USDA Forest Service · Illinois
Johnson Creek Campground
USDA Forest Service · Illinois, United States
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 646 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- JOHNSON CREEK CAMPIN (NFSR 724C) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Nearest town
- Ava, IL
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Tent, Camping, Trailer, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Nature Study
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
US Forest Service campground. Located on a northwest finger of beautiful Kinkaid Lake, Johnson Creek Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities. Here you will find something for everyone in the family, from camping and kayaking to hiking along the lake, biking the scenic roads and horseback riding. Camping trailer: non-electric Picnic tables Tent camping: non-electric Parking Toilets: vault toilets Boat ramp: suitable for small watercrafts. Open season: all year. Not reservable through Recreation.gov, so plan on first-come, first-served; check with the ranger district for current conditions and fees.
Fees
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $10 per night
Double Site: $12 per night
Triple Site: $15 per night
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39° | 27° | 5° | 67° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 46° | 29° | -2° | 73° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 59° | 40° | 18° | 78° | 6 of 11 |
| April | 67° | 49° | 29° | 84° | 1 of 11 |
| May | 78° | 62° | 44° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 86° | 68° | 55° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 72° | 64° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 85° | 70° | 63° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 84° | 66° | 53° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 49° | 35° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 56° | 39° | 8° | 75° | 3 of 10 |
| December | 46° | 32° | 10° | 65° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
All 277 trails in Shawnee National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Lake Murphysboro State Park · Illinois State Parks · 8 mi
- Pyramid State Recreation Area · Illinois State Parks · 13 mi
- Randolph County State Recreation Area · Illinois State Parks · 18 mi
- Pinckneyville City Park/Fairgrounds Camping · City, County & Regional Parks · 19 mi
- Pine Hills Campground · USDA Forest Service · 23 mi
All public campgrounds in Illinois · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-06. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.