Camper submitted image from Forrest W. Bo Wood - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Forrest W. Bo Wood - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Forrest W. Bo Wood - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Forrest W. Bo Wood - 4
Official
Camper submitted image from Forrest W. Bo Wood - 5
Activities

Established Camping

Forrest W. Bo Wood

Forrest W. Bo Wood, near Shelbyville, Illinois, is a solid choice for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a touch of comfort. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which are conveniently located near the beautiful Lake Shelbyville, making it a prime spot for fishing and boating.

The facilities here are well-kept, with clean bathrooms and hot showers that visitors appreciate after a long day of activities. Many campers have noted the spacious sites, which provide a good amount of shade, perfect for those hot summer days. As one reviewer mentioned, “Nice big spacious sites! Reserve early to get full hookup!”

For those traveling with pets, there’s a dog park where your furry friends can run around and enjoy some freedom. Plus, the campground features playgrounds for the kids and a boat ramp for easy access to the lake. While some campers have mentioned that the sites can feel a bit close together, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming, making it a great spot for families and groups.

If you’re looking to explore, you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities nearby, from hiking trails to water sports on the lake. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip or a longer stay, Forrest W. Bo Wood has the essentials to make your camping experience enjoyable.

Description

US Army Corps of Engineers

Lake Shelbyville

Overview

Forrest W. ''Bo'' Wood Recreation Area has a large campground on the northern shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois. The lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, swimming, picnicking and simply relaxing. Click here for a virtual tour of the Lake Shelbyville area.

Recreation

Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. The campground has a boat ramp for easy access to the water, and for those without a boat, several ponds with farmed fish are available around the lake. Hunting areas located within a short drive offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.

Natural Features

This facility lies on the shoreline with a steep descent down to the water. Oak and hickory forests offer plenty of shade. Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer. Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.

Nearby Attractions

Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Forrest W. Bo Wood is located in Illinois

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Sullivan, Illinois, take State Route 32 south for two miles to the Forrest W. ''Bo'' Wood sign, then turn right and drive a half-mile to the campground.

Address

1989 St. Highway 16
Shelbyville, IL 62565

Coordinates

39.5513889 N
88.6222222 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Forrest W. Bo Wood sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

38%
38%
25%
0%
0%

4.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2023

Not a lot of privacy for tent camping

This was a quick overnight in a tent on a road trip for me. Site 75 was what was available when I booked last minute. It's level with grass to pitch a tent but definitely in a loop of the park better suited to travel trailers/RVs etc. Not much privacy between sites but backs up to woods. The bathrooms were clean with good hot showers. Would return again if I could snag a tent loop site.

Site75
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by Katherine T., July 31, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 26, 2023

Quiet, clean dites

It’s crowded near the road but spreads out well at the back of the site. Lots of people here today

Siteloop 2 site26
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by juliana , June 26, 2023
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by juliana , June 26, 2023
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by juliana , June 26, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2021

Good Spot Except for the Large Amount of Sewer Flies

We stayed at Boo Wood Campground for about five days and enjoyed much of their amenities.

The campground featured a dog park which provided room for our dogs to run around. There was also multiple playgrounds and even a small amphitheater. There was a large boat ramp with ample parking. We put in our kayaks on the boat ramp and enjoyed a nice paddle on a portion of the Shelbyville Lake.

We paid less than$25 a night for full hooks up and we had an almost lake view.

Our biggest issue with this campsite was the extensive bugs, once the sun goes down the bugs get horribly bad. We let our dogs out past 8 p.m. and our camper was covered with swarms of psychodidae(sewer) flies. Once we quickly got in our camper, we spent the next hour killing the swarms of sewer flies that entered our camper. We learned our lesson and once the sun went down, we did not leave our camper.

Site124
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by Austin-Tarra G., October 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by Austin-Tarra G., October 11, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2021

Bo Wood is a hidden treasure

Located on Lake Shelbyville, Bo Wood is an Army Co of Engineers park. Plenty of full hook ups and tent camping spots. Most by the lake. Well kept with bathroom and shower facilities, a playground and laundry.

Sitemany
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by Monica R., August 27, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2021

Forrest Bo Woods, Corp of Engineer campground

One of the nicest on the lake. Clean, well maintained, nice spacious spots, boat ramp and parking, dog run, playground. Reservation made on Recreation.gov. Sometimes available spots for one night. Can stay for two weeks in thirty day period.

Site117
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Apr. 18, 2021

Nice place to camp need to get back

Nice place for a weekend visit or a week of fun on Lake Shelbyville. Sites are spread out fairly well and there’s plenty of shade from the summer sun. Wish it were closer to home. A bit far for a short weekend away but always worth the time.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2020

Very nice!

Nice big spacious sites! Reserve early to get full hookup! Right on lake Shelbyville.

  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by Sonya A., August 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Forrest W. Bo Wood by Sonya A., August 21, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2019

Another adventure

I thought the campsites were crammed together.  The primitive looked nicer but we were in our camper and wanted electric.  It’s a nice place but I like a little more space.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Forrest W. Bo Wood have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Forrest W. Bo Wood has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Forrest W. Bo Wood?

    Forrest W. Bo Wood allows vehicles up to 150 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Forrest W. Bo Wood?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Forrest W. Bo Wood, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Forrest W. Bo Wood have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Forrest W. Bo Wood does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Forrest W. Bo Wood?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is available.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Forrest W. Bo Wood?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Forrest W. Bo Wood. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Forrest W. Bo Wood, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Forrest W. Bo Wood?

    There are 141 campsites at Forrest W. Bo Wood and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts