Pine Hills Campground

Star4.39
70 reviews
Pine Hills Campground, State Forest Rd, Wolf Lake, IL
Peace & QuietStargazingGreat Hiking

Quick Facts

600 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Shawnee National Forest site

Official Website
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Pine Hills Campground
$10.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Flat rate of $10 per night for all campsites, accommodating up to 8 people and 2 vehicles. Payment accepted via cash or check only. Discount...
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Standard Site Fee$10.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.39

Recommended

Based on 70 reviews

62 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspacioussites

Some mention

noisetrain

"User reviews consistently praise the campground for its clean and spacious sites, peaceful atmosphere, and well-maintained facilities. However, some users express concerns about the lack of potable water and cell phone service."

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Campground Map

Pine Hills Campground, State Forest Rd, Wolf Lake, IL

Pine Hills Campground

Pine Hills Campground, State Forest Rd, Wolf Lake, IL

Driving directionsFrom Jonesboro take State Hwy 146 west to State Hwy 127 north. Go north three miles to the State Forest blacktop road. Turn west and travel 9 miles to FR236 or Pine Hills road. The campground is 0.07 miles north on Pine Hills road. To access PHCG from Illinois Route 3, turn onto the State Forest blacktop at the south edge of Wolf Lake. Travel east approx. 1 mile to the Pine Hills Road, FR236. Turn north onto FR236 and travel 0.07 miles to the campground.
Accessible via paved roads with a gravel apron at the campsite entrance. However, turning left onto Pine Hills Rd (Forest Route 236) involves crossing a dip that could be flooded during certain conditions.
Nearby places
Wolf Lake (approximately 0.6 miles)
Jonesboro (approximately 20 miles)
Cape Girardeau, MO (approximately 30 miles)
Nearby supplies
Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel can be found in Wolf Lake, within a few miles of the campground. Cape Girardeau also offers more extensive options approximately 30 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Pine Hills Campground

Pine Hills transforms with the seasons, from winter's crystalline beauty when snow dusts the pine boughs, to summer's verdant warmth where humidity hangs thick in the forest air. Spring and fall emerge as the crown jewels of camping season, offering crisp mornings, comfortable afternoons, and star-filled evenings under clear skies. These shoulder seasons paint the forest in either fresh greens or brilliant golds, creating perfect conditions for outdoor adventures.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summers described as peaceful and verdant with fewer crowds.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 15% in IL

Popular in fall; hardwoods and bluff views make it a peak season for scenery and wildlife.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.5 / 5
Top 11% in IL

Popular in spring; wildlife activity and milder weather are highlighted by reviewers.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Open year-round but winter visits are less common and many services are limited/closed.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: March 15 through December 15.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Year-round, with services provided from March 15 through December 15.
  • Current Alerts: Seasonal closure of Snake Road for biannual reptile migration.

About Pine Hills Campground

Tucked away in the heart of Shawnee National Forest, Pine Hills Campground offers an intimate escape where towering pines whisper ancient stories and a babbling stream provides nature's soundtrack. This rustic gem attracts those who prefer their adventures unplugged, with generously spaced sites carved from the forest floor that welcome multiple tents beneath a canopy of old-growth pine and hardwood trees. Here, solitude isn't just available—it's inevitable.
Pine Hills Campground is a small, primitive site with no RV-specific amenities, catering primarily to tent campers and those seeking a back-to-nature experience. It features 13 combined sites and has a group use area with a pavilion and fire pit.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
No specific check-in time provided.
Check-out
No specific check-out time provided.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The Pine Hills Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities, particularly suited for nature enthusiasts. Activities include hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, and fishing. Nearby attractions like Snake Road and Inspiration Point provide additional opportunities for exploration.
HikingA two-mile White Pine Trail is available for day hikes. Additionally, Pine Hills Road leads to the top of the bluffs, offering panoramic views of the LaRue Swamp and Mississippi River floodplain.
FishingFishing opportunities exist in nearby lakes and ponds, with species like bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass.
Wildlife viewingThe campground is located near the Snake Road, which is closed biannually to protect migrating reptiles and amphibians. Users have reported seeing a variety of wildlife, including snakes and birds.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo potable water; campers must bring their own. Seasonal flooding may occur at the dip when turning onto Pine Hills Rd (Forest Route 236). Wildlife, including snakes, may be encountered.
Active AlertsSeasonal closure of Snake Road for biannual reptile migration.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Pine Hills Campground

Reviews

4.4
70 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Pine Hills Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews consistently praise the campground for its clean and spacious sites, peaceful atmosphere, and well-maintained facilities. However, some users express concerns about the lack of potable water and cell phone service.
Review Summaries
Based on 70 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include the cleanliness of the sites and vault toilets, spacious layouts, and the serene environment. Many reviewers appreciate the critter-proof dumpsters and the new pavilion...
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Based on 70 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the absence of potable water, limited cell phone service, and occasional noise from a nearby train. Some also mentioned the lack of modern amenities like electricity.
Based on 70 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing plenty of water, as there is no potable water on-site. Bug spray is also advised for a more comfortable stay. For those looking to explore, Snake Road and the bluffs offer...
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Based on 70 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is popular in spring and fall, especially among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Summers are described as peaceful, with fewer crowds. Winter visits are less common due to colder...
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Based on 70 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Clean sites tucked into the wilderness off the beaten path and away from all crowds." - Margeau Faticone "The vault toilets were the cleanest I've ever seen for a state campground." - Margeau...
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Based on 70 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews highlight that most sites are clean, spacious, and well-maintained. Some reviewers recommend specific sites closer to the pavilion for group activities.
Based on 70 reviews

Accessibility Features

Wheelchair-friendly vault toilets are available, but additional feedback on accessibility is limited.
Based on 70 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed on leashes. No specific pet-related issues or praise were noted in the reviews.
Based on 70 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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