2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Multiple cabin rental options exist at campgrounds surrounding Lake Shelbyville in central Illinois. Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort features well-maintained cabins with full amenities, while Camp Lakewood offers basic cabin accommodations for visitors seeking a rustic experience. Most cabins include electricity, beds, and basic furnishings, with some providing kitchenettes and private bathrooms. More rustic options may use shared bathroom facilities. Most sites include outdoor fire pits and picnic tables for cooking and dining. "We stayed in the rental cabins, but are on the waiting list for a seasonal site. Right next to the lake. The pool very clean and never gets over crowded," noted one regular visitor.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Wolf Creek State Park Campground provides year-round cabin access, while seasonal operations run at Robin Hood Woods from April through October. Reservations are typically required, especially during summer months when lakeside cabins fill quickly. Most locations allow pets in designated cabins with additional fees or deposits. Some campgrounds like Okaw Valley Kampground feature more KOA-style cabin rentals with standardized amenities. During high season, cabin renters may encounter minimum stay requirements of 2-3 nights, particularly on weekends.
Most cabins include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary widely—from fully equipped kitchenettes to simple microwaves or outdoor grills. On-site camp stores like "Castaways at Coon Creek" sell essential items including groceries, ice, filtered water, and firewood. One reviewer mentioned, "There's a small game room and little camp store with firewood and ice." For more substantial grocery needs, the nearby town of Shelbyville provides additional shopping options. Some cabin locations offer WiFi access, though connectivity may be limited in more remote areas around the lake.
"We've been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. And that's exactly what we do."
"The RV and tent sites are grouped in the same loops and there are many that have trails from the site right to the lake and people leave the boat near the campsite but still on the water."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $48 / night
"Nice big spots. 30 and 50 amp available. Right on lake Shelbyville. 309 spots 141 are reservable"
"The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails."
"We stayed in the rental cabins, but are in the waiting list for a seasonal site. Right next to the lake. Plenty of room for everyone, from tents to the massive RVs."
"It’s close to home for us but also, very clean with nice staff and a fun environment. The pool is a huge plus, it’s so incredibly nice."
"Booked a overnight stay while traveling through the area. Nice set up, but lots are tight with winding roads to sites. Many sites overlook small lake."
"The sun sets behind the camper. Very nice clean restrooms, laundry room and a area you can grill in using their grills."
from $35 - $999 / night
"Wonderful private campground surround by woods, an open field and a small pond. There is a small playground, covered patio, bathrooms with showers and plenty of lawn space!"
"Shower house is nice. Nice playground in the shade next to a pavilion. Nice mix of shaded and sunny sites. Cabin onsite also."
from $15 - $25 / night
"Family owned with a nice little fishing area (no license required catch and release) paddle boats and camp store. A nice pool with a big covered pavilion, clean restrooms and showers with hot water."
"Cute camp store with very long pull through parking (no need to unhook). Campfire ring and picnic table. Nice area to walk, medium size lake that fish bight."
"Very clean park and beautiful lake clean bathrooms awesome people who work here."
"Campsite is on a man made Lake."
"Kid had a blast at playground with other kids. Cold showers but said they were looking into it. Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."
"The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"
"This is a beautiful state park, but hopefully you won’t have the same experience I did with the electric hookup."
"The shower house, snack shop, and city water are onsite. There are vault toilets near the primitive camping, as well as another water spigot."
"There are good campsite for both RVs and tent camping with clean restrooms and shower house. The park and trails are usually busy since the park is near the Eastern Illinois University."
"It took a bit of maneuvering to get into our site, due to the trees on each side of the site, but once we got in, we were really happy with the space and privacy. "
from $20 / night
TravelerCamp Host is very friendly and brought firewood to our site. Bath/shower house was clean. We were in the equestrian campground due to our 73 foot overall length. It was a great stay for visiting family. There are a lot of outdoor activities at the lake area, but no pool.
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
ScoutThis is such a peaceful and great place to camp.
ScoutBeautiful level campsites! Well kept! Beautiful surroundings! Clean! One of the nicest level sites we have stayed in. Bathrooms are clean and showers are great!
RangerOur campsite was the best! At the end of the road with lake frontage, it was quiet, private and relaxing. Cell service with AT&T was weak with 1 bar. Vault toilet nearby with very clean showers about 500 yds away. Great host!
ScoutAwesome place. Showers are small but very clean. Scenery is amazing. People are friendly. And they have a little mini store and a little mini pizzeria.
TravelerI absolutely loved Coon Creek. We got a spot close to the beach and the water and I absolutely fell in love with the views. It was some what clean and bathrooms are in different locations so you have easy access no matter where you are, which is great when you are out walking. The shower was nice and warm. However, bathrooms and shower house were dirty.
The playground was nice and I loved the trail. It was nice to see the fun in the trails of the statues.
The camp store was also handy. We visit several times and it was nice it was close to the campground. The cashier was great.
Great place but does need cleaned up.
ScoutCampground host is super cool. Best campground in the Springfield area, in my opinion!
GuideChallenge to find the assigned camping site, which turned out to be on a slope with a picnic table in the middle of it, which I was unable to move, so I took another spot that was somewhat flatter. There are only 12 overnight campsites at this campground which do have concrete slabs however they are all very slanted and the electric box is a ways away. In addition, the bathhouse is no where near these sites.
Cabin rentals at Lake Shelbyville provide accommodations across 11,100 acres of water surrounded by oak-hickory forests in central Illinois. The lake extends 14 miles through Shelby and Moultrie counties with 172 miles of shoreline. Cabin options range from basic units to full-amenity cottages with most sites open from April through October, though some locations offer year-round availability.
Fishing access: Lake Shelbyville offers excellent fishing opportunities for bass, crappie, and catfish. "Lake Shelbyville has everything: biking, hiking, a beach, fishing and the town has a small movie theater showing current movies for $4.00," notes Ronald B. about Coon Creek.
Hiking trails: Wolf Creek State Park features several miles of trails through forested terrain. "There are lots of hiking trails and deer run through the park in herds in the winter months. The hiking is OK in this park and good if you like short 1 to 1 1/2 mile hikes," explains Michael M. from Wolf Creek State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Many cabin locations offer swimming access at beaches or pools. "The beach very warm water. The sites are mostly gravel and level. The only thing I would say is make sure that you bring a screen tent for eating outside as the bugs really get bad at night," advises Melissa B., who stayed at Coon Creek.
Lakeside views: Many cabins near Lake Shelbyville feature water views or direct lake access. "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," shares Melissa B. about her experience at Coon Creek.
Family activities: Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort offers amenities beyond basic cabin camping. "Great campground for a chill entertaining weekend with kids. Beautiful new pool was perfectly maintained with plenty of tables and chairs to make a day of the time at the pool. Pavilion and picnic area near pool and playground perfect for family gatherings," explains Sarah S.
Peaceful settings: Many cabins provide quiet, natural surroundings. "We have camped here many times and this time was awesome as well. The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails," notes Michael M. about the diverse camping options at Wolf Creek State Park.
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking, especially during summer months. "We stopped in to Wolf Creek State Park later in the day on a Wednesday after trying to stop at a different campground that was closed. You can reserve spots online in advance but clearly we did not because we didn't know we'd be headed there. Same day is first come first serve," explains Sadie R. about her experience at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground.
Seasonal availability: Cabin rentals have varying operational seasons. "Nice park, spacious sites, bring plenty of water hose. The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away. Shower house was older but was heated and water was hot," advises Nathaniel K. about Wolf Creek State Park.
Amenities variation: Cabin facilities differ significantly between locations. "We spent the weekend at Coon Creek and had a great time. I enjoyed our Site #14. There was a path behind our site that led to a private 'beach'. Brought my camp chair down the path, and enjoyed my coffee enjoying the lake view while my kiddos were hunting for more frogs," Crystal shares about her cabin experience.
Playground access: Look for cabins near play areas for children. "This is a wonderful campground with drive in availability, equestrian camp and reservable sites! 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," recommends MeriLee B. about Wolf Creek State Park Campground.
Bug preparation: Pack insect repellent and consider screen tents for outdoor meals. "We have been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. Nestled in trees. Equipped in fire pits, and lantern posts. Gravel surfaces, with grass around," shares Meg S.
Entertainment options: Consider locations with recreation facilities. "Took grandkids there for the day. 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," explains Tina H. about the family-friendly options at Robin Hood Woods.
Site selection: When booking cabin rentals, consider site layout and accessibility. "This campground is very shady on a beautiful lake. The tent campsites are level and there is enough space between the sites to make for a quiet night. The facility at the time of our visit was clean and well maintained," notes Chad K. about Camp Lakewood.
Hookup availability: Check for power needs if bringing additional equipment. "The camp sites are divided into many loops and have side pullin sites and backin sites. The RV and tent sites are grouped in the same loops and there are many that have trails from the site right to the lake and people leave the boat near the campsite but still on the water," explains Michael M. about Coon Creek.
Access considerations: Some cabins have challenging terrain or specific requirements. "I was surprised when I arrived that there wasn't a ranger, host, or campground office to check in with. There was a self registration kiosk on the site that was supposed to be the host. The bathrooms were dirty and weren't cleaned until Friday," warns Heidi about Wolf Creek State Park, highlighting the importance of checking registration procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there pet-friendly cabins available at Lake Shelbyville?
Yes, pet-friendly cabin options exist around Lake Shelbyville. Country Bend Campground offers pet-friendly cabins and is known for its welcoming atmosphere for campers with animals. The campground features scenic walking areas and fishing ponds, making it ideal for visitors with pets. Always confirm pet policies when booking as restrictions may apply regarding size, breed, or number of pets allowed. Additional fees may be required for pet stays, and some locations may limit pets to specific cabin types or require deposits.
What types of camping cabins are available at Lake Shelbyville?
Lake Shelbyville offers a variety of cabin types to suit different needs. Camp Lakewood provides cabins with amenities like electricity and basic furnishings. At Okaw Valley Kampground, you'll find cabins near their fishing areas and recreational facilities. Cabin options around the lake range from rustic units with minimal amenities to fully-furnished cottages with kitchens and private bathrooms. Some cabins feature lakefront views or easy lake access, while others are nestled in wooded settings for more privacy.
What alternative lodging options exist at Lake Shelbyville besides cabins?
Beyond cabins, Lake Shelbyville offers diverse lodging options. Coon Creek (IL) provides spacious RV sites with full hookups and tent camping areas with lake access. Springfield KOA offers deluxe RV sites, tent camping, and unique accommodations like camping cottages within driving distance. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area provides well-maintained tent sites with fire pits and cooking grates in a natural setting with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Where are cabins located around Lake Shelbyville, Illinois?
Cabin accommodations are available at several locations around Lake Shelbyville. Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort offers cottage rentals with lake access. Wolf Creek State Park Campground features cabins on the northeastern shore of the lake. Additional cabin options can be found at nearby private campgrounds within a short drive of the lake, providing easy access to water recreation while enjoying more comfortable accommodations than traditional tent camping.
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