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Camp Ondessonk

97%

· Ozark, Johnson, Illinois

983 acres hosted by Camp Ondessonk O.

2 tent pitches

Private sites

96% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Operating since 1959, Camp Ondessonk is a non-profit youth camp on 983 acres of beautiful wooded property adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest. Guests have access to several miles of paved road for walking and cycling, 15 miles of on-site hiking and biking trails, and access to a huge network of public Shawnee National Forest trails including the River-to-River Trail. Our property is home to the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois, Cedar Falls, as well as rock bottom creeks, canyons, prairies, forests, and hills. Detailed trail maps of our property and the surrounding area are available. Guests are welcome to stroll the grounds, observe our horses grazing in the pastures, enjoy views of our lakes and forests, or relax by the campfire. Stop by the Camp Store at the Trading Post to purchase Ondessonk apparel, souvenirs, or essential items. To schedule a guided hike, boating, archery, or horseback riding program, or test yourself on our high challenge course or climbing wall, contact Ondessonk staff for program availability and more information. The Camp Kitchen can prepare certain meals for you; contact us for meal availability and more information.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Waterfall

Canyon

97%

33 Ratings · 27 reviews

Jim F.recommends

August 27, 2024

Kane Lake at Camp Ondessonk

Camp O

Excellent communication in a very timely manner. Clear check in instruction with detailed map. Pricing is very reasonable. Access to hiking and bike trails.

Brad B.recommends

April 14, 2024

Kane Lake at Camp Ondessonk

This place was wonderful and so we’re the hosts. Can’t wait to visit again.

Julie W.recommends

March 25, 2024

Kane Lake at Camp Ondessonk

Kane Lake was beautiful and secluded. Very clean too, even the outhouse. Showers were clean and hot. Patrick delivered us water and was so friendly and attentive. We saw some cool birds at the campsite too. Great deal!

Jack C.recommends

November 20, 2023

Durbin's Barn at Camp Ondessonk

The staff at camp Ondessonk were beyond accommodating and they even went out of their way to make sure that I had the proper accommodation for my trip even though I was getting there after hours.

Dan E.recommends

November 16, 2023

Durbin's Barn at Camp Ondessonk

Great spot for camping near Shawnee national forest!

Kelly R.recommends

November 6, 2023

Durbin's Barn at Camp Ondessonk

All Around Outstanding Host & Site

Durbin's Barn was the perfect site for our weekend getaway to celebrate 7 years together! The forecast called for rain & colder weather. We were able to get out & explore the nearby trails before the rain settled in. Trails were well marked & maintained. There was a very cool trail along the bluffs above a waterfall less than a 20-minute hike from our campsite. It was so peaceful, secluded, & serene - just the type of atmosphere to get away from the distraction of our daily responsibilities & reconnect with one another. We were also able to visit a few of our other favorite So. IL places - Vienna, Dixon Springs State Park, The Chocolate Factory, & Shotgun Eddy's. All within 20-30 minute drive from our site. We were also a short drive from Bell Smith Springs, Fern Cliffe, Burden Falls, & Jackson Falls - to name a few. The barn kept us warm & dry. We set up our tent and hammock in the loft & listened to the rain on the tin roof as we slept snugly under our mountain of covers. When we first arrived at the barn there were about a million unwanted guests flying & crawling on the walls - Japanese Beetles. LoL. But we just stayed outdoors next to the fire pit until the sun went down & the full moon crested above the treeline. When it was time to retreat to the tent, the buggy invasion had dispersed & all was clear. My car got stuck in the mud as we were leaving but a quick text to the camp staff & we were on the road only 40mins later. Now that's service! We will definitely be back!

Location

Ozark, Johnson, Illinois, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of 𐓏𐒰𐓓𐒰𐓓𐒷 𐒼𐓂𐓊𐒻 𐓆𐒻𐒿𐒷 𐓀𐒰^𐓓𐒰^(Osage), O-ga-xpa Ma-zhoⁿ (O-ga-xpa) (Quapaw), Myaamia, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Kaskaskia, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking