Camping options around Chandlerville, Illinois sit within the agricultural flatlands of central Illinois, where prairies once dominated the landscape. The area's terrain ranges from 500-650 feet above sea level with soil conditions that can vary from sandy to loamy clay. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that regularly drop below 20°F, while summer humidity levels often exceed 80% during July and August.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Canton Lake offers limited swimming access but good fishing. As one visitor noted, "Great atmosphere all except we could not swim in the lake unless we were with people who had a boat."
Pine forest hiking: Pine Campground at Sand Ridge State Forest features unique sandy terrain with native cactus. A reviewer mentioned, "The orange trail (5 mile loop) starts at the campground making it easy to access the trail to check out the sandy forest and prickly pear cactus."
Historical exploration: Lincoln's New Salem Historic Site combines camping with educational experiences. A camper shared, "I love to walk through all the old buildings and learn about Lincoln's way of life. They even had horses and a bull out in the pastures! All the kids were feeding one of the horses handfuls of grass over the fence."
Outdoor recreation: Buena Vista Farms Campground provides water activities on their pond. A visitor commented, "They offer kayaks, canoes, and peddle boats free to campers. There is an open cabin with games, books, and WiFi. Basketball court, play area, and outdoor games."
What campers like
Shaded pine settings: Many campers appreciate the unique pine forest environment at Sand Ridge State Forest. One reviewer noted, "This is a great campground mostly for tents though a few RVs were there too. Large sites in a pine forest with a thick bed of pine needles."
Lakeside camping: Sangchris Lake State Park Campground offers premium waterfront sites. A camper shared, "We always get sites with our own private dock to fish from. Spotty reception but it's great to unplug."
Clean facilities: RV campgrounds near Chandlerville maintain good bathroom standards. One guest at The Double J Campground stated, "Extremely clean. Can tell they take pride in cleanliness of sites, parks, and bathroom. Nice pool."
Peaceful environment: Campers value the quiet setting. A visitor to Springfield KOA noted, "This KOA is in a rural area. The signage to get there was very good, plus we had our GPS to help out. This area is QUIET! No trains, no interstate noise."
What you should know
Weather conditions: The Illinois prairie can experience significant winds. A reviewer at Primitive Campground at Jim Edgar Panther Creek warned, "Under developed CG. Lots of hunting and fishing opportunities but grounds are years always from being fully grown. Always super windy too!"
Primitive camping options: For those seeking more rustic experiences, Sand Ridge State Forest offers backpacking sites. A visitor explained, "All the backpacking sites were empty so it seems that lots of options are possible. We didn't come across water sources so we asked the ranger."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. The Illinois State Fair Campground runs from April 1 to October 31, while Springfield KOA operates from April 1 to November 1.
Reservation requirements: During peak seasons, reservations become essential. A visitor to The Double J Campground recalled, "Called last minute on a Saturday, I had to leave a message and was hoping someone would call me back! Within five minutes, I had a call back and a lovely pull through site reserved."
Tips for camping with families
Youth activities: The Double J Campground offers multiple recreation options. A camper described, "Fantastic camp hosts, large pull through spots, pool, mini golf, and more. Very convenient to get too and the check in is very fast."
Kid-friendly biking: Several campgrounds feature paved roads ideal for young cyclists. A visitor to Prairie Lake Campground observed, "Lots of families with kids riding bikes around the loop and some playing wiffle ball in the open field."
Educational opportunities: Lincoln's New Salem provides historical learning experiences. A parent shared, "This is a wonderful place to visit. I enjoy learning about some of our family history. Such a great way to show the kids how life was like for pioneers on the homesteads."
Budget-friendly options: Primitive camping at Sand Ridge costs just $6 per night. A visitor noted, "These are walk in sites ranging from 0.10 miles to 0.50 miles from the parking lot. Just $6 a night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Illinois State Fair Campground offers multiple setting options. One RVer advised, "You have the option of paved parking lot or on the grass. We chose the grass for the shade trees. Very quiet. Not too close to your neighbor."
Dump station limitations: Some facilities have service restrictions. An RVer cautioned, "The dump station does not have hose hook up for water. There is water but you can't hook a hose to it. That needs to be fixed as you cant wash down your spills or rinse your tank."
Seasonal site conditions: Weather affects site quality at rv campgrounds near Chandlerville. A Springfield KOA visitor mentioned, "Campground could use some extra gravel on their roads and in the sites, but, still a nice place to relax and recharge."
Full hookup availability: Limited sewer connections exist at many campgrounds. At Sangchris Lake State Park, a reviewer noted, "Electric only but water available and nice dump station. All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake."
