Friends Creek Campground offers tent and RV sites about 30 miles north of Mount Zion, Illinois. Located in farm country near Cisco, the campground sits among tall trees and borders a tall grass prairie conservation area. Campsites include a mix of non-electric and electric options, with most sites featuring 30 or 50-amp hookups available from May through November.
What to do
Fishing and water activities: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area provides excellent fishing opportunities and unusually warm waters. "Clinton Lake is a boating destination as the waters are unusually warm due to the discharge from the nearby nuclear plant," explains one camper. The recreation area includes a beach with swimming access, though there's a small entry fee.
Hiking trails: Friends Creek Campground offers well-maintained trails through wooded areas. "We hiked a bit on the trails and played in the creek. Highly recommend," notes Sara W. The conservation area extends across the road with trails starting at a historic one-room schoolhouse.
History exploration: The Springfield area, about 25 minutes from Rochester campgrounds, features numerous Lincoln historical sites. "We stopped here for 2 days on a trip to WI. We had never been to Springfield, IL and wanted to see all the historical sites for Abe Lincoln," shares a visitor at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Lithia Springs campground receives consistent praise for site layout. "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake. The site was large and level," reports one camper. Sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern hooks.
Clean facilities: Sangchris Lake State Park Campground maintains excellent bathhouses and common areas. "Clean bathhouse. Campground hosts very helpful. Electric only but water available and nice dump station. All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake," notes Greg S.
Peace and quiet: Many central Illinois campgrounds offer tranquility, especially on weekdays. "We went for 4th of July weekend! Well maintained and under control. You can tell the hosts take pride in what they do. Very friendly and readily available to help you with anything that comes up," writes a visitor to Eagle Creek State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Mount Zion area operate from April through October, with a few remaining open year-round. Forrest W. Bo Wood runs from April 17 to October 26, while Friends Creek Campground operates May 1 to November 1.
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially lakefront locations. At Forrest W. Bo Wood, "Reserve early to get full hookup! Right on lake Shelbyville," advises Sonya A. Most campgrounds use recreation.gov for reservations.
Limited amenities at some sites: Water access varies by campground. "Water option we're the lake or a 30 min drive into town for bottled. Not a big deal but something to be prepared for," reports Matthew I. about off-season camping at Clinton Lake. Many campgrounds offer electric-only sites with centralized water access.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort provides excellent family-friendly amenities. "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," notes Sarah S.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming access through beaches on Lake Shelbyville or pools at private campgrounds. "You will definitely want to bring a suit. The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach," advises a Clinton Lake visitor.
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds organize special events on weekends. "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 a family staying at Robin Hood Woods Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Springfield KOA, "Sites have power and water, you have to go to dump station on the way out as there aren't individual sewers. But there is grass, picnic table and fire ring at every site, trees all around," notes Grace D.
Weather preparation: Central Illinois campgrounds can get muddy after rain. "Only down fall is there needs to be more rock on the sites, the sites get muddy after a rain!" warns Keith D. about Springfield KOA. Consider bringing extra mats and leveling blocks.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at many campgrounds, so book early if needed. Forrest W. Bo Wood offers full hookup sites but they fill quickly, while Friends Creek Campground provides electric-only sites with water spigots throughout the grounds.
