Camping sites near Sumner, Illinois include state parks and smaller municipal campgrounds across rolling prairies and woodland areas. Most sites sit between 450-520 feet in elevation with seasonal temperature variations from below freezing winters to humid 90°F summers. The region's clay soil can create challenging conditions during spring rains, requiring campers to pack appropriate footwear and ground covers.
What to do
Fishing in stocked waters: Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area offers excellent fishing opportunities with multiple species available. A visitor noted, "Great fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel cat. Boats allowed with electric motors only. Max depth is 21 feet."
Hiking woodland trails: Red Hills State Park features several miles of hiking paths. A camper mentioned, "A five minute drive to the north side of the park offers 2.5 miles of hiking trails in hilly scenery," providing access to diverse terrain not found elsewhere in the region.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching opportunities abound at Beall Woods State Park where campers report seeing numerous species. One visitor shared, "Birds, wildlife abundant. Visitor center at park is very nice," making it an excellent destination for nature photographers.
What campers like
Level camping pads: Recent improvements at Red Hills State Park have enhanced site quality. A camper reported, "While were there, they started to regrade the pads at the sites. The new gravel was leveled and packed flat. The sites are greatly improved."
Individual trash receptacles: Oblong Park and Lake provides convenient waste disposal at each site. One reviewer appreciated that "each site has a trash can as well & they check them 1-2 times during the week," eliminating the need to locate dumpsters.
Consistent cell service: For those needing connectivity, Sam Parr provides reliable coverage. A camper confirmed, "4 bars on Verizon," allowing campers to stay connected even in this rural area.
Accessible fishing areas: Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area offers convenient lake access from the campground. A visitor noted, "Very close walk to the north boat launch from the campground," making it easy to transport fishing gear.
What you should know
Payment systems vary: Each campground has different payment methods. At Oblong Park and Lake, "Price per night is $10 that includes electric and water only... you drop your payment at the bathhouse on the honor system," while other parks require registration at entrance stations.
Limited shower facilities: Facilities differ between campgrounds. At Lakeside RV Campground, a camper noted "Subpar bathrooms with one shower for men and two for women, very low water pressure," suggesting campers bring solar showers as backup.
Site sizes vary significantly: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. One camper at Ouabache Trails County Park mentioned, "Our travel trailer is 22 feet and the site was large enough for our travel trailer and tow vehicle," but other parks may have restrictions.
Train noise at some locations: At Ouabache Trails County Park, campers report, "There were trains nearby that would go off throughout the day, but during my stay they were done by nightfall and resumed around 6AM," so light sleepers should bring earplugs.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Ouabache Trails County Park offers several recreation areas. A local resident shared, "There are a few, fairly short, but fun mountain biking trails as well as additional hiking trails. There are two different play areas as well."
Accessible facilities: Some campgrounds accommodate special needs visitors. At Ouabache Trails, a visitor reported, "The campground hosts do a great job of accommodating special needs. The Oabache trails hosts allowed us to extra space for parking and loading/unloading."
Dog-friendly areas: Oblong Park includes dedicated pet spaces. A camper mentioned, "Fenced in dog play area. Large park area with multiple playgrounds," allowing both children and pets to enjoy outdoor time.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord requirements: At some sites, hookups may be distant from parking pads. For Ouabache Trails, an RVer advised, "Make sure you have an extension for your 30/50 AMP, and one for your water as well," to ensure proper connections.
Concrete pad benefits: Harmonie State Park offers durable site surfaces at some locations. One RVer noted, "Didn't even have to put out our big rug @ the door because concrete extends all the way to the fire pit & picnic table," reducing dirt tracked into campers.
Electrical service options: Power availability varies by location. At Red Hills State Park, "Most sites are 30 amp but the Lake view loop are 50 amp. There are a few sites that will handle large rigs but most are for medium sized rigs," requiring campers to verify compatibility before booking.
