Top Tent Camping near Decatur, IL
Searching for a tent camping spot near Decatur? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Decatur, IL (8)
2. Spillway (Il)
3 Reviews•3 Photos•4 SavesOverview
Spillway is a day use area on the shore of the Kaskaskia River just below the Lake Shelbyville dam.
Situated in the heart of central Illinois, the river, lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, picnicking and simply relaxing by the water.
Natural Features:
This facility is mostly open with some wooded areas. Oak and hickory are the dominant tree species.
Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer.
Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.
Recreation:
Spillway is a fun place to relax along the river. It has plenty of open space and a playground for children.
Lake Shelbyville and the Kaskaskia River also offer a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without boats, there are also several ponds with farmed fish available around the lake.
Hunting areas located within a short drive offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.
Facilities:
This facility has a reservable picnic shelter that can accommodate 50 people. Six picnic tables, a playground, volleyball courts, fish cleaning station, flush toilets and spigots for drinking water are provided.
Nearby Attractions:
Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.
- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
3. Sullivan Marina and Campgrounds Resort
1 Review•5 SavesThis recreation area is part of Lake Shelbyville
- Tents
- Drinking Water
5. Dam West (Day Use)
Be the first to review!Overview
Dam West Day Use Area offers reservable group picnic shelters on the shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois.
The lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, swimming, picnicking and simply relaxing. Boaters have year-round access to the lake, even during high lake elevations.
Natural Features:
This facility is mostly open with a clear view of the lake. About half of the land around the lake is forested, with oak and hickory as the dominant species. Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer.
Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.
Recreation:
Boaters have access to a multi-lane boat ramp and courtesy dock, and hikers can explore the shore using a number of trails. The General Dacey Trail begins at Dam West Recreation Area and makes its way through Shelbyvilles Forrest Park.
Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without a boat, several managed ponds with farmed fish are available around the lake.
Hunting areas, located a short drive away, offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.
Facilities:
Dam West Day Use Area has four group picnic shelters; three can accommodate about 50 people each, while one can host up to 100. The shelters each have six picnic tables, and the facility provides volleyball courts, a large public beach with showers and a playground.
Nearby Attractions:
Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.
- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
6. Kaskaskia River Camp
Be the first to review!•1 SaveTent camping. Limited electric and water. Canoe and boat rentals, bait and showers. On river bank.
- Fires
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Showers
- Drinking Water
7. Dam East (Day Use)
Be the first to review!Overview
Dam East Day Use Area sits above the shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois.
The lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, picnicking and simply relaxing by the water.
Natural Features:
This facility sits above the lake with a steep descent to the shoreline. Oak and hickory trees dominate the landscape.
Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer.
Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink.
Recreation:
With a playground, volleyball court and horseshoe pit, Dam East Day Use is a fun place for families to relax along the lake.
Within a short drive, Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without a boat, several ponds with farmed fish are available around the lake.
Nearby hunting areas offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.
Facilities:
This facility offers one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 50 people. Six picnic tables, a large grill, flush toilets and electric hookups are provided.
Nearby Attractions:
Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.
- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
8. Shady Grove Campground — Hidden Springs State Forest
Be the first to review!Shady Grove Campground accommodates groups by reservation only. Ground fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews In Decatur
293 Reviews of 8 Decatur Campgrounds
Laurie L.
Scout
D & W Lake RV Park
Lovely campground
Lovely little campground with its own little lake. Well maintained. Clean laundry. Friendly and helpful owner. Visible presence throughout campground checking that all is well.
Aaron B.
Guide
Hickory Point - Sangchris Lake State Park
Lakeside Relaxation
These walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there. We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well. A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets. Park staff and host were great. A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64. $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric. A water source is also by the parking spots. The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake. Springfield being so close is a bonus.
The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there. Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park. Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot. Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.
- DDaveScout
Coon Creek (IL)
Unfriendly park attendants
Check in crabby park attendants. Tried to change to another site that was available, I was told they only check people in and out, that was it! I was told to flag down a Ranger for help. My family will never come here again!
Linda N.
Traveler
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Memorabe trip
One of our favorite camping trips so far!
We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on.
Sites were somewhat open but there were tons of trees and grass behind each spot so it didn’t feel so exposed. We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole.
We heard the toilets and shower house were brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who might not make it to the outhouse so we never used the campground toilet/facilities.
Definitely our vibe of being more secluded and on the water.
Sara W.Traveler
Friends Creek Campground
Clean, spacious sites, nice amenities
Friends Creek is a small campground with nice spacious sites and super clean bathhouses and pit toilets. The fire pits are well kept and the camp host was very kind! He came around with suckers for the kids and just to check in. We hiked a bit on the trails and played in the creek. Highly recommend.
- LLinda N.Scout
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Great visit with the family
We had a fantastic time here. We came during Fourth of July and never felt like it was overly crowded. Sites were spacious but wasn’t much privacy, which didn’t bother us because it allowed for our kids to play with the other kids easily. Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole. We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests. We did not use the toilets or showers, although it looked like they were in working order as others were using then. We had a cloudless night and the stars were spectacular.
Olivia L.Scout
Ramsey Lake State Park
Great
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Nick W.Guide
Kentuckiana Campground
Great family atmosphere
Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler. Spots are kind of cramped and close together, one of our favorite places though!
Betty D.Scout
Spillway (Il)
Great
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Brandi M.Guide
Walnut Point State Park
Loved our stay!
This is a lovely campground with large dispersed camp sites. There is an on-site restaurant that has stayed busy, and we are here the second weekend of April. Cafe also sells firewood when in stock and rents out boats and kayaks. John, the host is very sweet! Electric only with a dump station. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained, I like that size of the showers. Fishing is good. A beautiful weekend for our first time here.
- JJareth C.
RangerHickory Point - Sangchris Lake State Park
Beautiful views
Came here in winter and it’s really beautiful. Lots of amenities and big spots, will come again
- JJareth C.Ranger
Ramsey Lake State Park
Clean park, cheap prices. Would definitely come back
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
- KKayla G.Scout
Eagle Creek State Park Campground
Wonderful Experience :)
The views were incredible and it wasn’t too busy.
- mmichael W.Traveler
Illinois State Fair Campground
Large campground, good location, good value
On the state fairgrounds just off gate 10 or 11. Very large number of spaces…older bathrooms/ showers but very clean. All spaces seem to have electricity and water.
- RRichard R.Guide
Illinois State Fair Campground
Clean, beautiful urban camp
We always leave late on the first day of a trip and get stressed. This was an easy 3/4 day trip from our house and a great place to relax. Great thick grass carpet spots if you want.Great level paved pads if you want.Friendly checking , friendly security driving around all night. Lots of showers, mine was good and hot. Some traffic noise All kinds of open spots if it isn’t fair week. Don’t just show up fair week.
- Beau C.Traveler
Hickory Lane Campground
👍
Small. Quiet. Pretty. Two small lakes with fountains. You can hear the fountains at night, it's nice. Excellent price for tent camping.
- CColin H.Traveler
Deer Run Campground
Beautiful, affordable and friendly
The camp host was super friendly, the sites were large and the primitive sites at the back were incredibly beautiful! The prices were very low.
Katherine T.Guide
Forrest W. Bo Wood
Not a lot of privacy for tent camping
This was a quick overnight in a tent on a road trip for me. Site 75 was what was available when I booked last minute. It's level with grass to pitch a tent but definitely in a loop of the park better suited to travel trailers/RVs etc. Not much privacy between sites but backs up to woods. The bathrooms were clean with good hot showers. Would return again if I could snag a tent loop site.
JASON L.GuideHickory Point - Sangchris Lake State Park
Hickory Point Heaven
There's really no way to describe this campground except for: Accommodating. Beautiful. Clean. Convenient. Peaceful. Relaxing. We have spent many weekends here and have never had a bad experience. Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff and crew do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!!! We appreciate them and this wonderful campground. Our favorite sites are 13, 18, 23. Please visit and enjoy!
- Sara W.Traveler
Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort
One of our favorites!
This is one of our favorites. It’s close to home for us but also, very clean with nice staff and a fun environment. The pool is a huge plus, it’s so incredibly nice. There’s a small game room and little camp store with firewood and ice. The sites are kind of close together but they’re clean and have nice fire pits and tables. The campground is well cared for. We went 4th of July weekend and they even had a golf cart parade and through candy which was so fun for our son. We’ll always visit here.
- jjulianaGuide
Forrest W. Bo Wood
Quiet, clean dites
It’s crowded near the road but spreads out well at the back of the site. Lots of people here today
- nnickyScout
The Double J Campground and RV Park
Good place
Close to the interstate, good gravel spots with full hookups. Nice bathrooms and showers
- Sara W.Traveler
Weldon Springs State Park
Nice campground!
This was our first visit here, we haven't typically stayed so close to home. It was Memorial Day weekend, and the campground was completely full. The sites are pretty small. But even being small and on top of each other, the campground was quiet and still at night. The bathhouse was only mildly gross but it wasn't unexpected. I didn't use the pit toilet houses. Overall, we were happy there and enjoyed ourselves. It was a fun trip.
- TTeri M.Scout
Illinois State Fair Campground
Comfortable Place to stay
The showers were clean. Campsites are close together, but not to busy while I was there. Reasonable. Staff friendly. Security regularly drove around.
Mike G.TravelerHickory Point - Sangchris Lake State Park
Fantastic lakeside camping
I stayed at the tent sites. They are first come, first served, and a short walk from the parking spots. There are times of RV sites also, although the host said most all are reservable and only a handful are firstcome, first served. There are restrooms and a shower house that are clean.
Whistle P.GuideThe Double J Campground and RV Park
This place has a great location
The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean. Our Starlink had zero obstructions worked lightening fast. We LOVED having a dog park to exercise our dogs daily!
Great location, close to all the Springfield attractions and Slauterhaus Brewing in Auburn, IL (this is the best brewery nearby, better than Buzz Bomb or Obed & Issacs in town!).
Benjamin P.ScoutClinton Lake State Recreation Area
Comfortable Stay
Camped for a weekend trip. We had 3 sites and made one a home base. Grounds were full due to unseasonably warm weather but everyone was pleasant and respectful
Guide to Decatur
Camping near Decatur, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there's something for everyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
What to do
- Fishing: Many campers enjoy casting a line at Comlara County Park, where you can catch bass, walleye, and more. One reviewer mentioned, "There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in."
- Swimming: At Moraine View State Recreational Area, the swimming beach is a hit during the summer. A visitor noted, "The swimming beach is apparently only open on the weekends but there are plenty of places to get in the water."
- Hiking: Explore the trails at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground. One camper shared, "The campground is quiet and leisurely during the week. Beautiful shoreline lots."
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Okaw Valley Kampground. A review stated, "Clean restrooms and showers with hot water."
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the amenities at Camp Lakewood. One visitor said, "Cute lake, very family friendly, lots of amenities, amazingly clean."
- Spacious Sites: Campers at Coon Creek appreciate the spaciousness. A review mentioned, "The sites at the campground are kind of hit or miss as lots are very slopy, but we had a full hookup site that was pull through."
What you should know
- Privacy Concerns: Some campers at Comlara County Park noted that sites can be close together. One reviewer expressed, "They are spaced a little too close for comfort for my taste."
- Water Quality Issues: At Moraine View State Recreational Area, the water quality has been criticized. A visitor mentioned, "The water is TERRIBLE and looks like coffee or tea."
- Wildlife Encounters: Campers at Weldon Springs State Park Campground have reported raccoon issues. One camper said, "She had to leave in the middle of the night because the raccoons were so bad."
Tips for camping with families
- Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Okaw Valley Kampground, which has a nice pool and playground. A reviewer noted, "Kids liked the slides in the playground."
- Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. One family at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area enjoyed fishing and swimming, saying, "We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family."
- Pack Snacks: Keep the kids happy with snacks. A visitor at Coon Creek mentioned, "You could buy ice, filtered water, beer, groceries, bait, firewood."
Tips from RVers
- Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups. A camper at Double J Campground mentioned, "Good gravel spots with full hookups."
- Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds, like Weldon Springs State Park Campground, may have noise from nearby roads. One reviewer said, "The sites are pretty small, but even being small and on top of each other, the campground was quiet."
- Explore Nearby Attractions: RVers at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground enjoyed the convenience of nearby amenities, stating, "A close and convenient location to amenities and supplies."
Camping around Decatur, Illinois, offers a mix of experiences, from family-friendly spots to serene lakeside retreats. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just relaxing, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Decatur, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Decatur, IL is Spitler Woods State Natural Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Decatur, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Decatur, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.