Springfield, IL Campgrounds

Springfield, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Springfield is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Springfield, IL (43)

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Showing results 1-10 of 43 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Springfield

Recent Reviews in Springfield

198 Reviews of 43 Springfield Campgrounds


  • John H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Waverly Lake City Park
    Sep. 12, 2024

    Waverly Lake City Park

    Nice little lake and camp ground

    I've stayed here a couple times now. Each time there has only been one other person. It's quiet and peaceful, however there's not much to do. As far as I know there's no running water. There are portable toilets that are kept clean. There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit.

  • Aaron B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    Lakeside Relaxation

    These walk in sites check all the boxes.  At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from.  About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there.  We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well.  A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets.  Park staff and host were great.  A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64.  $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric.  A water source is also by the parking spots.  The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake.  Springfield being so close is a bonus.

    The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there.  Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park.  Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot.  Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.

  • David F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground

    JIM Edgar Panther Creek S.P.

    Praire Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tentand cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU. 2. Primitive Camp has seven three-sided shelters to camp near or in for a fee of $6 per night 3. Group camp area. A separate location has the equestrian campground, Questing Hills, with 51 electric sites.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Evening Star Camping Resort
    Jul. 26, 2024

    Evening Star Camping Resort

    Campers Are Like Family

    Love to swim in the pool, play in the bags tournaments, enjoy the fundraiser in July for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, mini golf, basketball and theme weekends. My favorite is the chili cook off and Halloween weekends are a blast!!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Anderson Lake SFWA
    Apr. 6, 2024

    Anderson Lake SFWA

    Simple yet beautiful & peaceful.

    We have been here 3 Xs over the pas years as a stop over while traveling. They only have vault toilets, but clean. This time no water due to water break.issue. just a nice place on a beautiful lake. Nice for bird watching.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview park
    Feb. 15, 2024

    Bridgeview park

    Excellent view

    Nice little park, port a potties, water and pavilion with grills and trash receptacles. Great views of the lake. Closes at 10:30

  • David F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
    Nov. 30, 2023

    Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

    State Park away from busier Illinois

    https://camp.exploremoreil.com/ 84 electric RV sites all reservable except 21 First Come sites. 18 sites are full hookup. Several 50 amp sites but majority are 30 amp. Modern Shower house and 7 Vault toilet buildings. Newer Campground so Shade Trees are smaller still. Have camped here 4 times past 3 years. Like the quite agricultural Illinois environment but suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities as most of the few small towns are limited to a Bar and Dollar store.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Kamper Kompanion RV Park
    Nov. 6, 2023

    Kamper Kompanion RV Park

    Kamper Companion Family Favy

    We really enjoyed Kamper Companion! We stay there every time we pass through Litchfield. Quiet, family friendly, and great for our dogs. We love the dog yard!

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Illinois State Fair Campground

    Large campground, good location, good value

    On the state fairgrounds just off gate 10 or 11. Very large number of spaces…older bathrooms/ showers but very clean. All spaces seem to have electricity and water.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
    Sep. 28, 2023

    Illinois State Fair Campground

    Clean, beautiful urban camp

    We always leave late on the first day of a trip and get stressed. This was an easy 3/4 day trip from our house and a great place to relax. Great thick grass carpet spots if you want.Great level paved pads if you want.Friendly checking , friendly security driving around all night. Lots of showers, mine was good and hot. Some traffic noise All kinds of open spots if it isn’t fair week. Don’t just show up fair week.

  • Sonia  Nathan B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Buena Vista Farms Campground
    Sep. 4, 2023

    Buena Vista Farms Campground

    Nice and Quiet

    If your looking just to get way and relax or go explore Jacksonville or Springfield you can get there in 40 minutes.

    The wifi isn’t strong enough to reach back to where we were but that was okay, I guess we didn’t need to watch tv anyways.

    You can still here some cars because of the highway but it wasn’t like really crazy. The part is a decent size if you don’t want to hear traffic go further in the back.

    Terry the owner she is super nice and friendly you would want to come back just for that alone.

    The wifi isn’t so strong but i guess we didn’t need to watch TV. If you don’t want to hear the traffic I suggest getting a spot in the back. The part is a decent size we really didn’t hear it until the morning so by that time it getting up and getting ready to go and explore. You can hit Springfield in bout 40 mins or downtown Jacksonville in 15.

  • JASON L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
    Jul. 28, 2023

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    Hickory Point Heaven

    There's really no way to describe this campground except for: Accommodating. Beautiful. Clean. Convenient. Peaceful. Relaxing. We have spent many weekends here and have never had a bad experience. Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff and crew do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!!! We appreciate them and this wonderful campground. Our favorite sites are 13, 18, 23. Please visit and enjoy!

  • Sara W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Weldon Springs State Park Campground
    May. 29, 2023

    Weldon Springs State Park Campground

    Nice campground!

    This was our first visit here, we haven't typically stayed so close to home. It was Memorial Day weekend, and the campground was completely full. The sites are pretty small. But even being small and on top of each other, the campground was quiet and still at night. The bathhouse was only mildly gross but it wasn't unexpected. I didn't use the pit toilet houses. Overall, we were happy there and enjoyed ourselves. It was a fun trip.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Illinois State Fair Campground
    May. 19, 2023

    Illinois State Fair Campground

    Comfortable Place to stay

    The showers were clean. Campsites are close together, but not to busy while I was there. Reasonable. Staff friendly. Security regularly drove around.

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Sherwood Forest
    May. 4, 2023

    Sherwood Forest

    Nicest hosts around

    The hosts at this campground were really nice. The bathrooms are clean, the place is quiet, and the nature around this place is a plus. As many people have mentioned, it’s a hidden gem!

  • Mike G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sangchris Lake State Park Campground
    Apr. 15, 2023

    Sangchris Lake State Park Campground

    Fantastic lakeside camping

    I stayed at the tent sites. They are first come, first served, and a short walk from the parking spots. There are times of RV sites also, although the host said most all are reservable and only a handful are firstcome, first served. There are restrooms and a shower house that are clean.

  • Whistle P.
    Camper-submitted photo from The Double J Campground and RV Park
    Nov. 6, 2022

    The Double J Campground and RV Park

    This place has a great location

    The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean. Our Starlink had zero obstructions worked lightening fast. We LOVED having a dog park to exercise our dogs daily!

    Great location, close to all the Springfield attractions and Slauterhaus Brewing in Auburn, IL (this is the best brewery nearby, better than Buzz Bomb or Obed & Issacs in town!).

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Springfield KOA
    Oct. 29, 2022

    Springfield KOA

    Nice relaxing campground

    Campground is quiet and in a nice wooded area but still only 5-10 minutes from nearby shopping and attractions in Springfield.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buena Vista Farms Campground
    Oct. 24, 2022

    Buena Vista Farms Campground

    Has potential

    Based on other reviews, we drive to the campground with intentions of staying the night. l talked with the owner over the phone to see about booking a site as we were getting in late. $50 per night and she would give 10% discount for Dyrt members. She said there were lots of sites open late in the season.

    Upon driving in, we saw sites on a large paved pad near the road with hook ups. Drive past the check in to see if there were sites that were off the road due to the road noise. Even though it was a bit off of the interstate, the noise from the highway was awful. The prairie land is flat which lends itself to easily traveling road noise. The road coming in was gravel, with some potholes. It has potential, but felt like a drive in theatre upon entering. We ultimately drove 30 more minutes to Jim Edgar Panther Creek WA for $20/night.


Drive Time


Guide to Springfield

Camping near Springfield, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, provide great spots for fishing. One camper mentioned, "We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole."
  • Hiking: Trails are abundant in the area. A visitor at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground noted, "The trails here are excellent for hiking and fat biking."
  • Swimming: Some campgrounds have access to swimming areas. A family at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area enjoyed, "We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Double J Campground and RV Park said, "The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. A visitor at Illinois Coon Creek remarked, "We had a full hookup site that was pull through. Our area was nice and flat and large, which was great for our kids to run and play."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground hosts. A guest at Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area noted, "The camp host was very friendly and fun to chat with."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Beaver Dam State Park Campground, may not have all the amenities you expect. A camper shared, "The showers were clean, but the water spigots are scattered about."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially raccoons. One camper at Weldon Springs State Park Campground mentioned, "She had to leave in the middle of the night because the raccoons were so bad."
  • Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Coon Creek is open from May 1 to October 13.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. A family at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area enjoyed, "Lots of families with kids riding bikes around the loop."
  • Pack extra supplies: Some campgrounds are remote, so bring what you need. A camper at Primitive Campground suggested, "Suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities."
  • Plan for quiet hours: Respect the campground's quiet hours to keep the peace. A visitor at Double J Campground noted, "Even being small and on top of each other, the campground was quiet and still at night."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Illinois State Fair Campground mentioned, "All spaces seem to have electricity and water."
  • Bring leveling blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly flat. A camper at Illinois Coon Creek advised, "Make sure to bring plenty of cribbing if you’ve never stayed here before."
  • Use local resources: Take advantage of nearby stores for supplies. A visitor at Coon Creek appreciated, "There was a very well-stocked store at the entrance called 'Castaways at Coon Creek' that had lots of helpful, unexpected, and fun items."

Exploring the campgrounds around Springfield, IL, can lead to memorable experiences for everyone. Whether you're tent camping or bringing your RV, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular campground near Springfield, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Springfield, IL is The Double J Campground and RV Park with a 4.6-star rating from 19 reviews.

  • What parks are near Springfield, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Springfield, IL that allow camping, notably Lake Shelbyville and Carlyle Lake.