Glamping options near Beaverville, Illinois offer rustic luxury experiences within the flat agricultural terrain of eastern Illinois and western Indiana. The region sits in a landscape of fertile farmland and pockets of woodland at an average elevation of 650 feet. Most primitive campgrounds and glamping facilities in the area operate on a seasonal basis due to the Midwest's distinct seasonal climate with summer temperatures regularly reaching 85-90°F.
What to do
Fishing at Willow Slough: Electric-motor boats permitted on the lake with no gasoline engines allowed. Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area offers access to monster bass fishing. "There are monster bass in this lake, I have got a 19-inch largemouth in 2017," reports one angler. Water sources may have mineral content affecting taste, so bring drinking water.
Kayaking at rural lakes: Many campgrounds feature private lakes or ponds for non-motorized watercraft. "We bring our kayaks. Staff has always been friendly, a sandy type soil so it drains well after rain," notes a visitor about water activities at Willow Slough.
Stargazing at dark sky sites: The region offers minimal light pollution in certain preserves. Harry L Swartz Campground hosts meteor viewing events during celestial events. "Since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather," explains a camper who visited during the Perseid meteor shower.
Mini-golf and games: Several campgrounds maintain activity areas with mini-golf courses and arcades for rainy days. "The IB side has a large mini golf course ($8 for those > 5) and a nice arcade our boys enjoyed," mentions a family who camped at Indiana Beach.
What campers like
Private sites with natural buffers: Some campgrounds design sites with vegetation between campsites. At Harry L Swartz Campground, "Sites 42-47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private," notes one reviewer who appreciated the layout design.
Lake swimming with water features: Oak Lake RV Resort maintains a swimming pond with inflatable obstacle courses. "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories," describes a family who extended their stay from a weekend to nearly two weeks.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The rural setting provides chances to spot native animals. "Lots of wildlife: heard many different bird calls & coyotes howling in the night," reports a camper who visited the Middle Fork River area in early fall.
Clean facilities with modern amenities: Multiple campgrounds invest in well-maintained bathhouses. "The shower house is older but decent and clean. The showers themselves have a lot of hooks inside to hang your things, and the accessible shower was very thoughtful with a bench and handheld shower head," notes a visitor to Harry L Swartz Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operating limitations: Most glamping sites close during winter months. Kankakee South KOA operates from April 1 to October 31, while Indiana Beach Campground runs May through September only.
Varied site sizes and privacy levels: Campsite quality differs significantly between and within campgrounds. "Sites 40-48 get full sun until around 2 in the afternoon. Luckily it was cool for our visit or we would have melted. Other sites are mostly shaded and beautiful," advises a camper at Harry L Swartz.
Ownership changes affect policies: Some previously tent-friendly campgrounds have changed rules. "This campground was bought out by Zeeman and just announced that tents and pop up campers are NOT allowed. This is ridiculous seeing how I have camped here 35+ years," notes a long-time visitor to Oak Lake.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity and scheduled events can create noise disturbances. "There were some kind of car races until around 9:30, awful noise," shares one KOA visitor who found sleep difficult during their stay.
Tips for camping with families
Check water feature schedules: Water amenities vary in availability and condition. "The slough has a splash pad, but was never open or on when we went over there," reports a family who visited Indiana Beach Campground during Labor Day weekend.
Book sites near playgrounds: Families appreciate easy access to play areas. "Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp," shares a parent who arrived at Oak Lake as the sun was setting.
Pack for variable weather: The Midwest climate can shift rapidly during camping season. "We also had a lot of rain that weekend and one of the pit toilets appeared to have a problem because it smelled very strongly," warns a camper about conditions after heavy rainfall.
Consider welcome packages for first-time visitors: Some campgrounds provide extra assistance for newcomers. "From the moment you drive up, staff are waiting in golf carts to guide you to your site & even help with setup," appreciates a family visiting with a large RV for the first time.
Tips from RVers
Request leveling information: Ground conditions vary widely between sites. "Some sites are not level so you have to pay attention," advises an RVer at Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area, where the $12 nightly fee reflects the primitive conditions.
Navigate entry carefully: Some campgrounds have challenging access points. "When you are checking in with trailer make sure you don't turn left to the office. It will be hard to turn around," warns a camper about the entrance at Camp Sullivan.
Check connectivity needs in advance: Cell service and internet access vary greatly. "We had a very poor wifi signal. My husband had a hot spot from work and that was helpful. We were unable to get many channels on our tv with our antenna," shares a camper who visited Indiana Beach in September.
Verify utility and site specifications: Full-hookup definitions differ between campgrounds. "Our site was sunny in the morning and early afternoon with some shade beginning late afternoon. Had a concrete patio under the picnic table," notes an RVer during their first trip with a new pop-up camper at Indiana Beach.
