Opossum Creek, near Shelbyville, Illinois, is a charming campground that offers a relaxing escape right by the shores of [Lake Shelbyville](https://thedyrt.com/camping/illinois/near/lake-shelbyville). With a mix of tent and RV sites, it’s a solid choice for families and friends looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

The campground is known for its beautiful views and well-maintained facilities. Many visitors have praised the spacious sites, especially those near the water, which provide a perfect backdrop for camping activities. One camper mentioned, “We stayed on site 39. Quiet view of woods and part of cove,” highlighting the serene atmosphere that many appreciate here.

Amenities include electric hookups and a boat ramp, making it easy for those with boats to hit the water. Campers can also enjoy the nearby fishing opportunities and trails that lead to the lake. As one reviewer noted, “There is a dump station, boat launch and fish cleaning station,” ensuring that all your needs are covered during your stay.

While the campground can get busy, especially during peak season, the friendly vibe and access to nature make it a popular spot. Just a short drive from Shelbyville, you’ll find convenience in nearby amenities while still enjoying the tranquility of the outdoors. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer adventure, Opossum Creek has plenty to offer for a memorable camping experience.

## 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. [Click Here for a Virtual Tour][1] 
## 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.
## 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. 

[1]: http://www.photographyoptions.net/images/usace/shelbyville/flash/PhotographyOptions_shelbyville.html

Opossum Creek

Are you in need of a campground near Shelbyville, IL? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Shelbyville, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Shelbyville

The Best Camping Near Shelbyville, Illinois

The Opossum Creek Recreation area is open year-round for the boat ramp and Disabled / children fishing pond and pier. The campground is only open Memorial Day to Labor Day. I camped here in June, however I did the photography in October so there are no campers in the shots. This campground is only about 6 miles from the town of Shelbyville where there is a Walmart, restaurant’s, gas stations, bait, hardware stores, medical care, the Shelbyville Dam, Beach, City Park with lakeside trails and firewood. This proximity to facility’s makes it popular, so having less than 100 campsites it tends to fill up quickly. It is advisable to book ahead on-line if you want to stay here. The sites are nice and the park is clean, but the sites are close together. The boat ramp is well thought out with tons of parking and being close to town is usually busy in the summer season. This campground is also cared for by the Corps of Engineers and seasoned camp hosts man the gate house at the campground. The disabled fishing pond is well stocked so it is easy for wheel chair bound fishermen to catch their daily quota. I recommend this campground for people with motorhomes, fifth-wheels and campers that want to take in the Shelbyville lake town experience while visiting.

Nice so can be crowded

Plenty of shade. this is an older campground showing some of its age. The few full hook up sites are beautiful. Many of the other sites are out of level. All the site are pretty close to the water.

Many of the campers also have boats here that they anchor right by their sites

Beautiful mature oaks abound

Very nice campground on Lake Shelbyville. Camped here with young boys in tent every year for years on site 27- views of lake the best!  Electric even for tent sites (have come in handy for fans for the hot hot nights in a tent!). Newer bath house is nice. Some RV sites have water hookup also. 

Nice quiet campground on shores of Lake Shelbyville

There are  81 sites in total, 17 tent with electric, 17 full hook up  and the remaining are electric RV sites. There are 6 water hydrants in the park that make it easy for all not water sites to fill up with their hose.  There is a dump station, boat launch and fish cleaning station.   There is one main shower and bathroom house with a second bathroom only site.  There are porta-potties at each of the three tent groupings.  There is a children's playground and trails to walk toward the lake and fantastic views.

  

If you don't care about full hook up, try for the sites 39 to 46 and 11 to 34 that offer more privacy.   We were in spot 11 that is  right next to the shower house, but faces away from it and your view is trees and the lake. 

  

Less than 10 minute drive to the town of Shelbyville and the US Army Core of Engineer Visitor Center and dam.  Lots of great fishing around and several marinas if  you don't have your own boat.

Tent sites  have amazing view, RV Full hook-ups close, electric only spaced

We got 4 families from our block together to get down to this campground for the 4th of July weekend. We reserved sites 27, 28 and 29.  27 is right down by the water and has amazing views. We used this as our hang-out and cooking area. I'd suggest getting 27 and 28 as they are kind of on top of each other.  You can't swim right off of site 27 but behind 28 there is a little train down so a swimming cove that is pretty nice. 

As I always do...I got a pontoon boat to take out on the lake.  I'm just a sucker for that kind of thing.  You can get them from Findlay Marina or Lithia Springs. Last summer we camped at Coon Creek and got a boat from Findlay.  It was fine but the drive over the water takes quite a while.  A storm swept in last year and it was not fun taking that boat all the way back up to Findlay. This summer, I went to Lithia Springs Marina to rent the boat and it took about 10 minutes from this campground. Worth the extra 5 minute drive. We got a regular pontoon on the 3rd and the big ol' party barge on the 4th. 

Back to the campground! Sites 27 and 28 are really big. They sit on a big hill with lots of space for the kids to play.  The other sites I saw were more standard sized. 

Bathrooms and showers were clean and nice.

Great Views and well maintained campground. 

We stayed on site 39.  Quiet view of woods and part of cove. Plenty of parking and can walk down to the lake. Water hookup and electric.   Full hookups available closer to front of park.  We like quiet and this site was great.  I tent camp too and the sites at the end of our "leg"  look great.  Even got our kayaks to the water not far from our campsite which was a bonus!  If you have a boat, there is  boat ramp too with large parking lot. Not too far from Shelbyville and the dam also.  Overall a great campground! 

Photos of Opossum Creek

Real photos from real campers