Camping areas near Lexington, Illinois sit in central Illinois' prairie landscape at around 750 feet elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers reaching 90°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing from December through February. Most campgrounds in the area remain open April through October, though several offer year-round options for glamping in Lexington, Illinois when weather permits.
What to do
Kayaking on Evergreen Lake: Comlara County Park offers no-wake rules perfect for peaceful paddling experiences. "The rustic tent sites are located on the opposite side of the lake from the RV's in an area called White Oak. These sites are the way to go for privacy," notes Scott N., who appreciated the dedicated dock available for tent campers.
Hiking prairie and wooded trails: Marked paths at Harry L Swartz Campground take you through restored prairie sections and wooded areas. "Trails are perfect for easy strolling and offer diverse and lovely scenery. Lots of wildlife: heard many different bird calls & coyotes howling in the night," shares reviewer Alli.
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies away from urban areas create excellent night viewing conditions. "It's a dark sky park so you can get some nice views from the campground and surrounding areas," explains Tim F. about Harry L Swartz, adding that during special events like meteor showers, "a local expert came to give a talk and there was a meteor viewing party."
Fishing in stocked ponds: Many campgrounds maintain dedicated fishing areas without requiring special licenses. At Millpoint Park, "We were able to do some fishing and kayaking. We caught some bluegill, buffalo, and large mouth bass," reports Marie B.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Friends Creek Campground offers well-separated spots with natural buffers. "This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area," writes Kate O. Another camper noted, "All sites are gravel and level. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring."
Clean facilities: Campground hosts maintain bathrooms and shower houses regularly across most sites. At Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Linda N. shares, "We heard the toilets/shower house were in need of TLC so we brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who would not make it to the outhouse."
Affordable rates: Most campgrounds charge $20-30 per night for standard electric sites. "At $44 a night a very reasonable rate for full hookups," notes Nick about Millpoint Park. At Friends Creek, visitors appreciate that "when reserving, note that there are a handful of 50 amp sites, several 30 amp sites and tent sites available."
Waterfront luxury camping options: D & W Lake RV Park offers glamping sites with water views. "Pulled in about 7pm and immediately was greeted by the manager who showed us to our site, helped us pull in get settled and brought us firewood. The lake behind our trailer is beautiful," reports Luna L.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water systems. At Millpoint Park, Marie B. warns, "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird." Bring bottled water for drinking and consider filters for RV hookups.
Reservation systems differ: Each campground handles booking differently. At Carl Spindler Campground, "Reservations are made by phone and when I called to make mine, was told we would be in Site 33...I discovered this is where we had been moved to as site numbers are not supposed to be guaranteed."
Limited cell service: Network coverage can be spotty at certain campgrounds. At Kentuckiana Campground, one reviewer noted, "There is no cell/LTE reception out here (Sprint or Verizon). We drove to Casey's for a pizza and got a small cell signal there."
Summer insects: Ticks and mosquitoes are common from May through September. "You will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay," advises a Millpoint Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Kentuckiana Campground, "They have a nice pond. They also have a kids play area in the Hollar, Complete with a giant slide," notes Ryan L.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer beach areas during summer months. At Harry L Swartz Campground, "There are several fishing ponds around the campground and a small swimming area with a beach, playground, mini library, and shower house."
Site selection: Choose sites away from party spots if traveling with young children. At Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on," shares Linda N.
Food preparation: Limited market options mean planning ahead for meals. "There is not a lot of stores in the area (closest is about ~15 minutes) so pack all of your stuff," advises Kate M. about camping at Deer Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookups aren't universal. At Friends Creek Campground, "These are electric only sites however there are several water spigots to fill the tank prior to parking. For ease, there are even potable water spigots at the dump station and the bathhouse as well."
Site spacing and privacy: Some RV parks offer roomier sites than others. At Millpoint Park, a visitor notes, "Plenty of big shady trees and river front views. The spots were pretty spread out and easy pull through."
Road access considerations: Narrow campground roads can create challenges for larger rigs. At Pleasant Creek Campground, Brian A. warns, "To get up to the sites, it's a one way up and down road. Hopefully no one else is coming the opposite direction."
Dump station logistics: Plan departure timing around dump station availability. "The dump station was also up a one way in/out hill. You had to make a tight U-turn coming down from your site to get up to it. Plan on going early otherwise you're going to get stuck on the hill waiting," advises a Pleasant Creek Campground visitor.
Legend
