Marshall, Illinois sits at an elevation of approximately 630 feet in east-central Illinois, positioned between the Wabash River valley and the central Illinois prairie. The region's camping season runs from April through October, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 80-95°F during peak months. County roads connecting to Interstate 70 provide access to most campgrounds, though navigation can require attention to low-clearance areas during spring flooding.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Spring Creek Campground in Montrose features a fishing pond where campers report good catches. "There is a nice fishing pond. Caught a beautiful sunset," notes one visitor, highlighting the added bonus of scenic views during evening fishing sessions.
Mountain biking trails: Fowler County Park offers access to the nearby Griffin Bike Park, which has impressed visitors with its mountain biking facilities. "This park is a short four minute bike ride from Griffin Bike Park, which is an amazing mountain bike park," explains one reviewer, making it perfect for active campers who bring their bikes.
Historic attractions: Fowler County Park includes a Pioneer Village with historical buildings and covered bridge on site. "There is a colonial village and covered bridge on the north end of the lake," mentions a camper who appreciated the historical elements alongside natural amenities.
Water recreation: The small lake at Fowler County Park offers swimming during designated hours (12-6pm) and paddling opportunities. "Great place for fishing, picnicking, canoeing/kayaking," reports a visitor who enjoyed the variety of water-based activities available.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Spring Creek Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Campground is well maintained. All spots are back in. All have electricity but only a few have water. There are clean restrooms with free showers," explains a satisfied camper who appreciated the free shower amenity.
Quiet atmosphere: Multiple campers highlight the peaceful settings away from highway noise. "This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've been in in a long time. It's small, owned by an older farmer, has electricity and bathrooms. It's on a couple of small lakes and the bird sounds, the frogs, ducks, the whole natural environment is just wonderful," shares an enthusiastic visitor at Spring Creek Campground.
Accessibility: Many campgrounds in the region accommodate late arrivals with clear instructions. "We stopped for an over night, arrived late. Owners very accommodating and very nice. No reservation was needed, just stop in, find a site and we'll find you in the morning," notes a traveler who appreciated the flexibility at Spring Creek Campground.
Level sites: RV campers frequently mention the level terrain at most campgrounds in the area. "The ground seems pretty level throughout the entire place so getting your rig setup should be fairly easy," observes a reviewer about Casey KOA, making setup less stressful for tired travelers.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some parks feature closely packed sites while others offer more room. "The sites are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific," reports a camper at Cloverdale RV Park, noting the thoughtful layout despite compact spaces.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Marshall area operate from April through October, with limited services during shoulder seasons. "It has full hookup, and electric and water sites," explains a visitor to Casey KOA, where the main season runs March through October.
Weather considerations: Summer storms can impact camping conditions, with rainfall causing temporary flooding in low-lying sites. "Far enough away from the interstate you don't hear the traffic. No nearby trains either. The grounds were neat and clean," notes a camper at Spring Creek Campground who appreciated both the peaceful setting and good drainage.
Water quality varies: Several campers mention differences in water taste and smell between campgrounds. "Water had a funny smell, however. But, would stay again for sure," mentions a visitor to Cloverdale RV Park who otherwise enjoyed their experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a small playground, covered patio, bathrooms with showers and plenty of lawn space!" reports a visitor to Spring Creek Campground, highlighting amenities that keep children entertained.
Swimming options: Terre Haute Campground offers a swimming pool during summer months, providing relief during hot days. "The park is nice and shady with large trees. When we were there in November, there were very few other campers and most appeared to be transients there for just one night. With all the amenities in this place there is probably a lot going on in the summer," observes a camper who visited during the off-season.
Animal attractions: Several campgrounds feature small petting zoos or farm animals that appeal to children. "The goats and donkeys were a pleasant addition," notes a visitor to Terre Haute Campground, mentioning the unique amenity that children particularly enjoy.
Spacious tent sites: For families tent camping, look for raised sand platforms at some locations. "The tent sites have raised sand beds so you're not directly on the ground," explains a camper at Fowler County Park, noting the feature that improves comfort for tent campers with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking rv sites near Marshall, Illinois, check for overhead clearance issues. "Watch the tree to the right as you turn in as we brushed our awning," warns a camper at Terre Haute Campground who encountered a tight squeeze.
Hookup positioning: Many campgrounds feature shared utility hookups between two sites. "Two sites share utilities. This was a nice CG for an overnighter on the way to and from Elkhart, IN for RV maintenance," explains a visitor to Terre Haute Campground who appreciated the convenient setup despite the shared arrangement.
Late arrival procedures: Most rv sites near Marshall accommodate evening check-ins with self-service options. "We pulled in there at about 11pm. The office was closed, but the instructions were clear enough that we found our site and quietly set up," reports a traveler who had a smooth late-night arrival at Terre Haute Campground.
Military discounts: Several parks offer reduced rates for service members. "If you're active or retired military, you should call versus going online to make a reservation to get the military discount," advises an RVer who visited Terre Haute Campground.
