Vandalia, Illinois sits along Interstate 70, with surrounding RV parks located within a 25-mile radius of the city center. The area features gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 490 to 585 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this central Illinois region operate from early spring through late fall, though several remain open year-round for travelers needing overnight accommodations during winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area offers multiple fishing spots across its 1,980 acres. "The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it's somewhat far from supply stores," notes a camper at Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area.
Mini-golf and recreation: Several RV parks include on-site activities like mini-golf and paddleboats. At Country Bend Campground, visitors appreciate the variety: "This is a really great campground! Huge campground with a lot of different areas. Be prepared for a lot of walking unless you rent or bring your own golf cart. We really loved the bridges with trails to ponds, and the jumping pillow."
Proximity to attractions: Many RV campgrounds near Vandalia serve as convenient bases for exploring regional attractions. "Easy on off, right by highway, pulled in after dark and they met us to show us to the site and got us settled. Easy pull thru site with 40' and toad," reports a camper at Kamper Kompanion RV Park about the location's accessibility.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained shower houses and restrooms as important factors. "The bathrooms were lovely and clean," noted one tent camper at Cedarbrook RV Park and Campground, though they also mentioned limited tent sites.
Level sites: Many travelers passing through appreciate the well-maintained camping spots. "Clean and very nice campsites," shares a visitor about Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area, while another notes about Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park: "Long spots, friendly owner, easy access to hardware store across the street, coin laundry available."
Pet amenities: RV parks with designated pet areas receive positive feedback. "We really enjoyed Kamper Companion! We stay there every time we pass through Litchfield. Quiet, family friendly, and great for our dogs. We love the dog yard!" commented a regular visitor to Kamper Kompanion RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most RV campgrounds Vandalia, Illinois are seasonal. Cedarbrook RV Park operates from April through October, while Kamper Kompanion has a season running "March 15 to October 31." Some offer extended seasons, with Country Bend Campground open "April-November."
Site limitations: Tent campers have fewer options than RVers. One camper noted at Cedarbrook: "There are only about 6 tent sites at this campground, which makes it not entirely friendly for tent campers."
Connectivity issues: While cellular reception is generally reliable, Wi-Fi quality varies significantly between parks. A guest at Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park mentioned: "Downsides is wifi is poor, gravel is unlevel, limited menu on DoorDash. Would visit again for the great rate."
Tips for camping with families
Weekend activities: Family-oriented campgrounds schedule special events. "Holiday weekends have so many planned activities, some for all ages," shares a visitor to Country Bend Campground, making it ideal for families seeking structured recreation.
Playground access: Several RV parks feature playgrounds for younger children. One camper at Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area reported: "Kid had a blast at playground with other kids. Cold showers but said they were looking into it."
Swimming options: For summer camping near Vandalia, Illinois, consider parks with swimming facilities. "Big inground pool, 18 hole putt putt, lots of outdoor games, planned activities on the weekends, shaded sites, and air conditioned cabins!" writes an enthusiastic visitor to Country Bend Campground.
Tips from RVers
Early arrivals: Check campground policies about check-in times. One RVer noted a $5 hourly charge for early arrivals at some locations.
Site dimensions: Confirm your RV's fit before booking. "Upon arrival I was greeted nicely and checked in quickly. While beginning setup, I noticed an issue with the power at my particular spot and decided to let the staff know of the issue. They offered to move us to another spot and were very nice," mentions a guest at Archway RV Park.
After-hours arrival: For those traveling through central Illinois after office hours, some RV campgrounds Vandalia area provide accommodations. "We called ahead, but arrived after hours, no problems," shares a Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park visitor, while another at Archway RV Park noted, "We booked this on the road, and even though the office was closed, a site had been reserved and marked for us."
