Lacon sits alongside the Illinois River at 520 feet elevation, with rolling terrain throughout Marshall County offering varied camping experiences. Summer camping season runs late April through mid-October when temperatures typically range from 50°F nights to 85°F days. The area receives significant rainfall in spring, creating seasonal waterways that complement the permanent river access points near campsites.
What to do
Hiking on levee trails: At Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, visitors can explore approximately 3 miles of hiking paths marked by levees. "There are a series of levees that circle around the campground. Locals came in all day long to fish. We walked along the levees to explore the area. The brush was maybe knee high but it was a peaceful hike," notes Art S.
Fishing from shore: Multiple access points for fishing exist throughout the area with varying amenities. "Busy rural highway is behind you, host let multiple sites get trashed. Fishing is great tho," reports Amanda P. about her experience at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Winter truck camping: For those seeking solitude during off-season months, some campgrounds remain open. "Especially like winter truck camping here. The pit toilets are always available in the winter, and I usually have the park to myself," writes Jonathan J. about his experiences at Jubilee College State Park.
Kayaking and boating: The Illinois River provides numerous boating opportunities with dedicated launches at several campgrounds. "We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling. Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," notes Melissa C. about her stay at Millpoint Park while accessing the waterways.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. "It's a nice place with plenty of room and easy to get a site. Most sites are full hook up with some that are for tent camping," states Ranko K. about Millpoint RV Park.
River views and sunset watching: The Illinois River creates dramatic backdrops for evening camping. "Grassy waterfront campsites, clean convenient restrooms, quiet, nice!" reports Kathy S. about her experience at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Star visibility: Rural locations provide excellent night sky viewing. "Great campground to get out of the city. The viewing of stars is incredible," mentions Joe M. about Jubilee College State Park.
Affordable rates: Camping near Lacon offers good value compared to other regions. "Quiet but tight spots. Along the Illinois River. Includes showers and laundry house," notes Cindy H. about Carl Spindler Campground, where rates start at $24 for electric sites.
What you should know
Variable water quality: Iron content in water supplies affects taste and equipment. "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," advises Stuart K. about Millpoint RV Park.
Potential flooding: Low-lying areas near the river are susceptible to flooding. "It floods out when it storms," warns Jeny C. about Woodford State Conservation Area, making weather monitoring essential before trips.
Hunting activity: Many camping areas double as hunting grounds during season. "At 5 AM diesel pickup trucks pulling boats began to pull into the parking area. Eventually we heard the boats heading out along with gun shots... We chose to skip the hiking trail with the onset of hunting season," reports Art S.
Limited facilities: Some campgrounds offer minimal amenities. "There are vault toilets - some are still closed due to covid restrictions but the hosts are working on improving things," mentions Art S. about his experience at Woodford State Conservation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming areas: Some campgrounds offer designated swimming spots. "This place is very clean with the lake nearby for swimming or fishing. Very clean restrooms and friendly staff," reports Iris A. about Chillicothe RV and Rec Area.
Consider cabins for convenience: Several pet-friendly options include cabin rentals. "We tent camp and majority for the sites also have plenty of room for one or two tents. There is also a fourth tent-only loop, which is all grass and technically 'hike-in' but a very short hike depending on which site you pick," explains Brooke C. about Jubilee College State Park.
Check for playgrounds: Limited play equipment exists at some locations. "They have a little playground, and a small beach area. We enjoyed ourselves," notes Ryan L. about Condits Ranch.
Site selection matters: Terrain varies significantly even within campgrounds. "We had the entire campground to ourselves on a cold weekend stay. There isn't much area to explore- just the campground and the river shoreline within it. However we witnessed the most spectacular sunset over the river," writes Art S.
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "They are waiting for more money from the state to finish improving the entrance road. It was bumpy but not too bad," notes Art S. about Woodford State Conservation Area.
Electrical hookup spacing: Power connection locations can create site selection challenges. "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," advises Kaitlin D. about Carl Spindler Campground.
Water access points: Non-full-hookup sites may have limited water access. "For the non water sites finding the two available spickets for everyone in the overflow was a serious challenge. Esp at 5 pm after the office closed," continues Kaitlin D.
Dump station timing: Plan waste disposal carefully to avoid delays. "Took about 45 min for us to dump being 5th in line at 10:30am," reports Kim L. about their experience at Starved Rock Campground.
