Best Campgrounds near Johnsonville, IL
Campgrounds near Johnsonville, Illinois provide a mix of camping options situated around scenic lakes and natural areas. Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area in Johnsonville offers tent and RV camping with electric hookups and water access. Other nearby options include Rend Lake Gun Creek Campground and Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, approximately 18 miles southwest and 20 miles northeast respectively, both featuring cabin accommodations in addition to traditional tent and RV sites. Most campgrounds in this region have picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water, with varying levels of hookups for RVs.
Camping availability in the region typically runs from spring through fall, with some campgrounds like Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area and Rend Lake Gun Creek Campground open year-round. Concrete pads at many sites help with vehicle leveling, though several campers note that some areas have drainage issues during heavy rain. Reservations are recommended during summer months and holiday weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, though full-service sites with sewer connections are limited to certain locations. "Clean campground right on the lake," noted one visitor about Sam Dale Lake, highlighting the appeal of lakeside camping in the area.
Water recreation stands out as a primary attraction across Johnsonville area campgrounds. Fishing, boating, and kayaking opportunities exist at Sam Dale Lake, Rend Lake, and Forbes Lake, with boat ramps available at most locations. Sites near water tend to be the most requested, with several visitors mentioning lake access as a key highlight. Bathhouse facilities vary in quality and availability across campgrounds, with some locations offering showers while others have vault toilets only. While most campgrounds maintain reasonable spacing between sites, privacy levels differ. According to one visitor at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, "Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one," though others mentioned issues with noisy neighbors, particularly on busy weekends.
