Best Glamping near Effingham, IL

Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort and Lithia Springs offer boutique camping experiences near Effingham, Illinois with fully furnished accommodations. The glamping options at Robin Hood Woods include luxury cabins with resort amenities, highlighted by their beautiful pool area with plenty of tables and chairs for relaxation. Other upscale features include private fire pits, picnic tables, and access to fishing ponds. Lithia Springs provides premium glamping accommodations with views of Lake Shelbyville, featuring electric hookups and comfortable amenities for those seeking an elevated outdoor experience. Several sites offer direct lakeside views for a truly immersive natural setting. A visitor noted, "The sites are large and level although it can be tricky to back into. This campground is well spaced and offers both privacy and full hook ups."

The luxury camping destinations near Effingham integrate outdoor adventure with premium comfort. At Robin Hood Woods, guests enjoy a swimming pool, playground, fishing pond and arcade room for entertainment between nature explorations. The property offers pedal carts and golf cart rentals to explore the expansive, shaded grounds. Lithia Springs provides direct access to Lake Shelbyville with a boat ramp and marina within walking distance, making water activities central to the glamping experience. Both locations maintain clean, modern bathroom facilities with private showers. According to a camper, "It's very shaded and relaxing. We stayed in the rental cabins, but are on the waiting list for a seasonal site." Most luxury sites require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months from May through September.

Best Glamping Sites Near Effingham, Illinois (16)

    1. Okaw Valley Kampground

    26 Reviews
    Vandalia, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 427-5140

    "We stopped here on our way home for one night, but got in early enough to enjoy a walk and have a camp fire that evening."

    "The pool, the lake, the gigantic playground, the pavilion, the laundromat, the location, the cleanliness in the bathhouse, the gardens… the hosts Barb and Gary work their asses off to upkeep this place"

    2. Lithia Springs

    10 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $36 / night

    "Really nice campground on the shore of Lake Shelbyville. Electric, showers, laundry, playground, nice beach, volleyball and some phenomenal sites right on shore."

    "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake."

    3. Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort

    7 Reviews
    Lake Shelbyville, IL
    22 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Right next to the lake. Plenty of room for everyone, from tents to the massive RVs. The pool very clean and never gets over crowded. Staff are knowledgeable and polite. Friendly/quiet dogs allowed."

    4. Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    27 miles
    Website

    "The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails."

    "the keepers are super friendly and accommodating. most lots are spacious. my only complaint would be that the trash dumpsters are too far away from the camping areas."

    5. Lone Point

    6 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $16 - $240 / night

    "One of the first campgrounds I ever went to and when camping in Illinois, my go-to campground and lake. My wife and I love this lake and have a lot of memories here."

    "There are many nice sites here along the lake and in the wooded areas around the lake. The sites have electricity and water near by."

    6. Fox Ridge State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Charleston, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 345-6416

    $20 / night

    "The park and trails are usually busy since the park is near the Eastern Illinois University. The no-drinking campground prevents many noisy student campouts."

    "I visited Fox Ridge frequently as a student of nearby Eastern Illinois University, but never camped there. We came back to visit campus and stayed in site #12 at Fox Ridge."

    7. Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Kinmundy, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 547-3381

    "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."

    "It's a small campground that offers a playground,bathhouse, hiking trails, and a small swimming area. There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park."

    8. Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    28 miles
    Website

    "Review of Drive In Tent Camping Site 2. Showed up on a Thursday night and had our pick of all the drive in and walk in sites. We decided on site 2 in the drive in area."

    "I have camped here in the past and enjoy primitive tent camping so I stayed Friday September 29th and Saturday September 30th in the tent camping drive up site #2."

    9. Forrest W. Bo Wood

    8 Reviews
    Sullivan, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "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."

    "Located on Lake Shelbyville, Bo Wood is an Army Co of Engineers park. Plenty of full hook ups and tent camping spots. Most by the lake."

    10. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ramsey, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 423-2215

    "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"

    "Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Effingham, IL

6 Photos of 16 Effingham Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Effingham, IL

132 Reviews of 16 Effingham Campgrounds


  • Aaron B.
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    Wooded Solitude / Family Friendly

    Review of Drive In Tent Camping Site 2. Showed up on a Thursday night and had our pick of all the drive in and walk in sites. We decided on site 2 in the drive in area. Previous reviews and a book by John Schirle on Tent Camping in Illinois helped us with this decision as well. Decent maintained sites with some older picnic tables and fire rings, but let's be honest this stuff sits outside 24/7. Site 2 seemed to sit back the farthest with site 1 a close second. Both wooded sites that made for great shade and helped some when it was raining. Any two families looking for two sites could certainly set up and share the experience. Nice little cove behind them to try fishing. Just watch the hike down the path or ravine. Dog friendly, fresh water supply (hint put the handle all the way up and wait a few seconds), ability to store stuff in the car close by, outhouse toilets visible at the walk in parking lot, and helpful host for easy check in who even sells fire wood made for a great few days ($5 a bundle). Rated B/S site at a cost of $10 a night.

  • Kevin M.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lone Point

    A place of memories

    One of the first campgrounds I ever went to and when camping in Illinois, my go-to campground and lake. My wife and I love this lake and have a lot of memories here.

  • Kathie M.
    Sep. 6, 2021

    Lithia Springs

    Great campground

    Really nice campground on the shore of Lake Shelbyville. Electric, showers, laundry, playground, nice beach, volleyball and some phenomenal sites right on shore. Well kept, sites with asphalt drive, fire pit and lantern hook.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Ok for a one night stay

    The owners are friendly. The pool is well-maintained and pleasant. The campsite is an old KOA frozen in time. It's clean but dated. Water and electricity are available on site with an old picnic table. Only one bathhouse (toilet, shower) is a bit far from our site.

  • Michael M.
    Aug. 30, 2017

    Lone Point

    Lakeside wonder

    I tent camped in a large tent, car camping, Friday and Saturday night.

    I have camped here as well as all the Lake Shelbyville campgrounds many times before. Lone Point campground is actually 14 miles from my rural home in Shelbyville, IL. and is my favorite Lake Shelbyville campground.

    There are many nice sites here along the lake and in the wooded areas around the lake. The sites have electricity and water near by. Fire rings with grates, lantern posts, picnic tables and level parking areas. Some sites have limited level areas for tents, but there are lots of sites to choose from. I like camping here because it is the least visited campground on the lake, so it can be quiet and you can get a site with a view. The bathrooms are clean and there is a shower house. There is a 12 mile trail from Lone Point to Eagle creek along the lake shore line, this trail is moderate to difficult hiking. I recommend this campground over all the others on Lake Shelbyville. The campgrounds and park are maintained by the US Army corps of engineers and reservations can be made online through recreation.gov.

    The main campground closes on Labor Day however there is a small section near the boat ramp open year round and this has nice sites in it with camp stove stands as well as grills and awesome fire pits. The trail Chief Illini trailhead is located in the parking area and the trail is fairly well maintained during the regular campground open season. The trail is open year round and can be hiked from one end to the other spending a night at either campground for return trip the next day.

    GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):

    39.45222, -88.74028

    39°27'8"N, 88°44'25"W

  • Russ  G.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great Stop-off

    We stopped here on our way home for one night, but got in early enough to enjoy a walk and have a camp fire that evening. Small park but very long, narrow pull through sites on the full hook up side, there were some smaller water/electric sites that looked to be more of a parking lot that sites, but well spaced out and adequate. The camp host was very friendly and the camp store was well stocked.

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 2, 2017

    Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    Great Lakeside Camping

    I have camped here in the past and enjoy primitive tent camping so I stayed Friday September 29th and Saturday September 30th in the tent camping drive up site #2. There is also a tent camping walk in area with 2 lake front sites that are about 150 yards from the parking area and about eight other sites in between. There is a building with men's and women's flush toilets here for both primitive campgrounds. These are cheaper campsites than in the RV area where you have the shower house, nicer bathrooms and electric hookups. There are lots of nice shaded sites in these campgrounds and all have fire ring grates, lantern posts, picnic tables and some have pole mounted campstove tables as well. The camp hosts do a great job keeping this place clean, maintaining a quiet campground and supplying firewood for the campers. The park has a boat ramp, playground areas, the Chief Illini trail plus a couple short trails. There is a golf course and a run down lodge / hotel that has been closed for several years. There is tons of deer and other animals to watch and watch out that they don't steal your food while you are sleeping. The wild life is great for photography and makes for some good fireside stories.

    This is my second favorite place to camp on the lake, although not as peaceful as Lone Point it does have the Chief Illini trailhead here and makes for nice round trip hiking camping adventures.

    This park is open year round so the fantastic camping in spring and fall are available. You should watch out for hunters in the area when bow season starts October 1st.

  • Sara W.
    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.

  • s
    Jun. 22, 2021

    Charley Brown City Park

    My favorite kind of campsites

    Campground is off the beaten path, lots of space to spread out, and the top 4 amenities (electricity, water, flush toilets and showers). It’s not the cleanest bathrooms but certainly not the worst. Close to a Walmart for all your need and great sunsets too. Plus pets are allowed


Guide to Effingham

Campgrounds near Effingham, Illinois offer a mix of lakeside sites and forested retreats across central Illinois. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with hot, humid summers and cold winters that limit camping season primarily to April through October. Most sites provide electric hookups with water access, though full hookup availability varies significantly between locations.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Shelbyville provides excellent fishing throughout the camping season. At Lithia Springs, the marina is within walking distance for boating and fishing needs. One visitor noted, "Definitely a fishing oriented campground! The sites have both cement pads and gravel depending on the site. Some of the sites are huge, most are nice size and more or less well maintained."

Swimming options: Wolf Creek State Park Campground offers a beach area for swimming during summer months. "There is a beach that closes after Labor Day, but there are lots of sites available all year round," explains a reviewer. The beach may not be fully maintained due to budget constraints but provides a no-cost swimming option.

Hiking trails: For those seeking outdoor exercise, several parks offer hiking opportunities. Fox Ridge State Park Campground provides some of the region's most topographically interesting trails. A camper shares, "The hiking trails are some of the best in the state because the glaciers dropped of 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."

What campers like

Spacious, level sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer generously sized camping spaces. At Lone Point, a visitor mentioned, "The sites have electricity and water near by. Fire rings with grates, lantern posts, picnic tables and level parking areas. Some sites have limited level areas for tents, but there are lots of sites to choose from."

Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of bathrooms and shower facilities. At Forrest W. Bo Wood, a reviewer commented, "Located on Lake Shelbyville, Bo Wood is an Army Co of Engineers park. Plenty of full hook ups and tent camping spots. Most by the lake. Well kept with bathroom and shower facilities, a playground and laundry."

Lake views: Several campgrounds offer premium sites with water views. Many visitors appreciate the scenic settings at Wolf Creek, where "there are many nice sites here along the lake and in the wooded areas around the lake." The lakeside locations provide both recreational opportunities and pleasant views.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. For Forrest W. Bo Wood, a camper advises, "Reservation made on Recreation.gov. Sometimes available spots for one night. Can stay for two weeks in thirty day period."

Seasonal closures: Operating schedules vary significantly between campgrounds. Wolf Creek's "main campground closes on Labor Day however there is a small section near the boat ramp open year round." Understanding these schedules helps prevent disappointment when planning trips during shoulder seasons.

Bug activity: Evening insect activity can be significant, especially near water. One camper at Forrest W. Bo Wood shared, "Our biggest issue with this campsite was the extensive bugs, once the sun goes down the bugs get horribly bad. We let our dogs out past 8 p.m. and our camper was covered with swarms of psychodidae (sewer) flies."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: For families with young children, Okaw Valley Kampground offers multiple recreational options. A visitor described, "The gigantic playground, the pavilion, the laundromat, the location, the cleanliness in the bathhouse, the gardens… the hosts Barb and Gary work their asses off to upkeep this place."

Weekend activities: Some campgrounds organize special events for children during peak times. One parent shared that Robin Hood Woods "had a golf cart parade and through candy which was so fun for our son." These scheduled activities provide additional entertainment beyond standard outdoor recreation.

Swimming pools: While natural swimming areas exist, some families prefer pool facilities. Robin Hood Woods features "a 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."

Tips from RVers

Hookup variations: Electricity availability differs between campgrounds and specific loops. At Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, "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."

Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds require extra preparation for RV leveling. At Lithia Springs, a reviewer noted, "We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake. The site was large and level although it can be tricky to back into. Also, the site is adjacent to a water observation/access area which invites a lot of foot traffic."

Seasonal camping options: For those seeking longer-term glamping in Effingham, Illinois, certain campgrounds offer extended stay arrangements. At Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort, a visitor mentioned, "We stayed in the rental cabins, but are in the waiting list for a seasonal site. Right next to the lake. Plenty of room for everyone, from tents to the massive RVs."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Effingham, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Effingham, IL is Okaw Valley Kampground with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Effingham, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Effingham, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.