Map showing campground location near Rochester, Illinois

Camper submitted image from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

With reservations available from April through mid-January, Sangchris Lake State Park Campground accommodates RVs up to 60 feet alongside walk-in tent sites on a peninsula jutting into the lake. The campground operates as part of Illinois' state park system, offering electric hookups at most sites but no individual water connections.

Campers consistently mention the lake access as a standout feature. Many sites sit directly on the water, providing private fishing spots and boat access. Susan L. found site 24 "totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there's a large back area right on the lake." The walk-in tent sites on the western peninsula offer more space and solitude, with vault toilets and water available at the parking area.

The campground provides clean shower houses and restrooms, along with a dump station for RV users. Firewood and ice are available for purchase on-site, though some visitors note pricing isn't always clearly posted. Cell service varies by carrier, with Verizon users reporting decent coverage. The park includes multiple boat launches, fishing piers, and a beach area beyond the campground itself.

Road access involves driving through agricultural areas, and the campground can fill completely during peak summer weekends. Aaron B. recommends the $8 walk-in sites for Illinois residents seeking a budget option without electric hookups. Springfield's proximity makes this a convenient base for exploring Abraham Lincoln historical sites. For additional camping options, visitors can find places to camp near Rochester in the surrounding area.

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Map & DirectionsSangchris Lake State Park Campground is located in Illinois near Rochester

Public Campground

Address

9898 Cascade Rd
Rochester, IL 62563

Coordinates

39.6425122 N
89.46057997 W

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Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 7/3/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 10 users
Last on 7/3/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 7/3/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 7/3/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 10 users
Last on 7/3/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 7/3/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

20 min from Springfield, IL
45 min from Decatur, IL
1 hr 13 min from Bloomington, IL
1 hr 15 min from Champaign, IL

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Reviews20 Camper Reviews - Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

5.0

out of 5

20 Reviews

Numerous guests pointed out the beautiful lakeside location with spacious, well-maintained sites and exceptionally helpful hosts. Most campers found the facilities clean with good amenities, though sites have electric-only hookups.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Garrett and Savannah B.

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 10, 2025

Perfect lakeview spot!

We spent two nights at the Hickory Point Campground and had a wonderful time. It wasn’t too busy during the time we visited. The snack shack was unfortunately closed for the season. My only issue is the firewood for sale did not a price posted anywhere. The views of the lake were exactly what we hoped for! Definitely would come back.

Site017

Month of VisitNovember

(8) View All

Aaron B.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2024

Lakeside Relaxation

These walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there. We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well. A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets. Park staff and host were great. A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64. $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric. A water source is also by the parking spots. The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake. Springfield being so close is a bonus.

The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there. Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park. Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot. Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.

SiteWalk In Site 62

Month of VisitAugust

Jareth C.

Ranger

Reviewed Feb. 18, 2024

Beautiful views

Came here in winter and it’s really beautiful. Lots of amenities and big spots, will come again

Site33

Month of VisitFebruary

(4) View All

JASON L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2023

Hickory Point Heaven

There's really no way to describe this campground except for: Accommodating. Beautiful. Clean. Convenient. Peaceful. Relaxing. We have spent many weekends here and have never had a bad experience. Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff and crew do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!!! We appreciate them and this wonderful campground. Our favorite sites are 13, 18, 23. Please visit and enjoy!

Site13

Month of VisitJuly

(8) View All

Mike G.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 15, 2023

Fantastic lakeside camping

I stayed at the tent sites. They are first come, first served, and a short walk from the parking spots. There are times of RV sites also, although the host said most all are reservable and only a handful are firstcome, first served. There are restrooms and a shower house that are clean.

Site57

Month of VisitApril

JASON L.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 26, 2022

Well maintained and convenient

We are enjoying our stay at Hickory Point Campground Lot 23 at Sangchris Lake State Park. A close and convenient location to amenities and supplies. Sites are spacious and campground is quiet and leisurely during the week. Beautiful shoreline lots. 30 amp service. Decent AT&T cellular coverage (it varies but able to stream, etc )

Site23

Month of VisitSeptember

(4) View All

Sally G.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2022

60th Birthday Camping

It’s a beautiful location right by the water. The only issue is it slants a little. Very clean camp grounds . Bathrooms are just ok.

Site32

Month of VisitSeptember

Tracie E.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 19, 2021

NICE ! ! !

Beautiful campground. Very open & spacious. Sites are very large with plenty of room between neighbors. Also all sites are gravel & graded well and level except for the 2 Handicapped sites—Concrete pads on those (IL Disable RESIDENTS ONLY). Very good lake access & multiple public docks. Restrooms/shower houses are nice & well taken care of. Hosts Don & Jill were great.

Site4

Month of VisitOctober

RebootingU S.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2021

Quiet and peaceful lake campsite

This campground is very clean and super easy to fit any rig. Most sites have lake views and have electric hookup but no water hookup. However communal bathrooms and showers are clean. Sites are fairly close together tough. You can purchase firewood and ice at campground.

Site28

Month of VisitAugust

Kaitlin D.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Our fave place

This is our close to home, fave weekender site. Electric only but still love. Spaced out, gravel sites and asphalt roads. We always get sites with our own private dock to fish from. Spotty reception but it’s great to unplug.

Site27

Month of VisitJuly

Susan L.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2020

5 stars with a caveat

This is a beautiful state park, but hopefully you won’t have the same experience I did with the electric hookup. I stayed here right after the fourth of July and because of the heat over this holiday weekend and a completely full campground, the electricity couldn’t meet the demand and a transformer blew. By the time I arrived the transformer was repaired, however the pedestals in the section I was supposed to stay in had a problem. I was supposed to stay in site 27, but after 3 attempts to get power at 3 different sites, number 24 was the winner and this was a great site! The campground hosts were fantastic in resolving the situation as well.

Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. Electric but no water at site. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there’s a large back area right on the lake. The gravel pad is located right near a large, old bald cypress.

This park has multiple public use areas, 2 campgrounds, boat launches, fishing piers and a beach. I didn’t use the public restrooms because they were closed due to Covid-19. I was able to get internet with Verizon.

This state park felt like it was dropped into the middle of cornfields and made for a fun drive. The sunset views and stars were awesome!

Site24

Month of VisitJuly

(8) View All

Jamie G.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2020

Great family campground

Lots are spacious & grounds are well kept. Restrooms were clean. Lots of trails, Lake Sangchris is very close by for fishing & kayaking. Quiet campground; great place to unwind.

J K.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 3, 2019

Clean campground right on the lake!

Beautiful state owned campground that is well maintained and has everything you could want including mostly shaded sites that are level and have plenty of room and many sit right on the lake. There are even cabins to rent in the hickory point campground.

(4) View All

Rhonda W.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 27, 2019

One of our favorite places to camp!

We love camping here for the beauty of the lake. Had fun kayaking here too. Usually the bathrooms are cleaner than this last time which is why I gave it a 4 star. If you want a lake spot, make a reservation way in advance.

J K.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2019

Beautiful clean state park!

If you love fishing or enjoying sunsets on a quiet lake then this campground is for you. Spacious shaded sites with many sitting right on the lake. There are even cabins to rent if that’s more your speed!

(6) View All

Jessica N.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2019

Coming Here for Years

I have been coming here for years with my family when I was younger. I took a trip alone with my tent for 4 days in May. The place is as pristine as it was when I was a kid- perfect bathhouse, beautiful lakeshore, and cozy tent camping. Plenty of wildlife to observe and wonderful fishing to be had. Great to ride a bike around, too!

Greg S.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2019

Life On The Lake

Clean bathhouse. Campground hosts very helpful. Electric only but water available and nice dump station. All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake. Several fishing docks in campground.

Jeanne D.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2018

Fabulous

This campground is very well kept. Beautiful setting and delightful people that run it. Wow. Need to get back.

SitePull tnrough

Month of VisitJuly

Jason W.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2018

Open campground close to lake. Lake spots available

Enjoyed the campground. Fish were bitting early and often. Nice walk around paved campground road.

Month of VisitMay

Keith M.

Guide

Reviewed May. 13, 2018

Beautiful Campground near Springfield, IL

We stopped here for 2 days on a trip to WI. We had never been to Springfield, IL and wanted to see all the historical sites for Abe Lincoln. This campground is clean, quite and sits on the beautiful Sangchris Lake. We will definitely come back sometime soon. We camped here in June of 2017.

SiteSite 27 - One of the best in the park!

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Sangchris Lake State Park campgrounds?

Sangchris Lake State Park offers electric-only campsites with no direct water hookups, though water is available at common areas throughout the campground. Facilities include clean bathhouses with showers, a dump station, multiple fishing docks (some sites have private docks), and paved campground roads. The campground provides gravel sites that are generally level and well-graded. Visitors can purchase firewood and ice on-site. Additionally, cabin rentals are available for those preferring alternative accommodations. The park features hiking trails and excellent access to Lake Sangchris for fishing and kayaking.

How do I make reservations for camping at Sangchris Lake?

Reservations for Sangchris Lake State Park are recommended, especially if you want a lakeside site, as these are particularly popular and fill quickly. For lakefront spots, booking well in advance is essential. The campground is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and reservations can be made through their reservation system. Contact the park office directly for the most current reservation procedures and to check availability. Walk-in camping may be possible during off-peak times, but calling ahead is always advisable to confirm space and reservation requirements.

What do visitors say about camping at Sangchris Lake State Park?

Sangchris Lake State Park is widely praised for its beautiful lakeside setting and well-maintained grounds. Campers consistently highlight the pristine conditions of the campground, with many appreciating the spacious, shaded sites that offer stunning views and direct access to the lake. The park is considered perfect for fishing enthusiasts, kayakers, and those seeking quiet relaxation. Visitors often mention enjoying wildlife observation and spectacular sunsets over the water. While most experiences are overwhelmingly positive, occasional issues with electrical capacity during peak holiday weekends have been noted, and bathroom cleanliness can sometimes vary.

Are there different campground areas within Sangchris Lake State Park?

Yes, Sangchris Lake State Park has distinct camping areas, with Hickory Point Campground being the most frequently mentioned. This area features sites very close to the lake with excellent water access and multiple public docks. Hickory Point also offers cabin rentals in addition to traditional campsites. While specific details about other areas like Deer Run are limited, the park does contain multiple designated camping zones. Each area maintains the park's commitment to spacious sites and lake access, though amenities and proximity to the water may vary. The campground layout includes asphalt roads connecting the different sections, making navigation relatively easy.

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