Lake Shelbyville campgrounds sit along a 11,100-acre reservoir in central Illinois formed by the damming of the Kaskaskia River. The lake features 172 miles of shoreline with camping options positioned at various elevations ranging from directly on the water to sites on wooded hills overlooking the lake. Many camping areas remain open from April through October, while select locations operate year-round, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-90°F.
What to do
Boating and water recreation: Lake Shelbyville offers multiple boat launch sites where campers can access the water. Bo Wood features "a boat ramp, plenty of bank fishing near the pavilion at the west end of the area. There is a marina just 1 mile South and across the bridge another ½ mile is the Sullivan beach."
Fishing opportunities: The lake contains multiple species for anglers. A camper at Coon Creek mentioned, "This became our main past time. Beautiful lake," while another noted, "The fishing is good if you have a boat, but there is very little bank fishing areas available."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to trails of varying difficulty. At Eagle Creek State Park Campground, "the Chief Illini trailhead is located in the parking area and the trail is fairly well maintained during the regular campground open season. The trail is open year round and can be hiked from one end to the other spending a night at either campground for return trip the next day."
What campers like
Large, well-spaced campsites: Many Lake Shelbyville camping areas feature spacious sites. A visitor to Opossum Creek noted, "Sites 27 and 28 are really big. They sit on a big hill with lots of space for the kids to play." The campground has "81 sites in total, 17 tent with electric, 17 full hook up and the remaining are electric RV sites."
Waterfront access and views: Several campgrounds offer direct lake views. At Lone Point, "We had a small, narrow, and very steep path to a beach area that was great for exploring and building rock formations. We even caught the sunset on the beach that night." This campground is noted for being "the least visited campground on the lake, so it can be quiet and you can get a site with a view."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently comment on well-maintained bathrooms. A guest at Wolf Creek State Park Campground reported, "Nice big spots. 30 and 50 amp available. Right on lake Shelbyville. 309 spots 141 are reservable." Another mentioned, "This campground also has boat access and a beach and hiking trails. It is built into the woods so most lots are very shady and all are very level."
What you should know
Campsite selection tips: Locations vary widely in privacy and access. At Opossum Creek, "If you don't care about full hook up, try for the sites 39 to 46 and 11 to 34 that offer more privacy. We were in spot 11 that is right next to the shower house, but faces away from it and your view is trees and the lake."
Weather and seasonal considerations: The region experiences typical Midwestern weather patterns. A camper at Bo Wood advised, "I find that October camping at Bo Woods most agreeable with less people tent camping and less boat traffic on the lake. The fishing this time of year is also very good."
Insects can be problematic: Evening bugs may affect outdoor activities. One camper noted, "Our biggest issue with this campsite was the extensive bugs, once the sun goes down the bugs get horribly bad. We let our dogs out past 8 p.m. and our camper was covered with swarms of psychodidae(sewer) flies."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly sites: Some locations offer better options for children. At Coon Creek, a parent reported, "This is our third time here and our first time at Coon Creek. We chose a buddy site even though we weren't camping with another family because we like the location. It was right at the end of the peninsula, and it is by far the biggest and beautiful site we have ever stayed in."
Activities for children: Many campgrounds provide recreational options for younger campers. At Robin Hood Woods Campground, "There's a pool, playground, fishing pond and small arcade room. You can rent a peddle type cart that holds 4 people who all peddle. They really loved them. You can also rent golf carts."
Swimming areas: Several locations feature swimming options. A Coon Creek visitor advised, "There are several paths down to the waters edge and the beach, lots of little hiking, tons of Geocaching, and a great little beach That my son really like to swim and even if we thought it was a little dirty. Very warm water."
Tips from RVers
Hookup information: Sites vary in their utility offerings. At Lithia Springs, "Half the campsites have electric hookups and water near the sites, the other half now have full hookups and 50 amp service. It is recommended to fill your tanks as you enter so you won't need to get water during your stay for the sites on the point."
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. A camper noted, "Many of the other sites are out of level. All the site are pretty close to the water," while at Bo Wood, sites were described as "super wide, all gravel and quite level."
Site accessibility: RV sites have varying access levels. At Eagle Creek, "You should watch out for hunters in the area when bow season starts October 1st," and some campgrounds have "no lighting at night along the campground roadways. After dark, we watched a truck go into the ditch looking for the turn out."
