Ferne Clyffe State Park Campground
Open for camping. The main Class A campground at Deer Ridge operates seasonally, typically May through October. Some sites are reservable through ExploreMoreIL; others are first-come, first-served. Equestrian and group camping require advance coordination with the park office.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 2 at 10:16AM CDT until July 3 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...For the Extreme Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions with peak afternoon heat index values up to around 110 degrees can be expected. For the Heat Advisory on Independence Day, peak afternoon heat index values up to around 105 degrees are anticipated. * WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...For the Extreme Heat Warning, until 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday. For the Heat Advisory, from 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday to 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Saturday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during prolonged duration extreme heat and high humidity events. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Overnight lows will only fall into the mid 70s, providing little relief during this prolonged, extended duration of dangerously high heat and humidity.
Heat Advisory issued July 2 at 10:16AM CDT until July 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...For the Extreme Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions with peak afternoon heat index values up to around 110 degrees can be expected. For the Heat Advisory on Independence Day, peak afternoon heat index values up to around 105 degrees are anticipated. * WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...For the Extreme Heat Warning, until 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday. For the Heat Advisory, from 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday to 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Saturday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during prolonged duration extreme heat and high humidity events. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Overnight lows will only fall into the mid 70s, providing little relief during this prolonged, extended duration of dangerously high heat and humidity.
About
Ferne Clyffe State Park Campground occupies a scenic 2,470-acre tract in Johnson County, Illinois, approximately one mile south of Goreville off Illinois Route 37. The park's landscape features dramatic sandstone bluffs, sheltered canyons thick with ferns, and a seasonal waterfall. Multiple hiking trails explore these geological features, and the park permits rock climbing on designated formations. The campground system serves diverse camping styles. Deer Ridge is a Class A facility with gravel pads, electric hookups, flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and a sanitary dump station. Turkey Ridge operates as a Class C walk-in campground with camp pads, cooking grills, picnic tables, showers, and toilets. A backpack campground lies a half-mile from the Turkey Ridge parking area, offering woodland sites with cooking grills, toilets, and showers. Equestrian campers have their own Class C area with capacity for 25 riders, featuring hitching rails, drinking water, showers, and toilets. Reservations for select sites are available through ExploreMoreIL; many sites remain first-come, first-served. Group camping requires contacting the park office directly. Beyond camping, visitors can fish in the park's lake, hunt in designated areas during season, and picnic at day-use shelters.
Directions
Located on Illinois Route 37, approximately 1 mile south of Goreville and 12 miles south of Marion. Accessible via I-57 and I-24.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 60ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| dnr.Parksadmin@illinois.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (618) 995-2411 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
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