Best Tent Camping near Neoga, IL
Neoga, Illinois offers several tent camping options within a short drive of town, centered around Lake Shelbyville and nearby river systems. Spillway Campground, situated on the Kaskaskia River, provides both drive-in and walk-in tent sites with access to fishing and water recreation. Hidden Springs State Forest's Shady Grove Campground offers a more forested tent camping experience with primitive sites available for those seeking a more secluded outdoor experience.
Most tent campgrounds in the Neoga area provide basic amenities suited for primitive camping experiences. Spillway features drinking water, electric hookups, picnic tables, and allows fires with firewood available on-site. Shady Grove Campground in Hidden Springs State Forest offers more basic accommodations with toilets and trash service but fewer amenities, making it appropriate for campers seeking a more traditional tent camping experience. Most sites require advance reservations, though availability varies seasonally with summer weekends filling quickly.
The tent camping experience near Neoga provides good access to local water features and natural areas. Sites at Spillway Campground offer direct access to the Kaskaskia River, with one camper noting that "the campground is the only one with full access to the river after it leaves Lake Shelbyville." The fishing opportunities are particularly notable, with sites strategically positioned for anglers. Sullivan Marina and Campgrounds Resort provides another option with lake access, though a recent review mentioned "they have very strict hours, and after 10 PM you have to call to get in the gates." Tent campers at these sites benefit from relatively flat terrain and proximity to both water recreation and hiking opportunities, with most sites offering enough space to comfortably set up tents away from neighboring campers.