Attractions & Amenities:
- Multiple gorgeous hiking trails—from easy to rigorous—and biking opportunities close by (hosts have additional information)
- Walking distance to Kinkaid Marina, which has a restaurant, bar, laundry (coin), and showers.
- Kinkaid Lake Spillway is the area’s most beautiful “swimming hole” and can be accessed by car (6-min. drive) or boat
- Fishing docks within walking distance
- Beautiful lakeside and sunset strolls
- Owners/hosts on-site
- Wineries and wine trail-head nearby
- Parking on-site (one standard-size parking place per campsite)
- Award-winning restaurants nearby, including 17th Street Barbecue, three-time World Grand Champions
- Science and history museums (adult and kid-friendly)
- The area is a nature lover’s paradise, surrounded by national forest and state parks and stunning beauty (see photos of nearby attractions below)
Free coffee in the morning for early risers ('til it's gone), and free treats in the evening for after-supper snackers ('til they're gone).
Sites available April 4—10
Payment and signed release of liability due at the time of reservation.
Kinkaid Lake Spillway | Our favorite neighborhood swimming , ~6-min. drive from Heron House
2024 Eclipse Camping in the path of totality
& greatest duration
Heron House Family Campground at Kinkaid Lake
Heron House | Nature's harmony lives on the breath of night in these trees.
Shawnee NF | Hikes in the Shawnee are a must. They will remain with you forever.
We look forward to hosting your stay in the magnificent Ozarks of southernmost Illinois for the 2024 Total Eclipse!
Photos directly above:
Little Grand hile | favorite picnic spot. And speaking of picnics, don't miss the wine trail while you are here!
Kinkaid Cliffs | Bring your boat and take a leap while you're here!
Shawnee National Forest | One of many stunning hiking opportunities
Eclipse map | © 2017 Xavier Jubier
Email to discuss further inquiries. Leave a number if you prefer a return call.
Pitch your tent in the path of totality! Heron House Family Campground is just a few miles from the point of greatest duration.
Campers have access to shared, serviced toilet facilities and hand-washing stations that meet county code. Laundry (coin), showers, restaurant, and bar are located within walking distance at the local marina. Potable water, dumpster for trash, and a large, in-the-ground, shared campfire pit for campers to share. Campers are very welcome to bring self-sustaining cooking/campfire equipment as long as it is in a contained unit that is raised off of the ground. In other words, no fires or dig pits on/in the ground. Thanks!
A power-strip station is available for campers to share to charge mobile phones, laptops, and tablets; these are the only electronic devices that can be charged at the power station, so please be sure to have adequate batteries or charging equipment for other devices. For the courtesy of others, gas-powered generators are not permitted, and power is not available on-site for electric generators.
Kinkaid Lake Spillway | ~6-min. drive from Heron House
Lake M'boro | Lovely to hike, jog, fish, bike, swing, boat, or watch herons skim the shore.
Heron House is located 5 ½ miles northwest of Murphysboro at the edge of Kinkaid Lake and the Shawnee National Forest in the Illinois Ozarks (away from city lights). It is gorgeous country! Here the skies are dark, the laughs are belly-deep, the wildlife is boisterous, and deep breaths of contentment live among the breezes in the bluffs. A relaxing and social camping environment with friendly hosts, Heron House Family Campground is registered with the local health department.
Reservations secured once payment and release for the individual whose name is on the reservation have been received, but please note that each individual camper must sign a release of liability (guardians sign for minors). If the release has not been signed before arrival, it must be signed upon arrival. Please note that refunds will not be granted, including for refusal to sign the release on the part of any camper in the party.
Heron House Family Campground | Whatever heaven may be, it is a little closer here.
Lake Hill Road | Murphysboro, IL 62966 | heronhouseilozarks@gmail.com
Campsites have shade trees with access to a large, open area to view the eclipse in open skies (nothing to inhibit view). Please note that Heron House also has a shaded porch that campers are welcome to sit and enjoy a cold beverage on. Campsites will be booked in the order that payment and releases are received.