Camping cabins around Effingham, Illinois are situated in gently rolling terrain with mature deciduous forests at elevations around 600 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons, with summer daytime temperatures typically reaching the mid-80s°F and winter lows dropping into the 20s°F. Most cabin facilities remain open year-round, though amenities and services often reduce during winter months.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Forbes Lake at Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area offers excellent bass fishing with concrete pads extending to the water. "We caught some nice sized Bass on the lake which made for a yummy dinner," noted one visitor who stayed in the motorhome section.
Hiking wooded trails: The hiking options near Effingham range from short family-friendly walks to more challenging terrain. At Fox Ridge State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the varied terrain. "The hiking trails are some of the best in the state because the glaciers dropped mountains of soil in the area where this park is located. The surrounding farm land is flat as can be, but the forested hills and creek beds in the park are almost mountainous," explains one regular visitor.
Swimming and boating: Many cabin locations provide lake access for recreation. Lake Shelbyville at Coon Creek features a swimming beach and boat launches. One camper mentioned, "Lake Shelbyville has everything: biking, hiking, a beach, fishing and the town has a small movie theater showing current movies for $4.00."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: While some cabin areas have sites close together, others offer more seclusion. At Spring Creek Campground, visitors appreciate the natural setting. "This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've been in in a long time. It's small, owned by an older farmer, has electricity and bathrooms. It's on a couple of small lakes and the bird sounds, the frogs, ducks, the whole natural environment is just wonderful," reports one visitor.
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance receives frequent praise across multiple cabin properties. "The campground is well maintained. All spots are back in. All have electricity but only a few have water. There are clean restrooms with free showers," notes a visitor to Spring Creek.
Seasonal atmosphere: The area transforms throughout the year, with different advantages each season. At Wolf Creek State Park Campground, one regular visitor recommends "visiting in the fall after Labor Day, October when leaves are changing is my favorite time for this campground."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds offer a mix of cabins and other accommodations with varying features. At Okaw Valley Kampground, "Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget."
Water access varies: Water hookup availability differs across cabins and campgrounds. Some require significant hose length. "Bring plenty of water hose. The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away," advises a camper about Wolf Creek State Park.
Cell service limitations: Mobile coverage can be spotty in some locations. "Cell service was only 1-2 bars LTE with AT&T but able to stream with hotspot to the SmartTV with only 1 bar so not bad," reports a visitor at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several cabin locations offer play facilities for children. At Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort, families appreciate the recreational options. "Great campground for a chill entertaining weekend with kids. Beautiful new pool was perfectly maintained with plenty of tables and chairs to make a day of the time at the pool. Pavilion and picnic area near pool and playground perfect for family gatherings or kids birthdays."
Budget-friendly activities: Many cabin locations offer free or low-cost recreation. "There is a small playground, covered patio, bathrooms with showers and plenty of lawn space! Pet friendly and looks very ADA accessible, I had a great time spending one night here with my dog. $15 for tent/primitive camping, $25 for electric," notes a camper at Spring Creek.
Off-season advantages: Visiting cabins during non-peak times can provide better experiences for families. "We like to camp here especially on weekends when we have to be home early or have commitments during the day. Campground is clean. Sites are good size. Playground is good! Shower house always clean," reports a local family that frequents Spring Creek.
Tips from RVers
Site length and access: For those with larger RVs towing cabin camping gear, site dimensions matter. At Camp Lakewood, visitors note some challenges: "The road to our site had a tight turn and required a little maneuvering but not terrible. Gravel sites and level. Big shade trees."
Proximity to supplies: When cabin camping requires additional supplies, knowing nearby resources helps. Okaw Valley Kampground visitors note: "There's a dollar store in Farina and a grocery store in Kinmundy; both towns are less than 10 miles away."
Seasonal operation changes: Some cabin facilities adjust services seasonally. "The swim beach is not well maintained due to the budget but also doesn't cost anything since they can't pay anyone to man the gate, but it's not horrible," explains a visitor to Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.
