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Best Campgrounds near Monticello, IL

319 Reviews

Central Illinois features several established campgrounds within 30 minutes of Monticello, offering diverse accommodations from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin options. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area provides year-round camping with electric hookups, showers, and water access about 15 miles west of Monticello. Friends Creek Campground in nearby Cisco offers a more secluded experience with well-maintained sites open from May through November. Most campgrounds in the area provide electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities, with several situated near lakes or waterways.

Reservations are recommended for most established campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds in central Illinois close or reduce services during winter months, though Clinton Lake and Weldon Springs State Park remain open year-round. A camper described Friends Creek Campground as a "wonderful gem in farm country - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek, gentle rolling hills, trees, birds & wildlife and a small bridge." Road access is generally good throughout the region, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads suitable for RVs and trailers, though some primitive tent sites may require short walks from parking areas.

The region's campgrounds typically feature a mix of wooded and open sites, with varying levels of privacy between them. Waterfront camping opportunities exist at several locations, particularly at Clinton Lake and Evergreen Lake in Comlara County Park. One reviewer noted that Comlara County Park offers "beautifully laid out" sites with "the perfect back drop" of Evergreen Lake, where "the camp sites are spread apart nicely with some moderate elevation change giving many great views of the lake." Family-friendly amenities are common, including playgrounds, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities, with several reviews mentioning clean bathrooms and showers. Prairie Pines Campground in Rantoul and D & W Lake RV Park in Champaign provide additional options for RV campers seeking full hookups and more developed facilities within a 30-minute drive of Monticello.

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Best Camping Sites Near Monticello, Illinois (59)

    1. Friends Creek Campground

    12 Reviews
    Cisco, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 795-8361

    $10 - $25 / night

    "In mid-Illinois a campground waits for you. Well tended grassy sites with an impeccable grassy picnicking area. There was plenty of room in our site but most of the campground is empty."

    "This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek"

    2. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Weldon, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 935-8722

    $10 - $30 / night

    "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach."

    "Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole."

    3. Weldon Springs State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Clinton, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 935-2644

    "It’s a nice Illinois state park. Very quiet. Clean bathrooms, the consecution stand is closed. So can’t rent boat etc. but a nice lake to paddle canoe/kayak ."

    "Good fishing near by with walking trail surrounding pond. Plenty of wildlife friendly locals."

    4. D & W Lake RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Champaign, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 356-3732

    "Stayed here 2 nights on our way to Northern Illinois, easy access off the interstate, sites are spacious, grounds are well maintained, staff was very courteous and friendly, nice lake with trail around"

    "It is close to the main highway, but far enough to not be noticeable.  Sites are level and in good condition.  Owner greets you on entering and then guides you to your site.  "

    5. Moraine View State Recreational Area

    27 Reviews
    Le Roy, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 724-8032

    $40 - $20 / night

    "I never did all of the trails but spent an afternoon hiking with a friend last summer."

    "It’s also never super convenient to need to pack up just to go to a dump station but as long as your fine walking to the community restrooms, you should be fine."

    6. Tin Cup RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Mahomet, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 586-3011

    "Had AC going but could hear road noise from interstate/ nearby roads."

    7. Arrowhead Acres

    1 Review
    Clinton, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 935-8442

    8. La Caille RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    White Heath, IL
    8 miles

    9. Prairie Pines Campground

    7 Reviews
    Gifford, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 893-0438

    "It's on the outskirts of town on the old Chanute AFB. They have lovely tree coverage, it's close to lots of amenities like grocery shopping, sports complex, urgent care, quick interstate access."

    "Close to Champaign, IL off I 57 is this charming, open and clean grass covered park. Large sites with full hook ups, picnic table and scattered large trees near an Air Force base."

    10. Tom & Carol's RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Cisco, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 454-2585
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Recent Camping Photos near Monticello, IL

77 Photos of 59 Monticello Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Monticello, IL

319 Reviews of 59 Monticello Campgrounds

  • Jill C.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Friends Creek Campground

    Secluded and Cozy

    We stayed here during our travels from Kansas to Indiana. While we only stayed one night, it was long enough to know that should we travel nearby again-this will be our stopping point. Easy to access from the highway yet while in the park, we experienced pure bliss and quiet. Spacious sites and an abundant amount of shade made this stay even better! The camp hosts do an excellent job as the grounds and bathhouse were all immaculate! These are electric only sites however there are several water spigots to fill the tank prior to parking. For ease, there are even potable water spigots at the dump station and the bathhouse as well. Our site was fairly level and easy to maneuver into. For reference, we have a 34’ fifth wheel. When reserving, note that there are a handful of 50 amp sites, several 30 amp sites and tent sites available.

  • T
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    A trickster with premium luxury pricing.

    We decided to not stay here. We stopped, did the online reservation (Loves now uses Camplife website). Made the reservation for a single night and it's $70+ tax and fees.  We paid less per night at luxury campgrounds with waterparks and entertainment. This is a truck stop. Needless to say, we won't be using Love's anymore for our single night stays when traveling.

  • 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.

  • Cowboy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground

    Wonderful spot

    This is a great city run campground attached to a block sized city park. 30 amp and water at each site. The park has restrooms, with showers. You only need to grab a key from the police department. There is a dump station on site and large dumpster. Supermarket, restaurants and gas station with in a few blocks. An active American Legion post/bar just down main street. All for $10 a night.

  • 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 Monticello

Camping near Monticello, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone.

What to do

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at places like Comlara County Park, where you can catch bass, walleye, and more. One reviewer mentioned, “There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in.”
  • Hiking: Trails abound in the area, especially at Kickapoo State Recreation Area. A visitor noted, “Great hiking trails clean shower and bath houses.”
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at Moraine View State Recreational Area, where the beach is open during the summer. One camper shared, “The swimming beach is apparently only open on the weekends but there are plenty of places to get in the water.”

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower houses. A review for Sangchris Lake State Park Campground stated, “There are restrooms and a shower house that are clean.”
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots for tents and RVs. A visitor at Coon Creek mentioned, “We had a full hookup site that was pull through. Our area was nice and flat and large, which was great for our kids to run and play.”
  • Friendly staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of campground hosts. One camper at Spring Creek Campground said, “Bob showed up as I pulled in and made sure I was all set for the night.”

What you should know

  • Privacy concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A review for Comlara County Park noted, “They are spaced a little too close for comfort for my taste.”
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Moraine View State Recreational Area mentioned, “Facilities could be a little cleaner but not bad, the water is TERRIBLE and looks like coffee or tea.”
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for raccoons and other wildlife. One camper at Weldon Springs State Park had to leave due to raccoons causing trouble, stating, “The couple a few sites down had their tent destroyed.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. A review for Clinton Lake State Recreation Area highlighted, “Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole.”
  • Plan for meals: Bring your own food or check for nearby dining options. One camper at Coon Creek mentioned, “You could buy ice, filtered water, beer, groceries, bait, firewood, and lots of other items!”
  • Pack for comfort: Ensure you have all necessary supplies, especially for younger kids. A visitor at Kickapoo State Recreation Area noted, “The sites are pretty close together, but we've had far worse.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Some sites may not be as spacious as advertised. A review for Weldon Springs State Park mentioned, “A 40-foot site might only be 20 feet.”
  • Bring leveling equipment: Some sites can be uneven. A camper at Spring Creek Campground advised, “Make sure to bring plenty of cribbing if you’ve never stayed here before.”
  • Stay connected: Check cell service availability if you need to stay connected. A visitor at Fox Ridge State Park mentioned, “Cell coverage for Verizon was 1 bar consistently, 2 bars occasionally.”

Camping near Monticello, Illinois, has its perks and quirks, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Monticello, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Monticello, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 59 campgrounds and RV parks near Monticello, IL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Monticello, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Monticello, IL is Friends Creek Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 12 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Monticello, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Monticello, IL.

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