Central Illinois camping near Lacon offers RV parks with level sites on concrete pads within 30 miles of the Illinois River. Winter camping options exist at several parks, with Glenwood RV Resort among the few offering year-round facilities. The region features a mix of riverside locations and rural settings surrounded by farmland, with flat terrain making for easy navigation and site setup.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Sankoty Lakes, campers can fish in their stocked lake. "You can rent boats and fish as well," explains a camper. The nearby Illinois River, just 5 miles from Nature's Way RV Park, provides additional fishing spots.
Swimming options: O'Connell's RV Campground offers multiple swimming facilities. "3 pools, water slide, outdoor movie theatre, gaga ball, mini golf, fishing, boat rental, golf cart rental. The grounds were spacious, LG pull through site. Well maintained," notes Dawn T. Camping families appreciate having several water options when summer temperatures climb.
Hiking trails: State parks near Nature's Way RV Park provide numerous hiking options. A reviewer recommends, "If you are a hiker and looking for trails to blaze, then check out either Starved Rock SP, which has more than 13 miles of hiking trails awaiting you, or better, the lesser known Matthiessen SP, which has 5-6 of fairly decent challenging, but completely isolated, non-touristy-laden trails."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers at Millpoint Park consistently mention the generous site dimensions. "Sites are very spacious, easy pull through with full hookup electric, water, and sewage," notes one review. Another camper describes it as "beautiful and spacious" with "huge pull-thru sites with just our 2 tents."
Accessibility: The level concrete pads at many campgrounds make setup simple. At Millpoint Park, a camper notes, "We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling." Most RV parks in the area feature pull-through sites with room for slides and awnings.
Shade coverage: Several campgrounds offer tree cover for hot Illinois summers. At Kamp Komfort, one camper observed, "Mature trees on almost all spots. Quiet respectful campers." Another mentioned that "the trees seemed to block the noise well" from the nearby highway.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Several campgrounds report mineral content in water. At Millpoint Park, campers note, "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in." Another reviewer suggests, "Don't forget your RV water filter! The water here is very rusty."
Highway noise: Many campgrounds sit near major highways. At Kamp Komfort, a reviewer noted, "The only downside is it backs up to an interstate so there is some road noise." Consider site location within each campground to minimize traffic sounds.
Limited amenities at some parks: Millpoint Park offers basic services but not extensive facilities. "This is basic campground—flush toilets/showers and 3 cabins available but no other amenities unless you include water/electric hookups," writes a camper. "You'd come here to relax around the fire, play some outdoor games, maybe do a little walking, and that's about it."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: O'Connell's RV Campground caters specifically to families with various entertainment options. "Great for families with kids," reports one camper. Another adds, "A ton of activities for the kids, plus daily Yogi sightings! The kids loved the playgrounds, general store, and the crafts."
Bug preparation: Summer camping requires insect prevention. A Millpoint Park camper advises, "If you haven't camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay."
Swimming alternatives: When campground pools become crowded, consider natural water areas. "We tried to go swimming on Sunday but all 3 pools were so crowded you couldn't get in," notes one O'Connell's camper who then visited the beach area instead.
Tips from RVers
Reservation timing: For Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground, advanced bookings help secure preferred sites. "We stay with these folks often for kids sports," mentions one regular camper. Most rv campgrounds near Lacon, Illinois offer online reservation systems.
Seasonal differences: Weather impacts camping experiences. "Since the grounds are newly setup, the trees are newly planted, so no shade yet. I imagine this will be a place we're more likely to stay at during early spring or fall, because of the lack of shade," explains a Sankoty Lakes visitor.
Campsite selection: At Glenwood RV Resort, site choice matters. "What we didn't like is the powdery gravel sites (muddy when wet) that were not very level, and the long road in is very rough," notes one long-term camper who stayed "for several months while working in the area."
Legend
