Central Illinois offers a mix of prairie and woodland camping opportunities near White Heath. Located in the heart of the state with an average elevation of 730 feet, this region experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Camping season typically runs April through October, though some sites remain accessible year-round with overnight temperatures varying widely by season.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Friends Creek Campground, trails connect to a historic schoolhouse and conservation area. "Great trails with lots of gorgeous old oaks. The old school house is a must see. If you want to venture off there are plenty of little towns to check out or larger areas just a short drive," says Brandi M.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Shelbyville provides excellent fishing access at multiple campgrounds. At Lithia Springs, "The sites have both cement pads and gravel depending on the site. At the end of the circles there are some sites right on the lake and the boat ramp is nearby. The Engineers were even nice enough to build in a gravel path to the lake on one circle," notes Shelly S.
Stargazing: Harry L Swartz Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing. "It's a dark sky park so you can get some nice views from the campground and surrounding areas. Hosts and forest preserve employees keep the grounds up nicely," explains Tim F., highlighting the campground's commitment to limiting light pollution.
What campers like
Large, private sites: D & W Lake RV Park offers spacious camping areas. "Sites level, plenty of space between campers, shade trees, loved the dog run too. Overall it was a very nice well kept campground," says Ricky L., emphasizing the comfortable layout.
Well-maintained facilities: At Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, campers appreciate the clean amenities. "The shower house is very nice, clean and private. You can see the lake from the campground and the marina is only a short distance away," notes Emily P., highlighting the convenient facilities.
Peaceful atmosphere: The camping experience near White Heath offers tranquility, especially during weekdays. "This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek, gentle rolling hills, trees, birds & wildlife and a small bridge," Kate O. says about Friends Creek.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some facilities close during off-season. "Water was turned off for winter which wasn't entirely clear. The RV fill was shutdown too. Water option we're the lake or a 30 min drive into town for bottled. Not a big deal but something to be prepared for," Matthew I. notes about Clinton Lake.
Varying privacy levels: Site layouts differ significantly between campgrounds. "All sites are gravel and level. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are spaced a decent amount of distance apart and with the many trees, it did not feel crowded, despite being almost full when we were there," Lee D. reports from Friends Creek.
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites book early, especially for glamping close to White Heath, Illinois. "We stayed here during our travels from Kansas to Indiana. While we only stayed one night, it was long enough to know that should we travel nearby again-this will be our stopping point," notes Jill C. about securing a spot at Friends Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly attractions: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and beach access. At Comlara County Park, "There are a few playgrounds for the kids to stay busy as well as small marked trails to follow. Not too populated. There are also a few geocaches," mentions Sage C.
Water recreation options: Swimming areas provide summer entertainment. "Lake Shelbyville is a boating destination as the waters are unusually warm due to the discharge from the nearby nuclear plant. There are several different loops within the campground, some are alcohol free and others have direct access to the lake," explains Stacia R. about Clinton Lake.
Wildlife viewing: Kids enjoy animal sightings at various campgrounds near White Heath. "One couple found a rock bar to lay out on for their own private river-beach. The hiking on the other side goes through a mix of prairie and woods. The prairie is in restoration and we saw some traditional prairie plants among field grass," Art S. shares about Harry L Swartz Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Wolf Creek State Park Campground provides various connection options. "Nice campground but camping proximity is very close. Nice park, spacious sites, bring plenty of water hose. The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away," advises Nathaniel K.
Site selection tips: Choose sites based on shade and privacy needs. "When reserving, note that there are a handful of 50 amp sites, several 30 amp sites and tent sites available. For reference, we have a 34' fifth wheel. Our site was fairly level and easy to maneuver into," Jill C. mentions about Friends Creek.
Dump station access: Many campgrounds provide convenient waste disposal. "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. Some camping areas are more wooded than others and those also seem to fill up fast," advises Tim F. about Clinton Lake, helpful for those seeking glamping experiences near White Heath.
