Johnson Creek Campground
Open for the season from March 15 through December 15. First-come, first-served only; no reservations accepted. No potable water available on site.
McClure Road Closed
McClure Road (Forest Service Road 772) is closed at the low-water crossing approximately 0.1 mile past the Forest Service boundary (0.8 mile from Little Kinkaid Road). We apologize for the inconvenience, but the road will remain closed to all vehicular traffic until a culvert can be replaced. …
Road Conditions
Current area road conditions can be found at the Illinois Department of Transportation.Roads Open to Motor VehiclesDownload our Motor Vehicle Use Maps for a list of which roads are open to motor vehicle access on the Shawnee National Forest.
Reporting Trail Conditions
Call (618) 658-1312 to report trail conditions, give feedback about the trails, and ask questions about the forest trail system.
About
Johnson Creek Campground occupies a scenic spot on a northwest finger of Kinkaid Lake within Shawnee National Forest. As one of the few USFS campgrounds specifically designed for equestrians, it provides hitching posts and highline poles at campsites, along with a trailhead parking lot large enough for horse trailers. Overnight parking is permitted at both the trailhead and boat launch area. The campground offers single, double, and triple sites to accommodate various group sizes. Several trails lead directly from the campground and link to the extensive Kinkaid Lake trail system, making it an ideal base camp for multi-day riding or hiking trips. A boat launch provides lake access for fishing and paddling. This is a first-come, first-served campground with no reservations accepted. Vault toilets are available, but campers must bring their own drinking water as potable water is not provided. Trash receptacles are on site. Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times.
Directions
From Route 151 south of Ava, turn into Johnson Creek Recreation Area. The campground is at the end of the drive.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 - $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (618) 833-8576 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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