Harry L Swartz Campground sits 40 miles east of Collison, Illinois, in a dark sky region that offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. The campground features electric hookups at every site for $16 per night with access to hiking trails that cross shallow creeks and follow the Middle Fork River. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, though availability varies by location and weather conditions.
What to do
Creek exploration: Trail 3 at Turkey Run State Park Campground offers challenging hiking with unique geological features including ladders for traversing ravines. "This park is just other-worldly. We hiked Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2. Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat," notes one visitor.
Astronomy events: Harry L Swartz Campground hosts special night sky programs in this designated Dark Sky Park. A camper mentions, "It's a dark sky park so you can get some nice views from the campground and surrounding areas. We stayed in August for the Perseid meteor shower and a local expert came to give a talk and there was a meteor viewing party of sorts."
Water recreation: Multiple creeks and waterways throughout the region offer fishing, canoeing, and tubing opportunities. Sugar Creek Campground visitors appreciate water access: "The creek is awesome for catching tadpoles and minnows. And definitely take time to float or kayak down the river. The pond is stocked with GIANT fish (catch and release only)."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The region offers excellent bird watching and wildlife spotting opportunities. A visitor to Harry L Swartz Campground noted, "Lots of wildlife: heard many different bird calls & coyotes howling in the night. One very persistent raccoon: hide your food!"
Campsite privacy: Many campsites offer decent separation from neighbors. "Sites 42-47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private," reports a camper at Harry L Swartz Campground. At Turkey Run, visitors recommend "wooded sites on the outsides that back up to woods. The majority of those have a decent number of trees separating you from the site next to you."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathhouses and facilities. At D & W Lake RV Park near Champaign, visitors appreciate that "the bath house is clean and up to date with lots of hot water. The lake is pleasant and has a trail around it for walking."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds open mid-April through October. Water systems may not be operational in early spring. "Our first visit was in April before they turned the water on (we were prepared for that). The shower house was closed until May but the pit toilets were open and still reasonably clean."
Site selection matters: Terrain varies significantly between sites. At Rockville Lake County Park, "The sites in modern electric water only can be awkward to back into with no room to pull forward due to a ditch in some areas. We stayed in site 10 which was uneven, no room for a tent, and small."
Reservation timing: Book well ahead for summer weekends and holidays. Full hookup sites are limited and fill quickly. "Reservations were limited in 2020 due to the pandemic so getting a site was a bit of a task but not in previous years," notes a Harry L Swartz Campground visitor.
Weather impact: Spring rains can affect trail conditions. "Be prepared for mud," warns one camper about Turkey Run trails. Flash flooding can occur in canyon areas during heavy rain.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer multiple play areas for children. At Sugar Creek Campground, "The park is great, they offer disc golf, Gaga, and other fun activities. We are locals and this is our go to as it is quiet and we can see the kids play from our campsite."
Junior ranger programs: State parks offer educational activities for children during summer months. Programs typically run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Family-friendly water activities: Age-appropriate water recreation varies by location. Sugar Creek offers gentle water experiences: "The creek is awesome for catching tadpoles and minnows," notes a visitor, making it suitable for younger children with supervision.
Noise considerations: Campground noise levels vary significantly. "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167," advises a Turkey Run visitor concerned about finding a quiet site for family camping.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Bring extra leveling blocks as many sites feature uneven terrain. "It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end. The site was huge but given the unevenness it would be difficult for tents," notes a reviewer at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping.
Utility hookup sharing: Some campgrounds have shared utility connections. "Sharing of water and electric between two sites, so come prepared with extensions for water and electric," advises a Rockville Lake County Park visitor.
Site size limitations: Big rigs need to select sites carefully. "There were only 2 sites that were full hookups big enough for our 5th wheel," notes a Charlarose Campground visitor, highlighting the importance of confirming site dimensions before booking.
Electric amperage options: Most sites offer 30/50 amp service, but connections vary. "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hook up," cautions a Turkey Run Canoe & Camping visitor.
