Williamsville sits along Interstate 55 in central Illinois, approximately 12 miles northeast of Springfield. The surrounding area features gently rolling terrain with a mix of agricultural fields and wooded areas near water bodies. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F while fall camping season brings cooler 45-65°F temperatures and colorful foliage along lakeshores and wooded campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sangchris Lake State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots directly accessible from campsites. "We have stayed here twice, and will stay again for sure when in the area. Fantastic camp hosts, large pull through spots, pool, mini golf, and more," notes a visitor to The Double J Campground and RV Park.
Historical exploration: Lincolns New Salem Historic Site Campground provides access to reconstructed pioneer buildings. "This is a wonderful place to visit. I enjoy learning about some of our family history... Their cabins are reconstructed for touring as well as the old school house. Such a great way to show the kids how life was like for pioneers on the homesteads," explains a camper.
Trail hiking: Primitive trails await at Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wildlife Area. "Stayed one night in July. We tent camped in site 1 of the primitive campground. There are 7 sites well spaced with a picnic table, fire ring, trash can and three sided shelter in each site," shares a visitor who found the walking distance from parking to range from "0.10 miles to 0.50 miles."
What campers like
Affordable pricing: The Illinois State Fair Campground offers economical camping near Springfield. "An excellent, budget friendly, overnight spot," reports one camper. Another notes, "$20 a night. Campground attendant Mike very nice and helpful. Large campground over 300 sites. All sites have electric, most have water."
Clean facilities: Kamper Kompanion RV Park maintains well-kept amenities. "Just off the highway, but minimal noise. Clean. Well maintained. Pleasant staff. We had a long pull through, but there are a limited number of those," shares one visitor. Another camper observed it was "very quiet and super clean."
Spacious sites: Campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. At Springfield KOA, campers appreciate that the grounds are "quiet and in a nice wooded area but still only 5-10 minutes from nearby shopping and attractions in Springfield." Another visitor mentioned the "nice and spacious" sites.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Late summer storms can affect camping conditions. At Sangchris Lake State Park Campground, one camper reported: "It stormed pretty bad the second night there. Woke up to find my tent wasnt so waterproof."
Reservation timing: Some rv campgrounds near Williamsville require advance planning. One camper at Double J Campground recounts: "Called last minute on a Saturday, I had to leave a message and was hoping someone would call me back! Within five minutes, I had a call back and a lovely pull through site reserved for a one night stay on a Saturday night in May!"
Site conditions: Gravel quality varies between Williamsville area RV parks. A Springfield KOA visitor observed: "Campground could use some extra gravel on their roads and in the sites, but, still a nice place to relax and recharge."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Illinois State Fair Campground offers open spaces for active play. "Lots of families with kids riding bikes around the loop and some playing wiffle ball in the open field," notes one visitor who stayed at the fairgrounds.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. A visitor to Lincolns New Salem Historic Site Campground observed: "Love this place and have been visiting here ever since I was little! I love to walk through all the old buildings and learn about Lincoln's way of life. They even had horses and a bull out in the pastures!"
Recreational options: Several RV campgrounds in the Williamsville area include family activities. Springfield KOA offers "amenities for families like pool, little bikes, miniature golf and horseshoes," according to a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup locations: RV sites with complete services are available at multiple campgrounds. At the Primitive Campground in Jim Edgar Panther Creek, a visitor noted: "Pleasant campground with 2 loops. Clean bathrooms with showers. Choice of full hookup or just electric on outer perimeters of each loop."
Maneuverability: Navigating larger RVs requires awareness of campground layouts. At Sangchris Lake State Park, a camper reported: "Lots of room, easy maneuvering for trailers/rvs, electric and water at each site."
Seasonal considerations: Operating schedules vary for rv campgrounds around Williamsville, Illinois. Springfield KOA operates from April 1 to November 1, while Sangchris Lake State Park extends their season from April 1 to January 16, offering winter camping options.
