, which is a Class D facility designed for group activities. When visiting, you'll have a chance to enjoy the mild temperatures throughout the better part of the year. Situated on IL-37 in Johnson County, one mile south of Goreville, the park is easily accessible for RVs, trailers, or any other vehicle. The camphost never bothered to check with us as to whether we were actually the people with the reservation for the site (there is no office to check in) and we heard from other campers that the hosts were letting some campers stay for free because of personal relationships. The forest has a decent population of squirrel and deer with rabbits and quail also present in considerable amounts. Ferne Clyffe is located less than two miles from downtown Goreville and about 12 miles southeast of Vienna. Very quiet until weekend, and more campers arrived. Too wet to explore the trails, but used this as a jumping off place to explore Southern Illinois, especially Shawnee National Forest areas, Paducah, Ky (Quilt Museum) and Land Between the Lakes area. Although snow is often present in the wintertime, the well-traveled roads into the park are usually maintained. There must be a lack of rain because the waterfall itself was a dribble and most of the creek bed was dry. My only complain is the trails in this park are not clearly marked and they do.

No boats are allowed on the lake, thoughbank fishing only! Location: 700 W Main Street, Goreville, IL 62939. This spot offers the opportunity to sit back and relax by a campfire with your family and friends. Deer Ridge Campground in Ferne Clyffe State Park has four campsites with Class A facilities equipped with electric hookups for your RV. One hundred years later, the Cherokee are reported to have used the area as their hunting range while on their Trail of Tears march. The Baan Thai Restaurant serves soup, salads, rice, and noodles. Several areas also have shelters, drinking water and playground equipment. Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. The mall is set up with various vendors that sell a large selection of antiques and collectibles. They do have a water spigot near the area you can fill from. Be sure you are up to date on your current Illinois hunting and fishing license before your search for dinner begins because you want to leave the park with your catch and not a ticket or a fine. There were dogs everywhere barking at each other constantly, kids were everywhere playing various games (and, weirdly, peeing on trees despite have a bathhouse right in the campground). Beautiful park, spacious sites, nice clean dump station. All rentals come with 24/7 roadside assistance and nationwide insurance. Along the trails, you may also see quail, the occasional turkey, and plenty of songbirds. Nice si Challenge yourself on the Happy Hollow Trail. Information, views and opinions expressed on this website are the views of the person posting the message, do not reflect the views of Good Sam, and are not endorsed, supported, encouraged, sanctioned, verified or agreed upon by Good Sam. 37, go 1/2 mile south to park entrance. Let us welcome you to setting where you can rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. The park rangers do a great job maintaining the entire park which includes lots of hiking trails, scenic Vistas, rainy season water falls and camping for any preference. The Southern Illinois Mercantile Company features a variety of commodities, including retail merchandise and handcrafted artisan items. That time of year is always iffy, and it rained. This leads to a beautiful hidden spota natural emerald pool fed by the titular falls. Surrounding area beautiful. Giant City State Park is nearly as close, just 25 minutes to the west, and offers 85 electrical sites for RVs and trailers. Location: 304 W Collins Street, Goreville, IL 62939. With its 18 straight and winding trails through attractive woods and incredible vistas, a 100-foot tall intermittent waterfall, a 150-foot long shelter bluff, great camping facilities, and picnic spots, Ferne Clyffe is the place to relax and enjoy nature in its purest form.Ferne Clyffe State Park covers 2,430 acres of the resplendent Shawnee Hills. Chicken wings, salads, and desserts are sold here as well. Nice little playground for the kids to congregate and make friends. It was close to being like a private parking lot, not a state park. 2022 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. Location: 1111 N Carbon Street, Marion, IL 62959. There are 58 full-service RV and tent sites, with 27 of them being pull-thru style to accommodate bigger rigs. George Rogers Clark and his contingent purportedly passed through or near Ferne Clyffe on their trip to Fort Kaskaskia in 1778. 2022 The Dyrt, Inc | All rights reserved, Panther Den Wilderness, Shawnee National Forest, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Devil's Kitchen Campground. Couple of locations in campground. Ferne Clyffe State Park is nestled in the majestic Shawnee Hills in southern Illinois. The Nature Preserve is most colorful during spring and fall with spectacular blends of reds, purples, golds, and browns covering every hillside. Hike to waterfall was short with a wonderful view. Great campground with several options for camping. Will visit here 1 or 2 time each year using RV sites with 37ft fifth wheel Trailer. Turn right onto Illinois Highway-37 North. Drinking water and toilet facilities are available. All sites seemed level. Host was ok, maybe a bit grumpy, though. You must be signed in to save park lists. Great jumping off spot for day trips. The more your referral link gets used, the more money youll start earning. It takes about three hours to complete. If city life has you feeling blue and you're in search of some green to set you right, then pack the campervan and head to Illinois. Once you reach the park, local paved roads can take you anywhere you want to go. Location: 309 Market Street, Marion, IL 62959. There's plenty of game to attract hunters and fishermen here. Toilets and showers are not too far from the campsites, either. The restaurant offers catering accommodations for up to 80 people in their banquet room, or the food can be delivered to your event. The park is beautiful!

company of a genuine Belfast-born innkeeper and a full traditional Irish breakfast. Other amenities: Dump station, showers, and restrooms. Was here for late April visit for 4 nights. All Hipcampers should review and adhere to these standards for safety, trip preparation, and respect in order to uphold Hipcamps most important value: leave it better.. From Vienna, head west on Illinois Highway 146/W Vine Street towards N 7th Street for about four miles. Popular menu items include Fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and tacos. Only park grills or personal cookstoves should be used for cooking fires to avoid the possibility of damaging the site. There are quite a few hikes in the park, but most of the trailheads are about 1-2 miles down a road from the campground, with no signage for the trails and no obvious way to get a trail map. Well maintained park with nice size sites. Special parking lots, such as equestrian parking lots, are also available, so it isn't a challenge to park your horse trailer. We did one of the waterfall trails and it was really beautiful. We attributed most of our negative experience to the total lack of visibility of the camphost. Up to 25 riders can be accommodated at the site, which includes picnic tables, drinking water, cooking grills, toilets, parking and showers.

This 2,430-acre Illinois state park is full of outstanding natural scenic spots. Water spigets scattered in camp ground and near dump station) Sites 1-22? Nice park, Rv spots aren't completely level, but everything is still nice. They have a dump station & clean fill water there too.

The market is always well stocked with fresh meats, vegetables, fruits and so much more. Great place to camp and hike. Tucked away in the picturesque rolling hills of Southern Illinois, our location rests on the highly acclaimed Southern Illinois Wine Trail. All rights reserved. Ferne Clyffe Lake is home to solid populations of catfish, bluegill, and bass. Some of the hiking trails are wheelchair accessible. Large yard and not super close to other campers. Motorized vehicles, RVs, trailers, and bicycles are not permitted on the trails inside of the park. Whether you visit Ferne Clyffe in the summer or winter, an RV is the ideal home base, and it will guard against the outdoor weather. Large campground. People who overland equip their veh How to Stay Safe During Wildfire Season: Introducing Campendiums New Smoke Map Feature. The area drains pretty well but all the fire rings are at ground level. You can hunt deer, squirrel, rabbit, and quail throughout 1,750 acres of forest. Nice, quiet, shady sites. They have electrical hookups, walk-in tent camping and backpacking sites. Would definitely visit again, perhaps in fall We stopped here simply because we were passing through while on a long roadtrip and I was desperate for a hookup so I could use my heater for a night. In the spring, Mandala Gardens sells freshly grown vegetables and herbs at the self-serve wagon. Surrounded by striking rock formations, plentiful fishing, miles of hiking trails, and flowing waterfall sits Deer Ridge Campground in the heart of Ferne Clyffe State Park. #53 is smaller but very private.

Equestrian trails are closed to horses from November 1 to April 30. Stay in a stone and log chalet, cool in summer with blazing log fires in winter. If you weren't able to secure a site at Deer Ridge Campground, there are several alternative options for RV camping in the area. The park stays open from April through December, and if you do plan on visiting the area during the off-season, its always a good idea to check the local weather forecast and road conditions before heading out. The park felt safe and was convenient for our route, but we would not stay here again. There is a great bike trail real close to the east. The Turkey Ridge campground has a parking lot where you can park the rig before heading out into the backcountry and is accessible by road from all parts of the park. Bank fishing activities are allowed at the lake, but swimming and boating are prohibited. There are two (2) loops available. Older but clean showers house w/flush toilets. Ferne Clyffe has been known as an outstanding natural scenic spot for nearly 100 years. Offering a crash pad to suit every type of camper, granola-toting backpackers and top-end glampers alike will commune in perfect harmonya grand outdoorsy summit if you will. Youre covered with our custom protection packages. Overlanding is a way to see less-explored areas of the world. Chicago's skyscrapers shoot out of Illinois earth, as did Route 66, which starts here on its long course to Santa Monica, California. Whiffle Boy's Pizza & More serves franchise pizza with ranchero sauce and a variety of pizza favorites. After a long day of hiking, fishing, or horseback riding, you'll be ready for a relaxing picnic at one of the seven picnic areas in the park. S Read more Craving that serene outdoor experience? All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. The Big Rock Hollow and the Cedar Bluff areas are two main spots where you can enjoy rock climbing. Ferne Clyffe State Park is home to 18 diverse trails that let you enjoy the natural beauty of the land. We attributed most of our negative experience to the total lack of visibility of the camphost. On the nice spring weekend that we stayed here, the campground was filled with locals, many of whom seemed to know each other, and who had lots of local friends. Children can have a blast at the playground. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. If traveling south on I-57, take the Goreville exit, #40, approximately 12 miles south of Marion, IL At exit #40 turn left (east), go 5 miles to IL Rt. Pinnon Lake cabins are ten tranquil minutes from the edge of Shawnee National Forest. Reservations are not necessary to access the group campground. All hikers should understand that some naturally-occurring hazardous areas exist in the park, so campers are warned to remain on designated trails. One of the nicer state parks in the deep southern region of Illinois. Turkey Ridge Campground in Ferne Clyffe State Park is a Class C walk-in campground made up of campsites for RV campers who want a serene outdoor experience. Tricks to find the perfect rig. Reservable campsites and first come, first served campites. In the museum, you'll see cell blocks, a military room and on the third floor is a replica of a one-room schoolhouse. #35 is a nice location. Ferne Clyffe State Park can be reached from I-57 and I-24. The winery is also converting to a full distillery of rum, brandy, and more. Will definitely be back to see the waterfalls and the rest of the trails. Camped here Halloween wknd 20. Rt. If you love to explore and see an areas's distinctive features, then you won't want to miss seeing the preserve when you bring your Sprinter van to the park. Recreate responsibly during COVID-19. Follow that for about eight miles, and then turn left into the park. Ferne Clyffe has been a favorite picnic spot for decades. Ferne Clyffe has a campground for every type of camper: modern, primitive, youth groups, backpack or equestrian. Ferne Clyffe State Park features eighteen diverse trails, varying in difficulty from easy to strenuous. 866-205-7451. The parking lots are well distributed around the campgrounds and campsites so that you can have your campervan, motorhome, or travel trailer wherever you want to go inside of the park. With over 700 species of plants, such as flowering dogwood, redbud, spicebush, sweetgum, the woodland flowers in Ferne Clyffe State Park, the landscape sets a magnificent backdrop for recreational activities during the spring and fall seasons. Whats more, theres a dedicated Class C equestrian campground for you to park your rig while you enjoy your ride. From I-24, take exit 7, go west 2 miles to Il. On the nice spring weekend that we stayed here, the campground was filled with locals, many of whom seemed to know each other, and who had lots of local friends. Sun was out for short periods. 37 and you will see the park entrance 1 mile south of Goreville. You can either ride in or drive into one of the 25 sites shaded by trees. Read more We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. more. The campsite is equipped with picnic tables, drinking water, cooking grills, toilets, parking, and showers. Water available to fill your holding tank and in. The campground is well-shaded by an abundance of trees, and you must protect the trees by tying horses to the hitching rails. There's a deli and bakery that makes fresh donuts daily and a variety of hot bar meals. The lake's fish species include largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish. Also pit outhouses for off season use. Continue Reading, Illinois: Living Large in the Land of Lincoln, Amazing things grow out of the Illinois Prairies. CampagnaFamilyTravels would stay here again, Was here for late April visit for 4 nights.