Glamping near Penfield, Illinois offers accommodations with electrical hookups, shaded sites, and access to fishing ponds and hiking trails. The region sits within the Vermilion River watershed at an elevation of approximately 720 feet, with hot summers and cold winters. Campgrounds typically reach full capacity on summer weekends when temperatures often exceed 85°F.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: D & W Lake RV Park features a catch-and-release lake with blue gill and bass. "Pulled in about 7pm and immediately was greeted by the manager who showed us to our site, helped us pull in get settled and brought us firewood. The lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass," notes Luna L.
Hiking diverse terrain: Harry L Swartz Campground offers trails that connect to the Middle Fork River. "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," shares Art S.
Canoeing Sugar Creek: Turkey Run State Park Campground provides water recreation options about 50 miles from Penfield. "The best part of Turkey Run is sugar creek. You can choose 2 different canoe trips," reports Barry B., while another visitor noted the suspension bridge across the creek as a notable feature.
What campers like
Dark sky viewing: Middle Fork Forest Preserve restricts light pollution for optimal stargazing. "It's a dark sky park so you can get some nice views from the campground and surrounding areas. Hosts and forest preserve employees keep the grounds up nicely," explains Tim F.
Clean facilities: Friends Creek Campground maintains pristine bathrooms and grounds. "The bathrooms were very clean. 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," says Larry R. Another visitor mentioned, "Very clean with soap, paper towels, and a shelf for toiletries."
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing and natural barriers between sites. "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)," notes a review of Harry L Swartz Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Some campgrounds require advance planning. "We weren't able to make a reservation less than 5 days in advance online so we tried to call. No one in the office except Th-Sunday and it was Wednesday so we couldn't get in touch," reports Sadie R. about Harry L Swartz Campground.
Site selection matters: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area has distinct camping areas with different atmospheres. "The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more wide open with a prairie type view," explains Stacia R. Another camper notes, "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."
Wildlife awareness: Expect encounters with local fauna. "Lots of wildlife: heard many different bird calls & coyotes howling in the night. One very persistent raccoon: hide your food!" warns Alli about Harry L Swartz Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Clinton Lake offers swimming options for children. "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on," shares Linda N.
Playground facilities: D & W Lake RV Park includes play areas for children. "There's plenty of grass, Fire Pits, Playgrounds and a Dog Park. Wonderful campground and only about 10 min from downtown," notes Luna L.
Creek exploration: Friends Creek Campground provides water play opportunities. "We hiked a bit on the trails and played in the creek. Highly recommend," shares Sara W. The campground also features a historic schoolhouse with guided tours available by calling ahead.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Turkey Run State Park presents some leveling difficulties. "The site was clean and well equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The site is very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," explains Michelle M.
Electric options: Turkey Run Canoe & Camping has shared electrical hookups that require planning. "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hook up," cautions Scott B.
Water fill logistics: Remember to fill your tanks strategically. "There is portable water at the entrance but the road coming and going to the campsite is only wide enough for one rig and you will block traffic while you are filling up," advises a reviewer about Turkey Run Canoe & Camping.
