New from Illinois

[trailer-t]

Hello,  I just signed up on the forum.  Presently I have a 7 by 12 converted Cargo Trailer that I just use to camp in at this point (90% complete). 
Also I recently started converting my 1999 Chevy Suburban to a mini camper.  That is still a work in progress. Ceiling height is an issue, but I had
the Suburban already.    Hope to pick up some good tips for further improvements.  T

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome T to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

highdesertranger

 

[user 22017]

Welcome trailer-t

A Suburban with a cargo trailer makes a great set up. Do you hope to travel for extended periods? I'm in Illinois also. Peoria.

 

[trailer-t]

Hi Carla618,  Presently I have to continue full time work in Illinois while my kids are in college.  I hope to start cutting back in a couple of years
and ultimately get out of Illinois.  I am tired of real estate taxes on the house etc.  I live in Clinton County near Carlyle Lake.

   I also have a couple of  camping lots in a subdivision on the east side of Carlyle lake that I will keep.  I would like to ultimately head South (Louisiana) or West (AZ) at least in winters.  I may try some dispersed camping in the Shawnee National Forest next year.

 I designed both the Cargo Trailer and Suburban so that everything can be easily removed (no fixed cabinets etc) if I decide to get something else in the future like a van etc.    I am presently focusing on just trying to rough it in the suburban except when hauling my motorcycle/scooter in the trailer.  The trailer has 6000 btu A/C,  shower, water heater, 31 gallon fresh tank, microwave, butane oven and stove, fridge, futon and a pop up table and desk.  It is all wired up for 400 watts of solar, but I haven't bought the panels yet. Not much free space left.  The ramp makes a nice little deck when propped up.

I also have a 2000 watt Champion generator if needed.  Do you have a rig presently?

Thanks for your reply  T

 

[bullfrog]

Sounds really nice as it is. I am slowly doing a 24' trailer frame with basically a 12' box camper area and a 12' open deck as a toy hauler type rig to be pulled by a Suburban. I currently have a base in Arizona with a 24' camper trailer and a truck/camper to explore and a 28' older motorhome in Utah as well, way too much stuff but easier than moving twice a year I think. I lived on the Little Sandy river across the Ohio river from the Shawnee forest in Kentucky years ago when we first got the motor home as well as the Franklin Furnace area of the Shawnee. It was beautiful but too crowded for me. I did enjoy the dirt roads doing rallys with the Sports Car Club of America in the Shawnee in the 1980's as well. Welcome and come on out west there are plenty of dirt roads out here to enjoy and Lake Powell that I live at part time is 184 miles long and has more coastline than California!

 

[trailer-t]

Thanks for the info Bullfrog.  That toy hauler idea sounds good.  I like to bring my bike along and just leave the
truck attached to the trailer.  The Shawnee Forest is about as remote as it gets down here (not that I have explored it much).
If I get real ambitious I might take a trip out to the Southwest next year just for sport.  I have never been West of Central Colorado
except as a kid.    T

 

[user 22017]

Hi Carla618,  Presently I have to continue full time work in Illinois while my kids are in college.  I hope to start cutting back in a couple of years
and ultimately get out of Illinois.  ... Do you have a rig presently?

Thanks for your reply  T

You're welcome

I have a 1995 F250 with a 2001 Sun-Lite truck camper. Are the campsites run by the Army Corps of Engineers around Carlyle Lake pretty nice? I'm hoping to explore much of Illinois once I have enough money saved up (the emergency fund; plus tie downs & tires). So, I've been trying to find dispersed camping sites. I know you can boondock in Shawnee, but was curious about other areas. I thought the Corps had one location where you could boondock, but I just checked again and it says tents only. That is at Lake Shelbyville.

I'm looking forward to camping all over Shawnee, but also northern Illinois. Ie. Galena, Starved Rock, Zion Beach. Curious if I'll find camping sites along the River to River trail, too.

I'm substitute teaching now. Just part time. I need a couple surgeries, too. Knee replacement & torn rotator cuff. Plus, my kids and most grandkids are in Illinois, so I'll travel here first. But I really want to visit Canada & Mexico eventually.

Sounds like you are all set up. Did you share pics of your Suburban & trailer here?

Take care,

Carla

 

[trailer-t]

That sounds like a nice setup Carla.  I was also interested in a truck camper or small travel trailer, but I already had the cargo trailer that I  needed to keep.  Yes-  The Corp does a good job at Carlyle Lake.  I usually camp at "Dam East" right on the river which is managed as a part of McNair. I may head out there for a night this weekend.    $14 a night with electric (or $7 if age 62 or older with the Corp discount pass).   My lots are on the East side right between Coles Creek Campground and Boulder campground (both very nice @ about $16 a night if under age 62).

About 25 miles south in Nashville is the Illinois run Washington County conservation area which has a load of tent sites most of which you can park on for $8.00. 

Some of the Shawnee campgrounds I would like to check out include Bell Smith Springs, Pounds Hollow, Turkey Bayou (free I think) and Pine Hills--then see where I can find an area boondock for free.  I don't have any pictures of my trailer/truck up yet.  T

 

[user 22017]

About 25 miles south in Nashville is the Illinois run Washington County conservation area which has a load of tent sites most of which you can park on for $8.00. 

Some of the Shawnee campgrounds I would like to check out include Bell Smith Springs, Pounds Hollow, Turkey Bayou (free I think) and Pine Hills--then see where I can find an area boondock for free.  I don't have any pictures of my trailer/truck up yet.  T

I'm planning on camping for free. Maybe once a month I'll pay. I follow a youtube channel where the guy often camps in city parks in small towns. I've always been curious how he finds towns that allow that. I'm guessing at sites like freecampsites or ioverlander. I might try that & add the coordinates to those sites (if the towns officially allow it).

My kids have camped at Bell Smith Springs. I'll check it out. I camped at Pine Hills in the '80's when I was a student at SIU. I want to explore areas near Garden of the Gods, too. I should be headed that way in early January. Feel free to PM me anytime.

 

[trailer-t]

I think most of the Shawnee National Forest camp sites are 10.00 per night (possibly 5.00 with the USA pass if 62). Another one I forgot is
Trail of Tears Forest (Illinois state forest)--$8.00. I spent 5 years at SIU C'dale but no camping --did hit Giant City SP frequently for day use.
I am going to focus for now on tent sites that allow parking a vehicle on site. There is a great book on this --Illinois Tent Camping. Super detailed descriptions.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Tent-Ca...52KAVYWERXN&psc=1&refRID=TQ687PPDQ52KAVYWERXN

There may be an updated edition from the same author but I have the 2008.

Camp sites are an expense, but I don't have any interest in trying to hide in plain view and hope to not get caught. Out west there seems to be unlimited free camp sites but not sure about Illinois. T

 

[user 22017]

Camp sites are  an expense, but I don't have any interest in trying to hide in plain view and hope to not get caught.  Out west there seems to be unlimited free camp sites but not sure about Illinois.  T

Thanks for the link. Dispersed camping is allowed in Shawnee National Forest:

Dispersed camping: Dispersed camping is free on the Shawnee and offers no amenities. For specific regulations, visit Dispersed Camping Regulations for dispersed camping regulations. No permits are required. It is also a good idea to leave your location and expected date of return with someone at home. Leave No Trace ethics apply to all visits to the Shawnee.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/shawnee/about-forest/?cid=fseprd542402

 

[trailer-t]

Thanks Carla, I was aware that dispersed camping is permitted in Shawnee under the regs (I did not know that permits were not required). What I am still uncertain about is the number of actual locations in the Forest where you can feasibly (legally) drive in, park a vehicle on site, and camp . I am just not familiar enough with the area and trail layout and driving restrictions on the ground. I am sure there are unlimited opportunities for someone to park and then hike or mountainbike into a remote location and pitch a tent, but I am not interested in roughing it that far from my vehicle and stuff. My plan presently is to start off in established forest service camp sites to explore the availability of other potential locations on the ground. Thanks T

 

[B and C]

Here looks like a location that has been used as a camp and can be driven to: 37.489485, -88.914573

Copy and paste into google maps.

 

[bullfrog]

Back in the 1980's there used to be several turnouts where hunters with dogs would "camp" overnight, mainly sit around a fire ring, drink and listen till their dogs ran their prey to a tree. There were hundreds of miles of gravel roads in the Shawnee Forest. Spent many a night running the roads and sitting by the fire with lots of fellows with carbide lights attached to their hats and holding dogs while they got their noses stitched up.

 

[user 22017]

Back in the 1980's there used to be several turnouts where hunters with dogs would "camp" overnight, mainly sit around a fire ring, drink and listen till their dogs ran their prey to a tree.  There were hundreds of miles of gravel roads in the Shawnee Forest.  Spent many a night running the roads and sitting by the fire with lots of fellows with carbide lights attached to their hats and holding dogs while they got their noses stitched up.

What brought you to the Shawnee, bullfrog?

Turnouts are all I'm looking for in Shawnee. I primitive camped in Shawnee in the '70's and '80's while a college student. Since I can't hike now, turnouts are fine.