We all love roasting marshmallows over a campfire—and you can often still do that while cabin camping in Gifford. Cabin camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. When you're looking for a quiet location in nature, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect cabin rental.
There are 17 Class AA campsites, 277 Class A campsites, 9 Class B/S campsites and 5 Class C campsites at Clinton Lake, with most adaptable to either tents, trailers or motor homes. The campground is open year-round with the exception of the full week prior to first firearm deer season. No entry is allowed in the Mascoutin area during that time, for a special firearm deer hunt. Showers and potable water are available from mid-April to November (weather depending). Each site is equipped with a grill and picnic table. Reservations can be made online at the Reserve America website. Camping loops H, I, J and K are alcohol-free. Camp Quest Group Camp, located off Route 54 at Birkbeck, is an area for adults or youth groups and has room for 75. It provides a secluded wooded setting and has a large shelter with electricity, three RV pads with electrical hookups, toilets, tables, grills and water. No shower facilities are present at the group camp area. Portions of the Class AA, A and B/S and the group camp are handicapped accessible.
$10 - $30 / night
$9 - $49 / night
Traveler
One of our favorite camping trips so far!
We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on.
Sites were somewhat open but there were tons of trees and grass behind each spot so it didn’t feel so exposed. We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole.
We heard the toilets and shower house were brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who might not make it to the outhouse so we never used the campground toilet/facilities.
Definitely our vibe of being more secluded and on the water.
ScoutWe had a fantastic time here. We came during Fourth of July and never felt like it was overly crowded. Sites were spacious but wasn’t much privacy, which didn’t bother us because it allowed for our kids to play with the other kids easily. Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole. We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests. We did not use the toilets or showers, although it looked like they were in working order as others were using then. We had a cloudless night and the stars were spectacular.
Guide
We stayed in buddy sites 81 and 82. Buddy sites are large, have full hookup, fire pits, and picnic tables. Lots of dogs around, pricing was about $50 a night per site. Restrooms had showers as well which made it easy to rinse off the mud. Great time all around.
ScoutCamped for a weekend trip. We had 3 sites and made one a home base. Grounds were full due to unseasonably warm weather but everyone was pleasant and respectful
ScoutWe have camped here previous years and had a good time. However we it here for the first time this year and man has it gone down hill. The host is crazy and can be rude, he didn't even ask who we were. Just tried to be funny. Our campsite was dirty. We had to pick up a bunch of trash. On the way to the bathrooms we had to step over dog poo. The bathroom in c loop should just be torn down. The brick is falling appart. Hubby said someone pooped on the floor in the stall on the men's side. We went swimming and there were people drinking and smoking weed on the beach and not even trying to hide it. Funny they closed the bathrooms at the beach at 6:30 to clean. That man did not clean them. He just locked the doors and left. Went to shower after swimming at the shower house by the host and hubby says it smells like sewage and there was poop on the floor in the shower house as well. Probably will find somewhere also to go the rest of the season. We camped at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in a Travel Trailer
GuideStayed on a Tuesday night in April. Only a few rvs, no tent campers besides us. Stayed at A19, the loop was quiet all day/night. Most loops look exactly the same, just the quality of the sites. Some are all dirt, some are all grass. Bathrooms are ok. Didn't use the showers. Good first time visit to the campground.
GuideLots of things to do. Most sites are good size and easy to back into. Some walking trails. Beach is nice to have, does cost to get in. Restaurant on site is good! Big nice lake if you have a boat/kayak or like to swim or fish. Pretty lake area in general. Playgrounds aren't in great shape 😕 bathrooms aren't great either.
GuideWe love this place. Problem is it's a State park and the state has not fixed a shower house and dump station. It's been not working since 2020. Because of this, only three stars. If those items works like they should, then four stars.
TravelerHave stayed here numerous times. Always very clean. We have only stayed in the electric only sites as the full hookup sites are hard to come by. Very quiet at night and depending on your site, there are nice views of the summer sky. Some camping areas are more wooded than others and those also seem to fill up fast. We’ll be making a couple of trips here this summer.
RangerThis is our go-to campground when visiting the U of I. It is a large campground with well spaced campsites for tents and rvs. Almost every site has plenty of shade with lots of tree cover. This also means in the dog days of summer the breeze is blocked by the trees so get an electric site even with a tent and bring a fan. They have a beach and a boat launch. The loops that allow alcohol can get a bit rowdy with weekend partiers, but the alcohol restricted loops can get loud from all the families. However, with full hook-up options there is no generator noise. The showers/bathrooms are kept up well given the massive amount of people served. If you own a boat and camp, this place is ideal for central Illinois.
TravelerWalk-in at night pay in morning 2 dollar beach entry 10-7 pm 8 dollar for camping and 20 with electricity after check in Restrooms are decent Lady at store has everything needed for fire and bbq.
Not much to do around
GuideMy first time was ruff.. just for the fact I brought my two youngins and my two dogs..That was a lil overwhelming but I did enjoyed myself.. definitely looking forward to going back..possibly without the kids or dogs
TravelerEnjoy the many beautiful shady spots and a few full hooks. The shower houses are very clean and a really nice big beach.
ScoutIt’s a nice campground but it’s usually insanely busy. Holidays are crazy. I’ve heard people say you can sometimes get a nice, fairly secluded spot but I haven’t had the patience to try. We honestly try to avoid large crowds.
GuideLarge campground that gets booked up most weekends. Clinton Lake is a boating destination as the waters are unusually warm due to the discharge from the nearby nuclear plant. There are several different loops within the campground, some are alcohol free and others have direct access to the lake. The bathrooms are basic vault toilets but kept very clean. We have camped here several times, and found depending on the crowds, it can feel a little like a party spot or can be quiet and calm. The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more wide open with a prairie type view. There is a beach and concession stand, group camping areas and lots of roads to bike around. We enjoy the boating/camping combo.
TravelerReally nice campground on Clinton Lake. Has a really nice beach for swimming and picnics. Have about 20 nice full hook up spots and a bunch of electric sites. Our family spent a week there and loved it.
RangerYou wIll defInItely want to bring a suit. The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach. The sites were spacious, and ours had a path to the lake. Filled with poison ivy, etc, so long pants recommended when waking thru. Hiking path all around the shore of the lake. Some hidden fishing areas but we didn’t have any luck.
TravelerThis was the perfect spot for a family get away. We went swimming, and fishing every day off the boat. There is also a beach available to swim at if you don't have a boat. It was $2 a person to go to the beach. The facilities are well maintain, and we had no issues with bugs the entire trip. (We stayed 4 nights). There is a small store and a concession stand that acts as an indoor/outdoor restaurant. The shower house is serviced several times a day, and always had plenty of hot water for our showers. My family goes every Memorial and Labor Day weekend to this campground as we have found it to be one of the best around. There are 3 families that come with us every time in their own RV's that agree.
ScoutWe spent 24 hours and plan to return. Great trails and views!
TravelerHad practically the whole campground to ourselves.
Water was turned off for winter which wasn't entirely clear. The RV fill was shutdown too. Water option we're the lake or a 30 min drive into town for bottled. Not a big deal but something to be prepared for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Gifford, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Gifford, IL is Clinton Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews.
