Clinton Lake State Recreation Area provides year-round cabin accommodations within a short drive from Urbana, Illinois. The park encompasses several distinct camping loops with different vegetation patterns, some heavily wooded and others with more open prairie views. During winter months, water facilities shut down, requiring visitors to bring their own water supply or travel to nearby towns for provisions.
What to do
Swimming access: The beach at Clinton Lake offers swimming from 10 am to 7 pm with a $2 entry fee. "The lake is surprisingly warm. No dogs allowed on the beach. The sites were spacious, and ours had a path to the lake," notes a camper at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area.
Hiking trails: Fox Ridge State Park features some of central Illinois' most interesting topography. "The hiking trails are some of the best in the state because the glaciers dropped of mountains of soil in the area where this park is located. The surrounding farm land is flat as can be, but the forested hills and creek beds in the park are almost mountainous," explains a visitor at Fox Ridge State Park Campground.
Biking opportunities: The extensive road network around Clinton Lake provides good cycling routes. "There is a beach and concession stand, group camping areas and lots of roads to bike around. We enjoy the boating/camping combo," states a Clinton Lake visitor.
What campers like
Secluded cabins: Off-season visits provide much greater privacy at cabin sites. "Had practically the whole campground to ourselves. Water was turned off for winter which wasn't entirely clear. The RV fill was shutdown too," reports a Clinton Lake camper who visited during winter.
Spacious, shaded sites: Many cabin areas feature good separation between units. "All sites were spacious and shaded. We did not use any of the facilities but were impressed with how secluded our campsite felt. Each site is Isolated by trees and growth and the entire campground is shaded," says a visitor at Fox Ridge State Park Campground.
Lake proximity: Some cabin loops offer direct water access. "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on," mentions a Clinton Lake camper.
What you should know
Variable crowding conditions: Weekends and holidays bring significant visitation increases. "It's a nice campground but it's usually insanely busy. Holidays are crazy. I've heard people say you can sometimes get a nice, fairly secluded spot but I haven't had the patience to try," advises a visitor to Clinton Lake State Recreation Area.
Loop character differences: Different cabin areas offer distinct experiences. "The different loops have very different feels...some are very shaded in the trees, some more wide open with a prairie type view," notes another Clinton Lake visitor.
Limited nearby services: Some cabin locations have few commercial options nearby. "Bring everything you need for the weekend with you, there are no businesses close to the park," cautions a Fox Ridge State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Beach convenience: Select cabin sites with water proximity for convenience with children. "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on," recommends a Clinton Lake State Recreation Area visitor.
Bathroom planning: Cabin restroom facilities vary in quality and proximity. "We heard the toilets/shower house were in need of TLC so we brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who would not make it to the outhouse," shares a Clinton Lake camper.
Wildlife awareness: Some cabin areas have vegetation with irritating plants. "The sites were spacious, and ours had a path to the lake. Filled with poison ivy, etc, so long pants recommended when walking through," advises another Clinton Lake visitor.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Some cabins and RV sites offer complete utilities but book quickly. "We have only stayed in the electric only sites as the full hookup sites are hard to come by. Very quiet at night and depending on your site, there are nice views of the summer sky," reports a visitor to Clinton Lake State Recreation Area.
Site positioning: Many cabin areas require specific parking approaches. "Good paved road, big sites, but unfortunately all back in sites. No pull throughs. After unhooking our car, there was plenty of room for our 31 ft motorhome, slide, awning and all," notes a visitor to Fox Ridge State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Heat management can be challenging during summer months. "Almost every site has plenty of shade with lots of tree cover. This also means in the dog days of summer the breeze is blocked by the trees so get an electric site even with a tent and bring a fan," advises a Clinton Lake camper.
