The central Illinois landscape surrounding Washington offers a mix of established campgrounds and recreational areas within a 30-mile radius. Millpoint Park in East Peoria provides waterfront camping along the Illinois River with spacious sites and deep shade from mature trees. Carl Spindler Campground, also situated along the Illinois River, features both RV sites with full hookups and primitive tent camping areas with river views. Further options include Comlara County Park near Hudson with year-round availability and Kamp Komfort in Carlock, which earns high marks from visitors for its family-friendly atmosphere despite proximity to highways.
Reservations are essential during summer holidays, particularly for waterfront sites which fill quickly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal variations with humid summers requiring insect protection. "If you haven't camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away," notes one experienced camper. Water quality varies between campgrounds, with some locations like Millpoint Park having high iron content that requires filtering. Most established campgrounds offer electric hookups (30/50 amp), water, and sewage connections, though primitive options exist at Woodford State Conservation Area for those seeking a more rustic experience.
Illinois River access represents a significant draw for campers in this region, with fishing, kayaking, and sunset viewing opportunities mentioned frequently in visitor reviews. Many campgrounds feature boat launches or docks, with Carl Spindler offering marina facilities. The relatively flat terrain makes for easy camping setups, though some areas like Pleasant Creek Campground feature surprising elevation changes that provide scenic views. Campers note the unexpected natural beauty, with one visitor remarking they "didn't expect this kind of camping in Illinois - nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin." For travelers along I-74 or I-55, several commercial parking options exist at retail locations in Bloomington-Normal and East Peoria, providing convenient overnight stops for self-contained RVs.
$18 - $100 / night
"Perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing"
"If you’re looking to stay close to Peoria and enjoy beautiful sunsets and the water this place has it. Big trees, deep shade and it’s right on the Peoria Lake on the Illinois River."
"This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that"
"It was also a short walk to the Illinois River!!!"
"Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."
"Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."
$40 - $45 / night
"Nice staff, quiet enough for being somewhat close to the highway. The trees seemed to block the noise well. They have a pool that was closed because of a virus or something."
"bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update: Highlights: (1) Closely located"
"The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."
"Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies. The campsite has three main loops with RV pads and electric goo ups."
"When Unhitching if there is anyone waiting to drive by, you feel kind of rushed. Don’t let it make you forget wheel chocks or something important. They have a nice pond."
"We stayed here last year and will likely stay there again this year when we are back in Illinois. The park has two sides, one side closer to the stage."
$8 - $12 / night
"They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises. They also said to let them know if others were too loud."
ScoutIt’s a nice place river views, even beaches at the river a path in the woods that are also 4 wheel paths lots of fun there. The bad part is there water is bad not even reg rv filters last one day. My white shower when I left was orange I was there for 4 days. Everyone is laid back no hurry to do anything
LegendSet on a serene 105-acre site perched above the Illinois River valley, Great Oaks Camp delivers an atmosphere of peaceful serenity blended with purposeful programming. First impressions are warm and welcoming with well-kept grounds, cabins, tent camping spots and lodges arranged thoughtfully, with a sense of intentional space that beckons people to settle in, reflect and connect.
The facility includes multiple lodging options for larger groups including Poplar Lodge that sleeps up to 60 guests across four dorm rooms, complete with a small kitchen and a fireside meeting room with TV/DVD. Hickory Lodge houses 20 people with two dorm rooms, couches and its own meeting area. Stafford Chapel offers two cabins sleeping up to 20 campers each, plus a large multipurpose room equipped for presentations. Eagle Nest and Turkey Roost cabins offer 16–20 beds in comfortable bunk setups, ideal for combined retreats. All buildings are heated and air-conditioned, with fully equipped bathrooms and showers.
Group activities are abundant and included at no additional charge. You can access archery, canoeing, paddle boats, fishing, disc golf, swimming, basketball, sand volleyball, Gaga ball, hiking, field games, high ropes, paintball, challenge initiatives and even an escape room. Meeting spaces like Pine Tree Lodge (with its commercial kitchen) ensure that meals are satisfying and communal. Free firewood is provided too.
Insider Tips? Here you go: (1) For large groups, consider reserving Poplar Lodge and Stafford Chapel together, offering both comfort and flexible meeting space; (2) If your group enjoys outdoor challenges, the high ropes course and escape room are standout features and make for great group bonding; (3) Pine Tree Lodge is ideal for meal prep or rainy-day hangouts as it’s got a commercial kitchen, card tables, and plenty of room; (4) Bring athletic gear as even casual games are covered: disc golf, volleyball, basketball and Gaga ball fields are included; (5) Rates include food, firewood and nearly all activities, which is great for budget planning and simplifying logistics; and (6) For meals outside camp or a short nature walk, consider heading into nearby Lacon where you’ll find a small host of restaurants like Wildey’s Country Diner, Mr. Mike’s Place, FroSmokes Meatery and Rita’s Kitchen & Bar all serving up delectable Midwestern staples.
Happy Camping!
GuideMay 15-20, 2025
Easy check in, empty on Thursday, site 47 Is full sun and level.
Not much shade in the western sites, plenty of grass, pads are gravel, mostly even. ADA sites are concrete. Site 49 and 51 have some shade. The eastern sites are wooded, narrow and secluded cept for a few near the shower house.
Electric was 20&30amp, newer metal fire pit with adjustable ring. Large wooden table. Pit toilets are ADA compatible, shower house has 2 showers, 2 stalls and urinal. Push button with good pressure and heat.
Cellular, T-Mobile 5G 2 bars outside, 3 bars LTE inside camper.
The Hosts were great, and very helpful. The campground overall is old and could use an upgrade. The toilets, showers, and playground, although the youth area has a newer area for the kids.
The park could use more water fill stations and there are two spots for dumping but only one septic hole. Trash dumpsters are located away from the camping area which makes for a nice walk in the evening.
TravelerWe had a wonderful time around the canal with our main issues being luck. On our first day there we were stalked and approached by some people who seemed to be on drugs, however we moved up the canal to a different campground and all seemed fine afterwards until our fishing poles were stolen at the new spot.
GuideIt’s a small “campground” right on the river with bathrooms, electric, and water. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table as well. The main issue here is that it’s between two busy streets and everyone with a loud truck in this town wants to drive by the river at night. It’s also completely out in the open, so there’s no privacy, which is made worse by the bright street lights that light up this entire place. Other than noise and privacy, it’s a nice place. Price as of Nov. 2025 is $35/night.
ScoutListed on app as free, but it actually requires a reservation and fee.
LegendBecause of it's layout, you never get a true sense of how big the whole campground is (50 acres). The largest and most open area is on top of the hill (the Highlands) but there are other areas that are shadier and more close to nature (Alcove way, Creekside, Oak Grove, the Glades).
Depending on the time of year, the creek may not be running, but the fishing pond is always full. Many activities in well maintained areas. It's a new campground and the general store hasn't built up much inventory yet. The firewood is dry and burns well.
Fire pits are basic steel circles, bring your own grill.
There's one central restroom with showers, clean and spacious, but it can be a walk from some areas (long hills too).
There are small cabins for rent and long-term sites are available.
GuideWater was available on my visit 10-7 thru 10-10. The place is clean and well kept, including the pit toilets. Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights.
GuideBeautiful, quiet, and clean park. I stopped for a quick overnight but will definitely be back to stay when I have more time. Sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement.
Primitive and established camping options exist within 30 miles of Washington, Illinois. The relatively flat landscape features some surprising elevation changes and mature forests at select locations. Temperatures range from below freezing in winter to humid 90°F summer days, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions.
Fishing opportunities: Fish without a license at Kentuckiana Campground where two stocked ponds allow catch-and-keep fishing. "Two fishing ponds. No license required. Catch and keep," notes a camper who found the ponds well-maintained and accessible.
Hiking trails: Explore the marsh boardwalk at Carl Spindler Campground which transitions from wooden walkway to primitive trail. "We enjoyed the short nature trail that leaves directly from the area. The trail starts off as a boardwalk over an interesting marsh area and then transitions to a primitive trail eventually leading you to the lake shoreline," explains one visitor who hiked with their dog.
Stargazing: View night skies at Jubilee College State Park where light pollution is minimal. "The viewing of stars is incredible," reports one camper. Another notes, "Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies."
Spacious sites: Room to spread out at Millpoint Park where campsites offer generous dimensions. "All of which are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks," writes one reviewer. Another camper adds, "We were on 2 huge pull-thru sites with just our 2 tents and we were the only tent campers I saw."
Wildlife encounters: Observe local fauna at Jubilee College State Park where the natural setting attracts wildlife. One camper reported, "This camping spot was very quiet and secluded, just like I wanted, but at about midnight there were at least 3 bobcats snarling and growling near our tents."
Budget-friendly options: Camp economically at Comlara County Park with reasonable rates for lakeside sites. "We were looking for a quick place to spend the night, like a Walmart or gas station when we found this gem. It is only a few miles off the highway, making it super convenient for a quick overnight stop," shares a visitor who discovered the park while traveling.
Seasonal hunting impacts: Check schedules before hiking at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area during fall and winter. "At 5 AM diesel pickup trucks pulling boats began to pull into the parking area. It was cold and dark so we stayed inside. Eventually we heard the boats heading out along with gun shots—some were nearby," warns a camper who hadn't realized it was hunting season.
Highway noise: Select sites strategically when camping near major roads. At Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, "A main road runs right behind the campsites. They have a wood fence on the electric side but not on our side," notes a visitor. Another camper warns, "This is a great site if you don't mind a very busy rural highway right behind you."
Cell service limitations: Plan communications accordingly at certain locations. At Kamp Komfort, "Good cell signal (there is a tower very close). We have sprint." However, in more remote spots, connectivity decreases. One camper notes of another location, "There is no cell/LTE reception out here (Sprint or Verizon). We drove to Casey's for a pizza and got a small cell signal there."
Playground options: Multiple play areas at Kamp Komfort provide recreation for children. "They have a pool, that was closed because of virus stuff. Smallish campground and good areas for kids to ride bikes and play. Nice Little swingset," mentions one visitor. Another adds it has "a big open space for playing and running."
Entertainment alternatives: Plan indoor activities when the weather turns. A camper at Timberline Campground suggests, "If you like to watch movies, I recommend bringing a DVD player since you likely won't be able to stream Netflix etc."
Kid-friendly campground layouts: Choose loops with good visibility for families with young children. At Comlara County Park, "Sort of small, which made it easy for kids to ride around on bikes, and for us to walk to the playground," shares one parent. At Kentuckiana, another notes the "Huge slide in the holler" that children enjoy.
Water filtration: Pack filters for locations with mineral-heavy water. At Millpoint Park, campers note the water quality issues: "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," reports one RVer. Another specifically mentions, "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in."
Overnight parking: Consider alternatives when full hookups aren't needed. The Walmart Supercenter in Peoria provides a convenient option, though "This is one of the larger Walmart stores... and even though this retail outlet is massive, as is its accompanying oversized parking pad, the place was very frenetic, and jam-packed with lots of traffic zipping around in multiple directions."
Site selection: Request specific amenities when making reservations. At Kamp Komfort, "Some sites have concrete pads, some don't. You can't put a carpet on the grass, and you have to put the firepit on the gravel, so you don't harm the grass," explains a visitor who found these restrictions affected their camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Washington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, Washington, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 67 campgrounds and RV parks near Washington, IL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Washington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Washington, IL is Millpoint Park with a 4-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Washington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Washington, IL.
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