Best Campgrounds near Shelbyville, IL
Lake Shelbyville dominates the camping landscape around Shelbyville, Illinois, with multiple U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds situated along its 26-mile shoreline. Coon Creek, Lithia Springs, Opossum Creek, and Lone Point offer established camping with varying levels of amenities, primarily operating from April through October. Wolf Creek and Eagle Creek State Parks provide year-round options with more extensive trail systems. Most campgrounds feature electric hookups for both tent and RV campers, with many sites offering full hookups including water and sewer connections. Buddy sites designed for group camping are available at several locations, particularly at Coon Creek, where spaces can accommodate multiple tents and an RV on a single site.
Advance reservations through Recreation.gov are strongly recommended, especially for lakefront sites during summer months. According to camper Michael M., "Lone Point is the least visited campground on the lake, so it can be quiet and you can get a site with a view." The camping season peaks between Memorial Day and Labor Day, though some facilities like Bo Wood and Lithia Springs open earlier in April and remain available into late October. Summer temperatures frequently reach the 90s with high humidity, making lakeside sites with shade particularly valuable. Most campgrounds are within a 10-15 minute drive of Shelbyville, providing convenient access to supplies, restaurants, and the town's amenities.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, with many campers highlighting the quality of fishing and boating opportunities. The Chief Illini Trail connects Lone Point to Eagle Creek along the lakeshore, offering a moderate to difficult 12-mile hiking experience. Camper Debra M. notes that at Opossum Creek, "If you don't care about full hookup, try for sites 39 to 46 and 11 to 34 that offer more privacy." Facilities typically include clean shower houses, boat ramps, and picnic areas. Several campgrounds feature "buddy sites" where two families can share a larger space with a common area. Weekday camping tends to be quieter, while summer weekends bring increased boat traffic and higher campground occupancy rates.
