Illinois: Garden Of The Gods
Campers who prefer solitude and starry skies over s’mores and hot showers are in their element in this section of the Shawnee National Forest’s 289,000 acres of raw wilderness along the southeastern edge of Illinois. The area is known for its weather-sculpted rock formations—sandstone spires with names like Camel Rock and Anvil Rock—as well as panoramic views of the hills and treetops. Once part of a vast inland sea, the otherworldly landscape is the result of 320 million years of geological drama.
While this gorgeously rugged area is home to plenty of campgrounds and RV parks, it also offers a rare opportunity to experience dispersed camping—basically pitching a tent off the grid. The land is crisscrossed with well-trodden hiking trails, including a section of the River to River Trail that stretches from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River. This style of trailside roughing it requires a lot of legwork. (But then, that’s the whole point.) So you will need to pack light, leave your car behind in one of the designated parking lots, and walk beyond the well-trodden path into the heart of the wilderness.
There are a few key restrictions for hike-in primitive camping. For example, campers must pitch their tents at least 150 feet from trails and water sources. They should avoid damaging any existing vegetation. And they should leave no trace. Cell service is spotty at best, and you will want to bring your own water. But this is a fully immersive experience worth every blister and missed text. No reservations. No fees. No neighbors. Just you and a natural wonder that lives up to its sacred-sounding name.
50 Hwy. 145 South, Harrisburg, Illinois, 618-253-7114
Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park
Located just a five-minute walk from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center where guided cave tours depart throughout the day, Mammoth Cave Campground is as comfortable as it is no-frills. One of several campgrounds within the Central Kentucky park (recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), this shady, wooded patch of land is exclusively and unapologetically primitive. That means you won’t find Wi-Fi or electric hookups among its 111 campsites for tents and RVs. But you will find peace, quiet, and easy access to the longest known cave system in the world.
Most campers spend their days adventuring through more than 400 miles of geological wonders—vast limestone and sandstone underground passageways, chambers, and twisting tunnels. (Pro tip: Book your tour in advance, especially during summer’s peak season. And practice proper cave etiquette by not touching the cave formations and staying on the designated pathways.) Above ground, visitors explore the park’s 14 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through wooded landscapes and offer views of the Green River valley. Wildlife lovers will appreciate the regular visits from deer and turkeys at dawn and dusk, and paddlers can book a canoe or kayak trip down the scenic Green River.
When night falls, stargazers are in for a real treat as the sky becomes a massive canopy of so many stars that in 2021, the nonprofit NightSky International named it an International Dark Sky Park in recognition of its efforts to reduce light pollution and protect the beauty of the night sky.
2811 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, 720-758-2180
