Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area sits about 30 miles northeast of Olney, Illinois, amid rolling hills formed when glaciers deposited soil in this otherwise flat agricultural region. The park encompasses a 585-acre reservoir with forested shorelines at an elevation of approximately 550 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75°F to 90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Forbes Lake provides both shoreline and boat fishing with multiple species available. One visitor to Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area noted, "There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park."
Hiking trails: The terrain offers varied difficulty levels with some trails following the lake shoreline. A camper at Fox Ridge State Park Campground shared, "The hiking trails are some of the best in the state because the glaciers dropped of mountains of soil in the area where this park is located. The surrounding farm land is flat as can be, but the forested hills and creek beds in the park are almost mountainous."
Biking routes: Paved campground roads provide safe cycling for families. At Harmonie State Park, "There are paved roads the kids can bike on as well as mountain bike trails. Very nice swimming pool. Clean showers with hot water."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer good spacing between sites for privacy. A visitor to Charley Brown City Park mentioned, "Campground is off the beaten path, lots of space to spread out, and the top 4 amenities (electricity, water, flush toilets and showers)."
Seasonal decorations: Halloween camping is especially popular with many campers decorating their sites. One camper at Harmonie State Park Campground observed, "As it was close to All Hallows Eve, there were lots of campers around with decorations, which was fun to see."
Yurt camping options: While traditional yurt camping near Olney, Illinois isn't widely available, several parks offer similar alternative accommodations. The cabins at Greene Sullivan State Forest provide a yurt-like experience without the canvas walls: "We originally planned to tent camp the first weekend in October but with 30 degree temps and children, we decided to check out the cabins at Greene Sullivan. They did not disappoint. Heat was phenomenal."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity. A visitor to Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area warned, "There is very little cell service so it is a great place to be unplugged and enjoy time with friends and family!"
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between parks and seasons. One camper at Charley Brown Memorial Park reported, "The park had just remodeled and updated their bath/shower houses right before we camped, but someone had vandalized/burned up the inside by the time we got there. So there were no bathrooms. There were showers available at the city pool in the park, but only during pool hours."
Seasonal closures: Many amenities operate on limited schedules. A Fox Ridge visitor noted, "The restroom near our site, #13, was open, but no lights and no shower. We almost needed it as a tornado shelter the evening we stayed, but the thunderstorms were all we had to deal with."
Guide
