Best Campgrounds near Coffeen, IL

Campgrounds near Coffeen, Illinois encompass a range of mixed-use options along Carlyle Lake and nearby reservoirs. The area includes established campgrounds like Sherwood Forest in Hillsboro, which accommodates both tent and RV camping, and Country Bend Campground in Litchfield, which offers cabins and glamping experiences. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area provides year-round camping with electric hookups and cabin options. Most campgrounds in the region feature water access, with several properties situated directly on Carlyle Lake, the largest lake in Illinois, creating opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.

Many campgrounds in the central Illinois region are seasonal, typically operating from April through October or November. Occasional flooding can affect access to certain areas, particularly at Eldon Hazlet State Park. "Not very well maintained by the State of Illinois. Restrooms are horrible! So many better places to camp in the Carlyle Lake area," noted one visitor about Eldon Hazlet. However, other developed campgrounds receive better maintenance reviews. Weather considerations include summer heat and humidity, with muddy conditions possible after rain. Several campgrounds offer both reservable and walk-up sites, with electric hookups widely available. Full hookup sites at popular locations like Dam West Campground tend to book up to six months in advance.

The campground landscape ranges from more isolated settings to family-friendly environments with amenities. Campers frequently mention the quality of waterfront sites as a highlight. "This campground qualifies for the senior pass for reduced rates. It is directly on Carlyle Lake, the largest lake in Illinois. It has activities for children on the weekends," reported one camper about Dam West Spillway. Several properties feature recreational facilities beyond camping, including swimming pools, playgrounds, and hiking trails. Site spacing varies considerably across the region, with some campgrounds offering greater privacy than others. Rustic tent sites directly adjacent to Carlyle Lake provide more seclusion, while developed campgrounds with full hookups tend to have sites closer together. The proximity to St. Louis makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for city dwellers seeking outdoor recreation.

Best Camping Sites Near Coffeen, Illinois (74)

    1. Sherwood Forest

    6 Reviews
    Hillsboro, IL
    8 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!"

    2. Okaw Valley Kampground

    26 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    22 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!"

    3. Country Bend Campground

    10 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    17 miles
    Website

    $25 - $40 / night

    "This beautiful campground has many things to offer and is only a few minutes from the local drive in movie theater in Litchfield Illinois."

    "Pretty scenery to walk around.  Plenty of lakes/ponds to fish.  We couldn't boat while there due to COVID but look forward to going back and taking our kayaks.  Attentive and Friendly camp hosts."

    4. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ramsey, IL
    15 miles
    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."

    5. Timber Trails Campground

    2 Reviews
    Greenville, IL
    12 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."

    6. Rustic Acres Jellystone

    4 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 456-1122

    "We chose this campground because it was near our route and we needed a place to stay for one night."

    7. Cedarbrook Camp Ground

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

    8. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area

    26 Reviews
    Carlyle, IL
    30 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."

    9. Kamper Kompanion RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Litchfield, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 324-4747

    "Just off the highway, but minimal noise. Clean. Well maintained. Pleasant staff. We had a long pull through, but there are a limited number of those."

    "Easy on off, right by highway, pulled in after dark and they met us to show us to the site and got us settled. Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad."

    10. Bonanza Campground

    1 Review
    Greenville, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 326-7261

    "Literally 0’s all around for level on the Levelmate Pro. I didn’t even unhook the trailer, just put the 4 scissor jacks and tongue jack down for stability."

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Recent Reviews near Coffeen, IL

378 Reviews of 74 Coffeen 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 Coffeen

Camping options near Coffeen, Illinois range from state parks to privately-operated facilities within a 30-mile radius. The area sits in the prairie lands of central Illinois at approximately 600 feet elevation, with notable seasonal temperature variations from 20°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Most campgrounds in this region feature access to fishing waters, with Carlyle Lake being a central attraction for water-based recreation.

What to do

Fishing at multiple lakes: Several campgrounds near Coffeen provide fishing opportunities in stocked ponds and lakes. At Okaw Valley Kampground, one camper noted, "Their fishing lake is beautiful and stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish." The site features a catch-and-release lake where visitors might spot "a super long carp," according to another reviewer.

Mini golf and games: Family recreation options extend beyond water activities. Country Bend Campground offers "18 hole putt putt, lots of outdoor games, planned activities on the weekends," with weekend events scheduled throughout the camping season. One visitor mentioned enjoying "the jumping pillow" among other recreational amenities.

Nature trails: Walking paths provide opportunities to explore the local ecosystem. Sherwood Forest features "tree coverage that surrounds the campground so it feels very secluded from the rest of the world," creating a natural environment for short walks. The campground's layout provides a sense of seclusion while maintaining accessibility to amenities.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Reviewers consistently highlight well-maintained bathrooms and common areas. At Okaw Valley Kampground, a visitor commented, "The bathroom was the cleanest I have seen at a campsite." Another noted that "the pool is well-maintained and pleasant," reflecting the overall upkeep standards.

Attentive management: Personal service stands out at several facilities. A camper at Sherwood Forest shared, "The camp host came and met me at 7pm on Sunday to get me set up. He took me on a golf cart to give me a tour of the available spots." This kind of hands-on approach helps new visitors navigate unfamiliar campgrounds.

Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature pools for summer recreation. Country Bend Campground offers "a big inground pool" according to reviews. This provides an alternative to lake swimming, particularly appreciated during hot summer months when water temperatures at Carlyle Lake can reach the mid-80s.

What you should know

Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October or early November. Timber Trails Campground specifies its season runs "April 1 to November 15," which is typical for the region. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few facilities like Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area remaining open year-round.

Variable site spacing: Proximity to neighbors varies significantly across campgrounds. One camper at Sherwood Forest observed, "The sites are small and you are right next to your neighbor," while another at the same location noted, "Our site is very large with an equally large grass lawn area." Site selection can substantially impact privacy.

Interstate proximity: Several campgrounds function as convenient overnight stops for travelers. A visitor to Timber Trails Campground described it as "a easy layover off of I-70, offering a family-friendly environment" with "an easy in and out, pull-through site that was level and convenient."

Tips for camping with families

Activities schedule: During peak season, check for organized events. A reviewer at Rustic Acres Jellystone mentioned "Kid fun and themed activities, bounce trampoline pillow, pool, etc." These structured activities can help keep children entertained throughout extended stays.

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for different age groups. At Rustic Acres Jellystone, a camper noted the area is "Great fun for all ages" with amenities suitable for different development levels. Sherwood Forest was described as having a "playground [that] is super nice and very well maintained."

Safety considerations: Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours and security measures. A Rustic Acres Jellystone visitor appreciated the "Friendly staff and good security," providing peace of mind for families with young children. Supervised recreation areas are common at the larger established campgrounds.

Tips from RVers

Leveling expectations: Site conditions vary even within individual campgrounds. One RVer at Bonanza Campground reported finding "THE MOST level site we have ever had in allllll our years of travel. Literally 0's all around for level on the Levelmate Pro." This campground received praise for technical aspects important to RV owners.

Hookup availability: Full-service sites can be limited at some locations. A Kamper Kompanion RV Park visitor noted their site had "Sewer right there, plenty of water pressure, 30 AND 50 amp at the site," which isn't universal across all campgrounds in the region. Many state park campgrounds offer only electric hookups.

Pull-through accessibility: RVers with larger rigs should confirm site specifications. A reviewer at Kamper Kompanion described it as having "Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad," making it suitable for larger motorhomes with towed vehicles. Call ahead to verify specific site dimensions if traveling with rigs over 35 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Coffeen, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Coffeen, IL is Sherwood Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

What parks are near Coffeen, IL?

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