Camping opportunities near Danville, Illinois offer a mix of prairie, forested, and lakeside settings across east-central Illinois and western Indiana. The region sits at approximately 600-700 feet above sea level with a typical Midwestern climate featuring four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures often reach 80-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall provide cooler camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 50-70°F range.
What to do
Disc golf course adventures: Rockville Lake County Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that winds through wooded ravines with varied terrain. According to one visitor, "Disc golf course is awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket. Hole 1 starts by primitive sites closer to beach. Ask for a disc golf map at gatehouse."
Hiking diverse terrain: Kickapoo State Recreation Area offers multiple trail systems through undeveloped wilderness. A regular visitor notes, "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." The park provides both easy and moderate hiking options suitable for different skill levels.
Water activities: Paddling options abound on local waterways. A reviewer at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping shared, "Did a nice kayaking loop using their service. Had everything you needed, very chill experience." Many campgrounds provide water access for fishing, with Rockville Lake County Park offering multiple fishing docks and a dedicated fish cleaning station.
What campers like
Clean facilities: D & W Lake RV Park consistently receives praise for maintenance standards. A recent visitor mentioned, "Very clean shower and toilet facilities, beautiful pond, the people are very friendly, and close to freeway exit." Another camper appreciated the "Clean laundry. Friendly and helpful owner. Visible presence throughout campground checking that all is well."
Spacious sites: Prairie Pines Campground offers generous spacing between campsites. As one reviewer noted, "Nice space between sites. Free WiFi. Very large and clean bathrooms. Laundry also available in bath house." The campground features gravel pads surrounded by grassy areas that provide adequate separation from neighboring sites.
Lake views: Several RV parks near Danville include water features. At Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area, a visitor commented, "One of the best state park campgrounds I've grown to love with beautiful views, hiking, and boating." The park includes lakeside camping with sites offering water views and easy access to swimming areas.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Shades State Park Campground, sites vary considerably in quality. A visitor to Rockville Lake County Park observed, "The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant seasonal changes. Spring camping often means dealing with saturated ground. One camper at Prairie Pines reported, "Rain saturated ground prohibited site pull in. Had to back up over a steep street curb into a non angled site."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. A D & W Lake visitor advised, "I'm glad we made a reservation. We enjoyed our stay." Most RV parks near Danville, Illinois allow online reservations, with some charging additional reservation fees of $3-5.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple RV parks in the area feature playground facilities. At Rockville Lake County Park, a visitor noted, "Playground located in middle of loop and accessible/visible from any of sites on loop area." The park includes three separate playground areas distributed throughout the property.
Beach options: Water recreation is readily available for children. A visitor to Turkey Run State Park Campground shared, "We rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground. It was great and once we saw the crowds at the beach area of the park on Saturday afternoon, we were super glad we had been canoeing all day instead of fighting crowds at the park."
Wildlife awareness: Local campgrounds feature abundant wildlife that may interest children but require proper precautions. At Cecil M Harden Lake, one camper warned, "Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right." Raccoons are particularly active at many sites, necessitating secure food storage.
Tips from RVers
Electric service quality: RV parks near Danville provide varied electric hookup options. At D & W Lake, full hookup sites include 50-amp electrical service that consistently meets needs of larger rigs. One RVer shared, "Full hookup sites. Wifi is available. Bathrooms we clean. If you need to get off the road and get some rest give them a try."
Pull-through accessibility: Some campgrounds offer easier access for larger rigs. A visitor to Tin Cup RV Park observed, "Spacious sites long pull through etc. Wish we had more time for the area." Sites designed for larger motorhomes typically require advance reservation.
Hookup positioning: At Rockville Lake County Park, hookup placement requires planning. As one RVer noted, "Sharing of water and electric between two sites, so come prepared with extensions for water and electric." Having 25-50 foot water and electrical extensions ensures flexibility regardless of utility location.
