Best Tent Camping near Litchfield, IL

Tent camping options near Litchfield, Illinois include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and settings. Waverly Lake City Park offers tent sites with picnic tables and toilet facilities in a quiet lakeside setting about 20 miles northwest of Litchfield. Spillway campground, located approximately 30 miles east near Lake Shelbyville Dam, provides more developed tent sites with drinking water, electric hookups, showers, and toilets.

Most tent campsites in the Litchfield area feature basic amenities with a mix of drive-in and walk-in access. Waverly Lake City Park maintains portable toilets but lacks running water, requiring campers to bring their own supply. The park enforces a 4-consecutive-day-per-month camping limit. Spillway offers more amenities including electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities, making it suitable for tent campers seeking more conveniences. Fire regulations vary by location, with most permitting campfires in designated rings, though Rainey Park prohibits fires entirely.

Walk-in tent locations around Litchfield provide opportunities for more secluded camping experiences. The sites at Waverly Lake are relatively spread out, offering decent privacy for tent campers. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience, with summer months bringing significant mosquito activity at some locations. One camper noted of Waverly Lake: "My wife and I really enjoy this campsite," while another described it as "quiet and pleasant" with sites that are "spread out and fairly well." Wildlife encounters are common, with raccoons and insects active particularly at night, making proper food storage essential for tent campers. Spillway campground provides unique access to the Kaskaskia River, creating additional recreational opportunities for anglers and paddlers using tent sites as their base camp.

Best Tent Sites Near Litchfield, Illinois (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Litchfield, IL

5 Photos of 6 Litchfield Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Litchfield, IL

286 Reviews of 6 Litchfield Campgrounds


  • Susan L.
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    5 stars with a caveat

    This is a beautiful state park, but hopefully you won’t have the same experience I did with the electric hookup. I stayed here right after the fourth of July and because of the heat over this holiday weekend and a completely full campground, the electricity couldn’t meet the demand and a transformer blew. By the time I arrived the transformer was repaired, however the pedestals in the section I was supposed to stay in had a problem. I was supposed to stay in site 27, but after 3 attempts to get power at 3 different sites, number 24 was the winner and this was a great site! The campground hosts were fantastic in resolving the situation as well.

    Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. Electric but no water at site. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there’s a large back area right on the lake. The gravel pad is located right near a large, old bald cypress. 

    This park has multiple public use areas, 2 campgrounds, boat launches, fishing piers and a beach. I didn’t use the public restrooms because they were closed due to Covid-19. I was able to get internet with Verizon. 

    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!

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Saw no Beaver

    Beaver Dam State Park, Il

    We did an overnighter here. We arrived in time to get a hike in before dinner meal.

    The trail map is very basic and not totally accurate. The trails are poorly marked but with basic knowledge of your compass points you can figure them out. Staff may be limited due to Corona , so the trail maintenance may have suffered, it is overgrown in several areas. The overlook to the marsh is pretty cool. I found no mileage for the trails , there may be a purchasable map with more information or of course a trail App. The lake is picturesque and busy. Lotsa fisher people here. The trail goes all the way around the lake with several fishing spots. Theres a boat ramp near the parking area and several docks to use across the lake. A nice feature is located next to the boat ramp, a fish cleaning pavilion complete with pull down hoses.

    The campground had an interesting set up. The sites in the loops are gravel and you have room but not a lot of privacy. I was in site 26 and you have to back between the two other sites into this one. Not difficult in my van but it could get interesting with a camper. I don’t think you would have the room to pull in and circle out. Electric at these sites , no water. There were hydrants spaces throughout for your water needs. The fire “rings” were interesting, with a flat “platform” to set your coals/fire on. Nice campground, I felt like somewhat of an outsider here, the occupants were possibly locals who obviously use the entire 14 day stay limit. Otherwise nice, basic, water activity centered campground. I did not see any swimming areas.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2024

    Dam East - Mcnair Campground

    Location Great for Travel

    McNair ACE: Tate 4 for cleanliness and stopover location for travels on nearby highway. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 4 Price 2024: $ 9w interagency pass Security: no Usage during visit: 1/3 Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: no Site Spacing: closer Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: Required Campground Noise: No Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: yes Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: yes Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: Nice flush Showers: small private Cell Service (AT&T): 2-3 bars Setting: near lake Recent Weather: 80s Insects: no Host: yes Rig Size: large Sites: Outside sites are by far the best. 16,17,18 are favorites .

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2024

    Dam East Recreation Area

    GREAT LOCATION for STOPOVER

    East Dam ACE, IL: Not an interesting view from here, but well maintained campground . Quiet.
    (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 4 for cleanliness and location for travels on nearby highway. Spillway is not particularly pretty. Price 2024: $9 w interagency pass Security: No gate Usage during visit: 60% during the week Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: No Site Spacing: Good Pad surface: Blacktop Reservations: Required. Can be made upon arrival through rec.gov Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: No Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: At nearby ACE campground Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: In adjacent day use area Showers: No. Nearby - check w host. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars Setting: along Kaskasia River/ spillway Recent Weather: 80s Insects: no Host: yes Rig Size: large Sites: Some sites are along the spillway.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground

    Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area

    Nice little campground close to down town St Louis (when the leaves are down I bet you can see the Arch). Campsites are nice and flat with the standard picnic tables and fire rings. No showers, but decent toilets. The nice thing is the campground is staffed by rangers in the day, and at night they sometimes take a security swing through the campground. Nice lake for fishing and boating.

  • Aaron B.
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    Lakeside Relaxation

    These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from.  About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there.  We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well.  A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets.  Park staff and host were great.  A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64.  $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric.  A water source is also by the parking spots.  The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake.  Springfield being so close is a bonus.

    The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there.  Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park.  Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot.  Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.

  • Dawn W.
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Nice clean and convenient

    Family owned with a nice little fishing area (no license required catch and release) paddle boats and camp store. A nice pool with a big covered pavilion, clean restrooms and showers with hot water. We had a level pull thru gravel site with a picnic table and small fire ring and didn’t have to unhook for our overnight. Walking/hiking wooded trails 2 cabins available- several seasonal folks. We were there on a Sunday evening and didn’t really see anyone. Little bit of road noise but so convenient! Thanks Barb!

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2020

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Nice campsites

    All sites are shaded and mostly level with pull-thru or back-in parking. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a grate over it. Each site has electric, however the water spigots are scattered about. The restroom and shower house is very clean.

    There is a nice walking trail path that goes around the exterior of the lake. The lake has boat access and some good fishing spots. There is also a restaurant and store on the lake. The breakfast at the restaurant is great! Mosquitoes are bad, remember to bring repellent.

  • L
    Aug. 3, 2021

    Beaver Dam State Park Campground

    Good place to rest and shower for the night

    Drive by, choose a spot, let the host know. We tent camped. The ground was relatively flat minus some tree stumps. Every site has a fire pit with adjustable grill, picnic tables, ours had a concrete slab for gatherings, 2 vehicle parking bumper to bumper. Outhouse was a short walk from us and was decent (no sink). Water spicket just beyond that. They’re sporadically placed. Our site was in the shade and not far from the road though there were others that were further back. We did some of the trails which were okay. Something to do, a bit of exercise, and it had some cute little bridges and stops to sit or step out onto the water (must be able bodied). It is a pond not a lake, I could see all points of it from one standing position. Also, no beavers, they left a long time ago. The showers were clean. Walmart is about ten minutes away if you need groceries. It’s a good stop if you’re passing through and need to rest, get a little walk in, shower. Definitely wouldn’t recommend for some one out of town or state who wants to plan a vacation here.


Guide to Litchfield

Tent camping near Litchfield, Illinois offers a variety of unique experiences, from serene lakeside spots to private retreats. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are plenty of options to explore.

Tips for tent camping near Litchfield

  • Countryside Escape provides a unique camping experience where you can enjoy the sounds of nature, including croaking frogs, while being close to a pond.
  • Waverly Lake City Park is a well-reviewed spot that offers a quiet atmosphere, perfect for those looking to unwind and enjoy nature without the hustle and bustle.
  • Spillway (IL) features a small campground next to water, ideal for fishing and biking, making it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

Local activities to enjoy while camping

  • At Keyesport Rec. Area, you can take a refreshing dip in the man-made lake, perfect for cooling off on hot days.
  • Hidden Ridge offers a boat-in access, allowing you to explore the surrounding waters and enjoy a unique camping experience.
  • Dam East (Day Use) provides electric hookups and is a great spot for picnicking and enjoying the scenic views of Lake Shelbyville.

Features that enhance your camping experience

  • Kaskaskia River Camp includes amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, ensuring a comfortable stay while you enjoy the great outdoors.
  • Sandstone Spring & Camp offers electric hookups and firewood, making it easy to set up camp and enjoy evenings around the fire.
  • Rainey Park is a quiet spot with a paved lot, perfect for a peaceful night under the stars, although tent camping is not allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Litchfield, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Litchfield, IL is Countryside Escape with a 1-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Litchfield, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Litchfield, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.