Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers within Lake Shelbyville, Opossum Creek sits along the lake's edge with 81 sites split between tent-with-electric, electric-only RV, and full hookup configurations. The campground runs from mid-May through early September. Sites fill fast, particularly on summer weekends, so booking ahead online is strongly advised.
Water access is the defining characteristic here. Several sites, particularly 27 and 28, sit on a hill facing the lake, and a short path leads down to a swimming cove behind site 28. Kayakers have launched directly from near their sites. The boat ramp has a large parking area, and nearby marinas, including Lithia Springs, rent pontoon boats for use on the lake. A fish cleaning station and a stocked fishing pond with an accessible pier round out the water-side amenities. Sites are close together, which reviewers consistently note, and some of the older sites run slightly out of level.
The campground is roughly six miles from the town of Shelbyville, where campers can resupply at a Walmart, pick up bait, or access restaurants and gas stations. Sites 39 through 46 and 11 through 34 tend to offer more separation from neighbors. The bathrooms and showers draw consistent praise: "Bathrooms were clean and shower was hot with good water pressure," notes Leah B. The campground is pet-friendly campgrounds around Lake Shelbyville are available if this location is full on your dates. Arrive with reservations secured, especially for any holiday weekend.
Description
Overview
Opossum Creek Recreation Area has a quiet campground that sits on the western 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. Visit the Lake Shelbyville, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for News Releases, Event Information, & Emergency Updates. https://www.facebook.com/LakeShelbyvilleUSACEVisit it our USACE Lake Shelbyville Website for more information on Lake Shelbyville. https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lake-Shelbyville/
Recreation
Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. Opossum Creek provides a fishing pond for children age 12 and under with an accessible fishing dock. There are also several other ponds with farmed fish 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.
Facilities
Opossum Creek Campground is 100% reservable. Most of the campsites have electricity and accommodate both RVs and tents, though there are several tent-only non-electric sites as well. Flush toilets, showers, a playground and dump station help create a comfortable camping environment.
Natural Features
Opossum Creek overlooks the lake shore and provides plenty of shade. Oak and hickory are the lake region's dominant tree species. 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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsOpossum Creek is located in Illinois near Shelbyville
Directions
From Shelbyville, Illinois, take State Route 128 north for 3.5 miles. Turn right onto County Road 1650 N. Continue nearly a mile to County Road 1880 E. Turn right and travel 0.5 mile to County Road 1600 N. Turn right again and drive one mile into the Opossum Creek facility.
Address
1989 State Hwy 16
Shelbyville, IL 62565
Coordinates
39.4455556 N
88.7725 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/17/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/17/26- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/17/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/17/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/17/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/17/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 35 min from Decatur, IL
- 1 hr 7 min from Springfield, IL
- 1 hr 7 min from Champaign, IL
- 1 hr 26 min from Bloomington, IL
