Fox Ridge State Park features 2,000 acres of forest and hilly terrain within otherwise flat farm country. Located 25 miles from Newton, Illinois, the park's unique landscape was formed when glaciers deposited soil in the area, creating a contrast of flat farmland surrounding forested hills. Camping areas throughout the Newton region remain open from April through October, with some locations offering year-round accommodations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Fox Ridge State Park provides access to several small fishing areas. "There are good campsite for both RVs and tent camping with clean restrooms and shower house. The park and trails are usually busy since the park is near the Eastern Illinois University," notes Michael M.
Hiking trails: Eagle Creek State Park Campground offers multiple hiking paths, including the Chief Illini Trail. "There is a boat ramp, playground areas, the Chief Illini trail plus a couple short trails. There is a golf course and a run down lodge/hotel that has been closed for several years," explains one reviewer.
Boating access: Lithia Springs features convenient boat ramps and marina facilities. "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake," shares a visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The parks host abundant wildlife, particularly in cooler months. "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," reports a camper at Eagle Creek.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campsites offer ample room between neighboring sites. "All sites were spacious and shaded. We did not use any of the facilities but were impressed with how secluded our campsite felt. Each site is Isolated by trees and growth and the entire campground is shaded," says Allen S. about Fox Ridge State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground hosts maintain quality amenities throughout the season. "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," notes Emily P. about Lithia Springs.
Family-friendly recreation: Okaw Valley Kampground offers multiple activities for children. "The pool, the lake, the gigantic playground, the pavilion, the laundromat, the location, the cleanliness in the bathhouse, the gardens... the hosts Barb and Gary work their asses off to upkeep this place," mentions Michael L.
Reasonable rates: Camping fees remain affordable compared to similar destinations. "Will definitely stay here again. Not that far off the interstate 70 and a great campground. Level sites with growies between sites. Cell signal is off and on, but got us through. $20 per night isn't bad for a nice campground with nice showers and facilities," shares Gary P.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the area. "Cell service was only 1-2 bars LTE with AT&T but able to stream with hotspot to the SmartTV with only 1 bar so not bad," reports Tracie E. about Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.
Remote location: Prepare by bringing necessary supplies. "Bring everything you need for the weekend with you, there are no businesses close to the park. This is a great place for day hiking and a weekend getaway," advises Michael M. about Fox Ridge.
Seasonal restrictions: Some facilities close after summer. "There is a beach that closes after Labor Day, but there are lots of sites available all year round," notes a reviewer about Wolf Creek State Park.
Reservation requirements: Popular weekends require advance planning. "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," explains Nathan E.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. "The playground is old and could use an upgrade along with the recreation room. The pool was nice and well maintained and so are the showers and restrooms," shares Montt B. about Casey KOA.
Swimming facilities: Look for campgrounds with clean swimming areas during summer months. "We've stayed here for a few nights in the past. We have peaceful, quiet nights, nice facilities, good Wi-Fi, shade. We always enjoy our stay," mentions Michael G. about Casey KOA.
Pet policies: Many campgrounds welcome dogs but enforce specific rules. "It is dog friendly and people friendly!" says Mary O. about Fox Ridge State Park.
Bug preparation: Bring insect repellent, especially for evening activities. "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," warns Austin-Tarra G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Reserve early for premium spots. "Nice big spacious sites! Reserve early to get full hookup! Right on lake Shelbyville," advises Sonya A. about Forrest W. Bo Wood.
Water access: Some sites require lengthy hoses to reach water hookups. "Nice park, spacious sites, bring plenty of water hose. The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away," notes Nathaniel K. about Wolf Creek State Park.
Electric service: Amperage varies between campgrounds. "2000 acres of lush park. Good paved road, big sites, but unfortunately all back in sites. No pull throughs. After unhooking our car, here was plenty of room for our 31 ft motorhome, slide, awning and all. Good water. Great host and staff," shares Doug W.
Dump station locations: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. "Only one dumpster for trash and it's at the entrance to the campground. Shower house is clean and well maintained," explains Josh H.
