Recreation area

Bay Creek Wilderness

Shawnee National Forest · Illinois — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Bay Creek Wilderness is located in Pope County. The Wilderness is located adjacent to Burden Falls Wilderness and is in a stone's throw of Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area. Bay Creek Wilderness is comprised of a central hardwood ecosystem with some pine plantations. Contained in the Wilderness is the Bay Creek Wild and Scenic River Study Corridor. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads.

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Bay Creek Wilderness doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Illinois campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.