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Camp Cadiz Campground

6 ReviewsAdd Review

Within Shawnee National Forest, Camp Cadiz Campground operates as a Forest Service facility that serves as the eastern trailhead for the River to River Trail. This rustic campground sits along a gravel forest road and accommodates both drive-in and walk-in camping, though pets are not permitted.

The campground contains eight spacious sites with large fire pits equipped with cooking grates. Two stone fireplaces built by the Civilian Conservation Corps anchor the camping area. Sites lack vegetation barriers between them, and those positioned directly along the main gravel road experience dust from passing vehicles. Campers consistently note the quieter sites located away from the road near the trailhead access point, which offer both sun and shade options.

Basic amenities include vault toilets that receive regular cleaning, a hand-pump water source, and trash service. The campground provides access to hiking trails including the Beaver Trail for shorter excursions. Ryan P. notes "No heavy traffic on the gravel road so it's very quiet." Garden of the Gods recreation area sits approximately 10 minutes away by vehicle.

The facility fills during turkey hunting season when generators start before dawn, and spring visitors often encounter morel mushroom hunters. For campers exploring the broader region, camping destinations near Shawnee National Forest provide additional options. Camp Cadiz works best for campers seeking a remote base camp with trail access and minimal crowds.

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Location

Public Campground

Camp Cadiz Campground is located in Illinois

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Harrisburg, Illinois: Take Hwy 13 east 14 miles to Hwy 1. Take Hwy 1 south 15 miles, to Camp Cadiz Rd. Turn west on Camp Cadiz Rd and go 2 miles to the campground entrance.From Evansville, Indiana: Take Hwy 62 west to Illinois Hwy 141 and continue west to Hwy 1. Take Hwy 1 south 30 miles to Camp Cadiz Rd. Turn west on and go 2 miles to the campground entrance.

Coordinates

37.578335 N
88.24416 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 4/3/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

Reviews

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1 Star

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4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Many visitors appreciated the spacious, quiet sites and clean basic facilities at this small 8-site campground. Several guests observed excellent trail access and peaceful atmosphere, though timing matters during hunting seasons.

H
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2021

Quiet and remote

Stayed here in March 2020. My favorite part about this campground was that there were only 8 campsites so it was very quiet and remote. I arrived at 7pm on Friday and snagged the last site. The fire pit had a grate large enough to cook on and I didn’t need to use my extra grate that I keep in my camping kit. Bathrooms were not super clean but they were fine. There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers. Over all a nice site. I would stay there again.

Site7
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Hannah F., September 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Hannah F., September 10, 2021
Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Apr. 17, 2021

Dusty, rustic camping at the edge of Shawnee

This small, rustic camp is at the edge of Shawnee and only had a few campers staying multiple nights with us. Then the turkey hunting season came upon us and the sites filled.

We had site choices that ended up being along the gravel forest road that goes by camp. This put us away from other dogs but caused other issues. Every vehicle that went by generated dust which then coated everything in our camp. If you come here, we suggest taking the site that is furthest from the road (it's right next to the small forest road that heads off to the hiking trails. They had shade as well as sun and no dust. 

The sites are large but there isn't any foliage between them. Luckily the dogs were in camps further away from our dog so she was able to relax. The water pump got frequent use and the twin vault toilets were plenty for the campground. 

The hiking trails that headed out from the camp were wonderful. We even hiked down the forest road and found a hidden cemetery tucked away. The river to river trail heads out from camp too - we saw a group of backpackers leave their cars and head off for the night. Garden of the Gods area is a short drive away for more hiking options.

Choose your time wisely. Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey. Once we realized what was going on, we put our dog's bright shirt on. Everyone was wonderful and we had some interesting conversations. It was also morel mushroom time so some people were hunting for them.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Art S., April 17, 2021
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Art S., April 17, 2021
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Art S., April 17, 2021
  • (9) View All
Jeremy G.
Reviewed Nov. 17, 2020

Great alternative

Motorcycle camping across America and I wanted to see grades of the gods. What I didn’t want was to camp on top of someone else ... Garden of the Gods camp was, in a word, awful. Cadiz was spacious, quiet, and the other campers wanted to camp not party. Stayed an extra day because of it

R
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2020

This was not my first pick but was available when plans changed.

This camp ground is only about 10 min from Garden Of The Gods. It’s down a gravel road a bit but nothing too hard to find. The spaces are wide open and big for multiple tents. There is well water, a bathroom (open septic tank) for pit and picnic table at each site. No heavy traffic on the gravel road so it’s very quiet.

Chelsea D.
Reviewed Apr. 23, 2020

This is a nice quiet campground!

I love this campground. It's super quiet despite the gravel road nearby. The vault restroom is kept very clean. It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework. While we were there, a small pack of 3 local dogs wandered through the campground which was a bit concerning at first, but they were all friendly, so no issues there.

Month of VisitJuly
Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2018

Right at the old tree stump

Camp Cadiz in Shawnee National Forest was fun to find :) The GPS is a little off BUT it gets you in the area.

On a gravel road, in the back country like most everything else on this side of Illinois , fill your gas tank up and your food locker or you will be driving back out a ways to refill. 

IL1/Ohio River Scenic Byway(in Illinois, who knew;) off the ferry from the Kentucky side, not much phone signal in these parts so bring the old fashion paper map. 

There is a sign for Camp Cadiz, trust the sign. Stay right onto the gravel road at the Y and you will pass JJ’s.

This is a very cool little basic campground with two stone fireplaces and several other sites with shade. A pit toilet and water source that’s about it. 

This is a campground you wanna use if you like being off the beaten path out on your own. Would also be a good group outing. 

This is the Eastern trailhead for the River to River trail , there is also a shorter trail , Beaver. Good one to practice your backpacking skills on. Very dark at night, bring your headlamp. Good times to be had ;)

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Shelly S., June 20, 2018
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Shelly S., June 20, 2018
  • Review photo of Camp Cadiz Campground by Shelly S., June 20, 2018
  • (12) View All
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make reservations for Camp Cadiz Campground?

Camp Cadiz Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservation system. Sites can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons like hunting season, so arriving early is recommended to secure a spot. For the most current reservation policies and any potential changes to the system, contact the Shawnee National Forest office directly before your trip.

What amenities and facilities are available at Camp Cadiz?

Camp Cadiz Campground offers basic amenities in a rustic setting. Facilities include well water, vault toilets that are regularly cleaned, fire pits with cooking grates large enough for meal preparation, and picnic tables at each site. The campground is small with only 8 campsites, providing a quiet atmosphere for those seeking a more secluded camping experience. The stonework from the Civilian Conservation Corps adds historical character to this peaceful location.

Where is Camp Cadiz Campground located in Illinois?

Camp Cadiz Campground is located in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. It's approximately 10 minutes away from the popular Garden of the Gods recreation area. The campground is situated down a gravel road in a back-country setting. GPS directions can be slightly off but will get you to the general area. Be prepared for rural driving conditions and make sure to fill up on gas and supplies before arriving, as services are limited in this remote region.

Are RV hookups available at Camp Cadiz Campground?

No, Camp Cadiz Campground does not offer RV hookups. This is a primitive campground with no electricity, water connections, or dump stations for RVs. While the campsites are spacious enough to accommodate equipment, they are better suited for tent camping or self-contained RVs that don't require external hookups. The rustic nature of this campground makes it ideal for those seeking a more traditional, off-grid camping experience.

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