Camping options near Collison, Illinois range from basic municipal sites to full-service RV parks. Located in east-central Illinois's agricultural heartland, the area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s and cold winters with frequent snow. Most campgrounds in the region are situated on flat terrain with mixed tree coverage, offering seasonal access from April through October, though several remain open year-round.
What to do
Fishing at D & W Lake RV Park: The campground features a stocked lake where guests can fish catch-and-release for bluegill and bass. One camper noted, "The lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass. There's plenty of grass, Fire Pits, Playgrounds and a Dog Park."
Hiking at Kickapoo State Recreation Area: Located about 30 miles east of Collison, this park offers multiple trails for different skill levels. A reviewer mentioned, "This park is severely underfunded so don't expect much for amenities. That said it's a great place to setup for a weekend on the trails."
Canoeing and tubing: Several parks provide water recreation opportunities during summer months. One visitor to Kickapoo commented, "There are camp sites that are walk to for some more distance from others, a lot of close drive to spots, RV, and a lot of close boat camping sites. The park itself has a lot of trails to explore and a few lakes to fish at. It is also a local spot to tube."
What campers like
Peaceful environment: Many campgrounds offer quiet settings despite being close to highways. At D & W Lake RV Park, a camper shared, "Pulled in about 7pm and immediately was greeted by the manager who showed us to our site, helped us pull in get settled and brought us firewood. The lake behind our trailer is beautiful."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities are highlighted at several campgrounds. One visitor at D & W Lake noted, "Really nice place, very clean shower and toilet facilities, beautiful pond, the people are very friendly, and close to freeway exit. Would 100% recommend."
Walking trails: Several parks feature dedicated walking paths. A camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground stated, "This campground was reasonably priced, had clean facilities and quite unusual and interesting hiking nearby. There are multiple trails and some quite challenging ones."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Not all campgrounds remain open year-round. Thousand Trails Horseshoe Lakes operates from April 25 to October 20, while Shades State Park Campground is open April to October.
Reservations policies: Some parks don't accept advance bookings. At Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground, you'll need to register directly at the police station: "This park is a testament to Gibson City Midwest hospitality. There are 9 asphalt pads with one pull thru and ada compliant. If you are ok with being 'on display' for the friendly town, go register and pay at the police station a few blocks over."
Site conditions: Ground conditions can vary significantly after rain. A visitor at Prairie Pines Campground reported, "Rain saturated ground prohibited site pull in. Had to back up over a steep street curb into a non angled site. Unable to get into originally selected campsite due to insufficient room to back into site, so moved to Site #13."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer play facilities for children. At Prairie Pines, a camper mentioned, "This is a great city run campground attached to a block sized city park. 30 amp and water at each site. The park has restrooms, with showers. You only need to grab a key from the police department."
Entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with recreational amenities. A camper at Tin Cup RV Park advised, "Super nice owners of this driving range with campsites. It's extremely close to the popular Lake of the Woods Forest preserve. We've camped here in tents with no problems, but it is mainly for RV stop overs from I74."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer opportunities to see local animals. A visitor to Kickapoo State Recreation Area observed, "Deer and wildlife seen in the mornings. Really nice way to get off the grid for a second without having to go too far."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request assistance when selecting a site that fits your rig. At Crawfordsville KOA, an RVer noted, "Great spot for an overnight stop. Host was super friendly and helpful. We had to switch dates last minute and they were super flexible. We arrived at 2am, but they had us all situated for late checkin."
Leveling considerations: Many sites require additional equipment for proper leveling. A camper at Turkey Run State Park explained, "The site was clean and well equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The site is very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end."
Hookup locations: Check the placement of utility connections before setting up. One RVer at Prairie Pines Campground shared, "Our Garmin RV GPS' conflicted with our new Ford RV navigation, wanting to take us a more direct route and Garmin through town to this city park. Either route would have worked but suggest you locate the campground on the map and verify the route with Google Maps or Waze."
