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Best Tent Camping near Lake Shelbyville

335 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites near Lake Shelbyville provide access to the scenic waters and surrounding natural areas through several established campgrounds. Spillway Campground sits along the Kaskaskia River just below the Lake Shelbyville Dam and offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites. Additional tent camping options include Shady Grove Campground in Hidden Springs State Forest, approximately 10 miles south of Shelbyville, and Sullivan Marina and Campgrounds Resort located directly on Lake Shelbyville.

Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities with varying levels of services. Spillway Campground provides drinking water, picnic tables, and allows campfires with firewood available on-site. Toilet and shower facilities are present at several locations, though primitive sites may offer only basic vault toilets. Shady Grove Campground in Hidden Springs State Forest features drive-in tent sites with drinking water and toilets available, while allowing pets for campers who bring their companions. Campgrounds typically maintain standard quiet hours, and many require reservations, particularly during peak summer months.

The Lake Shelbyville area offers tent campers opportunities for fishing, hiking, and water recreation. The Spillway area provides unique access to the Kaskaskia River after it leaves Lake Shelbyville, making it popular among anglers. Walk-in tent sites often provide more seclusion than developed areas while still offering access to recreational activities. According to one visitor, "This is not a well known place to go but you can have fun here with the canoes and river fishing." Tent campers should note that Sullivan Marina enforces strict hours, requiring campers to call for gate access after 10 PM, while Spillway remains peaceful even when close to town, particularly during off-peak months like October when visitation decreases.

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Best Tent Sites Near Lake Shelbyville (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Lake Shelbyville

335 Reviews of 5 Lake Shelbyville Campgrounds

  • Aaron B.
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    Wooded Solitude / Family Friendly

    Review of Drive In Tent Camping Site 2. Showed up on a Thursday night and had our pick of all the drive in and walk in sites. We decided on site 2 in the drive in area. Previous reviews and a book by John Schirle on Tent Camping in Illinois helped us with this decision as well. Decent maintained sites with some older picnic tables and fire rings, but let's be honest this stuff sits outside 24/7. Site 2 seemed to sit back the farthest with site 1 a close second. Both wooded sites that made for great shade and helped some when it was raining. Any two families looking for two sites could certainly set up and share the experience. Nice little cove behind them to try fishing. Just watch the hike down the path or ravine. Dog friendly, fresh water supply (hint put the handle all the way up and wait a few seconds), ability to store stuff in the car close by, outhouse toilets visible at the walk in parking lot, and helpful host for easy check in who even sells fire wood made for a great few days ($5 a bundle). Rated B/S site at a cost of $10 a night.

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 20, 2017

    Coon Creek (IL)

    Big Campground with great lake access

    I have camped here in a motorhome with full hookups and tent camped as well.

    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. The restrooms and shower houses are clean as all the Lake Shelbyville campgrounds are maintained by the Corps of Engineers. This campground is very busy in the prime camping season, but if you are camping with a group and have a boat this is the place to go. There are several buddy sites here that are set up very well for groups of RV's and tents camping together. There are a few isolated sites on corners of loops, but most are fairly close together. There is a swimming beach here and lots of boat traffic, but quiet hours are observed, so you can get a good night's sleep before an action packed day on the lake. The fishing is good if you have a boat, but there is very little bank fishing areas available. Part of the campground is open after Labor Day, but the main season is Memorial day to Labor day.

  • Michael M.
    Aug. 30, 2017

    Lone Point

    Lakeside wonder

    I tent camped in a large tent, car camping, Friday and Saturday night.

    I have camped here as well as all the Lake Shelbyville campgrounds many times before. Lone Point campground is actually 14 miles from my rural home in Shelbyville, IL. and is my favorite Lake Shelbyville campground.

    There are many nice sites here along the lake and in the wooded areas around the lake. The sites have electricity and water near by. Fire rings with grates, lantern posts, picnic tables and level parking areas. Some sites have limited level areas for tents, but there are lots of sites to choose from. I like camping here because it is the least visited campground on the lake, so it can be quiet and you can get a site with a view. The bathrooms are clean and there is a shower house. There is a 12 mile trail from Lone Point to Eagle creek along the lake shore line, this trail is moderate to difficult hiking. I recommend this campground over all the others on Lake Shelbyville. The campgrounds and park are maintained by the US Army corps of engineers and reservations can be made online through recreation.gov.

    The main campground closes on Labor Day however there is a small section near the boat ramp open year round and this has nice sites in it with camp stove stands as well as grills and awesome fire pits. The trail 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.

    GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):

    39.45222, -88.74028

    39°27'8"N, 88°44'25"W

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 2, 2017

    Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    Great Lakeside Camping

    I have camped here in the past and enjoy primitive tent camping so I stayed Friday September 29th and Saturday September 30th in the tent camping drive up site #2. There is also a tent camping walk in area with 2 lake front sites that are about 150 yards from the parking area and about eight other sites in between. There is a building with men's and women's flush toilets here for both primitive campgrounds. These are cheaper campsites than in the RV area where you have the shower house, nicer bathrooms and electric hookups. There are lots of nice shaded sites in these campgrounds and all have fire ring grates, lantern posts, picnic tables and some have pole mounted campstove tables as well. The camp hosts do a great job keeping this place clean, maintaining a quiet campground and supplying firewood for the campers. The park has a boat ramp, playground areas, the Chief Illini trail plus a couple short trails. There is a golf course and a run down lodge / hotel that has been closed for several years. There is tons of deer and other animals to watch and watch out that they don't steal your food while you are sleeping. The wild life is great for photography and makes for some good fireside stories.

    This is my second favorite place to camp on the lake, although not as peaceful as Lone Point it does have the Chief Illini trailhead here and makes for nice round trip hiking camping adventures.

    This park is open year round so the fantastic camping in spring and fall are available. You should watch out for hunters in the area when bow season starts October 1st.

  • Susan L.
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    5 stars with a caveat

    This is a beautiful state park, but hopefully you won’t have the same experience I did with the electric hookup. I stayed here right after the fourth of July and because of the heat over this holiday weekend and a completely full campground, the electricity couldn’t meet the demand and a transformer blew. By the time I arrived the transformer was repaired, however the pedestals in the section I was supposed to stay in had a problem. I was supposed to stay in site 27, but after 3 attempts to get power at 3 different sites, number 24 was the winner and this was a great site! The campground hosts were fantastic in resolving the situation as well.

    Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. Electric but no water at site. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there’s a large back area right on the lake. The gravel pad is located right near a large, old bald cypress. 

    This park has multiple public use areas, 2 campgrounds, boat launches, fishing piers and a beach. I didn’t use the public restrooms because they were closed due to Covid-19. I was able to get internet with Verizon. 

    This state park felt like it was dropped into the middle of cornfields and made for a fun drive. The sunset views and stars were awesome!

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 16, 2017

    Lithia Springs

    Great place for outdoors activities

    The Lithia Springs recreation area near Shelbyville, IL. On Lake Shelbyville has so many things to offer. This is one of my favorite places on the lake for boating, swimming and group camping. There are 105 campsites and they fill up with reservations in the spring and summer months, I would recommend reserving a site on line at: https://www.recreation.gov .

    The campground is run by the Corps of engineers, it is well cared for with clean shower houses and restrooms. There is a boat ramp, picnic areas, a small swimming beach and very nice lakeside campsites. 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, those do not have full hookups. I tent camp when I stay here now, but have camped here with a motorhome and filled up when I entered and dumped when I left for a long weekend.

    All sites have picnic tables, fire rings with grates and most also have a lantern stand. Most sites have a decent amount of room between them and there are some buddy sites where you share a large table cooking area and park facing each other. There are flat areas for tents and you can have two tents as well as an RV on each site.

    The marina here is great with boat gas, fishing equipment, bait, snacks and other items you might need in a pinch. They also rent fishing boats and pontoon boats so you can go on a boating excursion while camping here for a price.

    There are also cabins and motel rooms with a kitchen near the park entrance if you have a desire for that kind of lodging. See the links below for that.

    http://gregorysresortmotel.com/

    http://www.lithiaresort.com/

  • Priscilla J.
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Weldon Springs State Park Campground

    Loved the Hike-in Sites

    We came on Memorial Day weekend so the campground was very full. It didn't feel too crowded though except when playing on the playground there were lots of kids and its not a very big play area. But it was fun for the kids to play with other kids. 

    While I wish the tent are and comfort station were closer to one another, the walk really wasn't all that bad from our campsite. I loved that the tent sites (especially as you go further back (like to sites 6-10 probably) just had a secluded woodsy feeling to them. I loved how convenient our site was though being right by our car and the road to the restrooms. 

    Some of the tent sites are close together with some having a little more seclusion. There are a  lot of trees and plants with it being in the woods so this does help. But with the trail running right down the middle that cuts out a little of your privacy. But the seclusion is definitely better than the RV sites that we saw in the main big loop of the campground. 

    We walked a couple trails and they were lots of fun for us and the kids/dogs. 

    There is a STRICT no alcohol rule in the tent sites. A sign said coolers are subject to inspection, but from our experience and the vibe of the place, I don't see this really being an issue unless your group gets kind of rowdy ;) 

    All in all a great experience.

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 16, 2017

    Bo Wood

    Campground with all the comforts

    The Forest Bo Wood Recreation area has grown each year since I first camped there in 1979.

    In 2017 it has 150 camping sites, a boat ramp, fish cleaning station, several picnic areas and a bait shop at the entrance on Illinois Route 32 4 miles South of Sullivan. The camp sites all have parking space for a big rig and one vehicle. There are some tent only sites but most have been converted to at least 30 amp electric sites with water hookups near the site. Many lake side sites are available, some years back there was a problem with the bank, but that has been dealt with.

    Bath rooms and shower houses are very clean and there is good bank fishing near the pavilion at the turn around 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. Just 1 more mile South is a Rosatti's pizza located in a gas station with a liquor store. Rossati's delivers pizza's to the 2 campgrounds that are this close to the business. People that love the comforts of home while camping love this campground, so it fills up in the spring and summer months.

    All sites are spacious and include a picnic table, lantern stand, fire pit with grill grate and some have added camp stove stands. 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.

  • Aaron B.
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    Lakeside Relaxation

    These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from.  About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there.  We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well.  A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets.  Park staff and host were great.  A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64.  $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric.  A water source is also by the parking spots.  The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake.  Springfield being so close is a bonus.

    The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there.  Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park.  Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot.  Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.

Guide to Lake Shelbyville

Tent campers at Lake Shelbyville can access several primitive sites offering varied environments from riverside settings to forested areas. The region experiences seasonal temperature shifts with summer highs averaging 85°F and cooler spring and fall camping conditions that many visitors prefer. Winter tent camping near Lake Shelbyville requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing, particularly in January when overnight lows often reach 20°F.

What to do

Fishing access options: The Kaskaskia River below Lake Shelbyville Dam provides year-round fishing opportunities at Spillway. According to one camper, "I camped here in October and it was pretty empty, so even though you are close to town it is peaceful." The area is known for catfish, bass, and crappie fishing.

Trail exploration: Multi-use paths connect several camping areas around Lake Shelbyville, making cycling and hiking accessible for tent campers. A visitor to Sullivan Marina and Campgrounds Resort notes, "This was a great campground with clean facilities." Nearby trails range from 0.5-mile interpretive loops to 11-mile routes through mixed hardwood forests.

Water activities: Tent campers can rent canoes and tubes directly at Kaskaskia River Camp during summer months. Water temperatures in Lake Shelbyville peak around 80°F in July and August, making these the most popular months for swimming and paddling.

What campers like

Riverside camping: Tent sites along the Kaskaskia River at Kaskaskia River Camp provide direct water access with picnic tables, drinking water, and toilet facilities. The sound of flowing water creates natural white noise that many tent campers appreciate for sleeping.

Year-round accessibility: Some tent camping areas remain open through winter months. A regular visitor to Spillway mentions, "Great all year," making it suitable for campers seeking off-season opportunities when crowds thin substantially.

Clean facilities: Restrooms and shower buildings receive regular maintenance at most established tent camping areas. "The campground is the only one with full access to the river after it leaves Lake Shelbyville," notes a Spillway camper, highlighting this location's unique position.

What you should know

Gate restrictions: Sullivan Marina enforces strict access hours that impact late arrivals. As one camper explains, "After 10 PM you have to call to get in the gates. They're very nice about it, though! Just try to arrive early."

Reservation requirements: Most tent sites near Lake Shelbyville require advance booking during peak summer season (May-September). Off-season camping often permits walk-up registration with self-pay stations at campground entrances.

Pet policies: Shady Grove Campground in Hidden Springs State Forest allows pets at tent sites but requires them to remain leashed at all times. Site-specific pet rules vary across the region with some restricting pets from swimming areas.

Tips for camping with families

Educational opportunities: Tent camping provides teaching moments about local ecology. The interpretive center near the dam offers programs specifically for children during summer months, with hands-on activities focused on water conservation and wildlife identification.

Safety considerations: Tent sites farther from water provide safer options for families with small children. Most designated swimming areas lack lifeguards, requiring constant supervision of children near Lake Shelbyville or the Kaskaskia River.

Activity planning: Spitler Woods State Natural Area offers tent sites with access to shorter hiking trails suitable for younger children. One visitor shares, "Great sites. Plenty to do. Favorite place to camp in Illinois," making it worth consideration for family outings.

Tips from RVers

Tent camper accommodations: Most RV-oriented campgrounds near Lake Shelbyville designate specific areas for tent camping separate from developed sites. This creates quieter sleeping environments away from generator noise.

Shower access: Tent campers can purchase shower access at RV campgrounds even without staying there. Daily shower passes typically cost $3-5 per person at facilities with hot water.

Supply availability: RV campgrounds with camp stores provide essential supplies for tent campers who forget items. The closest full-service grocery stores to most Lake Shelbyville camping areas are located in the town of Shelbyville, approximately 5-10 miles from most tent camping locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake Shelbyville?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake Shelbyville is Spillway (IL) with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake Shelbyville?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Lake Shelbyville, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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