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Camping opportunities near Mode, Illinois center around Lake Shelbyville with several established campgrounds offering water-based recreation. The area includes Camp Lakewood, Robin Hood Woods, and Lithia Springs campgrounds, all providing a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations within a 30-minute drive of Mode. These facilities generally feature electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, with most sites situated near the shores of Lake Shelbyville, creating opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Seasonal operation varies across the region's campgrounds, with many facilities operating from April through October. Camp Lakewood maintains year-round availability, while others like Lithia Springs Recreation Area operate from mid-April to late October. Most campgrounds require reservations during peak summer months, particularly for weekend stays and waterfront sites. Full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections are available at several locations, though primitive camping with basic amenities can be found at Possum Creek Campground in Hidden Springs State Forest. According to one visitor, "This place is a beautiful secret and I will be going back RV or tent. Only one spot had electric."
The campgrounds surrounding Lake Shelbyville receive consistently positive reviews for their fishing opportunities and water access. Robin Hood Woods Campground features a swimming pool, playground, and family-oriented activities, making it popular for families with children. Several visitors noted the clean facilities and friendly staff at these locations. Lithia Springs campground offers spacious sites with both cement pads and gravel depending on location, with some premium spots directly on the lakeshore. A recent review highlighted that "The shower house is very nice, clean and private. You can see the lake from the campground and the marina is only a short distance away." While most campgrounds in the area cater to RVs with hookups, tent campers can find suitable sites at most locations, particularly at the more primitive Possum Creek area.
"The sun sets behind the camper. Very nice clean restrooms, laundry room and a area you can grill in using their grills."
"Walk-in tent site. Late arrival. Bathrooms are spotless."
from $35 - $999 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $18 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $18 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Right next to the lake. Plenty of room for everyone, from tents to the massive RVs. The pool very clean and never gets over crowded. Staff are knowledgeable and polite. Friendly/quiet dogs allowed."
"It’s close to home for us but also, very clean with nice staff and a fun environment. The pool is a huge plus, it’s so incredibly nice."
"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."
"There is a children's playground and trails to walk toward the lake and fantastic views. If you don't care about full hook up, try for the sites 39 to 46 and 11 to 34 that offer more privacy. "
"campground is only about 6 miles from the town of Shelbyville where there is a Walmart, restaurant’s, gas stations, bait, hardware stores, medical care, the Shelbyville Dam, Beach, City Park with lakeside"
from $16 - $32 / night
Check Availability"One of the first campgrounds I ever went to and when camping in Illinois, my go-to campground and lake. My wife and I love this lake and have a lot of memories here."
"I have camped here as well as all the Lake Shelbyville campgrounds many times before."
from $16 - $240 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The trails were well marked and nice lake with pavilion near the lake."
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
GuideThis was a beautiful place to spend an evening on our cross country trip. We were able to secure site B7 -a nice level and shady spot on a beautiful tree lined lake. The site was dusty but there was a picnic table and electricity. It was 90 degrees in early October so I can imagine the open spots are really hot during the heat of the summer. Signs tell you to check in with camp host before parking but there was no one at their camper. I called the phone number and a helpful gentleman explained that the sites were first come, first served and someone would be around to collect our $20 fee. One large bathhouse for the campground was a good walk away but was spotless. I would have given this campground a 5 rating but after walking around, we realized that most of the sites by the lake were hard packed dirt, small and not level. However there is a new section I that has 10 long back in gravel pads with electric & water. They are away from the water but close to the shower house. Finally, google coordinates directed us to a private residence just short of the marina. Follow directions to the marina and find the road to the campground at the end of the parking lot.
ScoutThis campground is primarily for RVs and people with boats, given the lake nearby. There are five tent sites set back into the trees a bit. They are nicely laid out. There are a couple of picnic sites on the lake that are pleasant. What it needs for TLC is give the pit toilets a rehab. The one I used was filthy and the throne was almost completely unbolted. The water pump by the tent sites is inoperative and there seems to be only one location where one works, so you have to use your car to get water. It doesn't have showers but you can use one at a nearby campground if you really need. Bottom line: fix the toilets and water and I'd give this a four.
ScoutThis is such a peaceful and great place to camp.
TravelerJody, the hostess, is friendly and responsive. We stayed one night in the fall so the many permanent RVs were not occupied. The park is large and surrounded by woods and fields. We had a peaceful night near the cornfields where the short-term RV sites are located. Can hear the train horn in the distance. Note that they are tandem, so pull thru for the first person but back in for the second. We would stay here again.
TravelerThis campground is surrounded by farm land and Off the beaten track. I was one of maybe two or three campers. Electricity at RV sights. Water at dump station. Docks to fish from and watch the birds around the lake.
TravelerLimited Cellular access. I’m the only camper in the camp tonight so I moved close to the camp host since I travel solo. Nice fishing lake.
RangerOur campsite was the best! At the end of the road with lake frontage, it was quiet, private and relaxing. Cell service with AT&T was weak with 1 bar. Vault toilet nearby with very clean showers about 500 yds away. Great host!
ScoutSuch nice place. Good people, I'll go back again for sure
The camping sites near Mode, Illinois mainly cluster around Lake Shelbyville, a 11,100-acre reservoir created in 1970 by damming the Kaskaskia River. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 590-610 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during peak camping season. Water levels fluctuate by 3-5 feet seasonally, affecting beach access and boat launch usability at certain campgrounds.
Fishing spots: Lake Shelbyville offers multiple coves and fishing areas accessible from various campgrounds. At Coon Creek (IL), campers frequently catch bass from shore: "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," notes Riley J.
Beach swimming: Access sandy areas from multiple points around the lake. Lone Point offers secluded swimming spots accessible via steep trails. "We had a small, narrow, and very steep path to a beach area that was great for exploring and building rock formations. We even caught the sunset on the beach that night," writes Melissa B.
Biking and hiking: Trail networks connect several campgrounds. The 12-mile Chief Illini Trail runs from Lone Point to Eagle Creek along the shoreline, rated moderate to difficult. A visitor to Eagle Creek State Park Campground noted: "Really beautiful lake and lookouts and trail down to sandy beach. Close marina and even little food truck right off the lake."
Private lake access: Waterfront sites at many campgrounds offer direct lake access. At Opossum Creek, "There are 81 sites in total, 17 tent with electric, 17 full hook up and the remaining are electric RV sites... We were in spot 11 that is right next to the shower house, but faces away from it and your view is trees and the lake," reports Debra M.
Boat rentals: Marina availability eliminates need to bring your own watercraft. "A storm swept in last year and it was not fun taking that boat all the way back up to Findlay. This summer, I went to Lithia Springs Marina to rent the boat and it took about 10 minutes from this campground," explains Mike D., highlighting proximity advantages.
Off-season camping: Reduced crowds make fall visits ideal. Wolf Creek State Park Campground remains open year-round, with many campers noting October offers prime conditions for seeing fall colors and wildlife. "There are hundreds of campsites in this park in addition to the horse campgrounds...There are lots of hiking trails and deer run through the park in herds in the winter months."
Site reservations: Book early for summer weekends. Some campgrounds open reservations 6 months in advance, with holiday weekends filling up rapidly. Lithia Springs receives consistently high demand: "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 advance."
Water access: Hydrant locations vary by campground. At many sites, a single water spigot serves multiple campsites. "The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away," notes Nathaniel K. about Wolf Creek State Park, recommending campers "bring plenty of water hose."
Camp store hours: Limited options for supplies exist at most campgrounds. While some locations like Camp Lakewood offer small stores, hours can be restricted, especially off-season. Many campers mention Shelbyville is only 10-15 minutes from most campgrounds: "Walmart is within 16 minutes. There's a small store right outside the front gate."
Swimming areas: Child-friendly beaches with varying amenities exist at several locations. Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort features "a pool, playground, fishing pond and small arcade room. You can rent a peddle type cart that holds 4 people who all peddle. They really loved them," according to Tina H.
Playground facilities: Activity options for children vary significantly between campgrounds. Families consistently rate Robin Hood Woods highly: "Great campground for a chill entertaining weekend with kids. Beautiful new pool was perfectly maintained with plenty of tables and chairs to make a day of the time at the pool. Pavilion and picnic area near pool and playground perfect for family gatherings."
Weekend events: Seasonal activities sometimes include organized programs. "We went 4th of July weekend and they even had a golf cart parade and through candy which was so fun for our son," reports Sara W., highlighting how some campgrounds offer additional entertainment during peak holidays.
Site leveling: Pad quality varies between campgrounds and within individual loops. At Camp Lakewood, "Gravel sites and level. Big shade trees. The road to our site had a tight turn and required a little maneuvering but not terrible," notes Sharon J.
Full hookup availability: Limited options at some locations. While several campgrounds offer full hookups, availability is often restricted to specific loops or sections. "The sites are divided into many loops and have side pullin sites and backin sites...There are a few isolated sites on corners of loops, but most are fairly close together," explains Michael M.
Big rig access: Turning radius concerns exist at certain campgrounds. Camp Lakewood receives mixed reviews for larger rigs: "Nice set up, but lots are tight with winding roads to sites. Many sites overlook small lake. Full hook up on lots but no cable."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Mode, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mode, IL is Camp Lakewood with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.
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