Rv camping near Sumner, Illinois offers both shaded sites and open lake views within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level in east-central Illinois, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F from June through August. Fall camping season typically runs from mid-September through late October when nighttime temperatures drop into the 40s.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Shakamak State Park features three lakes spanning about 400 acres with excellent fishing conditions. "There's 7 hiking trails. All are nice walks in the woods. All were muddy in sections. There's an old coal mine on Trail 2. Blocked off for safety. This is a fishing park. Boating with electric motors, so a quiet lake," notes one visitor.
Lake activities: At Oblong Park and Lake, campers can fish or walk the paved path around the water. "Nice paced walking path around the lake. Fenced in dog play area. Large park area with multiple playgrounds," according to a recent camper. Rental boats aren't widely available, so bringing your own kayak or canoe is recommended.
Playgrounds and recreation: Most campgrounds in the area maintain playground equipment for children. "Playground is good! Shower house always clean. The family that owns it are great people! We love camping here!" says a visitor to Spring Creek Campground, noting the family-friendly amenities.
What campers like
Natural environment: Spring Creek Campground offers a peaceful setting with small fishing ponds. "This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've been in in a long time. It's small, owned by an older farmer, has electricity and bathrooms. It's on a couple of small lakes and the bird sounds, the frogs, ducks, the whole natural environment is just wonderful," according to a recent camper.
Clean facilities: The bathroom and shower facilities at most area campgrounds receive positive reviews. "The bathrooms/showers are KOA clean. Also unheard of in an Indiana State Park. I couldn't even find a spider web. Kudos to the park employees & camp hosts!" notes a visitor to Shakamak State Park.
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates at smaller municipal campgrounds. "Price per night is $10 that includes electric and water only...there is a dump station in the park as well..you drop your payment at the bathhouse on the honor system," explains a visitor to Oblong Park and Lake.
What you should know
Site conditions: Many campgrounds are working to improve their sites. At Beall Woods State Park, "The grounds were very well maintained with trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. We were there on a Sunday night and were the only campers in the park."
Sanitation facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The star I knocked off was for the pit toilets. They had not been limed in a while as evidenced by the bugs swarming inside the pits and larva swimming in the bottom. If I didn't have a portable travel potty of my own, I would have not given even four stars," notes a Beall Woods visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Campground activity levels change throughout the year. "The pool was only opened on the weekends in August which was disappointing but there was a large fishing dock and many boating opportunities. Very nice camping spot, but in August beware of the bugs!" warns a Shakamak State Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Camp Lakewood offers swimming areas that aren't crowded. "The swimming area is basically just a dock you can jump off of but it's not crowded at all so plenty of room for my family. The bathrooms are so clean! Nice place over all!" according to one family visitor.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with both water access and play structures. "There are many options for what site to stay at and there are plenty of things to do while here. Quiet at night as well, and there is even a lounge for people to chill out in at night," notes a Camp Lakewood visitor.
Meal planning: Some campgrounds offer food service on-site. "We had pizza in their bar it was locally made chicken, bacon, ranch and Butch's sweet hot sauce. Good music on the jukebox," mentions a Camp Lakewood camper, providing an alternative to cooking.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking rv camping near Sumner, consider waterfront sites. At Lakeside RV Campground, "Mostly seasonal campers. No sewage hookup, but does have a dump station. Subpar bathrooms with one shower for men and two for women, very low water pressure. This location is for those who like to fish, right across the road from East Fork Lake."
Hookups and utilities: Full-service RV sites are limited in the region. "All spots are back in. All have electricity but only a few have water. There are clean restrooms with free showers. There is a central dumping station upon exit. At $25 per night, this place is beautiful," notes a Spring Creek camper.
Leveling and access: Some parks require careful navigation. "The sites are all flat - ALL FLAT!!! No inclined sites at all! Unheard of in an Indiana State Park, but there you go," explains a Shakamak State Park visitor, highlighting an important factor for RV setup.
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