D & W Lake RV Park
Family Favorite
Family has stayed here several times over the years. Three times this year. Staff is outstanding, very helpful and friendly.
Several RV parks surround Downs, Illinois, providing convenient overnight and extended stay options. Love's RV Stop in Normal offers 60 pull-through sites with full hookups including 50-amp service, located directly off I-39/I-55 for easy highway access. Kamp Komfort in Carlock features both back-in and pull-through sites with 30/50-amp electric, water, and sewer connections on gravel pads. Millpoint RV Park in East Peoria accommodates large motorhomes with spacious waterfront sites overlooking the Illinois River. D & W Lake RV Park in Champaign provides full hookup sites with 50-amp service in a fishing-oriented setting. "Sites are decently spaced, and all the utilities worked fine. The water pressure is also good at around 50 psi."
Most RV parks in the area remain open from April through October, though some like Comlara County Park operate year-round with limited winter facilities. Cell service varies significantly between locations, with stronger coverage near Normal and Bloomington than in outlying areas. Dump stations can become congested during peak periods, particularly at state recreation areas like Clinton Lake and Moraine View. Highway noise affects campgrounds near major interstates, especially Love's RV Stop and Kamp Komfort which sit adjacent to busy thoroughfares. Pet-friendly policies are standard across most parks, though restrictions apply in certain areas. Reservation systems range from online booking platforms to phone-only arrangements, with many parks requiring advance booking during summer weekends and holiday periods.
"highway next to a commercial big rig gas station, but if you are doing some heavy duty highway traveling with your RV or 5th wheel and simply need a place to hold up for the night, then this place really"
"The CG was easy to get to as it was right off the interstate and adjacent to the Loves main facility."
from $35 - $40 / night
"This place has beautiful views of illinois river. Nice sized campsites. Everything was clean and well taken care of! Not a lot of amenities, however that isn’t what camping is all about!"
"Peaceful campground, well maintained, beautiful views of the Upper Peoria Lake/Illinois River. We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling."
from $18 - $100 / night
"Nice staff, quiet enough for being somewhat close to the highway. The trees seemed to block the noise well. They have a pool that was closed because of a virus or something."
"They deliver the firepit and wood if you need it. They have a pool, that was closed because of virus stuff. Smallish campground and good areas for kids to ride bikes and play. Nice Little swingset."
from $40 - $45 / night
"Spacious sites long pull through etc. Wish we had more time for the area. Would stay again."
"Site was huge and shaded. Very pleasant office and grounds staff. Guided to site. Very nice bathrooms and showers. Cons: roads are very rough with potholes and wash outs."
"Full hook ups 50/30 and pull through. Super easy to get to from the highway. Super friendly and amazing service from the time you pull up till the time you pack up and leave. Level sites."
"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."
"We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach."
"Almost every site has plenty of shade with lots of tree cover. This also means in the dog days of summer the breeze is blocked by the trees so get an electric site even with a tent and bring a fan."
from $10 - $30 / night
"This place is very clean with the lake nearby for swimming or fishing. Very clean restrooms and friendly staff. There are hookups at each site and a few spots for pump out."












Family has stayed here several times over the years. Three times this year. Staff is outstanding, very helpful and friendly.
Driving through the tiny town of Goodfield, I honestly expected Timberline Campground to be a quiet little campground tucked behind a few cornfields. Instead, we discovered a sprawling camping destination with more than 300 campsites spread across several unique camping areas, offering everything from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV sites and cabins. Despite its size, Timberline still manages to feel welcoming in a worn-in, family vibe kind of place, with a swimming pool, playground, jumping pillow, mini golf, fishing pond, basketball and volleyball courts, wagon rides on weekends and plenty of open space for families to relax together. One of my favorite memories was watching children excitedly climb aboard the weekend wagon ride while parents settled into lawn chairs nearby, enjoying the slower pace that makes small-town camping so refreshing. Sometimes the best camping surprises are hiding at the end of a country road. From what we experienced, secluded Site 312A is an excellent choice for campers seeking extra peace and privacy, while the Lake Front sites are ideal for families who want to stay close to the playground and main activities. We would happily recommend Timberline Campground for families because of its wide variety of campsite options, abundance of kid-friendly amenities and welcoming atmosphere that makes it EZ to enjoy a relaxing weekend together.
This lush, shade-rich, pet-friendly CG sits completely surrounded by the oft overlooked Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, creating the rare sensation of being deep in nature while still only a short drive from Peoria. A looping, shade-covered gravel lane guides you past roughly 80 generously spaced sites, each perched beneath tall hardwoods, before opening to the sought-after waterfront slots that frame spectacular sunset views across the water. Whether you’re casting a line, slipping a kayak off the boat ramp or simply leaning back in a camp chair during Golden Hour, this is a campground that practically forces you to exhale. As my review from a year and a half ago provided substantial detail, here I'm just going to point out the HIGHS and LOWS while adding some additional fotos of the CG.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Spacious, well-shaded sites that are far roomier than most RV parks in central IL; (2) Excellent mix of back-in and pull-thru sites with water, electric and sewer hookups; (3) Direct access to Upper Peoria Lake with a strong boat launch for anglers, paddlers and sunset chasers; (4) Two additional ponds on property for simple shoreline fishing - perfect for the kiddos; (5) Exceptionally clean restroom and bathhouse facility near the entrance; (6) Three rentable cabins for non-RV travelers; (7) Easy hiking options north and south of the property, including the small beach area at Funks Run; (8) Friendly ownership with a real character where the owner, Don, is known for going above and beyond for campers; (9) Reliable shade almost everywhere, keeping summer stays comfortable.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The well water contains noticeable iron, which MIGHT be fine for showers but not recommended for drinking; (2) Mosquitos, gnats and ticks are summer regulars here in central IL, so be sure to bring DEET and scented candles; (3) Supplies are limited on-site, so trips into town are necessary for groceries or extras, but the good news is that in less than 20 minutes south of here, you'll discover a Home Depot, Lowe's, Bass Pro Shop, Target, Walmart and Costco; (4) Primitive tent areas - which can be found in the open lot north of the property right on the river - exist but provide little separation or privacy compared to the RV loops; (5) This CG can fill up quickly on warm-weather weekends and the summer holidays, especially the waterfront stretch.
Happy Camping!
A really lovely well kept site very quite when we got here pitches are well spread out with a play park for kids a pool although not open when we was here and the bathrooms were Super clean and well kept A must stay The owners are super nice
Older campground. Some of the sites have to share hydrants for water. All utilities are at the rear of sites. Some campers may need longer hoses or cords
Pros: easy to make reservations. Site was huge and shaded. Very pleasant office and grounds staff. Guided to site. Very nice bathrooms and showers. Cons: roads are very rough with potholes and wash outs.
Pros: Full hookups. I had a long pull through site. Lots of shade. Wifi was good for tv streaming. Cons: No bathrooms, shower, etc. Fairly busy and noisy road just a outside camp area.
This was clearly a campground that used to have owners who cared for it. It is not anymore. We were there for a weekend trip. Most of the amenities listed are done through the main office which were closed at 6:45pm on a Friday with no notice. There are no hours posted for the office which means No Ice, no wood, no access to anything bc the office is where everything is.
We visited the pool and it was FILTHY. Clumps of hair pulled out left and right and if the kids went to the bottom, it stirred up terrors from the deep. We heard from many people who are regulars that it has gone down hill since new ownership took over.
$25 a night for 30 amp hookup is pretty good! The sites are clean and spacious. It’s quiet too! Pretty lake, but sites aren’t right on the lake.
The bathrooms need some work. Water had a boil order on it and showers only worked in the men’s room. Water was HOT! Which is great! However, the water smelled metallic…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Downs, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Downs, IL is Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867 with a 4-star rating from 11 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 39 RV camping locations near Downs, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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