Best Glamping near Monticello, IL

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area and Wolf Creek State Park near Monticello, Illinois provide upscale glamping accommodations surrounded by natural landscapes. Clinton Lake offers glamping cabins with climate control and comfortable beds, while Wolf Creek features yurts with panoramic views. These elevated camping options include electricity, picnic tables, and easy access to lake activities. Many glamping sites have nearby shower facilities and restrooms, with some offering private bathroom options. Safari tents at select locations provide canvas accommodations with real beds and linens, creating a luxurious outdoor experience while maintaining connection to nature. According to a camper, "We had a fantastic time here. Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, and a secluded swimming hole."

Hiking trails wind through the wooded areas surrounding these glamping accommodations, with Clinton Lake's warm waters providing ideal conditions for swimming, boating, and fishing. Wolf Creek State Park's glamping cabins and yurts sit near the shores of Lake Shelbyville, offering easy water access for paddling and swimming. Guests particularly appreciate the balance between comfort and outdoor immersion, with options for both relaxation and adventure. Most locations maintain camping with amenities year-round, though select glamping facilities operate seasonally from April through October. One visitor noted, "We enjoyed the many beautiful shady spots and a really nice big beach. The shower houses are very clean." Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends when these unique accommodations fill quickly.

Best Glamping Sites Near Monticello, Illinois (14)

    1. Friends Creek Campground

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

    $10 - $25 / night

    "Friends Creek is a small campground with nice spacious sites and super clean bathhouses and pit toilets. The fire pits are well kept and the camp host was very kind!"

    "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."

    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."

    "Some walking trails. Beach is nice to have, does cost to get in. Restaurant on site is good! Big nice lake if you have a boat/kayak or like to swim or fish. Pretty lake area in general."

    3. D & W Lake RV Park

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

    "Super easy on and off the highway. With that you do get some noise but not too bad. Office staff is very friendly and efficient. Full hookup sites. Wifi is available."

    "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.  "

    4. Comlara County Park

    34 Reviews
    Hudson, IL
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 434-6770

    "Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."

    "Lots of grass and wooded area tons of great trails multiple places to fish, swim beach, I think I saw two different parks."

    5. Forrest W. Bo Wood

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

    $18 - $48 / night

    "It's level with grass to pitch a tent but definitely in a loop of the park better suited to travel trailers/RVs etc. Not much privacy between sites but backs up to woods."

    "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."

    6. Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    38 miles
    Website

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

    "the keepers are super friendly and accommodating. most lots are spacious. my only complaint would be that the trash dumpsters are too far away from the camping areas."

    7. Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    38 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. Harry L Swartz Campground

    9 Reviews
    Penfield, IL
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 595-5692

    "Each site has a raised fire pit, picnic table and lantern hanger. Every site comes with electric and still it only cost us $16 for the night."

    "There are a few hiking trails that leave from the campground as well."

    9. Lithia Springs

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

    $18 - $36 / night

    "Really nice campground on the shore of Lake Shelbyville. Electric, showers, laundry, playground, nice beach, volleyball and some phenomenal sites right on shore."

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

    10. Fox Ridge State Park Campground

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

    $20 / night

    "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."

    "I visited Fox Ridge frequently as a student of nearby Eastern Illinois University, but never camped there. We came back to visit campus and stayed in site #12 at Fox Ridge."

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Glamping Reviews near Monticello, IL

155 Reviews of 14 Monticello Campgrounds


  • Aaron B.
    Jun. 16, 2019

    Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    Wooded Solitude / Family Friendly

    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. Previous reviews and a book by John Schirle on Tent Camping in Illinois helped us with this decision as well. Decent maintained sites with some older picnic tables and fire rings, but let's be honest this stuff sits outside 24/7. Site 2 seemed to sit back the farthest with site 1 a close second. Both wooded sites that made for great shade and helped some when it was raining. Any two families looking for two sites could certainly set up and share the experience. Nice little cove behind them to try fishing. Just watch the hike down the path or ravine. Dog friendly, fresh water supply (hint put the handle all the way up and wait a few seconds), ability to store stuff in the car close by, outhouse toilets visible at the walk in parking lot, and helpful host for easy check in who even sells fire wood made for a great few days ($5 a bundle). Rated B/S site at a cost of $10 a night.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2020

    Harry L Swartz Campground

    Ranger Review of the GCI Pod Rocker with Sun Shade at the Harry Swartz Camp

    Campground Review:

    This is a pleasant discovery! The drive into the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve winds between a few ponds. We saw many families fishing around each of them. Once at the campground, check in with the camp host. Right now you must register online due to COVID-19. There were no photos of the campsites online so we picked a spot distant from the others(my dog gets finicky). We should have picked a different site. Sites 40- 48 get full sun until around 2 in the afternoon. Luckily it was cool for our visit or we would have melted. Other sites are mostly shaded and beautiful. Some sites give more privacy than others(32 looked nice). There is a swimming beach and playground that were also closed for COVID. Each site has a raised fire pit, picnic table and lantern hanger. Every site comes with electric and still it only cost us $16 for the night. The shower house was also closed but pit toilets were available. There are double sites where small groups can share space. There is also a group camping area(near our site) that has a large open field right in front of it. A theater stage is found long a hiking path that starts near the camp host. Perhaps your family can put on a play :) 

    The hiking here is interesting! The Oak Burl trail is mostly wooded. We came upon a 8” deep creek to cross (thanks small tree branch to walk across!). We found little offshoots to spots along the Middle Fork River. One couple found a rock bar to lay out on for their own private river-beach. The hiking on the other side goes through a mix of prairie and woods. The prairie is in restoration and we saw some traditional prairie plants among field grass- signs that they are working on things. Going further out brings you right to the fork between Sugar Creek and the Middle Fork river. We hiked these during the morning and still needed water and a rest. The trails are wide but some of the grass was almost a foot tall- its been raining here. 

    We discovered a couple donut shops in a town about 20 minutes west- one is known for their scones! We enjoyed this campground but would hesitate before camping here during the heat of summer- unless you have a/c.

    Product Review: GCI Pod Rocker with Sun Shade in Loden Green 

    As a Dyrt Ranger, sometimes I get products to review. I am so happy that I found this chair! A good travel chair that is comfy and folds is key to summer-long adventures. The pod rocker folds into its own carrying case(extra tip: I put the case flat on the ground and my dog loves to lay on it away from some of the crawling ants and things). It is simple to push on the 4 corners of the chair and it opens right up. I immediately noticed that there are some extra shocks on the chair. This adds some weight so this chair might not be great for backpacking very far but it is still certainly carryable. 2 legs in front stabilize the pod rocker in a secure position. The first time I went to rock it I felt like I was falling over- there is a gap before you settle onto the flat base that allows the rocking. Once on this extra base, the shock compresses allowing you to rock your heart out! This transition from stable to rocking was easy to get used to and provides a solid base for eating/activity vs. rocking. This isn’t a chair that rocks on its own. You apply consistent force to rock. The sun shade is a retractable part that can rest behind your seat out of the way. It is really easy to click up above your head at different angles. I so often find myself in places without much shade that this is a feature I will continue to enjoy! When it came time to leave camp, the chair was easy to compress and slide into the carrying bag- no struggles at all. The arm rests are not a perfect fit for my body geometry but didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the pod rocker. Tucked under one of the arms I found a cup holder(big enough for my large coffee container) and a slim pocket perfect for my phone. I did enjoy one extra feature that the wide chair provided room for. The chair will allow you room to rock so I used this to turn the chair into a sort of recliner. I propped my feet on a table, scooted my butt forward in the chair and rocked back. My head was now supported by the top of the chair and my feet were up. Perfectly cradled for recovering after a long hike with my dog! Although you might see in the photo/video that my dog seems to like the pod rocker too. Maybe I need another one for her:) The material in the pod rocker feels like it will keep me sitting comfortable for the rest of the summer and in years to come.

  • Kevin M.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Lone Point

    A place of memories

    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.

  • Kathie M.
    Sep. 6, 2021

    Lithia Springs

    Great campground

    Really nice campground on the shore of Lake Shelbyville. Electric, showers, laundry, playground, nice beach, volleyball and some phenomenal sites right on shore. Well kept, sites with asphalt drive, fire pit and lantern hook.

  • Stephanie S.
    Apr. 24, 2022

    Comlara County Park

    Maiden Voyage Dream

    We may have set the bar too high with our first camping trip. Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground. Although we don’t fish, we saw many people fishing from the shore line and enjoying the water in boats and canoes. There is a designated swimming area (beach), but it wasn’t open at this time. There are many hiking and walking trails within the park that are within driving distance of the campground. There is one main shower house and several single outhouse style men/women bathrooms scattered throughout. The showers were very adequate, nothing fancy, but serve their purpose. There are fire pits and picnic tables at each site along with 30 or 50 amp hookups. Some have shared water hookups nearby also. There is also a typical dump station and potable water by it.
    The camp sites are spread apart nicely with some moderate elevation change giving many great views of the lake. All campsite pads were gravel and the access roads were paved. Site 40 where we stayed was right by the lake and absolutely beautiful!

  • Mike K.
    May. 27, 2020

    Comlara County Park

    Variety of camping options, field, secluded, RV etc.

    The layout is fairly straightforward here, entrance has a spot for firewood purchase (honor system) and then the dumpsters.  So getting to firewood and garbage will take a little time if you're toward the back of the park.  

    Many spots for RV/campers, and as you venture further in, you'll find large open fields with camping spots - some are electric or not, so check while you reserve.  The open field camping really lends itself to a community feel, some people have wonderful setups and especially at night, the more luxurious configurations attract the kiddos to checkout.  People overall very considerate and nice, welcoming, friendly.  VERY family oriented atmosphere - there was no nonsense loud drunkards in the evenings, relatively quiet and relaxing.  This was a huge bonus to us, as we had younger kids and loud idiots would have freaked them out.

    We reserved site 111, which had a nice long concrete pad for parking cars on - fits easily 2-3 cars.  Firepit, a tree, pretty standard stuff.  Close to the bathrooms.

    Bathrooms are a basic affair, typical dirtyish campground pit toilets.  Don't expect much, bring cleaning wipes etc if you want to help neaten the place up a bit.

    If you're more into wooded areas/seclusion while camping, this place has them too - see site 123 or 124, along the lake - on reservations those are the square sites, not long rectangles.  You'll be near the lake, probably could walk in and out of the lake if you wanted.  

    Site 123 in particular is directly across from the bathroom, but has thick wooded areas to keep things private and well shaded...but with an open area for some suntanning or whatever.  We wandered over to 123 from 111 to see what it was like, and were so impressed we reserved it for this year.

  • Anne W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 5, 2024

    Harry L Swartz Campground

    Beautiful campground but very busy (and noisy)

    This is a really lovely spot! There’s 2 bars of Verizon service, a shower house with warm water and flush toilets, as well as pit toilets. There are a few hiking trails that leave from the campground as well. My only problem was that it was extremely busy when I visited and some of my neighbors were quite loud (although they quieted down by quiet hours).

  • A
    Sep. 23, 2020

    Harry L Swartz Campground

    Great find!!

    Great spot for an end-of-summer trip. Arrived on Sunday and nearly had the place to ourselves. Campgrounds are far removed from town and very quiet, large enough to feel isolated. Host sells ice and firewood for a reasonable price. Campsites are well-sized and offer grills and electrical outlets. Bathrooms and showers are extremely clean. Great oasis from Illinois’s light pollution for stargazing. Trails are perfect for easy strolling and offer diverse and lovely scenery. Lots of wildlife: heard many different bird calls & coyotes howling in the night. One very persistent raccoon: hide your food!

  • Sara W.
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Friends Creek Campground

    Clean, spacious sites, nice amenities

    Friends Creek is a small campground with nice spacious sites and super clean bathhouses and pit toilets. The fire pits are well kept and the camp host was very kind! He came around with suckers for the kids and just to check in. We hiked a bit on the trails and played in the creek. Highly recommend.


Guide to Monticello

Scattered across central Illinois farmland, Monticello sits between several camping destinations within a 30-minute drive. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F and mild spring and fall seasons that create ideal camping conditions. Winter camping remains available at select locations, though water systems shut down from November through April at most campgrounds.

What to do

Hiking through varied terrain: Friends Creek Campground offers well-marked trails through wooded areas with historic elements. "There are two well-marked and well-maintained trails plus a playground and basketball hoop. There is also a historic schoolhouse, and guided tours are available by calling," explains Lee D., who particularly enjoyed exploring the trails before departing.

Fishing at multiple locations: The region boasts several lakes with diverse fishing opportunities. "Clinton Lake is a boating destination as the waters are unusually warm due to the discharge from the nearby nuclear plant," notes Stacia R., explaining why the area attracts anglers even during cooler months.

Stargazing without light pollution: Harry L Swartz Campground provides exceptional night sky viewing. "Since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather," shares Rachel, who visited during a meteor shower when "a local expert came to give a talk and there was a meteor viewing party."

Boating on Lake Shelbyville: Multiple access points make water activities accessible. "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville!" notes b K., mentioning the convenience of having boat facilities directly accessible from the camping area.

What campers like

Spacious, wooded campsites: Wolf Creek State Park Campground receives praise for its natural setting. "Nice park, spacious sites, bring plenty of water hose. The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away," advises Nathaniel K., highlighting the importance of preparation when staying at this popular destination.

Clean facilities throughout the year: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. "The shower house was older but decent and clean. The showers themselves have a lot of hooks inside to hang your things," Rachel observed at Harry L Swartz Campground, appreciating the thoughtful amenities.

Range of campsite privacy options: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of seclusion. "Sites 40-48 get full sun until around 2 in the afternoon. Luckily it was cool for our visit or we would have melted. Other sites are mostly shaded and beautiful. Some sites give more privacy than others," notes Art S. about the camping options at Harry L Swartz.

Quiet weekday camping: Visitors note the difference between busy weekends and peaceful weekdays. "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," reports Ricky L. about their midweek stay at D & W Lake RV Park.

What you should know

Reservation requirements vary seasonally: Popular times require planning. "Stay here a while ago on a last minute weekend away whim. Got to the park after dark and paid the next morning. Not being a holiday weekend we were able to find a site easily," explains Tim F. about Comlara County Park, highlighting the flexibility during off-peak times.

Wildlife encounters are common: Be prepared for nocturnal visitors. "There is tons of deer and other animals to watch and watch out that they don't steal your food while you are sleeping," warns Michael M. about Eagle Creek State Park Campground.

Weather impacts site selection: Heat management becomes crucial during summer months. "The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more wide open with a prairie type view," Stacia R. notes about Clinton Lake, emphasizing how site selection affects comfort.

Beach access may require fees: Some parks charge for swimming areas. "The kicker is the $20.00 fee per boat/kayak to get on the lake plus the fee for the swimming area was a bit much for us. Was planning an active weekend but quickly realized we were going to be sitting at our site," Marcie J. warns about unexpected costs at Comlara County Park.

Tips for camping with families

Choose loop-specific camping: Different areas cater to different needs. "The loops that allow alcohol can get a bit rowdy with weekend partiers, but the alcohol restricted loops can get loud from all the families," explains Marisa A. about Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, offering insight for families seeking appropriate settings.

Access recreation facilities: Multiple playgrounds and beaches provide entertainment. "There is a beach and concession stand, group camping areas and lots of roads to bike around," mentions Stacia R., highlighting family-friendly amenities at Clinton Lake.

Look for fishing ponds: Kid-friendly fishing spots abound. "There are several fishing ponds around the campground and a small swimming area with a beach, playground, mini library, and shower house," Rachel notes about Harry L Swartz Campground, pointing out convenient amenities.

Plan for seasonally warm water: Clinton Lake offers unique swimming conditions. "You wIll defInItely want to bring a suit. The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach," advises Melissa B., explaining a distinctive feature families appreciate.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling varies by campground: Some parks offer better surfaces than others. "Level sites, clean restrooms/showers and a nice swimming area to enjoy!" summarizes Erick S. about Lithia Springs, highlighting key features RVers seek.

Electric options widely available: Most parks offer hookups but with limitations. "We have only stayed in the electric only sites as the full hookup sites are hard to come by," shares Tim F. about Clinton Lake, providing insight about availability challenges.

Water access points require planning: Bring appropriate equipment. "Nice big spacious sites! Reserve early to get full hookup! Right on Lake Shelbyville," advises Sonya A. about Forrest W. Bo Wood, emphasizing the importance of early reservations for premium sites.

Shade availability impacts comfort: Tree cover varies significantly between sites. "Very open campground. Not a ton of trees although some sites offer nice shade," Tim F. notes about Comlara County Park, an important consideration for RVers managing interior temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Monticello, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Monticello, IL is Friends Creek Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Monticello, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Monticello, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.