Best Campgrounds near Ramsey, IL

Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area anchors the camping options near Ramsey, Illinois, with sites for tents, RVs, and cabins available throughout the year. The area includes several developed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including Okaw Valley Kampground in Brownstown and Camp Lakewood to the east. Most facilities provide electric hookups, water access, and basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. Campgrounds in this region tend to be established facilities rather than primitive sites, with many offering a mix of accommodation types from traditional tent camping to cabin rentals.

Campers should be aware that many sites in the area require reservations, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity. The camping season for several nearby campgrounds runs approximately April through October, though Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area and some other facilities remain open year-round. Most campgrounds feature gravel pads, and road conditions are generally suitable for standard vehicles. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers and occasional spring storms that can affect camping conditions. According to one visitor at Ramsey Lake, "The park is reasonably priced, beautiful surroundings and friendly staff. The only downside is that it's somewhat far from supply stores."

Waterfront locations tend to be the most popular camping options in the region, with Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area offering water-based recreation opportunities. Several campgrounds include stocked fishing lakes, swimming pools, and access to hiking trails. Visitors consistently mention cleanliness as a strength of the area's camping facilities. For example, a camper noted that Ramsey Lake features "clean and very nice campsites." Families appreciate the kid-friendly amenities available at several locations, including playgrounds and open spaces. The proximity to Interstate 70 makes some campgrounds like Okaw Valley convenient for travelers, though road noise can occasionally be noticeable. Most facilities maintain shower houses, restrooms, and trash disposal services, which receive positive mentions in visitor reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Ramsey, Illinois (75)

    1. Okaw Valley Kampground

    26 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 427-5140

    "There’s a very nice updated playground and a pond with a walking path around it.

    The place is very well taken care of. If we ever came back this way we would stay again."

    "Beautiful walking paths, convenient, great pricing. They filled us up on LP too. Thanks again, Barb and Gary!"

    2. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ramsey, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (618) 423-2215

    "The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"

    "Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."

    3. Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 283-9700

    $25 / night

    "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available. Downsides is wifi is poor, gravel is unlevel, limited menu on DoorDash."

    4. Sherwood Forest

    6 Reviews
    Hillsboro, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 532-5211

    $25 - $45 / night

    "We stayed here in our Motorhome but the sites are pretty small and you are right next to your neighbor."

    "After a massive disappointment at a nearby state park, we came to Sherwood Forest as a last resort. We were beyond pleasantly surprised!"

    5. Coon Creek (IL)

    18 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "We've been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. And that's exactly what we do."

    "There are many sites on this campground that are wooded and have views of Lake Shelbyville. Boat ramp to put in your boat or kayaks and sand beach for the kids to go swimming."

    6. Timber Trails Campground

    2 Reviews
    Greenville, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-8264

    "Timber Trails Campground is a easy layover off of I-70, offering a family-friendly environment. The park provided us an easy in and out, pull-through site that was level and convenient."

    7. Camp Lakewood

    17 Reviews
    Effingham, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 342-1111

    $35 - $999 / night

    "The sun sets behind the camper. Very nice clean restrooms, laundry room and a area you can grill in using their grills."

    "Biggest complaints are that it had a sewery smell and you could hear the highway. They have a bar and store. Firewood bundles were 10$!"

    8. Lithia Springs

    10 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $36 / night

    "At the end of the circles there are some sites right on the lake and the boat ramp is nearby.

    Nice latrines and showerhouses."

    "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake."

    9. Cedarbrook Camp Ground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    19 miles
    +1 (618) 326-8865

    10. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 594-3015

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Water and dump at the entrance. Shower houses. Very nice pool and camp store. Hosts scattered and occasionally hard to find to pay for your spot. Wildlife galore. Next to largest lake in Illinois."

    "This State Park is located outside Carlyle,Illinois. This park offers playground areas and more. Cabins, campsites with power or no power the choice is yours."

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Recent Reviews near Ramsey, IL

382 Reviews of 75 Ramsey Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Dam West Campground

    Beautiful campground at a minimum $

    This campground is heavenly and peaceful. Lots of migrant waterfowl. Pelicans, egrets, blue herons….

  • Mickie S.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great experience

    This is a great campground and the owners are awesome! My husband and I are riding our bicycles cross country. The day we checked into the campground,he had a Crohn's flare/bowel block and went to the hospital for 4 days. The owners stored our bikes, watched our tent, and even picked us up from the hospital! Such nice people! The campground is clean, has a great showerhouse, lots of trees, and even has recliners in the laundry room. I highly recommend staying here!

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Dam East - Mcnair Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Another really nice COE campground. With our pass for seniors, we only paid $10 for electric. The sites were a little closer together than normal COE’s but still plenty of room. Water spicket’s were placed throughout the park but not at each site. There was a lake with a swim beach and two playgrounds. Sites were very level. Nice and shady. Close to town. Well maintained showers.

  • R
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great place to stay overnight

    The owner, Barb, was very friendly and helpful. We had a pull through just for overnight, and it was perfect.
    The park appeared well taken care of, and the pool looked clean.

  • Julie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Love's RV Hookup-Hamel IL 578

    Good for a truck stop, busy and loud

    Easy reservation system online. $60 is a bit pricey for one night. Electricity and water at each spot which are concrete slabs. Typical super busy truck stop with bright lights and lots of action but safe and convenient.

  • Stephanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground

    Spacious and clean

    Campground was well maintained with spacious campsites. I tried to get a spot on the water but they were all reserved, they looked really nice so I would try to get it in the future. Showers were nice with air conditioning. I would say this is more of a campsite for RVs but it worked fine with our tent. Host was nice and helpful.

  • Mercedes K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Camp Lakewood

    Great Place!

    Great place! Enjoyed the serene atmosphere and friendly staff. Loved the pizza too.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Ok for a one night stay

    The owners are friendly. The pool is well-maintained and pleasant. The campsite is an old KOA frozen in time. It's clean but dated. Water and electricity are available on site with an old picnic table. Only one bathhouse (toilet, shower) is a bit far from our site.


Guide to Ramsey

Camping near Ramsey, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Coon Creek (IL), provide access to great fishing spots. One camper mentioned, “The beach area with life jackets available for the kids was a hit!”
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Fox Ridge State Park Campground. A visitor shared, “Great hiking trails and clean shower and bath houses made our stay enjoyable.”
  • Playgrounds and Sports: Campgrounds like Okaw Valley Kampground have playgrounds and sports facilities. One family noted, “The kids loved the slides in the playground!”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Sangchris Lake State Park Campground stated, “The restrooms and shower house were clean.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, private sites. A visitor at Coles Creek Recreation Area mentioned, “The sites were spacious and had plenty of shade.”
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often rave about the welcoming staff. One reviewer at Double J Campground and RV Park said, “The staff were super friendly and went out of their way to accommodate!”

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol at Some Campgrounds: If you plan to enjoy a drink, be aware that some places, like Fox Ridge State Park Campground, do not allow alcohol.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Washington County State Recreation Area, may have fewer amenities. A camper noted, “Pit toilets were available, but don’t expect a full-service experience.”
  • Seasonal Availability: Check the camping season for each site. For example, Coon Creek (IL) is open from May 1 to October 13.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. One family at Okaw Valley Kampground enjoyed, “Three playground areas and a pool during summer months made it perfect for kids.”
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have stores for supplies. A camper at Coon Creek (IL) mentioned, “The store had lots of helpful items, including ice and firewood.”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Keep the kids entertained with outdoor games. A visitor at Camp Lakewood said, “The playground is adorable and retro, perfect for family fun.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A reviewer at Archway RV Park noted, “Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection, so bring a 50/30 adapter.”
  • Look for Level Sites: Some RVers recommend checking site levels before booking. One camper at Double J Campground and RV Park mentioned, “Well-maintained and level spots made setup easy.”
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near highways. A visitor at Archway RV Park said, “You can hear the highway traffic nearby, but it was more like white noise.”

Camping around Ramsey, IL, offers a mix of fun activities, clean facilities, and friendly atmospheres. Whether you're with family or enjoying a solo trip, there's a campground that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Ramsey, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ramsey, IL is Okaw Valley Kampground with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.

What parks are near Ramsey, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Ramsey, IL that allow camping, notably Lake Shelbyville and Carlyle Lake.