CampgroundsDB

First-come camping in Illinois (no reservation needed)

Illinois has 9 public campgrounds you can camp at without a reservation, 1 free and 8 charging a fee. All are run by the U.S. Forest Service.

9
Total
0
Reservable
9
First-come

noindex Fewer than 3 campgrounds here clear the indexable bar yet, so this page stays noindex.

First-come campgrounds vs. dispersed camping

Every campground below is a named, developed site that takes no reservations: show up, find an open site, pay if there's a fee. Dispersed camping (boondocking) is different: camping on open public land away from any campground. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Most first-come campgrounds by town: 2 near Hardin , 2 near Pope , 1 near Ava , and 1 near Eddyville .

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Camp Cadiz Hardin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Duck Bay - Lake Glendale Group Campground Pope · National Forest · First-come
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Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
For campsite or shelter availability, contact Lake Glendale Concessionaire, Gary and Andrea Dahmer at 618-658-0607. F...
 Johnson Creek Campground Ava · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Oak Point - Lake Glendale Pope · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $15 per night
 Pharaoh-garden of the Gods Saline · National Forest · First-come
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Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Pine Hills Wolf Lake · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Pine Ridge-pounds Hollow Gallatin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Redbud - Bell Smith Springs Eddyville · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $10 per night
 Tower Rock Campground Hardin · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free

Common questions

Is there free camping in Illinois?

Yes. 1 public campground here is free and first-come: Tower Rock Campground.

Can you camp on BLM land in Illinois?

Yes, in most places. BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within any 28-day period (stay limits vary by field office), asks campers to stay at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and says most areas need no permit or reservation (blm.gov, read 2026-09-26).

Campgrounds you can book ahead: camping in Illinois.