Country Bend Campground in Litchfield sits within Montgomery County at an elevation of approximately 650 feet, with hot summers and cold winters typical of the Midwest prairie region. The campground operates seasonally from April through November, and rainfall averages about 40 inches annually with summer temperatures commonly reaching the upper 80s. Sites at this and other local campgrounds often sell out during holiday weekends.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 5 miles from Litchfield, Sangchris Lake State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots within the campground itself. "There are several fishing docks in campground. All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake," notes Greg S. The lake is stocked with various fish species and has docks accessible throughout the property.
Paddling: Bring your own boat or kayak to enjoy water recreation at several nearby lakes. At Sangchris Lake, campers report excellent paddling opportunities. "I took a trip alone with my tent for 4 days in May. The place is as pristine as it was when I was a kid... wonderful fishing to be had. Great to ride a bike around, too!" shares Jessica N.
Baseball games: 15-minute drive to regional tournaments, which bring visitors to the area especially during summer months. Springfield KOA serves as a convenient base for baseball events. "Super great people helped accommodate us on a holiday weekend for a baseball tourney we were playing in," writes Chris.
Historic sites: Lincoln attractions 25 minutes away in Springfield make for excellent day trips from camping bases near Litchfield. "We stopped here for 2 days on a trip to WI. We had never been to Springfield, IL and wanted to see all the historical sites for Abe Lincoln," Keith M. shares about his stay at Sangchris Lake.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned in positive reviews of Okaw Valley Kampground. "The bathroom was the cleanest I have seen at a campsite," notes Shirley M. The campground maintains well-kept shower facilities despite being a smaller operation.
Quiet atmosphere: Away from highway noise, many campers appreciate the peaceful setting. "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!" Susan L. remarks about her experience at Sangchris Lake State Park.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating options abound at Coles Creek Recreation Area, which offers beach access for campers. "Big sites. Been coming here since the trees were just saplings. For us it is a little farther drive but a pretty campground," Carol B. mentions about this alternative to Litchfield glamping.
Family activities: Scheduled weekend events keep children entertained at several campgrounds. "This is a really great campground! Huge campground with a lot of different areas. Holiday weekends have so many planned activities, some for all ages," Kaitlin D. describes about her stay.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring rain can cause flooding in some campgrounds, making accessibility difficult. "The sites are sunk down, poorly rocked and extremely narrow. The majority of sites are backup only, which is a recipe for disaster with all of the rain central Illinois has had this Spring. Be prepared for mud and standing water. 4wd a must," warns Andrea S.
Reservation timing: Book at least one month in advance for summer weekends, particularly for waterfront sites. At Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, campers note that planning ahead is essential: "It's a huge campground with a smaller reservable section and an extensive first come, first serve section. There are usually always spaces available."
Supply runs: Town proximity varies by campground. Some glamping sites near Litchfield offer convenient access to stores while others are more remote. "The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it's somewhat far from supply stores," notes Jareth C. about Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area.
Campsite variations: Level and size differ widely between campgrounds and even within the same property. "This is our close to home, fave weekender site. Electric only but still love. Spaced out, gravel sites and asphalt roads. We always get sites with our own private dock to fish from," reports Kaitlin D.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas at Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground provide recreation options for children. "The campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. 5 ⭐ in my opinion simply because of the overnight price and privacy. Not much to do if you have kids. If you're looking for quite camping trip this is a great park to camp," advises WanderlustDu0.
Swimming options: Pool facilities at several campgrounds offer safe alternatives to lake swimming. Okaw Valley Kampground receives positive feedback for their pool: "The owner, Barb, was very friendly and helpful. We had a pull through just for overnight, and it was perfect. The park appeared well taken care of, and the pool looked clean," says Rick & Kathy S.
Weekend activities: Holiday-specific programming appeals to families seeking structured recreation. "We LOVE Hazlet! We have a popup camper and camp here often. They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site," shares Aimee T. about Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area.
Bring bikes: Paved roads for cycling make transportation around larger campgrounds easier. "Conveniently located just outside of St Louis. We camped here for a trip to the city for St Louis cardinals game and zoo. My kids loved the jumping pillow at the park," Sarah S. comments.
Tips from RVers
Site width: Measure your rig carefully before booking at glamping facilities close to Litchfield, Illinois. Some sites cannot accommodate wider vehicles. "There needs to be more rock on the sites, the sites get muddy after a rain!" warns Keith D. about Springfield KOA.
Utility hookups: Water access varies by campground with some offering full hookups while others only provide electric. "We stayed in site #7 for one night in the spring. Only complaint that I have was the potable water supply. I filled by trailer's tank at the drinking water supply when you enter the campground. It was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids," Allen S. reports.
Turning radius: Large rigs need adequate space for navigating campground roads. At Coles Creek Recreation Area, a reviewer notes, "I was thoroughly impressed with the upkeep of this area. The campground is well maintained and has plenty of hiking area, fishing area, and playing/swimming area for children. Everything at this place was decent. The only thing I would change is the ONE dump station for this massive campground."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds open April through October with limited winter camping options in the area. Verify operating dates before planning off-season glamping trips near Litchfield.
