Campgrounds Near Me

Hey Google, campgrounds near me.  With Spring fast approaching, planning your next getaway is easy with Camp Ondessonk’s online registration portal.  Camp Ondessonk offers a wide array of camping options for both individuals and the whole family.

For the Explorers…

Are you looking for a secluded spot that still offers basic amenities? 

Durbin’s Barn: This may be the most unique camping area at Camp.  Durbin’s Barn was built in the 1930s, restored by Camp in 2011, and it still maintains its old-fashioned charm. The ground floor and the loft upstairs have plenty of room for large groups.  Durbin’s Barn has a fire pit, benches, picnic table, and an outhouse. Water is unavailable, but visitors are welcome to fill up their water jugs from any spigot in the central area of the Campgrounds. The road going to Durbin’s Barn from the main area of Camp is only advised for high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles and is best accessed via Camp’s back gate, which can be unlocked for you. Durbin’s Barn is ideally located for hikes to the Pakentuck area and the greater Shawnee National Forest. 

Ahatsistari: This site is a tent camping area.  Ahatsistari has a wooden tent platform, an outhouse, fire pit, benches, picnic table, trash can, and shares a year-round water spigot with the adjacent unit of Goupil.

Brebeuf Flats: This grassy area off the Camp Road is excellent for many tents.  Brebeuf Flats has a fire pit and benches and shares an outhouse, year-round water spigot, and trash receptacles with the adjacent Fournie Mini Camp Village.  It is also next door to Shower House B and close to the Phantom’s Canyon trailhead.  

Kane Lake: Kane Lake boasts a large park-like setting with its own pavilion shelter. Kane Lake is a favorite of local fishermen and a great spot to base Camp while taking day hikes to the Pakentuck area. The site also has an outhouse, fire pit, benches, and picnic tables.  Water is unavailable, but visitors are welcome to fill up their water jugs from any spigot in the main area of Camp. The road going to Kane Lake from the central area of Camp is only advised for high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles and is best accessed via Camp’s back gate, which can be unlocked for you.

For the Pioneers…

Are you looking for a unique camping experience with all the important amenities?

Camp Ondessonk’s Signature Treehouses
One of the highlights of an Ondessonk visit is our 3-sided treehouse cabin units that take full advantage of their natural surroundings.  They are intentionally designed and located to maximize visitors’ experience of tranquility and inspiration of nature.  Some are on the ground for easy access, one is built under a shelter bluff with its own waterfall, and others are walled in for more security.  Whichever unit you choose, you will be immersed in the natural world in a unique setting.  Most cabin units have five-six cabins and sleep around 40 guests.  All cabin units have fire pits, benches, picnic tables, water spigot, and an outhouse, and they are close to a shower house. 

Lalande: Nestled beside a bluff, the treehouse-style unit of Lalande is one of the most picturesque units at Camp.  It is the closest unit to the heated Beach Shower House and boasts its own waterfall!  Lalande has a capacity of 48 people in six cabins of eight bunks.  There is also plenty of tent space.

Goupil: Situated atop a sandstone bluff, Goupil is one of the most unique units at Camp Ondessonk.  Goupil is aptly nicknamed the “Stair-Master Unit” because of the number of stairs that connect the cabins of this steep but beautiful unit.  There is an excellent view of Lake Echon from the top of the spiral staircase.  Goupil has a capacity of 48 people in six cabins of eight bunks.

Chabanel: This is affectionately referred to as the “Cave Unit.”  It is tucked underneath a sandstone shelter bluff and has a beautiful seasonal waterfall.  This unit has a capacity of 40 people.  Chabanel supports three bunk platforms under the rock and two treehouse-style cabins holding eight bunks each.

Lalemant: It’s one of the few units with its own driveway off the main Camp Road for easy access.  While it is one of the farther units from the central area of Camp, its location is a perfect jumping-off point to great spots on Camp’s East Side like Durbin’s Barn, Kane Lake, and the Pakentuck area.  Lalemant has a capacity of 48 people in six cabins of eight bunks.

Garnier: Garnier is a favorite unit of folks who want to be farther away from the central area of Camp.  It is right on Lake Echon, perfect for fishing with even a fish-cleaning table.  Garnier’s location makes it an easy walk to great hiking spots on Camp’s West Side and down the Cinder Path into the Shawnee National Forest.  Fall asleep to the soothing sounds of running water over the nearby Spillway.  Garnier has a capacity of 48 people in six cabins of eight bunks.

Daniel: This is one of the closest units to the main area of Camp and to our heated Beach Shower House.  Daniel is right on Lake Echon, and its eastern exposure makes it the best unit for sunrises.  This unit has a capacity of 48 people in six cabins of eight bunks.

These are just a couple of Camp Onessonk’s signature treehouses.  To learn more, click here.

The next time you are about to say, “Hey Google, campgrounds near me.” Remember, you are just a click away from one of the most fantastic campgrounds in Southern Illinois.

Open dates for reservations

• March 3-5: All Units Available!
• March 10-12:  All Units except Raganaeu are available!
• March 17-19: All Units except Raganaeu and Brebeuf are available!
• March 24-26: All Units except Daniel, Goupil, and Lalamant are available!