Pine Hills Campground
Closed for the season. Shawnee National Forest campgrounds typically operate from April 1 through December 15. Reopens April 1, 2026.
Flood Warning issued May 2 at 10:08AM CDT until May 6 at 3:24PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Missouri...Illinois... Mississippi River at Thebes and Cape Girardeau. .Recent heavy rainfall is continuing to cause rises on the Mississippi River. The river is forecast to crest Sunday at Thebes just over a foot above flood stage, and Monday at Cape Girardeau just over 3 feet above flood stage. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau. * WHEN...Until Wednesday afternoon. * IMPACTS... * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:30 AM CDT Saturday the stage was 34.6 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 35.2 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late Wednesday morning. - Flood stage is 32.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
River Pigs timber sale area active-use caution
Contractors have begun moving equipment onto the River Pigs timber sale area on the Shawnee National Forest, located off Buttermilk Hill Road in Jackson County.For your safety and the safety of crews working in the area, please be aware of increased traffic and active logging operations.• Watch…
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
Call (618) 658-1312 to report trail conditions, give feedback about the trails, and ask 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
Pine Hills Campground is a primitive camping destination in the Shawnee National Forest, situated adjacent to the scenic LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area. The campground offers 13 level campsites with open grassy areas between sites, providing a peaceful setting for tent camping and small trailers. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post, with a group picnic shelter also available. The campground is particularly popular with hunters during spring and fall seasons, as well as nature enthusiasts who come to explore the nearby LaRue-Pine Hills area, known for its dramatic limestone bluffs, scenic overlooks, and unique ecology. The area is famous for the seasonal snake migration along Snake Road (Forest Road 345), making it a destination for wildlife viewing. This is a primitive facility with vault toilets but no potable water, electricity, or hookups of any kind. Campers must bring their own water and be prepared for basic amenities. The campground operates first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Sites accommodate tents and trailers, though there are no pull-through sites. The maximum stay is 14 consecutive days, with sites limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles.
Directions
From Illinois Route 3 in Wolf Lake, turn east onto State Forest Road and drive 0.5 miles. Turn left (north) onto Pine Hills Road (Forest Road 236). The campground is on the right approximately 1 mile down the road.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (618) 253-7114 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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