Vandalia, Illinois offers diverse camping experiences within the prairie-lake ecosystem of central Illinois, where elevations range from 490 to 550 feet above sea level. Vandalia's position near the Kaskaskia River watershed creates unique camping opportunities with a mix of wooded terrain and open water access. Summer temperatures typically reach highs in the mid-80s with winter lows averaging in the 20s.
What to Do
Fishing at multiple locations: Lake Shelbyville provides excellent bass, bluegill and catfish fishing opportunities. "The fishing lake is beautiful and stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish," notes a visitor to Okaw Valley Kampground, which has its own stocked pond for casual anglers.
Water recreation options: Beyond swimming, many campgrounds offer additional water activities. "Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville," explains a camper who stayed at Lithia Springs. The marina rents fishing boats and pontoon boats for day excursions.
Hiking trail exploration: Several campgrounds feature walking paths suitable for different skill levels. At Country Bend Campground, campers appreciate "the bridges with trails to ponds" that provide scenic walking routes through diverse terrain without requiring advanced hiking skills.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Cleanliness consistently earns high marks from visitors. "The bathroom was the cleanest I have seen at a campsite," reports a camper who stayed at Okaw Valley Kampground, while another mentions the "clean shower houses with warm water" at Country Bend Campground.
Recreational amenities: Many campgrounds provide organized activities beyond nature exploration. "Big inground pool, 18 hole putt putt, lots of outdoor games, planned activities on the weekends," describes a Country Bend Campground visitor, highlighting the structured recreation options.
Helpful staff: Campground hosts earn praise for their service orientation. "The owners, Barb and Gary, work their asses off to upkeep this place," notes one Okaw Valley Kampground camper, while another camper shared how "the owners stored our bikes, watched our tent, and even picked us up from the hospital" during a medical emergency.
What You Should Know
Yurt camping options: Yurt camping near Vandalia, Illinois provides a comfortable alternative to traditional tent camping. Many luxury yurts include amenities like electricity, beds with linens, and sometimes even private bathrooms. Some yurts at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area are positioned to take advantage of lake views.
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season. "If camping on weekends May to September will need to book in advanced," advises a Lithia Springs camper. This applies especially to the limited luxury yurt accommodations available near Vandalia.
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant seasonal variations. One camper at Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area mentioned they "went in late April and had a good time with not ideal weather," indicating spring can be unpredictable despite being a popular camping season.
Tips for Camping with Families
Multiple playgrounds: Several parks feature kid-friendly play areas. "There is a beach for campers to use, and a dock to fish off. A playground for kids," explains a visitor to COE Lake Carlyle McNair Campground, highlighting amenities specifically designed for younger campers.
Swimming options: Beyond natural swimming areas, some campgrounds offer pools. "The swimming pool feels great on the hot summer days," notes an Okaw Valley Kampground reviewer, providing an alternative when lake conditions aren't ideal.
Weekend activities: Scheduled events keep children entertained. "Holiday weekends have so many planned activities, some for all ages," mentions a Country Bend Campground visitor, pointing to organized programming that supplements natural exploration.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds provide more privacy than others. "The sites are spacious but fairly level and clean," reports a Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area camper, while another notes that "most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one" at Lithia Springs.
Hookup availability: Water quality and hookup consistency differ between locations. "Water and electricity are available on site with an old picnic table," explains an Okaw Valley visitor, though some campers have reported inconsistent water quality at certain sites.
Accessibility considerations: Site conditions may present challenges for larger vehicles. "Not a large campground. There's a catch and release lake on site, but not really any fish. There is a super long carp though. Sites are nice but not many pull in RV sites or tent sites," notes an Okaw Valley Kampground camper, indicating potential limitations for certain rig types.
