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Campgrounds surrounding Findlay, Illinois are primarily concentrated around Lake Shelbyville, with multiple developed options managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The area features established campgrounds like Coon Creek, Lithia Springs, Opossum Creek, and Lone Point, providing both lakefront and wooded sites. Most campgrounds accommodate various camping styles including tent sites, RV hookups, and some cabin rentals. Lake Shelbyville serves as the central recreation feature with multiple access points for boating, swimming, and fishing spread across different campground locations.
Camping season in the Lake Shelbyville region typically runs from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, water access, and basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and sanitary dump stations. The terrain is generally flat with some gentle slopes toward the lake, making most sites accessible without specialized vehicles. Facilities vary between locations, with some offering showers and flush toilets while others provide more basic amenities. A camper noted, "Opossum Creek has 81 sites in total, 17 tent with electric, 17 full hook up and the remaining are electric RV sites with 6 water hydrants in the park that make it easy for all non-water sites to fill up."
Lake views consistently rank as the most valued feature among campers visiting the Findlay area. Sites with lake access or views tend to receive higher ratings and book more quickly than inland locations. Several visitors mentioned the spaciousness of lakeside sites, particularly at campgrounds like Opossum Creek and Coon Creek. One review highlighted, "We got 4 families from our block together to get down to this campground for the 4th of July weekend. Sites 27 and 28 are really big. They sit on a big hill with lots of space for the kids to play." The region attracts families seeking water recreation, with many campgrounds offering boat ramps, swimming areas, and fishing access. For those seeking more privacy, wooded sites farther from the water typically provide more seclusion but still maintain reasonable access to lake amenities.
"We've been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. And that's exactly what we do."
"There are many sites on this campground that are wooded and have views of Lake Shelbyville. Boat ramp to put in your boat or kayaks and sand beach for the kids to go swimming."
from $18 - $48 / night
Check Availability"At the end of the circles there are some sites right on the lake and the boat ramp is nearby. Nice latrines and showerhouses."
"Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake."
from $18 - $36 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The trails were well marked and nice lake with pavilion near the lake."
"The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails."
"We are tent people and love primitive camping in spots where we can really be away from everyone and at least pretend like we’re alone."
"In 2017 it has 150 camping sites, a boat ramp, fish cleaning station, several picnic areas and a bait shop at the entrance on Illinois Route 32 4 miles South of Sullivan."
"It is right next to the lake. I get some views. In the pictures I posted you’ll see what I’m talking about."
from $18 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"You can't swim right off of site 27 but behind 28 there is a little train down so a swimming cove that is pretty nice. As I always do...I got a pontoon boat to take out on the lake. "
"There is a children's playground and trails to walk toward the lake and fantastic views. If you don't care about full hook up, try for the sites 39 to 46 and 11 to 34 that offer more privacy. "
from $16 - $32 / night
Check Availability"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."
"It’s crowded near the road but spreads out well at the back of the site. Lots of people here today"
from $18 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
"I have camped here as well as all the Lake Shelbyville campgrounds many times before."
from $16 - $240 / night
Check Availability"But a beautiful lake and campground."
ScoutLakeside Timbers is a fantastic campground that offers full hookup sites and well-maintained facilities. The staff are friendly and helpful, making the reservation process seamless. I had a wonderful experience and highly recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful getaway!
TravelerWe've stayed at Hickory Point before, but this was our first time at Deer Run. It has not disappointed! The primitive sites (there are 5 with no electric or water hookups) are off set in the back of the campground, providing privacy and quiet, which is what we were going for this time. The primitive sites without electric or water are $6 a night, and you can for pay up to 14 nights at a time. There are electric and water hook up sites for $8 a night, they just aren't as private but still lovely! The showers are at the Hickory Point campground (just a minute or two drive) and available for use with the Deer Run camp sites as well. There are well water spigots at Dee Run and Hickory Point, but the city water spigot is at Hickory Point only. It rained quite a bit our first two nights here, but there are so many trees covering the primitive sites you couldn't really feel it until it was thunder storming. We stayed nice and dry inside the tent. There are a LOT of sassy raccoons who will still your food - and the containers that never had food in them in fact- as well waking up to crows cawing every morning- may not be everyone's thing, but I sure enjoy that aspect. The hosts are fantastic and make rounds every 2-3 hours each day, anything we've needed they e been able to help with or point us in the direction to go next. Great campground to stay at, whether for a night or a week, no complaints here thus far!
ScoutIt is a small campground with options of lake view for your walk-in tent sites. Bathrooms were clean and shower was hot with good water pressure. It was pretty quiet.
Fishing could be done at the docks which wasn’t very far but not a good place to fish on land and couldn’t access water by sites very well. No trails. It’s a good place to go just to sit and relax. But not much activities.
TravelerWe were on a full hookup site, not directly on the lake. It was a beautiful campground that is well maintained with plentiful clean bathhouse, a playground and a nearby marina where you can rent a boat or grab a bite or a beverage. Unfortunately for us the restaurant at the marina was closed (Mondays and Tuesdays). If I were to stay here again, I would try to secure one of the lakefront sites if possible. We only had contact with one staff member and that was at the gate, but he was very friendly and helpful.
TravelerCasey is a very welcoming place. Almost reminds you a little of the town in the Music Man, River City I believe? Fairview Park is extremely nice and the camp spots are level and green with many shaded under beautiful trees. $15.00/night for residents and $25.00/night for non-residents.
ScoutThis campground was highly recommended to us by a few friends who have been there before, which speaks volumes to begin with. It is just off of interstate 55, which means there is constant road noise. However, we found ourselves acclimated to it fairly quickly, most likely BECAUSE it’s constant. Other than that, the campground is very quiet and peaceful, especially considering the number of campers we saw come and go and that were there at any given time. One advantage of being so close to the interstate is that it is very handy for travelers passing through needing a place to crash for a night or two. In fact, we saw a lot of that during our stay. There is a general store on site and it is within easy driving distance from Chatham and Springfield in case you need something. Of course Springfield is also a great place to sight see. The owners and staff are very friendly and accommodating. The grounds and facilities are clean and well maintained. There is a pool, miniature golf, pedal carts and some other games to keep you entertained, especially if you have children. The sites are fairly close to one another. Not sardines close, but close enough. To be very clear, this is a GREAT place if you don’t mind the “closeness” of the community-type environment. However, it just isn’t for us and, for that reason alone, we probably won’t be back unless we’re just passing through.
TravelerWe've stayed here a few times now. The town is is charming and definitely wants some tourist business. Great coffee shop and barber shop next door. The park is quiet and quite pretty. The sites are a little difficult to figure out, but water and electric and a dump station nearby. Big trees for shade and a lake with a fountain for a peaceful setting
GuideThis was the first out of two campground of america/KOAs I visited on my roadtrip. It's nice, has all the amenities of a campground of america. I purchased wood, there is a shower and laundry. The tent site is down a little gravel path, and near the woods. It's my favorite campground of america so far, mostly since it's far enough from the highway so you arent disturbed by freeway noise at night. Temp at night in april 2026 felt like high 40Fs
TravelerVery clean park and beautiful lake clean bathrooms awesome people who work here.
Lake Shelbyville serves as the primary recreation destination for camping sites near Findlay, Illinois, with approximately 11,000 acres of water surface and 172 miles of shoreline. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 590-610 feet above sea level. The lake was created through the damming of the Kaskaskia River, making fishing and water recreation the central activities for campers throughout the May-October camping season.
Fishing from shore: Access dedicated fishing areas at Forrest W. Bo Wood where the campground features both lake access and specialized fishing amenities. "There is a fish cleaning station... There are 6 water hydrants in the park that make it easy for all non-water sites to fill up with their hose," notes a visitor who appreciates the practical setup.
Kayaking in protected coves: Launch from quieter access points at non-motorized watercraft areas. "We even got our kayaks to the water not far from our campsite which was a bonus! If you have a boat, there is boat ramp too with large parking lot," mentions a camper at Opossum Creek.
Hiking the Chief Illini Trail: This 12-mile trail connects Lone Point to Eagle Creek along the lakeshore. A regular visitor notes, "There is a 12 mile trail from Lone Point to Eagle Creek along the lake shore line, this trail is moderate to difficult hiking." The trail is accessible year-round but best maintained during peak camping season.
Swimming at designated beaches: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas separate from boat traffic. "There is a swimming beach here and lots of boat traffic, but quiet hours are observed, so you can get a good night's sleep before an action packed day on the lake," reports a camper about Coon Creek.
Shaded, private tent sites: Many experienced campers prefer the more secluded tent-only areas away from RV sections. "This site was forested enough to provide seclusion from our neighbors, which we loved! We also had the opportunity to go fishing, which is very common! That became our main past time," shares a Coon Creek camper.
Accessible lakefront views: Campers consistently rate sites with water views as worth the advance planning. At Lithia Springs, a visitor reports, "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."
Year-round camping options: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, some areas remain open through winter. "There are hundreds of campsites in this park in addition to the horse campgrounds and the entire area is maintained by the US Corps of Engineers. There are full hookup RV sites everywhere with tons of flush toilet bathrooms and shower houses in each large section," notes a visitor to Wolf Creek State Park Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds often provide additional recreation beyond lake access. "Pavilion and picnic area near pool and playground perfect for family gatherings or kids birthdays. Even a small game room. Dog friendly too! Small pond to fish (catch/release)," describes a camper at Robin Hood Woods.
Shower facilities vary widely: Check in advance whether your chosen campground has showers and their condition. "Nice latrines and showerhouses. The Engineers were even nice enough to build in a gravel path to the lake on one circle," notes a visitor at Lithia Springs, while another mentions, "The shower house is very nice, clean and private. You can see the lake from the campground and the marina is only a short distance away."
Reservation planning is essential: First-come sites fill quickly, especially for holiday weekends. "Campground well maintained and bathrooms/showers are kept clean. Easy access to lake, my family has been coming here every year for 20 plus years. If camping on weekends May to September will need to book it in advanced," advises a Lithia Springs camper.
Insects can be problematic: Evening bugs at lakeside sites create challenges for outdoor activities. At Bo Wood, a visitor warns, "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."
Horse camping requirements: Specialized campgrounds have specific rules. "We booked in 'horse camp' which apparently requires you to have horses. It never stated this on the website or rental confirmation we received," cautions a camper at Wolf Creek State Park, highlighting the importance of checking requirements in advance.
Look for buddy sites: For group camping with multiple families, seek out specialized double sites. "We got 4 families from our block together to get down to this campground for the 4th of July weekend. Sites 27 and 28 are really big. They sit on a big hill with lots of space for the kids to play," recommends an Opossum Creek visitor.
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled programming and dedicated children's areas. At Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort, "There's a pool, playground, fishing pond and small arcade room. You can rent a peddle type cart that holds 4 people who all peddle. They really loved them."
Beach quality considerations: Not all swimming areas are equal in cleanliness or facilities. "There is a great little beach That my son really like to swim and even if we thought it was a little dirty. Very warm water," shares a visitor about Coon Creek, providing insight into what to expect.
Limited evening activities: Due to bugs and lack of lighting, plan indoor evening entertainment. "Absolutely no lighting at night along the campground roadways. After dark, we watched a truck go into the ditch looking for the turn out, but the pitch darkness at night made it feel a little unsafe, especially walking the dog after dark," reports a Bo Wood camper.
Water access planning: Water hookup availability varies across sites and campgrounds. "Half the campsites have electric hookups and water near the sites, the other half now have full hookups and 50 amp service. It is recommended to fill your tanks as you enter so you won't need to get water during your stay for the sites on the point," advises a Lithia Springs visitor.
Site leveling challenges: Many older sites require additional preparation. "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. Luck of the draw on being level and having shade," notes a Lithia Springs RVer.
Late season advantages: Experienced RVers recommend fall camping for reduced crowds. "I find that October camping at Bo Woods most agreeable with less people tent camping and less boat traffic on the lake. The fishing this time of year is also very good," shares a regular visitor.
Campsite positioning: Site selection impacts privacy and views significantly. "All of the sites we saw in our 'loop' were super wide, all gravel and quite level. So well kept...fire pit with grate, large picnic table...really, the site couldn't have been better. Beautiful views of the lake!" comments a Bo Wood camper who appreciated the thoughtful layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Findlay, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Findlay, IL is Coon Creek (IL) with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
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