Camper submitted image from Johnson Creek - 1

Camper submitted image from Johnson Creek - 2

Established Camping

Johnson Creek

About

National Forest

Located on a northwest finger of beautiful Kinkaid Lake, Johnson Creek Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities. Here you will find something for everyone in the family, from camping and kayaking to hiking along the lake, biking the scenic roads and horseback riding. Recreation Area Brochure/Map

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Location

Johnson Creek is located in Illinois

Directions

From Murphysboro: Take Highway 149 west 7 miles to Highway 3; then north 4.5 miles on Highway 3 to Highway 151. Turn right onto Highway 151 and go 4 miles to recreation area. From St. Louis: Take either Highway 3 or Highway 4 south to Chester, IL. Then south 18 miles on Highway 3; turn left onto Highway 151 and go 4 miles to recreation area.

Coordinates

37.83400039 N
89.52100097 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Mari K.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 6, 2019

Other reviews must be old

Let’s start with the good. The outhouses were clean and it was pretty cheap. Ok,on to all of the not so great. The trails were VERY unkept and there was poison ivy at nearly every step, the entry map shows a beach- there might have been 5 years ago but now absolutely nothing that even resembled a place to swim. If I hadn’t been tricked into thinking it was a decent campground, I might not have been as disappointed but we were looking for a specific type of camping experience and this place failed to meet even the lowest of expectations.

Stacia R.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 27, 2019

off the beaten path

Located on Kincaid Lake in the northwestern edge of the Shawnee National forest. The campground has three small loops. Two are more forested with smaller sites and one is more open on the edge of the forest, and geared up for equestrian camping. There are very basic pit toilets that were fairly new and clean. You can get potable water at the entrance. We camped here mid-April and the campground water spigots had not been turned on yet. Camping is $10 a night - self check in. No need to worry about finding firewood, as it is plentiful within the forest. Listened to owls at night before bed.

We took a short ride to nearby Ava and checked out Scratch Brewery. Delicious and unique little place that is off the beaten path. Only open on weekends, but highly recommend.

Joel R.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 11, 2019

Night of the owls

My wife and I camped here one weekend in early fall. The site was fairly secluded, and right on Kincade lake. The campground is in the Shawnee National Forrest, and We heard several owls calling in the trees around us when we went to bed, so we stayed up listening for awhile. In the middle of the night we were startled awake by a pair of owls in the tree right above us. We were not sure if they were fighting or mating, but it sure was loud! The campground is scattered throughout the woods, with pit toilets and there is no shower. Water is available at the entrance. But, for $10 a night it is pretty good.

em P.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 31, 2018

woods camping byo horse

single, double, and triple camping spots set up on three loops in this small campground nestled in the corner of shawnee national forest. there's a central bath house located near check in. only amenities there are a pit toilet, so come prepared. drinking water available right outside the camp and most sites have a non-potable water spigot, horse hitch, and fire ring. close to lake kinkaid and johnson creek. there are a few trails that connect to this spot.

if you have a golden pass then you can receive a discounted stay.

Month of VisitJune