Camping opportunities near Altamont, Illinois include several campgrounds situated within the Effingham County region, characterized by its gently rolling terrain and proximity to Lake Sara and the Little Wabash River. Summer temperatures typically range from 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions in the 60-75°F range. Most campgrounds in the area close for winter between late October and early April, though Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area maintains year-round accessibility.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Spring Creek Campground in Montrose features a stocked fishing pond where bass are active. "There is a pond for fishing, no boating or swimming," notes one visitor, while another mentions the "beautiful fishing pond" as a highlight of their stay.
Water activities: Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area offers boat access camping with both motorized and non-motorized boat options available on its 53-acre lake. "The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff," according to a recent camper.
Playground access: Spring Creek Campground provides a "nice playground in the shade next to a pavilion" that families appreciate. Another camper adds that the "playground is good" making it ideal for families with young children looking for recreational options beyond hiking.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the bathroom and shower facilities at many Altamont area campgrounds. At Camp Lakewood, "the bathrooms are so clean" according to one reviewer, while another notes "very nice clean restrooms, laundry room and an area you can grill in using their grills."
On-site food options: Some campgrounds offer food services that campers appreciate. Camp Lakewood features "pizza in their bar it was locally made chicken, bacon, ranch and Butch's sweet hot sauce," and another camper mentioned they "enjoyed the pizza too."
Wildlife viewing: Possum Creek Campground at Hidden Springs State Forest provides natural surroundings where campers enjoy watching local wildlife. "If you love nature and don't need electricity to have a good time...this place is awesome," shares one visitor who appreciated the undeveloped setting.
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Camp Lakewood, one camper noted "the sites are fairly tight" while at Spring Creek Campground, sites are described as "spacious" with "big rig friendly" access.
Limited services at primitive sites: Possum Creek Campground offers basic amenities for $8 per night. "Only one spot had electric," reports a camper, though the campground does have pit toilets and drinking water available at central locations.
Fire restrictions: Not all campgrounds allow fires. Cedarbrook RV Park prohibits fires within the grounds, while most other area campgrounds permit fires but may have seasonal restrictions during dry periods.
Variable cell service: Mobile reception varies throughout the region. At Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park, campers report that "wifi is poor" though cell signal generally remains adequate for basic communication needs across most Altamont area campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Spring Creek Campground offers family-friendly amenities with "a nice playground in the shade next to a pavilion" that keeps children entertained. One family mentioned, "We love camping here!" highlighting its appeal for those with children.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water access for cooling off during hot summer months. Camp Lakewood has a swimming area that, while basic, offers plenty of space: "The swimming area is basically just a dock you can jump off of but it's not crowded at all so plenty of room for my family."
Budget-friendly options: Possum Creek Campground provides an affordable camping experience at $8 per night for tent or RV camping. One visitor noted it was the "cheapest we ever been to and we camp a lot," making it suitable for families watching their budget.
Supply access: Plan ahead for supplies as some campgrounds are isolated. One Ramsey Lake visitor noted "the only downside is that it's somewhat far from supply stores," suggesting families should bring essential items with them.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park offers convenient pull-through sites. "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available," notes one RVer, though they also mention "gravel is unlevel" which may require leveling blocks.
Hookup variations: RV campgrounds near Altamont vary in their hookup offerings. Spring Creek Campground provides electric and water but "no sewer hookups at individual sites," relying instead on a "central dumping station upon exit" for waste disposal.
Site navigation challenges: Several RV campgrounds have tight turns or narrow roads. At Camp Lakewood, a camper observed "the road to our site had a tight turn and required a little maneuvering but not terrible," suggesting larger rigs should call ahead to confirm access.
Seasonal availability: Most RV parks in the Altamont region operate seasonally from April through October. Cedarbrook RV Park specifically lists its season as "Apr 1 to Oct 31," with winter camping options limited primarily to Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area which remains open year-round.
