Best Tent Camping near Decatur, IL

Looking for the best Decatur tent camping? Find the best information on tent camping near Decatur, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Decatur, IL (8)

    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Spillway (IL)
      Camper-submitted photo from Spillway (IL)
      Camper-submitted photo from Spillway (IL)

      2. Spillway (IL)

      3 Reviews
      3 Photos
      4 Saves
      Shelbyville, Illinois

      Overview

      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
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Reservable
      • Tents
      • Market
      • No image available
        Camper-submitted photo from Edward Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
        • No image available

          5. Dam West (Day Use)

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          Shelbyville, Illinois

          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
          • No image available

            6. Kaskaskia River Camp

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            1 Save
            Shelbyville, Illinois

            Tent camping. Limited electric and water. Canoe and boat rentals, bait and showers. On river bank.

            • Fires
            • Tents
            • Trash
            • Picnic Table
            • Showers
            • Drinking Water
            • No image available

              7. Dam East (Day Use)

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              Shelbyville, Illinois

              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
              • No image available

                8. Shady Grove Campground — Hidden Springs State Forest

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                Mode, Illinois

                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

              297 Reviews of 8 Decatur Campgrounds


              • Laurie L.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from D & W Lake RV Park
                Sep. 19, 2024

                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.
                Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
                Sep. 6, 2024

                Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

                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.

              • D
                Camper-submitted photo from Coon Creek (IL)
                Aug. 29, 2024

                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.
                Camper-submitted photo from Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
                Aug. 10, 2024

                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.
                Camper-submitted photo from Friends Creek Campground
                Jul. 7, 2024

                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.

              • L
                Camper-submitted photo from Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
                Jul. 6, 2024

                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.
                Camper-submitted photo from Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area
                May. 27, 2024

                Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

                Great

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              • Nick W.
                Camper-submitted photo from Kentuckiana Campground
                May. 16, 2024

                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!

              • Brandi M.
                Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Point State Park Campground
                Apr. 14, 2024

                Walnut Point State Park Campground

                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.

              • JThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area
                Feb. 1, 2024

                Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

                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

              • mThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
                Oct. 17, 2023

                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.

              • RThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
                Sep. 28, 2023

                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.

              • Katherine T.
                Camper-submitted photo from Forrest W. Bo Wood
                Jul. 31, 2023

                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.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
                Jul. 28, 2023

                Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

                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.
                Camper-submitted photo from Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort
                Jul. 2, 2023

                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.

              • jThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Forrest W. Bo Wood
                Jun. 26, 2023

                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

              • Sara W.
                Camper-submitted photo from Weldon Springs State Park Campground
                May. 29, 2023

                Weldon Springs State Park Campground

                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.

              • T
                Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
                May. 19, 2023

                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.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
                Apr. 15, 2023

                Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

                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.
                Camper-submitted photo from The Double J Campground and RV Park
                Nov. 6, 2022

                The 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!).



              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.