Best Camping near Beason, IL

Are you in need of a campground near Beason, IL? Beason is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Beason camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Beason, IL (62)

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Pet-friendly camping near Beason

Recent Reviews in Beason

328 Reviews of 62 Beason Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Millpoint Park
    Jan. 1, 2025

    Millpoint Park

    Waterfront Camping Bliss @ Family-Friendly CG

    Perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing a sublime encounter with nature on top of offering direct waterfront sites that will frame one of the most beautiful sunsets as you look west to Peoria during Happy Hour. In all, there’s about 80 sites – all of which are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks – to choose from at Millpoint, where a slow meandering gravel lane will have you navigating around the campground where you’ll take good note of the excellent shade that is provided everywhere.

    From an amenity standpoint, Millpoint Park packs a punch with a combination of back-in and pull-thru sites offering up standard water, sewage and electric hook-ups, relatively new picnic tables and in-ground fire rings as well as a designated dumpster upon exiting the grounds. There’s a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night.  In fact, you don’t even need to get into a boat, by accessing one of 2 small little lakes where you can simply cast a line in from the dock or around the perimeter. The meticulously clean restroom / bath house facility is located near the front adjacent to the main office, where next to this are 3 cabins that can be rented, just in case you forgot your tent or RV. Additionally, there’s decent hiking paths to explore both north and south of the property, with the latter offering up a small beachhead at Funks Run. The place also sells firewood, but if you need anything else, you’ll need to head south towards town where there’s no shortage of shops and restaurants.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are a tent camper, there’s 3-4 designated areas for primitive camping, but if you’d like something less primitive and with access to water and electricity, then book yourself into one of the 5 designated tent sites: #233-#237, of which I recommend #236 and #237 as they have a small waterfront area flanking the southern perimeter; (2) The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don’t attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it’s fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you; (3) If you haven’t camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay; and (4) The owner, Don, is quite possibly one of the most accommodating and friendly campground owners I have ever met– so don’t be shy if you need anything at all during your stay, including a discount to his pizza restaurant.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    Roadside Overnight Pitstop

    As my post from a bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update:

    Highlights: (1) Closely located to I39 so access is a huge bonus; (2) Sites are very calculated contributing to the vibe of a very artificial concrete camping experience, but that also means incredibly level and well-organized spaces; (3) Despite being located at a highly trafficked fueling outpost, you will be greeted by very wonderful Midwestern hospitality; (4) Incredibly manicured grounds and well-taken care of facilities, including well-maintained and impeccably cleaned restrooms, showers and doggy park; (5) Despite being located right next to a major highway, as access is key-code enabled and you're surrounded by good securing fencing around the perimeter, you'll feel safe & secure here; and (6) The entirety of Bloomington-Normal, home to Illinois State University, is all within EZ reach, so there’s tons of places to stock up on supplies as well as restaurants to enjoy.

    Lowlights: (1) Closely located to I39 so noise and non-stop driveby traffic is a huge negative; (2) Because this is a highway layover, for those road warriors traveling up and down I74, there lacks a sense of community amongst campers as everyone is here for a short while, before moving on to their ultimate destination.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kamp Komfort
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Kamp Komfort

    Convenient I74 Highway Camping Pitstop

    As my post from a bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update:

    Highlights: (1) Closely located to I74 so access is a positive; (2) Sites are spacious, incredibly level, well-shaded and this feels like a camping oasis in the middle of corn country; (3) Wonderful Midwestern hospitality; (4) Incredibly manicured grounds and well-taken care of facilities; and (5) Very well maintained and impeccably cleaned restrooms, showers and pool

    Lowlights: (1) Closely located to I74 so noise is a negative; (2) There’s not much in the way of shops and restaurants here, so if you want anything of substance, either bring it with you or you’ll have to head back to Bloomington to get it; and (3) Because this is a highway layover for those road warriors traveling up and down I74, there lacks a sense of community amongst campers

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Carl Spindler
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Carl Spindler

    Waterfront Camping Bliss with City View

    This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that is formed where Upper Lake Peoria meets the Illinois River. For campers who want to get away from it all, while still being within close driving distance to civilization, Carl Spindler offers the convenience of a nearby major city (Peoria) while still providing a decent escape for some rest & relaxation within a fairly decent vicinity to nature. The best part about this lakefront getaway – apart from the incredibly cheap prices for an overnight stay – was hands down, the very friendly staff who offer up everyone a very strong dose of Midwestern hospitality.

    This pet-friendly CG offers a lot of amenities including: FHUs featuring electric, water and sewage as well as playground, community fire pit, restroom and shower facility that are in pretty good (not pristine) condition, laundry, fresh tap water, boat launch, 2 dump stations, WiFi (although very poor connection) and a beachhead. All sites are very level here and come with a picnic table, fire ring and electric, while a good number of the RV slots have a combination of electric amp options in addition to water and sewage hook-ups. At the marina, you can purchase ice, small sundries and camping supplies and / or simply use this spot to launch your boat, kayak or canoe from. There’s also options to rent a slip, store your boat and / or trailer for the winter. There’s even a deluxe cabin to rent in case you don’t have a tent or RV.

    While most of Carl Spindler is designed more for the RV-driving or 5th Wheel toting kind – and to be honest, some of these look like longer-term residents and / or traveling professionals – offering up some 55 individual slots (some of which I would definitely describe as ‘very snug’), this outfit does provide 2 different options for decent camp sites with me tent pitchin’ bredren in mind, both of which sit right in front of the Illinois River. In these areas, and actually for the entire campground, there’s not much (if any) shade, tree cover or brush that contributes to an overall lack of privacy – so whatever your activities might be, you and your camping brood will be on full display to the rest of the campground. At least if you chose to set up your tent over in the primitive camping area, this area is still pretty underdeveloped (for now), so over in these parts, you’ll have a greater feeling of solitude, peace & quiet.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’d like to knock some pins down while slurping some delicious local cold brew, head on over to Landmark Bowling Center; (2) Should you be looking for some decent trails to hike check out nearby Powerton Lake State Park; (3) You will want to time your sundowners correctly, because if you do, you’ll be sipping Mai Tais leaning back in your camp chair listening to some Amy Winehouse watching the sun set in the west over the Illinois River as the twinkling stars come out to shine their brightest all with a crackling bonfire keeping you warm and lit on a gorgeous Midwestern night; (4) While I always pack a long 100 foot electrical cord for all of my electricity needs, I’ve never had to use it, except here, where the electrical outlet in the primitive tent camping area is shared by all 4 sites and ours was the furthest away – so we got lucky; and (5) In the event that you grow weary of conjuring up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge and want to check out some local flavor, there’s a handful of options, but all will require a bit of a drive, of which I highly recommend Avanti’s Ristorante for their excellent pizza and Italian subs, the Blue Duck BBQ Tavern for outstanding smoked brisket and Obed & Issacs Microbewery for the finest local taps as well as their signature dish, Kitchen Sink Pie (don’t ask, just order).

    Happy Camping!

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    Nov. 11, 2024

    Comlara County Park

    Convenient campground right off of the highway

    We were looking for a quick place to spend the night, like a Walmart or gas station when we found this gem. It is only a few miles off the highway, making it super convenient for a quick overnight stop. The campground is very big with lots of sites and since we were there at the end of October, there were not many other people around. We got a beautiful spot right on the lake. 

    The campground has nice bathrooms and hookups.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Millpoint Park
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Millpoint Park

    Beautiful and spacious!

    Met up with family to fit in one last night of tent camping for the year. They didn’t really take reservations and the pricing shifted on us (quoted $75 for 6 adults 4 kids over email, then $10 per person when we actually showed up) so that was a bit weird but I’m not too concerned bc it was still a great deal. This is basic campground—flush toilets/showers and 3 cabins available but no other amenities unless you include water/electric hookups. I couldnt tell where the primitive tent sites were bc the map online doesn’t quite line up with what we saw there. You’d come here to relax around the fire, play some outdoor games, maybe do a little walking, and that’s about it. It was just what we were looking for. Some people looked like they were going to try to fish but the water in the fishing area was low which makes me wonder if it gets really buggy in the summer. We were on 2 huge pull-thru sites with just our 2 tents and we were the only tent campers I saw—maybe 1/3 of other sites had RVs. Some seemed to be permanent so not sure if that is common? Views of the river were great, kindling was plentiful, and it was SO QUIET and peaceful at night! I usually don’t sleep the first night of camping because my brain has to tune in to the new noises but we got some good rest even with temps dipping down to 45. Would love to come back in the summer for longer.

  • Laurie L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from D & W Lake RV Park
    Sep. 19, 2024

    D & W Lake RV Park

    Lovely campground

    Lovely little campground with its own little lake. Well maintained. Clean laundry. Friendly and helpful owner. Visible presence throughout campground checking that all is well.

  • Aaron B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    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.

  • David F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground

    JIM Edgar Panther Creek S.P.

    Praire Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tentand cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU. 2. Primitive Camp has seven three-sided shelters to camp near or in for a fee of $6 per night 3. Group camp area. A separate location has the equestrian campground, Questing Hills, with 51 electric sites.

  • Linda N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

    Memorabe trip

    One of our favorite camping trips so far!

    We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on.

    Sites were somewhat open but there were tons of trees and grass behind each spot so it didn’t feel so exposed. We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole.

    We heard the toilets and shower house were brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who might not make it to the outhouse so we never used the campground toilet/facilities.

    Definitely our vibe of being more secluded and on the water.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Evening Star Camping Resort
    Jul. 26, 2024

    Evening Star Camping Resort

    Campers Are Like Family

    Love to swim in the pool, play in the bags tournaments, enjoy the fundraiser in July for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, mini golf, basketball and theme weekends. My favorite is the chili cook off and Halloween weekends are a blast!!

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867
    Jul. 25, 2024

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    Super convenient clean and with amenities

    If you’re passing thru and need a place to stay this is it. Very little to no grass and no trees were the biggest downside. But everything else from there was an upside. Pickle ball courts, playground, trash, full hook ups, clean, right next to the freeway and convenience store for quick getting in the road the next day.

  • Sara W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Friends Creek Campground
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Friends Creek Campground

    Clean, spacious sites, nice amenities

    Friends Creek is a small campground with nice spacious sites and super clean bathhouses and pit toilets. The fire pits are well kept and the camp host was very kind! He came around with suckers for the kids and just to check in. We hiked a bit on the trails and played in the creek. Highly recommend.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

    Great visit with the family

    We had a fantastic time here. We came during Fourth of July and never felt like it was overly crowded. Sites were spacious but wasn’t much privacy, which didn’t bother us because it allowed for our kids to play with the other kids easily. Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole. We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests. We did not use the toilets or showers, although it looked like they were in working order as others were using then. We had a cloudless night and the stars were spectacular.

  • Melissa C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Millpoint Park
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Millpoint Park

    Peaceful, Clean, Beautiful River Views

    Peaceful campground, well maintained, beautiful views of the Upper Peoria Lake/Illinois River. We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling. Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird.

  • Nick W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Kentuckiana Campground
    May. 16, 2024

    Kentuckiana Campground

    Great family atmosphere

    Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler. Spots are kind of cramped and close together, one of our favorite places though!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    May. 6, 2024

    Comlara County Park

    Lakefront Camping Bliss Albeit Sans Privacy

    Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site. One moment you’ll be driving down the well-paved country road with golden tassles of corn popping up on either side of you and the very next, you’ll turn into a wooded sanctuary that is punctuated by the marvelous Evergreen Lake, which was built in 1970 and is some 925 acres in size with an average depth of nearly 20 feet and 50 feet at its deepest.

    It is this fresh body of water that really makes Comlara County Park stand-out from just about anything else in the surrounding area. It has not one but two outstanding boat launches as well as a separate launch for canoes and kayaks. There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in – which you will predominantly find largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, saugeye, muskellunge and crappie – as well as a small individual isle called Deer Island, although when we explored the small land mass, no deer were to be found. There’s boat rentals and a bait shop that is available on the weekends only as well as a proper beach head with swimming available 7 days a week during the summertime (Memorial Day – Labor Day).

    As far as the campground(s) are concerned – if you look closely, there's actually not 1, not 2, not even 3, but actually 4 to choose from – but if you add up all of the 144 campsites (apart from the primitive camping options) collectively, they are spaced a little too close to comfort for my taste, which when you add on top of that there isn’t much brush or anything separating you from your neighbors camping alongside of you. This is likely my biggest complaint: privacy. If that doesn’t matter to you and you enjoying being in a large wide open space chock full with other tents, RVs and 5th wheelers, then Comlara County Park is a great choice for you.

    I would first begin by pointing out that the entire Comlara Park is very well organized, kept impeccably clean and very easy to navigate with relatively good roads and decent signage. It feels as though whether you are looking for a trail to hike, a spot to launch your kayak, biking trails to navigate or finding a fishing hole to cast a line, everything seems as though it is in very close reach and just a short walk away. All of the 144 campsites are made available on a first-come, first served basis, with 94 including 30 / 50 amp electric while 23 are non-electric sites, with the 11 remaining devoid of any hook-ups.

    For my tent-pitching primitive bredren, there’s 16 walk-in sites in the main recreation area (I guess that is situated amongst or in-between the other 3 campgrounds that exist here), but there is a completely separate whole other area (oh, and located completely in a different county altogether), which is technically a completely different campground in a completely separate physical location with these 16 primitive campsites.

    With amenities in mind, aside from the greatest asset being Evergreen Lake itself and beyond the associated amenities that have already been highlighted (e.g. boat launch, beach, canoe / boat rental, bait shop) there’s 3 kid’s playground, at least 5 large shelters by my count, at least 3 his / her bathroom and shower facilities as well as scattered in-ground fire rings, water spigots (basically planted every 3rd or 4th site) stand-up BBQ grills as well as the prerequisite picnic tables, all of which were in very condition during our stay. There’s only one dump station, which seemed odd considering that there’s at least 3 campgrounds if not 4 here and 144 sites collecting garbage at a single time. There is firewood, ice and fishing worms available at the visitors center and campground station in the main area.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If like me you are a primitive tent camper and on the look out for some pretty amazing, not-so-EZ places on earth to really feel like you are out enjoying pristine, undisturbed nature, then you’ll want to have a very close look at the primitive camping areas west of Evergreen Lake over near White Oak. There’s 16 or so simply excellent lakefront sites over here along with your own boat dock; (2) Should you be ‘herd camping’ with a much larger group, there’s actually a simply fantastic hidden group camping oasis over here in White Oaks as well that you can get away from it all; (3) In the event that you grow weary of cooking up franks & beans again for dinner, you’ll have a decent drive to either El Paso, where there’s a Monical’s Pizza, Dairy Queen, Casey’s, El Paso Mexican or, upgrade yourself to The Local Tap, which is a craft kitchen and alehouse serving up some excellent fare. Of course, you could head into Bloomington, of which you will find everything, but that’s a bit of a hike unless, like me, you would make that drive to either have some of the best deep dish pizza Chicago has to offer, Giordano’s, or one of the greatest sausage and Italian beef joints in the world, Portillo’s.

    Happy Camping!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867
    Apr. 11, 2024

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    Need to iron stuff out

    Saw that you could make your reservation when you got there. Turns out there’s a tablet at the front gate that will let you get through the first 10 minutes of standing in the weather to make one, then when you get to the payment screen they have security turned on so it blocks the page and you cannot make the reservation. Then, you have to go onto your phone, to a site nowhere mentioned by loves until you get to the site, and are blocking traffic while trying to figure all this out because yes, there is a coded gate to get in and out. So you block traffic because now there’s RV’s and Semis backed up behind you while trying to figure this all out. So you finally get the reservation made, ($64.99 btw, not even close to the $34-$39 estimate). Then you go to check in on the same tablet from before, put in your confirmation code, and the screen pops up for 0.25 seconds before popping up and saying that this page has been blocked by an administrator. At this point I’m just pissed that I’m blocking traffic, loves tablet isn’t working, I can’t get through the gate, and when I called the number posted on the booth, it goes through their entire automated system before going to a guy that says I can walk over to him in loves if I need help. Finally and email check in confirmation popped up with the gate code. You get backed in on a nice concrete slab with nice grass. You connect to the WIFI you paid for to find out it’s got like a rolling drop, where every 5-7 seconds it disconnects you for 5-7 seconds. Power/water/sewer hookups were all very nice. Good water pressure. My last complaint has to do with the “maintenance” guy. My girlfriend was walking one of our pups as I was packing up. As our pup was pooping, my girlfriend started unwinding a poop bag out of our bag holder, the maintenance guy drives up and rolls his window down, and tells her to come over to his truck. So she walks up to his window and he sees she already has a baggy, so says, “oh, I was going to ask if you needed a baggy. But I see you’ve got it. Then points over to a camp site that is not ours and asks or the two pre-bagged poops sitting on the slab are ours. She says “no, we have green bags”. It was at that point that he tells her to go pick them up anyways. Being non-confrontational, she does, and then he gets super sarcastic asking her where it is she’s going to put all of them once she picks up our dogs poop as well to which she replies, “um, the garbage?” Before he drives away.

    If I pass through here again, I will just stay in a truckers spot and pull my generator out so we have HVAC. For double the price of most campsites, I DO NOT recommend.

    For those of you that want to give it a go anyways, the site to make the reservation on is camplife.com.

  • Mark S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867
    Mar. 7, 2024

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    Great Overnighter

    Super convenient, great facility. Sites are concrete and level. If you’re getting off the highway for an overnight stay these Loves are perfect. This one is well located for our travels and we’ll be back. Did this stay completely online.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview park
    Feb. 15, 2024

    Bridgeview park

    Excellent view

    Nice little park, port a potties, water and pavilion with grills and trash receptacles. Great views of the lake. Closes at 10:30

  • David F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
    Nov. 30, 2023

    Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

    State Park away from busier Illinois

    https://camp.exploremoreil.com/ 84 electric RV sites all reservable except 21 First Come sites. 18 sites are full hookup. Several 50 amp sites but majority are 30 amp. Modern Shower house and 7 Vault toilet buildings. Newer Campground so Shade Trees are smaller still. Have camped here 4 times past 3 years. Like the quite agricultural Illinois environment but suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities as most of the few small towns are limited to a Bar and Dollar store.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Illinois State Fair Campground

    Large campground, good location, good value

    On the state fairgrounds just off gate 10 or 11. Very large number of spaces…older bathrooms/ showers but very clean. All spaces seem to have electricity and water.

  • Kathie M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    Oct. 16, 2023

    Comlara County Park

    Site 18

    Beautiful lake view site. Steep drop to water so not good for those w/little kids. Great trees for hammock-overlooking lake! Pad level. Water very close. Outhouse close walk. Kayak launch close walk. Boat dock close. Shower house short walk

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hill Campground
    Oct. 16, 2023

    Hickory Hill Campground

    Off-The-Grid Midwest Camping Outpost

    Nestled in the verdant rolling hills of central Illinois, you’ll discover Hickory Hills Campground located just a short drive west of I39 and completely off the grid, due to the slight incline of this heavily forested campground outpost. This place is a massive RV enclave with various different neighborhoods and haunts to choose from – and while there are a very fair number of folks who make Hickory Hills their year-round outdoor destination, there’s a decent amount of temporary spots to select from. But if you’re a tent camper, you will be hard-pressed at this location to find a suitable spot to set up for the night as Hickory Hills is definitely designed for the RV and 5th Wheeler crowd in mind. 

    The amount of amenities at Hickory Hills is a pretty long list that includes an in-ground pool opened between Memorial Day and Labor Day (any other time here in Illinois, you would be ice fishing!), basketball court, mini golf, shuffleboard, pool table, ping pong and various soda and snack vending machines and games in the recreation center, catch & release lake for fishing and a fully-stocked general store, which also serves as the main office where you will check-in upon arrival, offering up firewood, snacks, water, ice and other sundries. There’s also a coin laundry and bottle propane station in addition to the standard RV hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage). 

    What I love most about Hickory Hills Campground is the very strong Midwestern hospitality and warm welcome you’ll receive from just about everyone you encounter here – from the very great folks that run the place to the guests and residents that roll out the red carpet and ensure that everyone feels connected to the very tight-knit community that has formed here. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) This campground is pretty isolated, clear out in the boondocks just northwest of the major college town of Bloomington (Illinois State University), where you can easily access everything, but if you do make your way out here to Hickory Hills, you better bring everything you need because while it’s a short drive into the nearest town here, which is El Paso, to be honest, there's not a lot there either, so likely you'll have to go further afield to get just about anything else; (2) When you grow weary of staring down the insides of your onboard mini-fridge and want to try some of the local cuisine, I would HIGHLY recommend The Local Tap Craft Kitchen & Ale House, which has glorified bar food (wings, pizza, burgers), slightly above average wine list (hey, while the Sauvignon Blanc is just Cupcake, it’s pretty amazing that they have Sauv Blanc at all!) and a pretty amazing selection of local craft brews from 5 distinct nearby breweries; (3) If you are on the hunt for some real outdoor tent camping, great hiking or care to dip your kayak into some really nice fresh water, then head on over to nearby Comlara Park, featuring Evergreen Lake, which has some really nice areas to explore, in particular Deer Island, which you can anchor on or near and explore this little picturesque outcrop; and (4) Should you need anything, I would encourage you to explore nearby El Paso, which has some nice surprises awaiting you, such as Ruth’s Garden Tea Room or coffee at Java Café, CVS Pharmacy for all your sundries, El Paso Mexican (for just OK Mexican) and Woody’s Family Restaurant for some good ‘ol down home Midwestern comfort food and some decent (not amazing) pizza at Monical’s. 

    Happy Camping!


Drive Time


Guide to Beason

Camping near Beason, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy casting a line at Comlara County Park. One reviewer mentioned, "There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in."
  • Boating: If you love being on the water, Moraine View State Recreational Area is a great spot. A visitor noted, "Good fishing and kayaking" available in the area.
  • Hiking: Trails are abundant, especially at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area. One camper shared, "The lake is great for boating and lots of campers were fishing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Weldon Springs State Park Campground stated, "The bathhouse was only mildly gross but it wasn't unexpected."
  • Family Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the community feel at Kentuckiana Campground. One parent said, "Great place for kids. Decent little parks."
  • Quiet Environment: Campers often mention the peacefulness of the sites. A visitor at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground remarked, "This park is pretty quiet."

What you should know:

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A reviewer for Timberline Campground noted, "The campground was slightly packed, but would still return back."
  • Water Quality: Be cautious about the water quality at certain parks. A visitor at Moraine View State Recreational Area mentioned, "The water is TERRIBLE and looks like coffee or tea."
  • Wildlife: Raccoons can be a nuisance at some sites. A camper at Weldon Springs State Park Campground reported, "She had to leave in the middle of the night because the raccoons were so bad."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One reviewer at Kentuckiana Campground said, "They have a nice pond. They also have a kids play area in the Hollar."
  • Plan for Meals: If you want a break from cooking, check out nearby restaurants. A camper at Comlara County Park suggested, "You’ll find everything in Bloomington."
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. A visitor at Timberline Campground mentioned, "Plenty of activities for kids!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Illinois State Fair Campground noted, "All spaces seem to have electricity and water."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during busy weekends. A visitor at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area shared, "The sites are pretty close together, but we've had far worse."
  • Use Online Reservations: Many campgrounds allow online bookings, which can save time. A camper at Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867 mentioned, "Super convenient, great facility."

Camping near Beason, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just enjoying the outdoors, there's a spot for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular campground near Beason, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Beason, IL is Weldon Springs State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 16 reviews.

  • What parks are near Beason, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Beason, IL that allow camping, notably Lake Shelbyville and Carlyle Lake.