Camping near Sullivan, IL

The campsite options near Sullivan, Illinois center around Lake Shelbyville, a 26-mile reservoir with over 170 miles of shoreline. Summer temperatures regularly reach the mid-90s with high humidity from June through August, while spring and fall bring milder temperatures in the 60s-70s. Most campgrounds in the area sit at approximately 600 feet elevation, with terrain featuring oak and hickory forests surrounding the lake.

What to do

Fishing access points: At Bo Wood, visitors can use the fish cleaning station and multiple fishing areas. "Lots of great fishing around and several marinas if you don't have your own boat," notes one camper who enjoyed the accessible shore fishing options.

Kayaking launches: The gravel paths at Opossum Creek provide easy lake access for paddlers. "We got our kayaks to the water not far from our campsite which was a bonus," explains a reviewer who appreciated the convenient launching spots.

Biking routes: Lake Shelbyville offers miles of biking trails connecting campgrounds. "Great place to ride bikes; didn't venture on lake but it was beautiful. Bo Wood is on north end of lake and is the quiet side," writes one visitor who preferred the less crowded northern section.

Golf courses: Eagle Creek State Park features an 18-hole golf course adjacent to the campgrounds. "There is a golf course and a run down lodge/hotel that has been closed for several years," mentions a reviewer who noted the amenities beyond standard camping facilities.

What campers like

Private water access: Many sites at Lithia Springs have their own paths to the water. "Most sites have a decent amount of room between them and there are some buddy sites where you share a large table cooking area and park facing each other," explains a reviewer who appreciated the spacious layout.

Swimming areas: Wolf Creek State Park maintains a beach that remains open through Labor Day. "There is a beach that closes after Labor Day, but there are lots of sites available all year round," notes a camper familiar with the seasonal operations.

Shaded sites: The mature trees throughout campgrounds provide relief from summer heat. "This place is really shady and is not exposed to the sun. The sites here are really clean and well maintained," shares a camper who stayed at Coon Creek.

Tent-specific areas: Several campgrounds offer dedicated tent camping sections with more privacy. "I tent camp when I stay here now, but have camped here with a motorhome and filled up when I entered and dumped when I left for a long weekend," explains a visitor who enjoys both styles of camping at Lithia Springs.

What you should know

Reservation windows: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "This campground is very shady on a beautiful lake. The tent campsites are level and there is enough space between the sites to make for a quiet night," explains a Coon Creek reviewer who recommends booking early.

Bug activity: Evening insects can be problematic during summer months. "Our biggest issue with this campsite was the extensive bugs, once the sun goes down the bugs get horribly bad. We let our dogs out past 8 p.m. and our camper was covered with swarms of psychodidae (sewer) flies," warns a Bo Wood camper.

Wildlife concerns: Lone Point Campground and other areas have active wildlife. "There is tons of deer and other animals to watch and watch out that they don't steal your food while you are sleeping," cautions a reviewer about the local fauna.

Camp host availability: Host presence varies between campgrounds and seasons. "I never saw a ranger the entire time I was there and the host didn't show up until Friday. The bathrooms were dirty and weren't cleaned until Friday," reports a Wolf Creek visitor during an off-peak stay.

Tips for camping with families

Playground options: Robin Hood Woods Campground offers unique play structures. "Wonderful pirate ship playground. Weekend activities for the kids. Electric golf carts allowed," shares a parent who enjoyed the family-friendly amenities.

Kid-friendly events: Several campgrounds host seasonal activities. "I believe I was told the Rangers do events for the kids," mentions a Bo Wood visitor who noted the educational programs offered.

Beach selection: Compare beach options between campgrounds for the best swimming experience. "There is a beach for the lake but it's outside the campground and down the road," points out a Bo Wood camper explaining the need to plan for transportation to swimming areas.

Weather considerations: Plan for shade during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. "Half of my trip was in the high 90s and the sun was just beaming on the building. So it was not pleasurable to use the bathroom or take a shower then," warns a Bo Wood camper about the lack of air conditioning in facilities.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have more level sites than others. "The sites are divided into many loops and have side pull-in sites and back-in sites. The RV and tent sites are grouped in the same loops," explains a Coon Creek reviewer noting the variety of parking options.

Hookup distribution: Full hookup availability varies widely between campgrounds. "There are 81 sites in total, 17 tent with electric, 17 full hook up and the remaining are electric RV sites. There are 6 water hydrants in the park that make it easy for all not water sites to fill up with their hose," details an Opossum Creek visitor.

Water hose requirements: Plan for distance to water connections at some sites. "Nice park, spacious sites, bring plenty of water hose. The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away," advises a Wolf Creek State Park camper who discovered this limitation during their stay.

Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping. "The campground featured a dog park which provided room for our dogs to run around. There was also a large boat ramp with ample parking," notes a reviewer who appreciated the extra amenities at Bo Wood Campground.