Campground

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5 Stars

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48%
27%
22%
0%
10%

4.0

out of 5

19 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 10, 2024

Memorabe trip

One of our favorite camping trips so far!

We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on.

Sites were somewhat open but there were tons of trees and grass behind each spot so it didn’t feel so exposed. We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole.

We heard the toilets/shower house were in need of TLC so we brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who would not make it to the outhouse so we never used the campground toilet/facilities.

Definitely our vibe of being more secluded and on the water.

SiteJ6
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Linda N., August 10, 2024
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Linda N., August 10, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2024

Great visit with the family

We had a fantastic time here. We came during Fourth of July and never felt like it was overly crowded. Sites were spacious but wasn’t much privacy, which didn’t bother us because it allowed for our kids to play with the other kids easily. Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole. We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests. We did not use the toilets or showers, although it looked like they were in working order as others were using then. We had a cloudless night and the stars were spectacular.

SiteJ6
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Linda N., July 6, 2024
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Linda N., July 6, 2024
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2022

Comfortable Stay

Camped for a weekend trip. We had 3 sites and made one a home base. Grounds were full due to unseasonably warm weather but everyone was pleasant and respectful

SiteG32
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Benjamin P., October 31, 2022
Reviewed Jun. 18, 2022

Gross

We have camped here previous years and had a good time. However we it here for the first time this year and man has it gone down hill. The host is crazy and can be rude, he didn't even ask who we were. Just tried to be funny. Our campsite was dirty. We had to pick up a bunch of trash. On the way to the bathrooms we had to step over dog poo. The bathroom in c loop should just be torn down. The brick is falling appart. Hubby said someone pooped on the floor in the stall on the men's side. We went swimming and there were people drinking and smoking weed on the beach and not even trying to hide it. Funny they closed the bathrooms at the beach at 6:30 to clean. That man did not clean them. He just locked the doors and left. Went to shower after swimming at the shower house by the host and hubby says it smells like sewage and there was poop on the floor in the shower house as well. Probably will find somewhere also to go the rest of the season. We camped at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in a Travel Trailer

SiteC8
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Elizebeth C., June 18, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 27, 2022

April - One night stay

Stayed on a Tuesday night in April. Only a few rvs, no tent campers besides us. Stayed at A19, the loop was quiet all day/night. Most loops look exactly the same, just the quality of the sites. Some are all dirt, some are all grass. Bathrooms are ok. Didn't use the showers. Good first time visit to the campground.

SiteA19
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Alex M., April 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Alex M., April 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Alex M., April 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Alex M., April 27, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2021

Good

Lots of things to do. Most sites are good size and easy to back into. Some walking trails. Beach is nice to have, does cost to get in. Restaurant on site is good! Big nice lake if you have a boat/kayak or like to swim or fish. Pretty lake area in general. Playgrounds aren't in great shape 😕 bathrooms aren't great either.

  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Brooke , October 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Brooke , October 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Brooke , October 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Brooke , October 3, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2021

Our favorite Neighborhood CG

We love this place. Problem is it's a State park and the state has not fixed a shower house and dump station. It's been not working since 2020. Because of this, only three stars. If those items works like they should, then four stars.

Site18
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Mike F., August 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Mike F., August 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Mike F., August 2, 2021
Reviewed Apr. 18, 2021

Very nice facility

Have stayed here numerous times. Always very clean. We have only stayed in the electric only sites as the full hookup sites are hard to come by. Very quiet at night and depending on your site, there are nice views of the summer sky. Some camping areas are more wooded than others and those also seem to fill up fast. We’ll be making a couple of trips here this summer.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2020

Busy Central Illinois Campground on a lake

This is our go-to campground when visiting the U of I. It is a large campground with well spaced campsites for tents and rvs. Almost every site has plenty of shade with lots of tree cover. This also means in the dog days of summer the breeze is blocked by the trees so get an electric site even with a tent and bring a fan. They have a beach and a boat launch. The loops that allow alcohol can get a bit rowdy with weekend partiers, but the alcohol restricted loops can get loud from all the families. However, with full hook-up options there is no generator noise. The showers/bathrooms are kept up well given the massive amount of people served. If you own a boat and camp, this place is ideal for central Illinois.

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2020

4 camping 3 beach 2 hiking

Walk-in at night pay in morning 2 dollar beach entry 10-7 pm 8 dollar for camping and 20 with electricity after check in Restrooms are decent Lady at store has everything needed for fire and bbq.

Not much to do around

  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Abdul Basith Asim M., August 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Abdul Basith Asim M., August 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Abdul Basith Asim M., August 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Abdul Basith Asim M., August 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Abdul Basith Asim M., August 6, 2020
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Reviewed Aug. 30, 2019

Great Place To Get Away

My first time was ruff.. just for the fact I brought my two youngins and my two dogs..That was a lil overwhelming but I did enjoyed myself.. definitely looking forward to going back..possibly without the kids or dogs

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2019

A wonderful campground

Enjoy the many beautiful shady spots and a few full hooks. The shower houses are very clean and a really nice big beach.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 25, 2019

Nice but...

It’s a nice campground but it’s usually insanely busy. Holidays are crazy. I’ve heard people say you can sometimes get a nice, fairly secluded spot but I haven’t had the patience to try. We honestly try to avoid large crowds.

Reviewed Apr. 27, 2019

Boating & camping

Large campground that gets booked up most weekends. Clinton Lake is a boating destination as the waters are unusually warm due to the discharge from the nearby nuclear plant. There are several different loops within the campground, some are alcohol free and others have direct access to the lake. The bathrooms are basic vault toilets but kept very clean. We have camped here several times, and found depending on the crowds, it can feel a little like a party spot or can be quiet and calm. The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more wide open with a prairie type view. There is a beach and concession stand, group camping areas and lots of roads to bike around. We enjoy the boating/camping combo.

Reviewed Mar. 2, 2019

Great campground!

Really nice campground on Clinton Lake. Has a really nice beach for swimming and picnics. Have about 20 nice full hook up spots and a bunch of electric sites. Our family spent a week there and loved it.

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2018

Peaceful, spacious sites and warm lake!

You wIll defInItely want to bring a suit. The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach. The sites were spacious, and ours had a path to the lake. Filled with poison ivy, etc, so long pants recommended when waking thru. Hiking path all around the shore of the lake. Some hidden fishing areas but we didn’t have any luck.

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  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
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  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Melissa B., August 2, 2018
Reviewed May. 29, 2018

Great place for family friendly fun. Boating, swimming, fishing

This was the perfect spot for a family get away. We went swimming, and fishing every day off the boat. There is also a beach available to swim at if you don't have a boat. It was $2 a person to go to the beach. The facilities are well maintain, and we had no issues with bugs the entire trip. (We stayed 4 nights). There is a small store and a concession stand that acts as an indoor/outdoor restaurant. The shower house is serviced several times a day, and always had plenty of hot water for our showers. My family goes every Memorial and Labor Day weekend to this campground as we have found it to be one of the best around. There are 3 families that come with us every time in their own RV's that agree.

SiteH23
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Jamie T., May 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Jamie T., May 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Jamie T., May 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Jamie T., May 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Jamie T., May 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Clinton Lake State Recreation Area by Jamie T., May 29, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2017

Off season. Seclusion

Had practically the whole campground to ourselves.

Water was turned off for winter which wasn't entirely clear. The RV fill was shutdown too. Water option we're the lake or a 30 min drive into town for bottled. Not a big deal but something to be prepared for.

Month of VisitFebruary