Pharoah-Garden Of The Gods
Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. Water is currently unavailable at the campground; campers should bring adequate drinking water.
Snake Road Temporarily Closed for Spring Movement
Forest Service Road No. 345, Snake Road, is temporarily closed beginning Friday, March 6 to ensure safe crossing for several species of snakes and amphibians during their bi-annual migration. Every spring, this 2.5-mile-long road is closed March through May to allow snakes and amphibians – some…
Failing Culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road FSR # 786
Be aware there is a failing culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road FSR # 786. The culvert is approximately 0.6 miles off of Route 3, just before the railroad tracks.The area has been barricaded off but vehicles can still proceed through. Please use caution in the area until repairs can be made or use…
Public Health and Safety Closure Within the V-Plow Timber Sale Area
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands within Township 11S, Range 5E, Sections 21 & 22 of Pope County, Illinois, as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.
09-08-25-03 Shawnee Wilderness and Watersheds
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining restrictions in wilderness and watershed areas, including stock use.
09-08-25-02 Occupancy and Use
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining conditions of occupancy and use.
09-08-25-04 Restrictions for the Use of Natural Areas
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining restrictions in natural areas.
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
Shawnee Trail Hotline618-658-1312Shawnee Trail Hotline is available to:report trail conditions - trees down across trail, lack of trail markings/signs, etc.give feedback about the trailsask questions about the forest trail system
Trail Segment Closed - Lincoln Memorial
The walking path at Lincoln Memorial Day-use site has been affected by heavy rainfall, which has caused soil erosion and subsidence at the spillway of the Lincoln Memorial pond. Because of the unstable soil, the loop portion of the walking path around the pond is temporarily closed.Hazard…
Narrow Bridge near IL Iron Furnace
Big Creek BridgeOrange road barrels have been placed on the shoulders of the Big Creek Bridge in Hardin County, Illinois (near the IL. Iron Furnace historic site). Both lanes across the bridge are narrow due to the placement of the traffic barrels. Narrow Bridge signs are in place in both…
Cave and Mine Closure Order
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining cave and mine closures.
About
Pharaoh Campground sits within the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area in Shawnee National Forest, offering 12 primitive campsites year-round. This first-come, first-served campground provides a rustic base for exploring one of Illinois's most photographed natural areas, featuring unique sandstone rock formations and panoramic views of the Shawnee Hills. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire grill, with vault toilets available in the campground. The campground is ideally positioned near the quarter-mile Observation Trail, which showcases dramatic sandstone formations like Camel Rock, Table Rock, and Devil's Smokestack. Campers can also access numerous hiking trails that venture into the Garden of the Gods Wilderness, where rocky streams, sheer cliffs, pine stands, and scenic vistas await. The recreation area maintains hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for day use areas, though the campground is accessible 24/7 for registered campers. This primitive campground charges $10 per night and accepts cash or check only. Each site accommodates up to 8 people and 2 vehicles. Cell phone coverage is spotty or non-existent in the area. For campers seeking electric hookups, Pounds Hollow Recreation Area is located 6 miles to the east with 13 electric sites available.
Directions
From Harrisburg, take Highway 145 south 5 miles to Highway 34, then take 34 south for 10 miles. Turn east onto Karbers Ridge Road for 2.5 miles to Forest Road. Turn north and drive 1.5 miles to the recreation area entrance road.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (618) 658-2111 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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