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.

Best Camping Sites Near Shelbyville, Illinois (68)

    1. Coon Creek (IL)

    18 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "We've been camping at Coon Creek, on a beautiful Lake Shelbyville, for a few years now, the place is perfect for family vacations. And that's exactly what we do."

    "There are many sites on this campground that are wooded and have views of Lake Shelbyville. Boat ramp to put in your boat or kayaks and sand beach for the kids to go swimming."

    2. Lithia Springs

    10 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $36 / night

    "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake."

    "Quiet campground, although you can hear a train off in the distance and anyone on the water. The shower house is very nice, clean and private."

    3. Eagle Creek State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    8 miles
    Website

    "Review of Drive In Tent Camping Site 2. Showed up on a Thursday night and had our pick of all the drive in and walk in sites. We decided on site 2 in the drive in area."

    "I have camped here in the past and enjoy primitive tent camping so I stayed Friday September 29th and Saturday September 30th in the tent camping drive up site #2."

    4. Robin Hood Woods Campground & Cottage Resort

    7 Reviews
    Lake Shelbyville, IL
    3 miles
    Website

    "Right next to the lake. Plenty of room for everyone, from tents to the massive RVs. The pool very clean and never gets over crowded. Staff are knowledgeable and polite. Friendly/quiet dogs allowed."

    "It’s close to home for us but also, very clean with nice staff and a fun environment. The pool is a huge plus, it’s so incredibly nice."

    5. Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    9 miles
    Website

    "Right on lake Shelbyville. 309 spots 141 are reservable"

    "The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails."

    6. Lone Point

    6 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $16 - $240 / night

    "One of the first campgrounds I ever went to and when camping in Illinois, my go-to campground and lake. My wife and I love this lake and have a lot of memories here."

    "I have camped here as well as all the Lake Shelbyville campgrounds many times before."

    7. Opossum Creek

    6 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $16 - $32 / night

    "Plenty of parking and can walk down to the lake. Water hookup and electric. Full hookups available closer to front of park. We like quiet and this site was great."

    "This campground is only about 6 miles from the town of Shelbyville where there is a Walmart, restaurant’s, gas stations, bait, hardware stores, medical care, the Shelbyville Dam, Beach, City Park with"

    8. Spillway (IL)

    3 Reviews
    Shelbyville, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    "This campground is located behind the Spillway Motel across the highway from the Lake Shelbyville Dam."

    9. Forrest W. Bo Wood

    8 Reviews
    Sullivan, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "Right on lake Shelbyville."

    "Located on Lake Shelbyville, Bo Wood is an Army Co of Engineers park. Plenty of full hook ups and tent camping spots. Most by the lake."

    10. Bo Wood

    8 Reviews
    Sullivan, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    $18 - $48 / night

    "Geat place to camp on Lake Shelbyville with full hook up sites. Only down fall is some of the full hook up sites are directly in the sun."

    "In 2017 it has 150 camping sites, a boat ramp, fish cleaning station, several picnic areas and a bait shop at the entrance on Illinois Route 32 4 miles South of Sullivan."

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Showing results 1-10 of 68 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Shelbyville, IL

329 Reviews of 68 Shelbyville Campgrounds



Guide to Shelbyville

Camping near Shelbyville, Illinois, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Coon Creek, provide access to Lake Shelbyville, which is great for fishing and boating. One camper mentioned, "The beach for swimming was the kids' favorite part."
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Fox Ridge State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "Great hiking trails and clean shower and bath houses."
  • Playgrounds and Sports: Campgrounds like Okaw Valley Kampground have playgrounds and sports facilities. A reviewer noted, "Kids liked the slides in the playground."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. One visitor at Double J Campground said, "The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, spacious sites. A camper at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area remarked, "Sites were spacious but didn’t have much privacy, which allowed our kids to play with others easily."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. A review for Sangchris Lake State Park Campground highlighted, "Tony and Danielle and the rest of the campground host staff do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!"

What you should know:

  • Seasonal Availability: Some campgrounds, like Coles Creek Recreation Area, are only open from early May to late September. A camper noted, "Great campsite has lots of sites including a section just for first come first serve."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. For instance, Weldon Springs State Park Campground lacks water hookups, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially raccoons. One camper at Weldon Springs mentioned, "My friend had to leave in the middle of the night because the raccoons were so bad."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Okaw Valley Kampground has a nice pool and playground, making it great for kids.
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or outdoor games to keep the kids entertained. A family at Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area enjoyed biking around the area.
  • Pack Snacks and Meals: Having food on hand can save time and money. A camper at Camp Lakewood mentioned, "Firewood bundles were $10!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of your site before booking. A reviewer at Double J Campground noted, "Good gravel spots with full hookups."
  • Use Online Resources: Check reviews and photos online to find the best spots. One RV traveler at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area shared, "We had 3 sites and made one a home base."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near highways, so expect some noise. A camper at Fox Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "There was a playground for the kiddos across the street."

Camping near Shelbyville, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Shelbyville, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shelbyville, IL is Coon Creek (IL) with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.

What parks are near Shelbyville, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Shelbyville, IL that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.