Savoy, Illinois camping sites sit in a flat, prairie landscape with elevations averaging 735 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, making May through October the prime camping season. Campgrounds near Savoy often feature mature oak trees providing shade during summer months when temperatures regularly reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Fishing options: Harry L Swartz Campground offers three fishing ponds within the Middle Fork Forest Preserve. "Three lakes to fish for the small and big kids alike. Nicely groomed hiking trails in and around the park," notes a regular visitor.
Kayaking access: At Kickapoo State Recreation Area, visitors can rent kayaks directly from the concession building. "This park is severely underfunded so don't expect much for amenities. That said it's a great place to setup for a weekend on the trails," explains a camper who enjoyed the paddling opportunities.
Dark sky viewing: Middle Fork Forest Preserve functions as a dark sky park, providing exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather," reports a camper who visited during the Perseid meteor shower when a local expert conducted a presentation.
Trail exploration: Several campgrounds feature well-maintained hiking trails connecting to various natural features. "The Oak Burl trail is mostly wooded. We came upon a 8" deep creek to cross. We found little offshoots to spots along the Middle Fork River," describes a hiker who discovered private riverbank areas.
What campers like
Lake views: At Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, waterfront sites offer direct lake access. "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," explains a camper.
Site privacy: Many campers appreciate the vegetation between sites at certain campgrounds. "[Sites] 42-47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private," notes a visitor to Harry L Swartz Campground. Another camper at Friends Creek Campground observed, "I loved that between some of the camp sites, they left a patch of prairie to act as a privacy barrier."
Clean facilities: Prairie Pines Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Very large and clean bathrooms. Laundry also available in bath house. A little different than my typical 'wooded' camping experience, but a nice, clean, quiet spot to relax," reports a satisfied visitor.
Historical features: Some campgrounds preserve local history. "The old school house is a must see," comments a camper at Friends Creek Campground, referring to the historic Bethel School House accessible via the trails.
What you should know
Site assignment policies: Some campgrounds don't guarantee specific sites even with reservations. "If you reserve a camping spot it's just to have a site. Specific campsites aren't reserved. Get here early and you have your choice," advises a camper about Friends Creek Campground.
Alcohol restrictions: Multiple campgrounds enforce no-alcohol policies. "No booze signs posted, take it serious! Watched a ranger evict an entire group late in the evening for drinking. They weren't being rowdy but were breaking the rules," warns a visitor to Kickapoo State Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: Certain campgrounds have strict reservation policies, especially during holiday periods. A visitor to Tin Cup RV Park cautions, "We reserved a one-night stay 6 weeks in advance for the Friday night of Memorial Day Weekend. We received a call 2 weeks before our stay telling us they won't honor the reservation because they've decided to impose a three-night minimum for the holiday weekend."
Site conditions: Tent campers should note surface conditions vary significantly. "All sites are gravel and level," reports a Friends Creek visitor, while another camper notes the Harry L Swartz campground has "pretty tight together and surfaced with gravel" sites that may not be ideal for tent camping.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Walnut Point State Park provides fishing and water recreation for children. "The park campground and all of its facilities were very clean. The park employees were friendly and super helpful. My family had a great time fishing. The lake was well stocked and maintained," shares a family camper.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment. At Harry L Swartz Campground, families will find "a small swimming area with a beach, playground, mini library, and shower house," according to a reviewer who visited with children.
Educational opportunities: Clinton Lake offers wildlife viewing possibilities. "You will definitely want to bring a suit. The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach. Hiking path all around the shore of the lake. Some hidden fishing areas," advises a family who explored the area.
Budget considerations: Most campgrounds maintain reasonable rates. "We paid only $20 for our one night stay. Big, beautiful and well maintained. We had electricity, free showers, topped off our water tank. It's a great deal," reports a budget-conscious family at Kickapoo State Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup details: Campgrounds provide varying electrical options. "They have recently paved the roads which was nice. The main shower house was nice and well maintained," notes a visitor to Moraine View State Recreational Area who paid $20 per night.
Campsite dimensions: Some RV sites accommodate multiple vehicles and large rigs. "Spacious sites with an impeccable grassy picnicking area. There was plenty of room in our site but most of the campground is empty. It would feel more crowded when full due to a lack of vegetation between sites," observes an RVer at Friends Creek.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly between campgrounds. "Our Garmin RV GPS' conflicted with our new Ford RV navigation, wanting to take us a more direct route and Garmin through town to this city park. Either route would have worked but suggest you locate the campground on the map and verify the route with Google Maps or Waze," advises an RVer who stayed at Prairie Pines Campground.
Site selection strategies: RVers recommend choosing specific loops for different experiences. "After a quick check-in we were escorted to site 13 with FHUs. This site is technically a back-in but our host brought us around by the swing set to make it an easy pull-through. The utilities worked well and we got 3 bars on Verizon," reports an RV camper.
