Welcome to Hayes Canyon Campground! 

Proud to be endorsed by RFD-Tv's Best of America by Horseback !  This program highlights the best trail riding destinations across America, chosing locations based on customer referrals.  We are very proud that they chose to stay at Hayes Canyon Campground.  

Directions | Campsite Rates & Reservations | Trails  | Local Events | Restaurants | Local Attractions | Photos | Testimonials | Seasonal Lot Rental | Contact Us | Links

This is the official Web site for Hayes Canyon Campground, located in beautiful Southern Illinois.  We are located just outside the small town of Eddyville, Illinois in Pope County.  Eddyville is the "Trail Riding Capital of Illinois".  We specialize in catering to campers with horses who want to enjoy trail riding on the many scenic trails in the Shawnee National Forest .  Other campers, backpackers, hikers, bikers, and hunters are always welcome. 

Our location is ideal.  We are adjacent to Shawnee National Forest Double Branch Hole Natural Area, and the scenery there is beautiful (see picture below on this page).  There are multiple trail heads leaving camp, heading to the East (leading to Indian Kitchen, Secret Canyon, Lusk Creek Wilderness, Saltpeter Cave, Owl Bluff, etc), and to the West (to Double Branch Hole, Jackson Hole, Peter's Cave, Petticoat Junction, Crow Knob, Hayes Creek, etc).  Trail riding at its finest!  

We have many shady campsites with full hook ups, water, sewer and electric.  We have clean modern restrooms and showers available for all campers.  Coin-op washer and dryer for your convenience.  Campsites have 2-4 pens for your horses or mules, and these are included in the site rates. 

Rental Cabin--- "the Creekside Shack",  a rustic creekside cabin, with toilet, shower and covered horse pens. See details under rates/reservations page.   

Our "Loafing Shed" is a 780 sq ft community room with sofas & chairs for relaxing or entertaining groups (serving tables available).   

CAMP STORE IS OPEN !!! Forget something?  The camp store stocks snacks, sodas, ice cream bars, and personal hygiene items.  Tee shirts, sweatshirts, hats, ice, firewood, and hay are also available for purchase.  {due to hay shortage in 2007 limited hay available at this time, call ahead for availability} please note, we do NOT accept credit or debit cards  IMPORTANT -- TO PROTECT OUR BELOVED SHAWNEE FOREST, DO NOT BRING FIREWOOD FROM NORTHERN ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, OHIO, OR MARYLAND. THIS IS A FEDERAL AND STATE IMPOSED QUARANTINE BY THE USDA WITH FINES UP TO $500 FOR VIOLATION WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND FINES UP TO $250,000 FOR VIOLATION ACROSS STATE LINES !  FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE    http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS is available free of charge on the large covered porch in front of the camp store.  Bring your laptop computer! Seating and electrical outlets make it convenient to check e-mail or surf the web.  

Visitors will find much to do and see at Hayes Canyon Campground and the many surrounding locations ranging from the high quality lake for fishing and swimming at Lake Glendale to the rugged cliffs, caves, and natural bridge at Bell Smith Springs.

Hills Shawnee Mart Gas Station and Convenience Store in Eddyville, 1 mile from Hayes Canyon Campground.  Gas.  Diesel.  Groceries.  Package liquor.  Propane cylinder exchange.                                                                                                                                                                                             

Links To Help Plan Your Trip:

Shawnee National Forest Web Site

Southern Illinois Bureau of Tourism

Local Worship Services    Cowboy Church at the campground 8:30-9am, April, May, June, Sept, and October.  All are welcome, come as you are.

In Eddyville  -- Baptist services at 11am and 6pm.  Methodist services at 8:30am.  


Hunting: Pope County is the "Deer Capital of Illinois" for good reason . . . white-tail deer are numerous and hunters seldom go home disappointed. Hayes Canyon Campground serves many deer and turkey hunters and our location near the Shawnee National Forest is ideal. Both bow and gun hunting are popular. Check the IDNR Web site for deer and turkey season dates and permit information. Don't forget the annual Deer Festival in Golconda held on the first deer shotgun season in November. 

Eating Out:

Shawnee Restaurant & Lounge 
Just North of Eddyville on Route 145, they welcome trail riders with hitching posts and cold refreshments.  Only 1 mile from Hayes Canyon Campground.  The folks there are friendly and you will leave feeling like family.  Delicious fish-fry on friday nights.  Open 7 days weekly, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.   Karoke / DJ parties on many weekends.

Red Cedar Inn, Eddyville - closing on June 1, 2008, business for sale. 
A restaurant and lounge on the corner of 145 and Main Street in Eddyville, only 1 mile from Hayes Canyon Campground.  A nice family restaurant with top-notch food.   

Bear Branch Log Cabin Restaurant 
Just North of Eddyville on Route 145, or you can visit from the trail. A nice meal in a western-themed restaurant. Open seasonally on weekends.  

For a quick bite to eat . . Hill's Shawnee Mart Convenience Store in Eddyville has Hunt Bros Pizza, deli sandwiches, and they smoke their own BBQ for the BEST BBQ sandwiches anywhere!

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Local Attractions and Places to Visit:

1 mile away
Little Creek Archery (618) 672-4316
3-D Archery range and bow sales. Call for hours.

4 miles away (about 5 minutes)
Lusk Creek Canyon and Indian Kitchen
Sheer rock bluffs 100 feet high rise from Lusk Creek, one of the cleanest and most scenic creeks in Illinois. Indian Kitchen and the overlook is beautiful. If hiking it is about 1.25 mile hike from the parking area just East of Eddyville. By horseback is about a 1 1/2 hr ride from Hayes Canyon Campground.  The Bear Branch of Lusk creek meets nearby.

7 miles away (about 7 minutes)
Bell Smith Springs just off Hwy 145, North of Eddyville
On the National Register of Historic Places. Cold-water springs keep the area cool and moist even in the hottest of summers, leading to various unique plant growths. The region's largest natural stone bridge. Scenic hiking trails.

8 miles away (10 minutes)
Millstone Bluff (618) 658-2111 Highway 147, 1/2 mile East of Robbs
The remains of a Mississippian period Indian village perched atop 80-foot high blufs is the site of archeological research. A hiking trail leads to the site, and Forest Service interpretive postings are enlightening. Petroglyphs from this ancient era are visible on the stone.

11 miles away (10 minutes)
Lake Glendale (618) 658-2111
80 acre lake with swimming beach, canoe/paddle boat rental, and boat launch, and fishing. The swimming beach and concession area has a fee. 

13 miles away (22 minutes, winding roads)
Golconda Marina
Boat launch on the Ohio River and over 200 slips for any size boat up to giant houseboats. Bait & tackle sales.

13 miles away (22 minutes, winding roads)
Shawnee Queen River Taxi (stops at the Golconda Marina)
Enjoy a relaxing ride down the Ohio River and enjoy the shoreline sights at a slower pace. You can take a round-trip or one-way trip to or from Golconda, Rosiclare, Cave-in-Rock, or other shoreline towns. Operates Tues-Sat from mid-May through Nov 1st.

14 miles away (15 minutes)
The Chocolate Factory
The Chocolate Factory is a chocoholics heaven! There they make on site various chocolate confections as well as their famous fudge. They make many chocolate novelties ranging from chocolate horses to chocolate pizza. There is also an ice-cream shop. They offer chocolate and ice-cream in sugar-free varieties.

14 miles away (15 minutes)
Dixon Springs State Park
Dixon Springs State Park has a swimming pool with lifeguard on duty, 45-foot water slide, bathhouse, and concession stand. The park also has scenic hiking trails, shady picnic areas, and a playground for the kids.

17 miles away (about 30 minutes)
Garden of the Gods (618) 658-2111 Near Herod, IL.
Amazing rock formations are famous and one of the most popular destinations in the Shawnee National Forest. Make sure to walk the 1/4 mile interpretive trail which leads to some of the most scenic spots.

20 miles away (about 30 minutes)
Peddles & Paddles, Inc. in Vienna, IL (618) 658-3641
Bicycle rental/shuttle service and guided canoe trips

25 miles away (about 20 minutes)
Gambit Golf Club just outside of Vienna, IL
The par 71 Richard Osborne design offers golfers of all abilities a challenging yet pleasurable golf experience.  They now have an indoor 'virtual golf' practice facility, where you can practice your game rain-or-shine.

31 miles away (about 40 minutes)
Metropolis, IL, "The Home of Superman"
Every visitor to Metropolis must get their photo taken in front of the huge Superman statue which guards the town square. It's corny, but just has to be done! There is a Superman gift store with Super-everything! Also a Superman museum is located in the gift store for the real Super-enthusiast.

31 miles away (about 40 minutes)
Harrah's Metropolis Casino, Metropolis, IL
Las-Vegas style gaming with slots, table games, and poker rooms in a full-service dockside casino. Remember, don't lose all your money, your horse needs to eat too!!

34 miles away (about 1 hour, twisting roads)
Cave-In-Rock (618) 289-4325 Cave-In-Rock, IL
This cave has rich history as the site of river gangsters and pirates which would hide out in the cave. It has also served as a tavern in the the late 1700's, and was featured in the movie "How the West Was Won." The park restaurant is known for its Southern-style home cooking, especially on Sunday dinners.

35 miles away (about 45 minutes)
Bluegrass Downs, (270) 444-7117, Paducah KY
Harness and quarter horse racing on Thurs/Fri evenings and Sat afternoons seasonally. Call for race schedules. 

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Contact Information:

Feel free to contact us of you have any questions or comments.

Hayes Canyon Campground
PO Box 186
Main Street Road
Eddyville IL 62928
(618) 672-4751
info@hayescanyon.com

©2008 Hayes Canyon Campground

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