S
Stephanie C.
Traveler
TravelerThe Double J Campground and RV Park
Nice place
The office staff is very nice and accommodating. The campground is clean and has great amenities. I will stay here again.
Camping near Lincoln, IL
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The Lincoln, Illinois area features several established campgrounds ranging from basic to full-service facilities. Deer Creek Campground and Camp A While provide primary options for overnight stays, with Camp A While offering year-round accessibility. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with sites like Kentuckiana Campground and Clinton Lake State Recreation Area providing more extensive amenities including electric hookups, shower facilities, and water access.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability near Lincoln, with several facilities operating only from spring through fall. Illinois State Fair Campground in Springfield, approximately 30 miles southwest, maintains a limited season from April through October. Reservations are recommended at most established campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays when facilities reach capacity. The flat terrain throughout the region makes access straightforward for most vehicles, though some secondary roads may become difficult after heavy rainfall. As one camper noted about Camp A While, "Owner was very friendly and helpful. Good for an overnight stop. Quiet at night. Close enough to Lincoln for supplies without the noise."
Campground experiences in the Lincoln area generally receive positive reviews for their peaceful atmosphere and convenient locations. Water features represent a significant draw at several sites, with Clinton Lake State Recreation Area providing boat access and shoreline camping. Family-friendly amenities are highlighted at Kentuckiana Campground, where visitors appreciate the playgrounds and fishing ponds. "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!" shared one reviewer. Most campgrounds near Lincoln offer basic amenities including picnic tables and fire rings, though privacy between sites varies considerably. Wildlife encounters are common at certain locations, with raccoons specifically mentioned as problematic at Weldon Springs State Park, approximately 20 miles east of Lincoln.
Best Campgrounds near Lincoln (59)
1. Camp A While
"Close enough to Lincoln for supplies without the noise. Have put it on my list to go back to"
"Very quiet place and away from busy highways but convenient. If traveling through the area would definitely consider again. "
2. Deer Creek Campground
"Near the back you can camp right alongside the river. Amenities are minimal, there are just port-a-potties for restrooms but they are very clean."
3. Edward Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area
4. Hickory Lane Campground
"Two small lakes with fountains. You can hear the fountains at night, it's nice. Excellent price for tent camping."
5. Weldon Springs State Park Campground
"It’s a nice Illinois state park. Very quiet. Clean bathrooms, the consecution stand is closed. So can’t rent boat etc. but a nice lake to paddle canoe/kayak ."
"Good fishing near by with walking trail surrounding pond. Plenty of wildlife friendly locals."
6. Kentuckiana Campground
"When Unhitching if there is anyone waiting to drive by, you feel kind of rushed. Don’t let it make you forget wheel chocks or something important. They have a nice pond."
"We stayed here last year and will likely stay there again this year when we are back in Illinois. The park has two sides, one side closer to the stage."
7. Illinois State Fair Campground
"Short drive 2.5 miles to Lincoln home. 1 mile from Lincoln's Tomb.
Somebody stole our outdoor carpet/rug which we left to mark our site when we went
to visit the Lincoln sites."
"Great place to spend a night or even longer to see Lincoln historical sites!"
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
"We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach."
"Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole."
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability9. Kentuckiana Kampground and Country Opry
10. WalCamp Family Campground
Drive Time
- 32 min from Bloomington, IL
- 32 min from Springfield, IL
- 42 min from Peoria, IL
- 42 min from Decatur, IL
Recent Camping Photos near Lincoln, IL
56 Photos of 59 Lincoln Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Weldon Springs State Park CampgroundS
Illinois State Fair CampgroundR
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Pine Campground — Sand Ridge State ForestA
Horseman's Park — Sand Ridge State Forest
Friends Creek Campground
Springfield KOA
Kamp Komfort RV Park and CampgroundR
Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State ParkC
Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
Timberline Campground
Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Lincoln, IL
352 Reviews of 59 Lincoln Campgrounds
Beth M.
ScoutCamp A While
Good overnighter
Pros: Full hookups. I had a long pull through site. Lots of shade. Wifi was good for tv streaming. Cons: No bathrooms, shower, etc. Fairly busy and noisy road just a outside camp area.
Matthew H.ScoutSangchris Lake State Park Campground
Lakeside View
Campground host is super cool. Best campground in the Springfield area, in my opinion!
Katie F.ScoutTimberline Campground
Sad shell
This was clearly a campground that used to have owners who cared for it. It is not anymore. We were there for a weekend trip. Most of the amenities listed are done through the main office which were closed at 6:45pm on a Friday with no notice. There are no hours posted for the office which means No Ice, no wood, no access to anything bc the office is where everything is.
We visited the pool and it was FILTHY. Clumps of hair pulled out left and right and if the kids went to the bottom, it stirred up terrors from the deep. We heard from many people who are regulars that it has gone down hill since new ownership took over.
- JJack G.Scout
The Double J Campground and RV Park
Greta stop
Great stop for Route 66 we sorted it all online late at night. Lovely and quiet with amazing facilities that are worth the price
Madison M.
GuideComlara County Park
Quiet and beautiful, but not the best bathrooms
$25 a night for 30 amp hookup is pretty good! The sites are clean and spacious. It’s quiet too! Pretty lake, but sites aren’t right on the lake.
The bathrooms need some work. Water had a boil order on it and showers only worked in the men’s room. Water was HOT! Which is great! However, the water smelled metallic…
- IIrene M.Guide
Lake Taylorville City Campground
In the middle of long-term campers
Challenge 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.
Cha M.ScoutSangchris Lake State Park Campground
Common smaller campground with great views
This is the bigger campground between hickory point and deer run options. The shower house, snack shop, and city water are onsite. There are vault toilets near the primitive camping, as well as another water spigot. Playground, pavillion, and sand volleyball court give options to entertain kids, with plenty of fishing, trails, and lake views to entertain the adults. We primitive camped here at the closest site to the parking. #57 is the closest, with the rest of the primitive sites being more of a trek to the site. However, the privacy, quietness, and views are 100% worth the trek to us. We did camp with a doggo, who does bark at passerby’s that are “too close” in her opinion but otherwise doesn’t. All the campers during our stay except for one very disruptive couple, did not complain at all and many came to give her loves or treats to help prevent further barking when they passed by. And honestly, the couple that did make the comment, clearly need to be at different campgrounds because the host had to come break them up after quiet hours began and they didn’t respect that rule. We also then were woken up by the same couple as they were packing up the next morning due to them yelling at each other. The hosts did try to make sure they slowed down while passing this site though, and I do believe if we had made some sort of complaint to them, they would have handled it immediately. We love this campground, and honestly we feel as if anywhere there are rvs allowed, you will likely have someone make a comment about the dog. It’s never been other tent campers, even the ones on electric sites. The snack shop has ice (currently $3 even a bag, with hosts including tax in the $3 to make it easier for campers), firewood bundles (not sure on price) as well as many smaller campground necessities including snacks and drinks, some fishing tackle, and some other camping things such as bug spray and sunblock. I did not check any prices on those. There is technically a bait shop also nearby, though between two longer stays here and at deer run, we’ve only seen him open once. And according to one of the hosts, he doesn’t seem to have “regular hours” other than he’s for sure closed Sundays and Mondays. The following Tuesday after learning this, he was also closed all day. So I’m not sure about anything there. He does also have an ice machine outside though.
- Cha M.Scout
Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park
Small, quiet, state park camping
Couple camping here, spent multiple nights in a row in primitive camping here. As mentioned, only well water available on the campgrounds here, however you still have access to amenities available at hickory point just a short drive away. Shower house and city water available that way. Playground for kiddos on site. Lots of people bring pets, including equestrian for those campsite. Those do include the post to tie up on at each site. The hosts (bob and dawn were really checking in on us that stay, including being able to help when we accidentally killed our car battery. They also made thorough and consistent rounds which we appreciated. Also had Lynn, one of the idnr guys here, come back at the end of his shift to make sure we had learned about the storms coming in. He even checked in again the next chance he got to make sure we were okay still. We did end up leaving early, to which there is not refunds (I think this is state parks in general) however at $6 a night for primitive, we took that loss especially during an extreme heat warning (for multiple days). If you want a quieter campsite, I would recommend this one over hickory point as hickory point seems to be more RVers instead of the more primitive style of camping tends to be.
Guide to Lincoln
Campground sites near Lincoln, Illinois typically feature open prairie landscapes with minimal elevation changes across the region. The flat terrain allows for easy navigation between camping areas, though some secondary access roads may become problematic after heavy rains, particularly in spring. Most Lincoln-area campgrounds experience seasonal closures between November and March, with temperatures ranging from summer highs near 90°F to winter lows below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Hickory Lane Campground features two small lakes with fountains where campers can enjoy fishing in a peaceful setting. "Small. Quiet. Pretty. Two small lakes with fountains. You can hear the fountains at night, it's nice," notes Beau C., highlighting the tranquil water features.
Paddle sports: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area offers unusually warm lake waters due to the nearby nuclear plant discharge, making it ideal for boating and paddling even in cooler weather. "The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach. The sites were spacious, and ours had a path to the lake," shares Melissa B., describing the unique water temperature benefit.
Hiking trails: Weldon Springs State Park Campground provides walking paths around its pond and through wooded areas. "Trails are well kept & new fishing decks are wonderful," mentions Traci W., noting the maintained pathway system for day hikes from camp.
What campers like
Quiet camping atmosphere: Deer Creek Campground receives praise for its peaceful environment. "Large, quiet campsites that are not too crowded. Near the back you can camp right alongside the river. Amenities are minimal, there are just port-a-potties for restrooms but they are very clean," explains Kate M.
Budget-friendly options: Illinois State Fair Campground provides affordable camping near historical sites. "An excellent, budget friendly, overnight spot," mentions Nathan H., while Jeffrey F. adds, "Short drive 2.5 miles to Lincoln home. 1 mile from Lincoln's Tomb."
Secluded sites: Weldon Springs State Park Campground offers more private camping areas for those seeking solitude. "I loved how the tent sites (especially as you go further back like to sites 6-10) just had a secluded woodsy feeling to them," describes Priscilla J., contrasting with the more open RV camping areas.
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Campground density differs significantly across the Lincoln area. "The seclusion is definitely better than the RV sites that we saw in the main big loop of the campground," notes a Weldon Springs visitor about the tent camping area.
Cell service limitations: Kentuckiana Kampground and Country Opry has connectivity challenges. "We did not have any cell phone service here at all and from talking to some of the other campers they did not either so that eliminates at least Sprint and Verizon cell phone signal," warns Ryan L.
Water access: Many camping spots near Lincoln, Illinois feature water access, but facilities vary widely. At Deer Creek Campground, "There are not a lot of stores in the area (closest is about ~15 minutes) so pack all of your stuff," advises Kate M.
Seasonal considerations: During peak summer months and holidays, campgrounds fill quickly. "It's a nice campground but it's usually insanely busy. Holidays are crazy," cautions Bree C. about Clinton Lake State Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several camping locations provide dedicated children's play areas. "Very clean and family oriented. My family camped here in a RV for 21 years till my step dad passed away. My friends and I camp here in a tent occasionally," shares Amy V. about Kentuckiana Campground.
Swimming opportunities: Water activities keep children entertained during summer months. Clinton Lake offers a designated beach area for $2 entry from 10am-7pm daily according to Abdul Basith Asim M., who rates the beach a 3 out of 5.
Kid-friendly campground layouts: Camp A While provides a quieter family camping experience without overwhelming crowds. "Owner was very friendly and helpful. Good for an overnight stop. Quiet at night. Close enough to Lincoln for supplies without the noise," notes Nick C.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Electric hookups are common at most Lincoln-area campgrounds, but full hookups are limited. "We have only stayed in the electric only sites as the full hookup sites are hard to come by," explains Tim F. regarding Clinton Lake State Recreation Area.
Pull-through accessibility: Many RV sites offer pull-through options for easier parking. "Spaces are tight. Most are pull-though but there isn't a lot of room between campers so don't expect much privacy," advises Jamie G. about Kentuckiana Campground.
Site spacing considerations: When planning RV camping trips, consider the spacing between sites. At Illinois State Fair Campground, "Shaded camping on grass, only paved sites are the parking lot (no shade)," explains Jeffrey F., highlighting the trade-off between surface type and shade availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lincoln, IL?
What camping is available near Lincoln, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lincoln, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 59 campgrounds and RV parks near Lincoln, IL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Lincoln, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Lincoln, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lincoln, IL is Camp A While with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lincoln, IL?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lincoln, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Lincoln, IL.
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