The central Illinois landscape surrounding Downs provides campers with flat to gently rolling terrain situated within the Grand Prairie natural division. At approximately 800 feet above sea level, this region experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters with seasonal camping generally running April through October. Campground options vary from basic state-run facilities to privately owned RV parks catering to overnight travelers on nearby interstate highways.
What to do
Hiking trails: Moraine View State Recreational Area offers several miles of lakeside trails for nature enthusiasts. "Closely located to I39 so access is a huge bonus. Despite being located right next to a major highway, as access is key-code enabled and you're surrounded by good securing fencing around the perimeter, you'll feel safe & secure here," notes Stuart K. about nearby camping options.
Fishing opportunities: Millpoint Park provides excellent fishing access along the Illinois River. "There is a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night. In fact, you don't even need to get into a boat, by accessing one of 2 small little lakes where you can simply cast a line in from the dock or around the perimeter," according to a recent visitor.
Beach activities: Clinton Lake offers swimming with dedicated beach areas during summer months. "The campground sits along the Illinois River: many campsites face it. The campground is situated between a nature preserve with nice walking paths and a beach. There is also an old barge to explore," reports Brett F.
What campers like
Spacious sites: D & W Lake RV Park receives high marks for site layout. "Sites are level, plenty of space between campers, shade trees, loved the dog run too. Overall it was a very nice well kept campground," writes Ricky L. about this location near Champaign.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful surroundings at various campgrounds. "It's a nice campground located about 10 miles from Bloomington. The owner was very nice and they also pick up your trash daily for you. They have some playground equipment for the kids as well as a big open space for playing and running," notes Montt B. about camping options in the area.
Lake views: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area offers waterfront camping experiences. "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," shares Linda N.
What you should know
Cell service quality: Signal strength varies dramatically between campgrounds and even between sites at the same facility. "We got 3 bars on Verizon" at some locations, while others report weak or nonexistent coverage.
Water quality concerns: Kamp Komfort and other facilities may have iron-rich water. "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you," advises a camper about regional water quality.
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds reduce services during winter months. "Water was turned off for winter which wasn't entirely clear. The RV fill was shutdown too. Water option we're the lake or a 30 min drive into town for bottled. Not a big deal but something to be prepared for," shares Matthew I.
Reservation challenges: Many popular campgrounds require advance planning. "We were late reserving a campsite for Memorial Day Weekend. But Don had a spot for us. We are glad we stayed," notes Brett F., highlighting the importance of early reservations during peak periods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Sort of small, which made it easy for kids to ride around on bikes, and for us to walk to the playground," notes Ryan L. about one facility, making it suitable for families with young children.
Beach proximity: Comlara County Park provides family-friendly swimming options. "We got a beautiful spot right on the lake. The campground has nice bathrooms and hookups," says Sarah S., highlighting the convenient lakeside amenities.
Site selection strategy: Request sites away from highways when booking. "Sites are decently spaced, and there's decent hiking paths to explore both north and south of the property, with the latter offering up a small beachhead," mentions a camper about finding family-friendly spots.
Bug protection required: Prepare for insects during summer visits. "If you haven't camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay," advises an experienced camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV campers near Downs should come prepared with leveling blocks. "Our site was level and required minimal leveling. Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," reports Melissa C. about one nearby facility.
Highway noise considerations: When selecting an RV camping site near Downs, Illinois, highway proximity affects noise levels. "Closely located to I74 so noise is a negative. Because this is a highway layover for those road warriors traveling up and down I74, there lacks a sense of community amongst campers," notes Stuart K.
Booking systems vary: Different RV parks use different reservation platforms. "The convenient app-managed reservation system is seamless and provides for an incredibly simple, remote check-in and payment process. You'll find back-in or pull-through as well as ADA accessible sites with full hook-ups with water, sewer and choice of either 30 or 50 amp electrical at every site," describes one camper.
Water filtration essential: RVers camping near Downs should bring water filters. "Some of the water here smells off but you can use it for everything except drinking water. Having a good filter system for your RV is helpful," advises a frequent camper in the area.