Is Stephen A. Forbes Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Stephen A. Forbes Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Stephen A. Forbes Campground?

Stephen A. Forbes Campground is open Peak use late spring through early fall; many services are seasonal. (Equestrian trail operates May 15–November 1.). The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Stephen A. Forbes Campground?

Yes, Stephen A. Forbes Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Stephen A. Forbes Campground have?

Stephen A. Forbes Campground has 115 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Stephen A. Forbes Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Stephen A. Forbes Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Stephen A. Forbes Campground?

Stephen A. Forbes Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Stephen A. Forbes Campground?

Popular activities at Stephen A. Forbes Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Stephen A. Forbes Campground

4.23

26 reviews

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

548 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

115 campsites

Season

Peak use late spring...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

Full HookupsShowersWiFi

Check Availability

Get Directions

Quick Facts

548 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

115 campsites

Season

Peak use late spring...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

Full HookupsShowersWiFi

Check Availability

Get Directions

Stephen A. Forbes Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Illinois State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Stephen A. Forbes Campground

Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.

Campground Map

Stephen A. Forbes Campground

38.7278, -88.7664

Nearby places

Salem — ~15 miles

nearby towns include Iuka, Kinmundy, and Vandalia (distances not specified).

Weather at Stephen A. Forbes Campground

Best Time to Camp at Stephen A. Forbes Campground

Best visited late spring through early fall for full access to beach, marina, trails, and equestrian facilities. Summer is busiest for swimming and boating; shoulder seasons offer cooler temperatures and foliage colors. Winter availability of services and some trails or facilities may be reduced.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season for swimming, boating and full services; busiest season per overview.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Peak use late spring through early fall; many services are seasonal. (Equestrian trail operates May 15–November 1.)

About Stephen A. Forbes Campground

Stephen A. Forbes Campground sits on the forested shoreline of Stephen A. Forbes Lake, offering heavily shaded campsites under mature oak and hickory trees and direct access to the reservoir via docks and a floating walkway. The recreation area includes a sandy beach, trail network, equestrian camping, and a mix of site types (electric sites, walk‑ins, cabins), making it popular for boating, fishing, horseback riding, and family recreation.

A mix of camping options is available: RV sites with hookups (including pull‑throughs and 30‑amp service), standard tent sites, walk‑in sites, Rent‑A‑Camp cabins, youth/group areas, and a dedicated equestrian campground with electric sites.

Historical Significance

The recreation area was developed around a man‑made lake and is named for Illinois naturalist Stephen A. Forbes; the park evolved into a multi‑use state recreation area focused on boating, fishing, and hunting. Specific on‑site historical features within the campground are not documented in the consulted camping sources.

Weather and SeasonsBest visited late spring through early fall for full access to beach, marina, trails, and equestrian facilities. Summer is busiest for swimming and boating; shoulder seasons offer cooler temperatures and foliage colors. Winter availability of services and some trails or facilities may be reduced.

Natural Features and SceneryForest and lake landscape: mature oak‑hickory woodlands, rolling hills, coves and open water of Stephen A. Forbes Lake, a 200‑foot sand beach at Rocky Point, and shady lakeside campsites. A floating walkway and stairways connect the campground to the marina and shoreline, and multiple nature trails wind through more than 1,100 acres of forested habitat.

Geological RegionSouthern Illinois — oak‑hickory forest and reservoir landscape with rolling hills along Stephen A. Forbes Lake.

Scenic ViewsWooded lake views from many sites, with some walk‑in and lakeside sites offering direct vistas over coves; Rocky Point beach provides a broader panorama of the lake.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (Illinois state parks reservation system)

Total Campsites115 campsites

Best CampsitesOak Ridge Campground's 10 walk‑in sites are noted for seclusion and scenic lake views; lakeside sites near the floating walkway and boat dock are preferred by anglers and boaters. Equestrian campground sites (electric) are favored by horseback riders for direct trail access. Rent‑A‑Camp units and youth group areas are convenient for groups.

Need help booking Stephen A. Forbes Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Oak Ridge Campground offers electric and water at many sites, a modern shower building, flush toilets in the campground and pit toilets at picnic areas, a sanitary dump station, picnic tables and fire rings at many sites, a floating walkway and boat dock to the marina, Rent‑A‑Camp cabins, and an equestrian campground with electric sites. Additional services noted by users include a small market, firewood for sale, ADA access, trash service, and 30‑amp service at sites.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

WiFi

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The recreation area supports both water‑based and land activities around Stephen A. Forbes Lake, including trail hiking, horseback riding, boating, fishing, swimming at a sand beach, hunting in season, and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHunting occurs in parts of the recreation area in season (deer hunting is bow‑only in designated areas) — visitors should observe posted closures and consider wearing high‑visibility clothing during hunting seasons. Trails have been reported to have limited signage, which can cause navigation difficulties for first‑time visitors.

Cell CoverageThe Dyrt lists **Wi‑Fi as “Good”** at or near the campground and marks T‑Mobile coverage as unknown, but does not provide carrier‑specific signal details[4]. No other camping sources give explicit reception data. Given its location near small towns (Kinmundy, Iuka, Salem) and not far from I‑57, moderate coverage from major carriers (AT&T, Verizon) is likely in open areas, with possible weaker signal in low, heavily wooded sections—this is an inference, not directly sourced. Campers should not rely on strong data coverage in all parts of the park and may want offline maps and plans for limited service.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Stephen A. Forbes Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.2

26 reviews

Satisfactory

Stephen A. Forbes Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User comments are predominantly positive, highlighting a shaded, scenic lakeside setting, family‑friendly amenities (beach, playground), and a variety of site types; many reviewers rate the park highly for relaxation and repeat visits.

Review Summaries

Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic wooded lakeshore and shaded campsites; direct lake and marina access via floating walkway and docks; sandy beach and playground for families; wide range of site types (walk‑in, tent, RV with...

Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring maps or offline GPS for trails; choose walk‑in sites for more solitude; bring needed supplies despite onsite market; verify seasonal openings (horse trail May 15–Nov 1) and services before...

Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

Love my state park. | My favorite campground in Illinois. | "Tent Camping is great. Totally separate from the 'electric' camping area's so it is very quiet."

Based on 26 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited