How much does camping cost at Pine Hills Campground?

Camping fees at Pine Hills Campground range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

What is the best time to visit Pine Hills Campground?

Pine Hills Campground is open March 15 through December 15.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Pine Hills Campground?

Pine Hills Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Pine Hills Campground have?

Pine Hills Campground has 13 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Pine Hills Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pine Hills Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Pine Hills Campground?

Pine Hills Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pine Hills Campground?

Popular activities at Pine Hills Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pine Hills Campground

Q: Is Pine Hills Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Pine Hills Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Exclusive walk-up basis. Users report that sites often have availability even during busy weekends like Labor Day.

Q: Can I have a campfire at Pine Hills Campground?

Fire policies at Pine Hills Campground: Fire rings available at all campsites. Local wood supply available, but users are encouraged to follow fire safety guidelines.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.39

70 reviews

Pine Hills Campground, State Forest Rd, Wolf Lake, IL

Peace & QuietStargazingGreat Hiking

Featured in:Forest Camping Illinois#3 Pet-Friendly Campgrounds Illinois Fall Camping Illinois +5 more

Quick Facts

600 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Shawnee National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

600 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Shawnee National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Pine Hills Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Flat rate of $10 per night for all campsites, accommodating up to 8 people and 2 vehicles. Payment accepted via cash or check only. Discount...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.39

Recommended

Based on 70 reviews

62 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspacioussites

Some mention

noisetrain

"User reviews consistently praise the campground for its clean and spacious sites, peaceful atmosphere, and well-maintained facilities. However, some users express concerns about the lack of potable water and cell phone service."

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Campground Map

Pine Hills Campground, State Forest Rd, Wolf Lake, IL

Pine Hills Campground

Pine Hills Campground, State Forest Rd, Wolf Lake, IL

Nearby places

Wolf Lake (approximately 0.6 miles)

Jonesboro (approximately 20 miles)

Cape Girardeau, MO (approximately 30 miles)

Nearby supplies

Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel can be found in Wolf Lake, within a few miles of the campground. Cape Girardeau also offers more extensive options approximately 30 miles away.

Driving directionsFrom Jonesboro take State Hwy 146 west to State Hwy 127 north. Go north three miles to the State Forest blacktop road. Turn west and travel 9 miles to FR236 or Pine Hills road. The campground is 0.07 miles north on Pine Hills road. To access PHCG from Illinois Route 3, turn onto the State Forest blacktop at the south edge of Wolf Lake. Travel east approx. 1 mile to the Pine Hills Road, FR236. Turn north onto FR236 and travel 0.07 miles to the campground.

Accessible via paved roads with a gravel apron at the campsite entrance. However, turning left onto Pine Hills Rd (Forest Route 236) involves crossing a dip that could be flooded during certain conditions.

Best Time to Camp at Pine Hills Campground

Pine Hills transforms with the seasons, from winter's crystalline beauty when snow dusts the pine boughs, to summer's verdant warmth where humidity hangs thick in the forest air. Spring and fall emerge as the crown jewels of camping season, offering crisp mornings, comfortable afternoons, and star-filled evenings under clear skies. These shoulder seasons paint the forest in either fresh greens or brilliant golds, creating perfect conditions for outdoor adventures.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in IL

Popular in fall; excellent for wildlife, hunters and scenic vistas during peak season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 15 through December 15.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Year-round, with services provided from March 15 through December 15.
Current Alerts: Seasonal closure of Snake Road for biannual reptile migration.

About Pine Hills Campground

Tucked away in the heart of Shawnee National Forest, Pine Hills Campground offers an intimate escape where towering pines whisper ancient stories and a babbling stream provides nature's soundtrack. This rustic gem attracts those who prefer their adventures unplugged, with generously spaced sites carved from the forest floor that welcome multiple tents beneath a canopy of old-growth pine and hardwood trees. Here, solitude isn't just available—it's inevitable.

Pine Hills Campground is a small, primitive site with no RV-specific amenities, catering primarily to tent campers and those seeking a back-to-nature experience. It features 13 combined sites and has a group use area with a pavilion and fire pit.

Historical Significance

The legendary Snake Road has earned Pine Hills a place on every naturalist's bucket list. Twice yearly, this unassuming forest path becomes a highway for one of North America's most remarkable wildlife spectacles—the mass migration of snakes, amphibians, and reptiles. Scientists, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe converge here to witness this ancient rhythm of nature, making the area a living laboratory of ecological wonder.

Weather and SeasonsPine Hills transforms with the seasons, from winter's crystalline beauty when snow dusts the pine boughs, to summer's verdant warmth where humidity hangs thick in the forest air. Spring and fall emerge as the crown jewels of camping season, offering crisp mornings, comfortable afternoons, and star-filled evenings under clear skies. These shoulder seasons paint the forest in either fresh greens or brilliant golds, creating perfect conditions for outdoor adventures.

ElevationNestled at 600 feet above sea level in a sheltered valley, Pine Hills occupies a unique microclimate within Shawnee National Forest. This gentle elevation creates a natural amphitheater effect, trapping cool air that brings refreshing relief on summer evenings and adds a mystical quality to misty mornings when fog pools among the trees.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living postcard where ancient pines and hardwoods create cathedral-like groves, their roots drinking from the clear stream that meanders through camp. The landscape opens dramatically to reveal views of LaRue Swamp and the mighty Mississippi River floodplain beyond. This ecological crossroads harbors an astounding diversity of plant and animal life, from delicate wildflowers carpeting the forest floor to the calls of countless bird species echoing through the canopy. Every trail promises discovery, every sunset paints a masterpiece.

Geological RegionPine Hills Campground sits at the convergence of multiple natural wonders within Shawnee National Forest, one of Illinois' most spectacular wild spaces. The campground's prime location places visitors at the doorstep of the state's largest natural area, where ancient geological forces have sculpted a landscape of remarkable diversity. From your tent, you're minutes from the famous Snake Road migration corridor, while the proximity to LaRue Swamp and the Mississippi River floodplain creates an ecosystem unlike anywhere else in the Midwest—a place where upland forest meets wetland wilderness.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

No specific check-in time provided.

Check-out

No specific check-out time provided.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 8 people and 2 vehicles per campsite.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutAll 13 campsites are spacious, featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts. Sites are located in cleared areas among pine and hardwood trees.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are unavailable.

Walk-in AvailabilityExclusive walk-up basis. Users report that sites often have availability even during busy weekends like Labor Day.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservations available; campsite availability is on a walk-up, first-come, first-served basis.

AccessibilityWheelchair-friendly vault toilets are available, but there is limited information on other accessibility features.

Site SizeSites are described as large and spacious, capable of accommodating multiple tents or even large trailers.

PrivacySites are well-spaced and private, with some reviews highlighting the peace and quiet of the campground.

Total Campsites13 campsites

Recommended SitesBring bug spray due to insects. Sites with pine groves are reportedly ideal for hammocks.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The Pine Hills Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities, particularly suited for nature enthusiasts. Activities include hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, and fishing. Nearby attractions like Snake Road and Inspiration Point provide additional opportunities for exploration.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo potable water; campers must bring their own. Seasonal flooding may occur at the dip when turning onto Pine Hills Rd (Forest Route 236). Wildlife, including snakes, may be encountered.

Active AlertsSeasonal closure of Snake Road for biannual reptile migration.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyFire rings available at all campsites. Local wood supply available, but users are encouraged to follow fire safety guidelines.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not explicitly stated.

Emergency ServicesNearest hospital is Cape Girardeau, MO, approximately 30 miles away. No emergency services detailed for police or ranger station in provided information.

Trash & RecyclingAnimal-proof trash cans and critter-proof dumpsters are available on-site, ensuring proper waste disposal.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to a stream. Nearby LaRue Swamp offers additional wildlife viewing opportunities.

Camp HostRangers and campground workers reportedly visit frequently and are described as friendly and accommodating.

Weather at Pine Hills Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

70 reviews

Recommended

Pine Hills Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews consistently praise the campground for its clean and spacious sites, peaceful atmosphere, and well-maintained facilities. However, some users express concerns about the lack of potable water and cell phone service.

Review Summaries

Based on 70 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include the cleanliness of the sites and vault toilets, spacious layouts, and the serene environment. Many reviewers appreciate the critter-proof dumpsters and the new pavilion...

Based on 70 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the absence of potable water, limited cell phone service, and occasional noise from a nearby train. Some also mentioned the lack of modern amenities like electricity.

Based on 70 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing plenty of water, as there is no potable water on-site. Bug spray is also advised for a more comfortable stay. For those looking to explore, Snake Road and the bluffs offer...

Based on 70 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is popular in spring and fall, especially among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Summers are described as peaceful, with fewer crowds. Winter visits are less common due to colder...

Based on 70 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Clean sites tucked into the wilderness off the beaten path and away from all crowds." - Margeau Faticone "The vault toilets were the cleanest I've ever seen for a state campground." - Margeau...

Based on 70 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews highlight that most sites are clean, spacious, and well-maintained. Some reviewers recommend specific sites closer to the pavilion for group activities.

Based on 70 reviews