Lexington sits in central Illinois within McLean County, approximately 10 miles northeast of Bloomington-Normal. Elevations in this region range from 750-850 feet above sea level with predominantly flat to gently rolling terrain. Camping options near Lexington provide access to various lakes and recreation areas where water activities remain popular from May through September when average temperatures range from 70-85°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Comlara County Park at Evergreen Lake offers various fishing spots accessible directly from lakefront campsites. "Our site was huge. Right by jones pond, but the fishing was not the best right by our site. Beautiful park but littered with bottle caps and cigarette butts. Great biking trails and a couple of great geocaches," reports Melissa B.
Kayaking and boating: Moraine View State Recreational Area provides excellent water access approximately 13 miles from Lexington. "Nice lake for fishing and kayaking. Excellent restaurant on site also," notes Kelly M. Additional fees apply for watercraft - "The kicker is the $20.00 fee per boat/kayak to get on the lake plus the fee for the swimming area," according to Marcie J.
Hiking trails: Explore the trail system at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area with routes surrounding the shoreline. "There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on. Definitely our vibe of being more secluded and on the water," shares Linda N. Most trails are moderate difficulty with minimal elevation change.
What campers like
Lakefront sites: The White Oak area at Comlara Park provides rustic tent camping with excellent lake views. "Site 14 is very spacious like it could be used as a group site. I was surprised to see three picnic tables. The best part was the view of the lake. There was a spot that a person could get a kayak or canoe into the water but I opted to use the dock," explains Scott N.
Swimming options: Clinton Lake offers a beach area with designated swimming times. "2 dollar beach entry 10-7 pm. 8 dollar for camping and 20 with electricity after check in. Restrooms are decent. Lady at store has everything needed for fire and bbq," reports Abdul Basith Asim M. The water here is notably warmer than other central Illinois lakes due to the nearby power plant discharge.
Convenience for overnight stops: For travelers passing through, Love's RV Stop in Normal provides easy highway access. "Super convenient, great facility. Sites are concrete and level. If you're getting off the highway for an overnight stay these Loves are perfect," mentions Mark S. Their online reservation system allows for quick check-ins without office interaction.
What you should know
Varying levels of privacy: Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground offers shaded sites but limited privacy between spots. "Nice staff, quiet enough for being somewhat close to the highway. The trees seemed to block the noise well. You can't put the firepit on the grass, it has to be in the gravel, so that took away some of the coziness," notes Ryan L.
Rustic tent options: For those seeking more secluded tent camping near Lexington, Moraine View State Park offers primitive sites. "We went here with a group of tent campers sight unseen. Upon finding the rustic tent sites, we'd wished we'd known about that area before going. Those were still a little close together but were at least wooded," explains Ryan M.
Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends see high occupancy rates at most dog friendly campgrounds near Lexington. "Memorial Weekend they had lots of activities for adults and children. The sites were very crowded and packed close together, barely room for the picnic table (but it was a holiday)," reports Brooke about Timberline Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming beaches: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area provides family-friendly water access. "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole," shares Linda N. The beach generally operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day with lifeguards present on weekends.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer play structures for children. "There's a playground by bathrooms which have showers. Showers were a good temp. Campground was not particularly loud when we were there (even on a holiday weekend)," notes Sarah M. about Moraine View State Park.
Activities during peak season: Timberline Campground coordinates family events during holiday weekends. "Fun campground. Plenty of activities for kids! Camp ground slightly packed, but would still return back. Great for families with kids," comments Nick W. Most organized activities run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup options: Hickory Hill Campground provides full hookup sites approximately 15 miles from Lexington. "We called in the afternoon and got a full hook up, pull through spot. Lots of nice amenities for families," mentions Deb B. The campground operates seasonally from April through October.
Level sites: Many RVers appreciate the concrete pads at Love's RV Stop. "Brand new, clean, well laid out. Easy in, easy out. No need to enter the truck stop. Showers in separate building. It's at the junction of two Interstate highways, and the trucks idling all night make it a bit noisy, but a great place to get off the road after a day's drive," explains Alan K.
Dump station access: For pet-friendly campgrounds near Lexington with partial hookups, plan for dump station waits during peak checkout times. "Took about 45 min for us to dump being 5th in line at 10:30am," notes Kim L. about Starved Rock Campground, which is similar to other state parks in the region.
Legend
