Cabin camping near Salem, Illinois provides access to multiple lakes and conservation areas within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 550 feet above sea level with rolling terrain surrounding several reservoirs and recreational lakes. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F while summer months see 70-90°F with moderate humidity, creating variable camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Hiking trails: Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area offers several trails including a main path through wooded areas. "Main trail was nice but could be better marked. Lost our way a few times but still a good hike," noted one visitor at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.
Fishing opportunities: Washington County State Recreation Area provides multiple fishing access points with various species available. A camper mentioned, "Awesome fishing here and boat rentals" while staying at Washington County State Recreation Area.
Swimming options: Dam West Campground offers beach access for families during warmer months. "The beach at Dam West is great for the kids! We spent an afternoon there and enjoyed a picnic and swimming," according to a camper who visited the area.
Boating and water sports: Rend Lake provides extensive boating opportunities with dedicated access points. "Lake is very pretty - you could anchor your boat off your campsite," observed a camper at Gun Creek Campground.
What campers like
Privacy and separation: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites at certain locations. "Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one," mentioned a visitor at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.
Dark skies for stargazing: The relatively rural location provides excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Washington County State Recreation Area noted, "The campground is pretty far from any big metro area, so the sky was real dark, great for picking out constellations."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting offers opportunities to observe local fauna. "We listened to Whip-por-will calls around the campfire," shared a visitor at Washington County State Recreation Area.
Family-oriented atmosphere: Okaw Valley Kampground provides dedicated family facilities. A reviewer noted, "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."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Some areas have reduced connectivity. "This is a great place to be unplugged and enjoy time with friends and family!" reported a camper at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area regarding the minimal cell coverage.
Cash only at some locations: Be prepared with physical payment methods. "No cards accepted. We had to run back to the town of Nashville to get some cash from the ATM," warned a visitor at Washington County State Recreation Area.
Water quality concerns: Water systems can sometimes present challenges. A camper at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area noted, "I filled my trailer's tank at the drinking water supply when you enter the campground. It was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids."
Seasonal availability: Not all facilities operate year-round. "Only negatives is that this campground is not open year-round," mentioned a visitor regarding Dam West Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and accessibility of restrooms differs between locations. "Bath houses were large and basic," reported one camper about the primitive camping areas at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Reserve sites early: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak times. A visitor to Dam West Campground advised, "We arrived at this campground at 11am on a Friday only to find that that the first-come, first-serve sites were already full."
Explore Halloween events: Some campgrounds offer special seasonal activities. "They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site," shared a camper about Illini Campground.
Consider pool access: Swimming options may require additional fees. A camper noted, "There is a nice large zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends" at Illini Campground.
Check playground availability: Multiple play areas exist at certain locations. "There are three playground areas, a basketball court, sand volleyball and a pool during summer months," observed a visitor to Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Level pads vary by site: Some locations have challenging terrain. "There is a bit of a slope to the pads so you will need to level," warned a camper at Gun Creek Campground.
Water fill options: Plan for water management where hookups are limited. "Campsites are electric only, so you need to fill your water tank before parking," advised a visitor at Gun Creek Campground.
Dump station accessibility: Waste disposal facilities exist but quality varies. "Dump station was just fine," reported a camper at Washington County State Recreation Area.
Hookup availability: Different site types offer varying amenities. "We were on electric only. Wish we had known we could have gotten a senior discount," mentioned a visitor at Gun Creek Campground.
Adapter requirements: Electrical connections may require specific equipment. "Full-hookups with only a 50amp connection so if you are using 30 make sure you have a 50/30 adapter," advised a camper at Archway RV Park.
