RE: Southern Illinois Camping-please help

[Camper Dan]

 
Hi everybody[],
 
 DW & I would like to plan a camping trip to southern Illinois and check out some of the region s hiking trails...Garden of the Gods area in particular.  Has anyone stayed at any state parks nearby?  Cave-in-Rock SP?  Not so near by, maybe?[]  Or hiked any trails in the Shawnee NF?
 
 TIA, for your help!
 
 BTW, I am originally from Chicago Heights, Illinois, a Chicago  burb! (many, many years ago)!

[Walt McG]

 Camper Dan
Camper Dan
 The boys and I were at this SP this past summer it was very well keep it is down by Bloomington we are going to try to go there agen this year.
 
 http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R3/MORAINE.HTM#Hiking

[CampingGolfers]

 Camper Dan
We camp at Rend Lake alot.   Its a little North of the Shawnee area.  There are several nice corps of engineer and state park campgrounds and a good golf course if you play.  Fishing I guess depends on the time of year and how high the water is.

[Camper Dan]

 Camper Dan
Thanks, everybody,[]
 
 ...for your responses![]  Camping season is still a few weeks away, (I wish)!

[Campaholics]

 Camper Dan
Camper Dan,
 We tent camped Ferne Clyfe SP.  During the week maybe three other sites occupied.  Not even crowded on the weekends in the middle of the summer.  Regular visitors every evening wild turkeys.  One of the other parks in the area (Belknap??) has cypress trees over 1,000 years old.  Wandering around the rock formations at Giant City SP is another must do.  BTW Cave in the Rock SP was in the movie How the West Was Won.  That s where Jimmy Stewart went to see the varmit.