Clinton Lake State Recreation Area offers glamping opportunities for visitors in east-central Illinois. Several accommodation types are available including safari tents and cabins with modern amenities. The campground operates year-round with water turned off during winter months. Most sites offer electrical hookups, with full service sites providing water and sewer connections as well. The beach area allows swimming access to Clinton Lake, which maintains warmer temperatures due to nearby power plant discharge.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Comlara County Park offers multiple ponds stocked with fish where visitors can cast their lines. A reviewer noted, "You can rent boats and kayaks to take out on the lake during the day and grills throughout the park to have a bbq at night with friends."
Hiking trails: Explore the trails at Friends Creek Campground which features conservation areas with native prairie plants. "Start at the one room schoolhouse and make your way down wide trails. They aren't that long but take a few and they add up," shared one visitor.
Waterfront activities: Access the Illinois River directly from Carl Spindler Campground where you can swim, boat or simply enjoy the sunset. A camper mentioned, "If you'd like to knock some pins down while slurping some delicious local cold brew, head on over to Landmark Bowling Center."
Stargazing sessions: Take advantage of dark skies at Harry L Swartz Campground, designated as a Dark Sky Park. "Since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather," noted one reviewer who visited during the Perseid meteor shower when a local expert gave a talk.
What campers like
Privacy options: At Harry L Swartz Campground, campers appreciate the varying levels of seclusion. "Some of the sites are very private, others are closer together. 42 - 47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private," shared one visitor who carefully researched site options.
Affordability: Budget-conscious glampers near Le Roy, Illinois find reasonable rates at multiple parks. One reviewer at Carl Spindler Campground stated, "The price of $27/night for full hook-up was a great rate," highlighting the value compared to other regional options.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain their shower facilities and restrooms regularly. A visitor to D & W Lake RV Park noted, "The bath house is clean and up to date with lots of hot water," emphasizing the importance of good amenities for comfortable glamping.
Helpful staff: Campground hosts make a difference in the overall experience. At D & W Lake RV Park, a camper shared, "Owner greets you on entering and then guides you to your site. Signage to get to the campground is excellent."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance planning. At Friends Creek, "if you reserve a camping spot it's just to have a site. Specific campsites aren't reserved. Get here early and you have your choice," noted one visitor.
Seasonal limitations: Be prepared for winter camping restrictions. A reviewer at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "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."
Campsite variations: Kentuckiana Campground offers diverse site configurations. "Spaces are tight. Most are pull-though but there isn't a lot of room between campers so don't expect much privacy," explained one camper who still rated their experience positively.
Extra fees: Some parks charge additional fees beyond camping costs. At Comlara County Park, a visitor cautioned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. A Comlara County Park visitor mentioned, "There are a few playgrounds for the kids to stay busy as well as small marked trails to follow."
Beach proximity: Choose sites with easy water access for families with young children. "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach," shared a camper about their Clinton Lake experience.
Weather preparation: Illinois weather can change rapidly, requiring flexible planning. At Friends Creek Campground, a parent noted, "We hiked a bit on the trails and played in the creek. Highly recommend," showing that simple activities can keep children entertained.
Entertainment options: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities. A visitor at Kentuckiana shared, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At D & W Lake RV Park, level sites accommodate large rigs comfortably. "Sites are level and in good condition. Owner greets you on entering and then guides you to your site," noted one RVer, highlighting the assistance available.
Hookup availability: Check electrical amperage when booking. At Friends Creek Campground, a visitor clarified, "When reserving, note that there are a handful of 50 amp sites, several 30 amp sites and tent sites available."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds offer better maneuverability than others. An RVer at Carl Spindler reported, "The roads are paved and easy for us to navigate in our 45' RV. Our site was paved with a picnic table and fire pit and all the hook-ups worked well."
Year-round options: For off-season travel, verify which sites remain open. A winter visitor to Carl Spindler noted, "They close most of the park in the winter time which only leaves 22 paved sites available."
