Equestrian camping near Centralia, Illinois centers around Rend Lake, a 19,000-acre reservoir offering over 20,000 acres of public land for outdoor recreation. With elevations ranging from 405 to 420 feet above sea level, this region experiences mild winters with occasional snow and hot, humid summers. The camping areas surrounding Centralia feature predominantly oak-hickory forests with scattered prairie remnants, providing both shade and open spaces for campers.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Dam West Spillway offers excellent shore access for anglers seeking multiple species. "What a great campground on the shore of Carlyle Lake! Right next to the marina and with many sites right on the lake, you can't go wrong here," notes Annie C.
Trail exploration: Hiking paths connect multiple recreation areas around the region. At Pyramid State Recreation Area, visitors find "great hiking trails and easy to follow" according to Leah P., with Mike V. adding, "Did a nice long walk along one trail late May and there was a lot of bird activity."
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, visitors enjoy swimming, boating, and paddling. "Rend Lake is lovely for boating, fishing & camping! The sunsets are amazing," writes b K. about Rend Lake. The lake features designated swimming beaches and boat launches at various points.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campers prefer lakeside camping spots for the views and direct water access. At South Sandusky Campground, Gina J. notes, "We love tent camping at South Sandusky. Many of the sites are right on the lake and the sunrise and sunsets are always gorgeous."
Wildlife viewing: The region hosts abundant wildlife, particularly deer and birds. "Never been to a CG with such abundant wildlife! Can sit at your spot and watch deer throughout the day," Lucas T. shares about Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park.
Spacious campsites: Most campgrounds offer well-spaced sites with reasonable privacy. "Sites are well spaced apart," reports Matthew B., while Joel R. describes, "Most of the sites are wooded with space between them, and many have lake views."
What you should know
Reservation systems: Campground booking policies vary across the region. At Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground, "Basically people show up and throw a cooler or tent onto a site to claim it and then leave. They have to pay for the spot by 8pm... We were there for one night and had 5-6 people come to us asking what time we were leaving the next morning," explains Blake M.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require equipment leveling. "They are not very level so some adjustments were needed," warns Joel R., while Kennon H. cautions, "Many sites are very off level. CHECK carefully."
Facility maintenance: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The showers and bathrooms are centrally located, so they are a bit of a hike. They are clean and not too busy," reports Cody S., while another camper notes "Bathrooms are pretty disgusting buggy and dirty."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Dam West Spillway, "Across the drive was a nice amphitheater and playground and a basic bathroom," notes Annie C., while heather S. adds, "Rangers are walking/driving around, and really friendly. Marina and beach are close."
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger-led programs during summer months. "They have outdoor informational presentations about plants and animals geared toward children," shares Chris B.
Swimming areas: Beach access varies by location. "Had a lake front site with beachfront access. It was flat ground, everyone was so nice and it was so clean and the area was lovely," explains Sarah J., though Jennifer G. cautions about one location having "Swim beach is not well maintained due to the budget but also doesn't cost anything since they can't pay anyone to man the gate."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electrical service is standard at most campgrounds, with full hookups available at select sites. At Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, "The camp site we chose was very clean and had water and electric hook ups," reports Samantha H.
Pad construction: Site surfaces vary from paved to gravel to grass. "The sites were pretty level. The campground is well kept, about 20 minutes from any groceries so come with your necessities," advises Tina J.
Cell service considerations: Signal strength fluctuates throughout the region. "There is very little cell service so it is a great place to be unplugged and enjoy time with friends and family!" mentions Lori W., while another camper reported, "Cell service was only 1-2 bars LTE with AT&T but able to stream with hotspot to the SmartTV with only 1 bar so not bad."
