Main Brothers Campground — Hotel in Karnak

Established in 2016 this campground is located in Karnak, Il (the remote part of the Southern Illinois in the area known as Cache River Wetlands) It is located also next to the Tunnel Hill State Trail (45 miles long trail from Karnak to Eldorado, Il)||Local grocery store is conveniently located 2 minutes away from the campground. ||||This campground is named after the Main Brothers Box & Lumber. The company was one of the first and largest timber-cutting companies in Illinois and the largest employer in Southern Illinois from the 1890s until the 1950s. It was the timber turned into wood containers and boxes that helped build the village of Karnak. The brothers began by manufacturing fruit jar containers and then White Tupelo egg cases. ||The Main brothers were strong competitors with the Chicago Mill and Lumber Company, both vying for the egg carton business. ||The brothers’ business evolved with the times and began manufacturing wire-bound boxes or crates. In addition to the box and lumber business, the Main Brothers erected a large two story hotel for the convenience of their transient employees and visitors.||||It is nice that the Karnak honored that company naming after it this campground. If it wasn't for Main Brothers there is a possibility that wetlands would disappear because they were cutting trees but according to modern standards of the sustainable forest. After Main Brothers seized to exist all their lends were gradually purchased by state and converted to forests preserves...

RV camped. Solid 3 stars...almost 4. Campground is small and basic. That said - it is well maintained. Electric service (30/50) available. Fairly flat area to back in park...no pull through. Area for kids to play and a medium size area to have a group cookout. Tent sites looked interesting. Bring bug spray...mosquitoes are no joke but site is 1/2 mile from swampland. You can buy wood nearby or you can scrounge for fallen wood if you have boots and pants all around the attached small nature trail or venture off of main nearby trail. Dump station is available @ entrance, one tank of water available @ site and they ask you to not take more. Sites are 30 - 40 feet from each other side to side...w easily 60 feet between each site tail - stern. Good stopping point if you have a drop trailer to embark on...

A friend and I recently stayed at the campground on a Sunday and Monday night. It was a good experience, very quiet and peaceful. We heard owls at night and the sky was full of stars! We came to Karnak to ride the Tunnel Hill Trail which was adjacent to the campground so the location was perfect. We were greeted by the mayor of Karnak in the morning before we left for our ride and when we noticed that the tires on one of our bikes was low, the mayor rounded up someone to come and fill the tires for us. Everyone that we met was very friendly and helpful. Pro - quiet, peaceful setting; water and electric; over the top friendly, helpful people; Barkhausen Wetlands Center nearby Con - vault...