dixon springs state park

If Illinois is looking to save some money, this is one park that could be closed down. The campground itself was fine for a few nights. We had a hard time finding a suitable site for our travel trailer. They are not level. We finally got our trailer leveled and went to plug in and found that the electrical box was not working. So we had to hook the trailer back up and move to another site. There were only a few other campers in the whole park. Yes, there is a boot camp to help people develop self-esteem to reduce further criminal activity. These are not your hardened criminals. I was never concerned for our safety. They do march and chant. We heard them for a short time in the morning and at dinner time. There was a large bright light near our site that shined in our trailer. We are a self contained trailer so I did not check out the bathroom situation but I know they were not flush toilets.

We just drove through quickly and planned to do some hiking but there was nothing there other than a pool which was small and overcrowded. I wouldn't waste your time unless you just want to go swimming.

This would be more like a city owned or maybe county park, but I was shocked it was state park. I have spent time in Illinois state parks but never camped at one. First, if you tent and don't want the primitive sites there was only one or 2 flat sites for a tent. So in an almost empty park we had to be right next to someone else or sleep on a slope. There are only pit toilets. Water was hard to find and the few people there did not seem to know you were supposed to share as they hooked their hoses to the spigots, but we were able to sneak by. There are showers by the pool (which was surprisingly busy) which I never did learn if you could use without paying at the pool, but doesn't open until 11 AM. There is also a camp for "wayward" boys attached via a short trail to the campground and at 7 AM they were doing there morning exercises and shouting out. We were there for Garden of the Gods and we loved that. I stayed here as you could get a reservation, but it wasn't an issue. Next time I'll try to stay at Cave in The Rock or at Garden of Gods itself.

Calming place to enjoy with your family. Rustic trails and many rocks to climb on. Beautiful. The park staff was accommodating and friendly. There's a public pool with water slide. The staff there were very knowledgeable, friendly and great with the kids!! Wonderful experience

A park that desperately needs some money for basic improvements. The campground is visually nice. We had a site we could be pleased with. Free fire wood. Unfortunately, there are no flush toilets or showers. We were by ourselves for 2 nights, which is unheard of in a good state park. Every morning & at random times during the day, we are treated to the life of the Boot Camp detainees shouting out their slogans. Not very relaxing. There are only 2 trails. The Apple Canyon trail is supposed to be the best trail in the park, but you wouldn't know it by it's condition. Poorly maintained & poorly blazed, my husband & I lost the blaze 1/4 of a mile into the 1 mile trail. Very disappointing. The other trail makes a loop & it was more enjoyable to hike a well blazed, trail that looks like other people have actually been on it recently. There's a group of about 3 or 4 churches that are ready to fall down during the next stiff breeze - no effort seems to be made to keep them up. There's a swimming pool that seems to be the only source of income & that's probably used to maintain the pool itself. The bathrooms & locker room appear to have been built in the 1960s & were last painted in the 1980s. This is where you can actually get a shower & use a flush toilet. Why bother if you have a pool right? (yeah, I know. Gross!) The history of Dixon Springs is grand. It used to be a swanky resort. The famous springs are now algae ridden trickles. So much lost potential. It's sad. Don't bother, unless you're really bored.

Very nice State park. There are several small but beautiful churches here from era's ago. For a great treat afterward we go across the HWY to the Chocolate factory. Foe a homemade ice cream treat.

Just a beautiful place, unfortunate that people decide to trash some areas...lovely place to hike and simply enjoy.

Do not bring your family to this park. We were hiking on a marked trail with young kids ages 9, 7, 3, and 17 months old. We were enjoying ourselves until we heard something, turned around, and there were cops with bullet proof vests, assault rifles and bloodhounds searching for an escaped prisoner. Needless to say, the kids were terrified! We then had to be escorted off of the trail and onto the highway where police officers picked us up and brought us back to the campsite. We packed our camp as fast as we could and we will never be back here again!!!!!

We camped here this past weekend in a travel trailer, had never been to the area before.GOOD*Very pretty with tons of fun rocks to climb*Nice stream to play in, pretty waterfall*Clean, nicely paved roads/sites*Nice public pool with waterslideBAD*Shower/bathroom facilities are bad. The only shower is available in the public pool during pool hours--very old.*There is one bathroom with lights but it isnt near camping area--all other bathrooms are like 'outhouses'--no lights/no flushing/no sink*Many sites are unlevelIt wasnt a real busy campground--maybe 7 people camping while we were there.Overall it is a very pretty place to visit. Not the best campground I've stayed at -- as far as facilities. I would recommend to visit...not sure I'd recommend to camp.

Perhaps it was because I was in the middle of reading the Bridge to Terabithia; this place really reminded me of such a land. The park consists of a campground, a public pool, and a series of picnic pavilions/tables situated amongst springs and rock gardens. I would love to have this park in my back yard, truthfully. On my visit, they were repaving the roads within the park. Like anything else, normal wear and tare brings maintenance and repair. By this fall (2008), this will be a really great place to visit and spend the afternoon, but only renovated. While you are in the area, you can visit Shawnee National Forest (surrounding the park), Fort Massac SP 15 miles south, or just drive through the farmland and soak in its beauty and heritage.