Tower Rock
Closed — Open May 1 through December 15. Currently closed for the winter season and will reopen May 1, 2025. The area is prone to flooding when river levels fluctuate.
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.
Oakwood Bottoms Waterfowl Hunting 2025-2026
Flooding of Oakwood Bottom Units is underway. Due to storm damage to power lines, the units in the southern portion of Oakwood Bottoms will not be filled this year. To offset this loss of floodable units, we plan to flood as many of the northern units as possible.
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
Water temporarily unavailable at Garden of the Gods
Water is temporarily off at Pharaoh Campground in the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. Please plan accordingly. We apologize for the inconvenience and will provide updates to our social media pages and the website when it is available again.
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 replace
Road Conditions
Current area road conditions can be found at the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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.
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
Tower Rock Campground sits along the scenic banks of the Ohio River in Shawnee National Forest near Elizabethtown, Illinois. This free campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a 14-day stay limit. The campground offers beautiful riverside scenery and direct access to water activities including fishing and motorized boating. A short 1/4 mile trail near the boat launch provides opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. The campground can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet and offers basic amenities. Visitors should be aware that this area is prone to flooding when river levels fluctuate. There is no potable water on-site, and campers must pack out all trash as no garbage service is provided. Restrooms are available at the site. Tower Rock Campground is managed by the Hidden Springs Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service and provides a primitive camping experience in a beautiful natural setting along one of America's great rivers.
Directions
From the intersection of Illinois State Highway 34 and Illinois State Highway 146, go east on Illinois State Highway 146 approximately 8 miles. Turn right onto Tower Rock Road and head east for 3 miles to Forest Road 575, then turn right and go 0.5 miles to Tower Rock Campground. There are directional signs from State Highway 146 to Tower Rock.
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 | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (618) 658-2111 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
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