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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
