Best Campgrounds near Mattoon, IL

Campgrounds near Mattoon, Illinois cluster around Lake Shelbyville, offering a mix of developed and primitive camping experiences. Fox Ridge State Park Campground, located about 10 miles east of Mattoon near Charleston, provides wooded sites with electric hookups suitable for tents and RVs. Lake Shelbyville itself hosts multiple campgrounds including Bo Wood, Coon Creek, and Opossum Creek, all managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Several campgrounds in the area feature cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping options, with Spring Creek Campground and Wolf Creek State Park both offering cabins. Most locations maintain a mix of tent sites, RV pads with hookups, and some specialized accommodations like yurts or glamping options.

Seasonal considerations affect campground operations throughout the region, with many locations operating on limited schedules from April through October. Full-service amenities including showers and camp stores typically close during winter months, though some parks remain open year-round with reduced services. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds offer a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites, with electric hookups widely available but full hookups more limited. Cell service varies by location but remains generally reliable near developed areas. A recent review noted, "Wolf Creek State Park is huge and is one of the only state parks in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails. There are full hookup RV sites everywhere with tons of flush toilet bathrooms and shower houses in each large section."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Mattoon area, with Lake Shelbyville providing numerous coves and shoreline camping opportunities. Campers consistently mention the privacy of wooded sites combined with lake views as highlights of their experience. Several visitors praised the spaciousness of sites at Coon Creek, with one noting, "We had the spot right on the end by the lake. What a beautiful site! Due to proximity to water and amount of shade, this is my favorite campground." Fox Ridge State Park receives high marks for its hiking trails and secluded atmosphere, while still being accessible to nearby Charleston. Fishing opportunities abound throughout the region, with multiple boat ramps and fishing piers available at most campgrounds. Many locations feature playgrounds, swimming beaches, and trail systems that connect camping areas to broader recreational opportunities.

Best Camping Sites Near Mattoon, Illinois (58)

    1. Fox Ridge State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Charleston, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 345-6416

    $20 / night

    "Close to Eastern Illinois University and lake Charleston which has trails."

    "The park and trails are usually busy since the park is near the Eastern Illinois University. The no-drinking campground prevents many noisy student campouts."

    2. Bo Wood

    8 Reviews
    Sullivan, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "In 2017 it has 150 camping sites, a boat ramp, fish cleaning station, several picnic areas and a bait shop at the entrance on Illinois Route 32 4 miles South of Sullivan."

    "It is right next to the lake. I get some views. In the pictures I posted you’ll see what I’m talking about."

    3. Spring Creek Campground

    13 Reviews
    Neoga, IL
    19 miles
    +1 (217) 821-2181

    $15 - $25 / night

    "Far enough away from the interstate you don't hear the traffic. No nearby trains either. The grounds were neat and clean. The fishing pond is great and beautiful. Big rig friendly."

    "There is a central dumping station upon exit. At $25 per night, this place is beautiful."

    4. Forrest W. Bo Wood

    8 Reviews
    Sullivan, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "Located on Lake Shelbyville, Bo Wood is an Army Co of Engineers park. Plenty of full hook ups and tent camping spots. Most by the lake."

    "It’s crowded near the road but spreads out well at the back of the site. Lots of people here today"

    5. Coon Creek (IL)

    18 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "We've been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. And that's exactly what we do."

    "There are many sites on this campground that are wooded and have views of Lake Shelbyville. Boat ramp to put in your boat or kayaks and sand beach for the kids to go swimming."

    6. Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    18 miles
    Website

    "The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails."

    "We are tent people and love primitive camping in spots where we can really be away from everyone and at least pretend like we’re alone."

    7. Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    20 miles
    Website

    "Review of Drive In Tent Camping Site 2. Showed up on a Thursday night and had our pick of all the drive in and walk in sites. We decided on site 2 in the drive in area."

    "I have camped here in the past and enjoy primitive tent camping so I stayed Friday September 29th and Saturday September 30th in the tent camping drive up site #2."

    8. Camp Lakewood

    17 Reviews
    Effingham, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 342-1111

    $35 - $999 / night

    "The sun sets behind the camper. Very nice clean restrooms, laundry room and a area you can grill in using their grills."

    "Biggest complaints are that it had a sewery smell and you could hear the highway. They have a bar and store. Firewood bundles were 10$!"

    9. Lithia Springs

    10 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $36 / night

    "At the end of the circles there are some sites right on the lake and the boat ramp is nearby.

    Nice latrines and showerhouses."

    "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake."

    10. Walnut Point State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Oakland, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 346-3336

    "A great lake for fishing and kayaking. A hidden gem in central Illinois with a great little family owned restaurant. The staff and camp host are super friendly and helpful!"

    "Walking trails all around the campground, all sites close to or on the lake. Little restaurant, ice cream, and kayak rental place on site through October 17. Good fishing spot. Several playgrouds."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 58 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Mattoon, IL

256 Reviews of 58 Mattoon Campgrounds


  • Mickie S.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great experience

    This is a great campground and the owners are awesome! My husband and I are riding our bicycles cross country. The day we checked into the campground,he had a Crohn's flare/bowel block and went to the hospital for 4 days. The owners stored our bikes, watched our tent, and even picked us up from the hospital! Such nice people! The campground is clean, has a great showerhouse, lots of trees, and even has recliners in the laundry room. I highly recommend staying here!

  • R
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Great place to stay overnight

    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.

  • L
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Friends Creek Campground

    Great campground

    Very nice small campground with well spaced sites. The bathrooms were very clean. The Macon County website is a bit wonky to navigate. The camp host is a jewel. Be aware that there are 50 amp sites and 30 amp sites. The 50 amp sites are more expensive. Would definitely return.

  • Joshua R.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Plainview Campground — Lincoln Trail State Park

    Its ok

    Camp sites had some trash from previous campers. Bathrooms were dirty and outdated. Only scolding hot water in the shower. Host and another staff member made me turn my camper to face the other direction so the door wouldn't face another camp site, even though I have a door on both sides after we had camp set up. Sites themselves are nicely spaced apart. Place was pretty empty for our 4 day weekend there.

  • Mercedes K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Camp Lakewood

    Great Place!

    Great place! Enjoyed the serene atmosphere and friendly staff. Loved the pizza too.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Okaw Valley Kampground

    Ok for a one night stay

    The owners are friendly. The pool is well-maintained and pleasant. The campsite is an old KOA frozen in time. It's clean but dated. Water and electricity are available on site with an old picnic table. Only one bathhouse (toilet, shower) is a bit far from our site.

  • B
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Bo Wood

    Family camping

    Extremely peaceful spot and friendly camp host. Great shower/bathroom facilities (could be little cooler in there in the summer)

  • B
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    Bad Management Ready To Ruin Your Holiday

    This park is beautiful, clean and the people were friendly. My issue is with the site supervisor and superintendent. On July 4th 2025 we were given the option of moving our entire campsite or being kicked out of the park. JULY 4TH! We booked our campsite in the last week of April, paid in full. We were the second party to book any spot in the entire campground! We chose our spot specifically for the access to the water and seclusion from the rest of the sites. Come to find out(a day after we set up camp) we booked in "horse camp" which apparently requires you to have horses. It never stated this on the website or rental confirmation we received. Nobody reached out to us in the three months we held the booking to confirm if we had horses. There was no on-site check in that could have saved us the trouble. No, instead we had to take 4 hours out of our holiday to pack all of our stuff and move into overflow camping or be forced to leave. Because of their mistake. Absolutely ruined our holiday with zero remorse or understanding. The icing on the cake was as we were leaving horse camp we noticed multiple other camp sites where people had not brought horses. They stated this happens all the time. If site management had two braincells to rub together they would fix their website instead of consistently ruining peoples trips and holidays. And then these people had the audacity to say they weren't going to charge us for the campsite they moved us to?!?! In reality, we should be receiving a full refund for the campsite we did pay for and free passes for the rest of the year. There is a second state campground on the other side of the lake I would suggest before coming to this place.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    D & W Lake RV Park

    Lovely hideway

    Very nice looking campground. When we drove in, 1st impression, it gave off a "Welcome" feel. Check-in was easy, we were pre-paid, we were taken directly to our pull-thru site. Stayed only 1 night, had planned 2 but had issues had to call and cancel 1 night. Sites level, plenty of space between campers, shade trees, loved the dog run too. Overall it was a very nice well kept campground. I'm glad we made a reservation. We enjoyed our stay.


Guide to Mattoon

Camping options near Mattoon, Illinois primarily center around Lake Shelbyville, with most sites situated 20-30 miles from town. This lake-centric camping region offers sites at elevations between 590-630 feet, with relatively flat terrain that transitions from prairie farmland to forested lakeshores. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with higher humidity levels from June through August, making spring and fall popular for more comfortable camping conditions.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Shelbyville supports multiple species including bass, crappie, and catfish. Lithia Springs offers direct lake access with a marina within walking distance. "The marina here is great with boat gas, fishing equipment, bait, snacks and other items you might need in a pinch. They also rent fishing boats and pontoon boats so you can go on a boating excursion while camping here for a price," notes reviewer Michael M.

Hiking trails: The region features several trail networks of varying difficulty. Fox Ridge State Park Campground offers interesting terrain due to glacial deposits. "The hiking trails are some of the best in the state because the glaciers dropped of mountains of soil in the area where this park is located. The surrounding farm land is flat as can be, but the forested hills and creek beds in the park are almost mountainous," writes Michael M.

Kayaking and paddling: Several campgrounds provide non-motorized water access. At Eagle Creek State Park, visitors can launch directly from campground access points. "We put in our kayaks on the boat ramp and enjoyed a nice paddle on a portion of the Shelbyville Lake," reports Austin-Tarra G.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Coon Creek campground receives high marks for its site layout and privacy. "The camp sites are divided into many loops and have side pullin sites and backin sites. The RV and tent sites are grouped in the same loops and there are many that have trails from the site right to the lake and people leave the boat near the campsite but still on the water," writes Michael M.

Clean facilities: Most Lake Shelbyville campgrounds maintain excellent bathroom and shower facilities. At Spring Creek Campground, visitors appreciate the consistently clean amenities. "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. There is a central dumping station upon exit," notes James C.

Affordability: Camping options around Mattoon provide good value. Walnut Point State Park offers electric sites with lake access at reasonable rates. "We paid less than $25 a night for full hooks up and we had an almost lake view," mentions Austin-Tarra G. about Bo Wood Recreation Area, noting the excellent price-to-amenity ratio.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Campground well maintained and bathrooms/showers are kept clean. Easy access to lake, my family has been coming here every year for 20 plus years. If camping on weekends May to September will need to book it in advanced," warns Nathan E. about Lithia Springs.

Bug concerns: Evening insects can be problematic in certain areas, particularly at waterfront sites. "Our biggest issue with this campsite was the extensive bugs, once the sun goes down the bugs get horribly bad. We let our dogs out past 8 p.m. and our camper was covered with swarms of psychodidae(sewer) flies," cautions Austin-Tarra G. about Bo Wood Recreation Area.

Limited supplies nearby: Walnut Point State Park Campground has specific regulations about firewood. "You have to get firewood at the concession building to burn in the park. You can also rent kayaks, purchase bait, get info, and buy snacks," explains Rachel H. At Fox Ridge, visitors should "bring everything you need for the weekend with you, there are no businesses close to the park."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Camp Lakewood offers family-friendly facilities. "Beautiful view from site 19! My son came to fish so make sure your site isn't on a hill where you can't fish from the site. Fishing is good though, the bass are biting! The swimming area is basically just a dock you can jump off of but it's not crowded at all so plenty of room for my family," reports Riley J.

Educational opportunities: Eagle Creek State Recreation Area provides opportunities to observe wildlife. "There is tons of deer and other animals to watch and watch out that they don't steal your food while you are sleeping. The wild life is great for photography and makes for some good fireside stories," shares Michael M.

Swimming options: While not all campgrounds permit swimming, several offer designated swimming areas. At Bo Wood, "there is a dog park and beautiful views, but the sites are very crowded. There are full hook up sites and electric only. If you like the party atmosphere, this place is for you," notes Debra M.

Tips from RVers

Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation for larger rigs. At Camp Lakewood, "nice set up, but lots are tight with winding roads to sites. Many sites overlook small lake. Must be nice in summer and fall when leaves are on trees. Full hook up on lots but no cable," reports Rick.

Utilities availability: Electric options vary by campground, with some offering full hookups. At Spring Creek Campground, one visitor notes, "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. Easy close access from I-70, only 7 miles out of Effingham at the Montrose exit. 30 amp, spacious sites."

Leveling requirements: Site terrain varies significantly across the best places to camp near Mattoon. "The sites have both cement pads and gravel depending on the site. Some of the sites are huge, most are nice size and more or less well maintained. Luck of the draw on being level and having shade," notes Shelly S. about Lithia Springs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping activities and attractions are available around Mattoon, IL?

The Mattoon area offers diverse outdoor activities for campers. Bo Wood features excellent lake access, making it ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming. The recreation area includes a boat ramp, fish cleaning station, and picnic areas. Eagle Creek State Park Campground provides well-maintained grounds with hiking trails and water recreation opportunities. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the nearby conservation areas with mowed trails, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities. Lake Charleston offers additional hiking trails, while Lake Shelbyville provides extensive water recreation options including swimming, boating, and fishing for multiple species.

Are there RV parks with full hookups in Mattoon, Illinois?

D & W Lake RV Park is an excellent option for RVers near Mattoon, offering spacious sites with full hookups. The park features well-maintained grounds, easy access from the interstate, and a nice lake with a walking trail around it. Staff are known for being courteous and friendly. Coon Creek on Lake Shelbyville also accommodates RVs with hookups and offers spacious camping areas perfect for group gatherings. The sites can accommodate multiple vehicles and provide a great family vacation experience with lake access and recreational opportunities.

What are the best campgrounds near Mattoon, IL?

Several excellent campgrounds are located near Mattoon. Fox Ridge State Park Campground is a popular choice with spacious sites offering great privacy, clean restrooms, and shower facilities. It's conveniently located near Eastern Illinois University. Friends Creek Campground is another standout option, offering well-maintained grassy sites in a quiet, serene setting surrounded by tall trees and adjacent to a tallgrass prairie conservation area with hiking trails. Both campgrounds provide a peaceful retreat with natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities within a reasonable drive from Mattoon.