Turkey Run State Park offers a variety of glamping accommodations near Georgetown, Illinois, approximately 70 miles west. The campground features several types of sites with different terrain characteristics. Electric sites have 30 and 50 amp options with most situated in wooded areas providing natural shade. The park's distinctive sandstone ravines and hiking trails range from easy walking paths to challenging routes requiring ladder climbing and stream navigation. Sites vary significantly in levelness, with some requiring substantial effort to set up camp.
What to do
Water recreation on Sugar Creek: Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental LLC offers various water activities. "We rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground. It was great and once we saw the crowds at the beach area of the park on Saturday afternoon, we were super glad we had been canoeing all day instead of fighting crowds at the park," notes one Turkey Run visitor. Creek activities range from short trips to longer excursions.
Hiking trail challenges: The region's unique geology creates distinctive hiking experiences. A visitor at Turkey Run State Park Campground described, "On one trail part of it went through box canyons up an active, though trickling, stream bed." Another hiker mentioned, "Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2. Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and ponds provide fishing options. At Sugar Creek Campground, "The pond is stocked with GIANT fish (catch and release only)." Rockville Lake Park offers lakeside fishing, while Raccoon Cecil M Harden Lake provides boat rentals for accessing deeper waters.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: Harry L Swartz Campground provides excellent stargazing conditions. "Since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather," reports one camper. Another mentioned a special event: "Our second visit was in August for the Perseid meteor shower and a local expert came to give a talk."
Spacious, shaded sites: Most campgrounds in the area feature wooded sites offering privacy. At Turkey Run, "Sites 42-47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private." Another camper noted, "The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover."
Clean facilities: Rockville Lake County Park maintains well-kept amenities. "The campground is very well maintained," reports one visitor. At D&W Lake Camping, a camper noted, "The bath house is clean and up to date with lots of hot water."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Terrain varies significantly between and within campgrounds. At Turkey Run, "Site 94 was right next to the bathhouse. It had almost a whole extra campsite's worth of space next to it for my kids to run around. It also had a tree for shade and was nice and level." Conversely, other visitors warn, "Our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167."
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are prevalent at several area campgrounds. "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," reports a Turkey Run visitor. At Harry L Swartz Campground, campers mentioned, "One very persistent raccoon: hide your food!"
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings wildflowers but muddy trails. Fall offers spectacular foliage, particularly at D & W Lake RV Park. Early spring visitors to Harry L Swartz should note "our first visit was in April before they turned the water on (we were prepared for that)." Many facilities have limited operations during off-season months.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. Sugar Creek Campground provides "disc golf, Gaga, and other fun activities." A parent noted, "The creek is awesome for catching tadpoles and minnows."
Site location considerations: For families, bathhouse proximity matters. A Turkey Run camper shared, "We stayed at site #35. It is in a very quiet, off the main road, in a circle, in full shade. It's very close to the restroom but a distance from the camp store and dumpster."
Crowd avoidance strategies: Plan midweek visits during peak seasons. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning/early afternoon," recommends a Turkey Run visitor. Another suggests, "Saturday we rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground" to avoid park crowds.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling equipment. "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," notes a Turkey Run camper. At Fox Ridge State Park Campground, visitors found "good paved road, big sites, but unfortunately all back in sites. No pull throughs."
Utility considerations: Electric hookups vary between campgrounds. "All except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my EV without issue," reports one camper. At Rockville Lake, "Full hook up made it even nicer!"
Site access limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The sites in modern electric water only can be awkward to back into with no room to pull forward due to a ditch in some areas," notes a visitor to Rockville Lake. Another camper advised larger rigs to avoid certain loops at Turkey Run.
