Clinton Lake State Recreation Area offers primitive and family-friendly camping options near Heyworth, Illinois. Sites range from wooded seclusion to open prairie views across several distinct camping loops. The iron-rich water creates distinctive camping conditions throughout the area, with campground water sometimes requiring filtration for drinking. Fall camping extends well into October with temperatures allowing comfortable tent and RV stays.
What to do
Hiking through tall grass prairie: Friends Creek Campground connects to conservation areas with mowed trails. According to one camper, "This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek, gentle rolling hills, trees, birds & wildlife and a small bridge."
Fishing in secluded ponds: D & W Lake RV Park offers catch-and-release fishing with bass and bluegill. A camper noted, "The lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass. There's plenty of grass, Fire Pits, Playgrounds and a Dog Park."
Winter camping options: Off-season camping provides unique experiences at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area. As one visitor discovered, "Had 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."
Tent camping near the Illinois River: Riverside access creates unique waterfront camping opportunities. A reviewer at Millpoint Park shared, "If you are a tent camper, there's 3-4 designated areas for primitive camping, but if you'd like something less primitive and with access to water and electricity, then book yourself into one of the 5 designated tent sites: #233-#237."
What campers like
Spacious sites for privacy: Friends Creek Campground offers well-maintained sites with ample space. A camper noted, "Friends Creek is a small campground with nice spacious sites and super clean bathhouses and pit toilets. The fire pits are well kept and the camp host was very kind!"
Waterfront glamping opportunities: Glamping in Heyworth, Illinois area benefits from lake and river access. At Carl Spindler Campground, "Sites that are close to the river have a great view of the skyline at night and if you don't mind having just electric and being on sand these are great sites. There is a small beach area where you can access the water."
Clean facilities despite heavy use: Many campgrounds maintain their facilities well. At Comlara County Park, "The campground is very big with lots of sites and since we were there at the end of October, there were not many other people around. We got a beautiful spot right on the lake. The campground has nice bathrooms and hookups."
Different camping loops with distinct environments: Various camping experiences within single parks provide options. At Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, one camper observed, "The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more open with a prairie type view."
What you should know
Water quality considerations: Iron content affects water at several campgrounds. At Millpoint Park, "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you."
Campground busyness varies seasonally: Some campgrounds become crowded during peak times. One camper at Clinton Lake noted, "It'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."
Off-season limitations: Water access and facilities change during colder months. At Clinton Lake, "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."
Additional fees for activities: Some parks charge beyond camping fees. At Comlara County Park, "Good rates but the kicker is the $20.00 fee per boat/kayak to get on the lake plus the fee for the swimming area was a bit much for us. Was planning an active weekend but quickly realized we were going to be sitting at our site."
Tips for camping with families
Look for loops designated as family-friendly: Different camping areas offer varied experiences. One camper at Clinton Lake shared, "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."
Consider glamping cabins for young children: Luxury camping options near Heyworth provide family comfort. At Kentuckiana Campground, "Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler. Spots are kind of cramped and close together, one of our favorite places though!"
Pack portable toilets for sites with distant facilities: Some campgrounds have limited bathroom access. A camper at Clinton Lake noted, "We heard the toilets/shower house were in need of TLC so we brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who would not make it to the outhouse."
Select sites with shade during summer: Heat management matters for family comfort. A camper at Clinton Lake suggested, "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."
Tips from RVers
Winter camping requires preparation: Year-round RV camping demands planning. According to a Clinton Lake camper, "Had practically the whole campground to ourselves. Water was turned off for winter which wasn't entirely clear. The RV fill was shutdown too."
Long power cords needed at some sites: Electrical access varies by location. At Carl Spindler Campground, one RVer noted, "In the overflow 'unpaved' section there is 1 station of power for 4 campers. So you definitely need a LONG power cord which our neighbors did not."
Select sites based on noise preferences: Some locations experience road noise. A camper at D & W Lake shared, "Super easy on and off the highway. With that you do get some noise but not too bad. Office staff is very friendly and efficient. Full hookup sites."
Site selection varies for seasonal crowds: Timing affects RV camping experience. At Comlara County Park, "RV sites fairly close together with not many/any trees for privacy. Tent sites a bit more spread apart however all traffic from campground routes by tent sites due to one way traffic."
