Campgrounds near Georgetown, Illinois offer outdoor recreation on lands with varied terrain ranging from woodland areas to lakeside settings. Most campgrounds in this central Illinois region sit at elevations between 500-700 feet above sea level, with generally flat topography making many sites accessible for both tents and RVs. Seasonal temperature swings from below freezing winters to humid 90°F summers affect campground availability and comfort.
What to do
Hiking trails: 3-12 miles of options at Kickapoo State Recreation Area offer paths through woodlands near Oakwood. "This park is severely underfunded so don't expect much for amenities. That said it's a great place to setup for a weekend on the trails," notes Josh M. The park features multiple trail difficulty levels for varied hiking experiences.
Canoeing on Sugar Creek: Water enthusiasts can access Sugar Creek at Shades State Park Campground for paddling adventures. Located about 90 minutes from Georgetown, this park connects to a canoe launch point. "Right on Sugar Creek, 15 min from Turkey Run, about 2 miles from a private canoe/kayak outfitter that offers a variety of trips & rentals," reports Nick S., highlighting the waterway access.
Fishing: Multiple species in lakes throughout the campgrounds provide fishing opportunities. At D & W Lake RV Park, anglers can enjoy catch-and-release fishing directly behind campsites. "The lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass," explains Luna L.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Campers appreciate the roominess at Rockville Lake County Park, where sites offer breathing room. "I stayed by the lake, the spaces there are parallel to the road. Which gives you a beautiful view of the lake," Julie H. notes about the lakeside camping experience.
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and shower facilities rank highly among camper priorities. "The bathrooms and showers were very clean and well maintained," according to Julie P. at D & W Lake RV Park, while another camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area notes, "Bathroom facilities are very clean, new bike, walking, rollerblading path. Beach is large and clean."
Shaded campsites: Tree cover provides relief from summer heat at several campgrounds. Shades State Park offers "great non-electric sites" with "decent privacy with brush & trees as a barrier between sites," according to Nick S., making hot weather camping more comfortable.
What you should know
Water access limitations: Not all campgrounds provide water hookups at individual sites. At Kickapoo State Recreation Area, Rob G. clarifies a common misconception: "There has been some confusion on the app—for clarity—this campground is not free, but don't let that stop you! We paid only $20 for our one night stay... We had electricity, free showers, topped off our water tank."
Seasonal closures and crowding: Some campgrounds operate limited schedules. "We got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon. Saturday we rented a canoe... 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," advises Samantha S. at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds report active wildlife, especially raccoons. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns Samantha S. about Turkey Run State Park, while another reviewer mentions "lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right" at Cecil M Harden Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple playgrounds exist at some facilities for children's entertainment. At Tin Cup RV Park, campers note proximity to "hiking, or small town amenities like Filippo's family owned Sicilian pizza (excellent) or a little further to Casey's gas station," according to Marisa A.
Beach options: Water play areas provide family recreation during warmer months. Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area features "an awesome beach, clean restrooms. No cell service but who needs it!" says Joe M.
Trail difficulty considerations: When hiking with children, select appropriate trails. For Turkey Run trails, Kaley A. advises, "We hiked Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2. Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat. It was pretty crowded but people were respectful."
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection for leveling: Uneven terrain at some campgrounds requires careful site selection. At Turkey Run, Michelle M. notes: "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end."
Full hookup availability: Several RV-friendly campgrounds offer complete services. D & W Lake RV Park provides "full hookup sites with plenty of space between campers, shade trees" and a dog run, according to Ricky L., who appreciated the "very nice looking campground" with a welcoming feel.
Highway access and noise: RV camping near Georgetown often means proximity to interstates. At D & W Lake, Charles M. notes: "Super easy on and off the highway. With that you do get some noise but not too bad... If you need to get off the road and get some rest give them a try. Just north of town and you will be back on the road in no time."
