Map showing campground location near Colchester, Illinois

Camper submitted image from Twisted Oak Campground — Argyle Lake State Park

Twisted Oak Campground — Argyle Lake State Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Argyle Lake State Park, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, holds four distinct camping areas spread across its grounds, and Twisted Oak sits among the electric-hookup loops closest to the shower facilities. The park centers on a man-made lake that draws anglers and boaters, with a small restaurant near the boat launch rounding out the on-site amenities. Campers interested in camping near Colchester will find this one of the more developed options in the area, with electric hookups, drinking water, showers, a dump station, and ADA-accessible facilities available at $20 per night.

Site spacing has drawn mixed reactions. Some visitors note limited tree cover in certain loops, which means less shade in summer and less buffer between neighbors when the campground fills. The non-electric loop runs cheaper and tends to see lighter crowds outside of weekends. Storm damage has affected the road that circles the lake, leaving it passable only partway by car, though the camp host has recommended hiking the full five-mile route as an alternative. The terrain involves steep climbs and descents, and dogs are welcome on the trail.

"Camp grounds are clean and easily accessible if that's what you're after," notes Kyle D., and fishing and boating remain consistent draws across multiple reviews. Other campgrounds within the park, including Big Oaks Campground — Argyle Lake State Park, give campers options if Twisted Oak's loops are full. Reservations are available, which is worth considering for summer weekends.

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Map & DirectionsTwisted Oak Campground is located in Illinois near Colchester

Public Campground

Coordinates

40.454212 N
90.798691 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

1 hr 33 min from Peoria, IL
1 hr 36 min from Davenport, IA
1 hr 44 min from Springfield, IL
1 hr 49 min from Iowa City, IA

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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Twisted Oak Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

3.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

A state park campground with varied site conditions and multiple camping loops offering different amenities. Some visitors appreciated easy access and affordable pricing, while others noted spacing and maintenance concerns.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Art S.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2021

Rustic camping in large sites with a free exercise plan!

We were surprised to discover this state park in Illinois but searching on the Dyrt App helped us have a great visit. There are 4 different camping areas within this park. There are electric sites near the showers. Another loop of electric sites is down the road. Keep going and you find a small loop of nonelectric sites ($8! It’s hard to beat that price). A mile further and there is a gravel road where you can find walk-in sites (some didn’t look cleared but others were stunning).

In our loop of rustic campsites, it filled up on the first night. There isn’t as much greenery between sites so this was a bit of a struggle noise wise. The rest of the weekend only had a couple other sites filled. We were well distanced and this ended up being a really enjoyable campground. There are vault toilets near the road. Garbage cans are almost at every other site. While they weren’t emptied out while we were there, they didn’t really fill up with just a few of us.

Recent storms brought trees down and even damaged the road around the lake. Cars are only able to go halfway around - but you can go halfway and then drive back around to see it all. The camp host recommended hiking the road. The 5 mile journey was popular even though it is a series of steep climbs and descents. We loved it and our dog loved meeting all the other dogs walking their owners around the lake. This hike became our morning ritual as it was cooler temps and shady.

There is a small restaurant at the lake. It’s near the boat launch. We saw many boats and even people fishing from shore. This man-made lake is a popular spot.

Having looked at some other campgrounds in the area, this one appealed to us the most. Even hearing a train once or the sound of distant shooting didn’t take away much from our experience. We’re glad we discovered it!

(15) View All

Hannah S.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2021

Partially shaded spots in central IL

Good spots with easy access to hiking trails and lake. Better in winter, spring, and falls months.

Month of VisitDecember

Kyle D.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 18, 2019

Beautiful

Camp grounds are clean and easily accessible if that's what you're after. Also have a few hike in spots. Lots of boating and fishing. Also has areas for hunting during the seasons.

Matt S.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 13, 2016

Stay Away from Argyle Lake State Park - Camp somewhere else

We stayed at Argyle Lake State Park in the Twisted Oak Campground, site 20. It was terrible. They had just mowed the grass after letting it grow 6 inches high, so it was everywhere. As a result grass stuck to everything and was on everyone. Imagine a hairy dog or cat shedding all of its hair and getting all over you.

The campground had very little tree cover and the campsites were right on top of one another. In the summer heat you get cooked.

Adding insult to injury the bathrooms were disgusting. This makes family camping with small children very difficult. I did not take any pictures and cannot comment on the lake or the rest of the park because we only stayed one night and left first thing in the morning because we had such a bad experience.

Personally, a lot of these problems could be remedied by decreasing the number of sites (to create more space), planting more trees, and hiring a staff who takes pride in the cleanliness of the campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Argyle Lake State Park Campground?

Argyle Lake State Park's Twisted Oak Campground offers electric campsites with shower facilities in one section. The park has four distinct camping areas with varying amenities. Some sites provide easy access to hiking trails and the lake. The campground is generally clean and well-maintained, though maintenance like grass mowing may occasionally affect site conditions. Boating and fishing facilities are available at the lake for recreation. For the most updated amenity information, contact the park directly before your visit.

What scenic spots or photo opportunities exist around Argyle Lake State Park?

Argyle Lake State Park offers numerous scenic spots for photography enthusiasts. The lake itself provides beautiful water views, especially during sunrise and sunset. Hiking trails throughout the park connect to lookout points and wind through forested areas with seasonal flora. The park is particularly photogenic during spring, fall, and winter months when temperatures are milder and natural colors more vibrant. Wildlife photography opportunities exist around the lake and wooded areas. For those interested in recreational photography, the boating and fishing areas offer action shots on the water.

Is there a map of Argyle Lake State Park Campground showing the campsites?

While there's no specific mention of a detailed campground map, Argyle Lake State Park features four distinct camping areas with different site configurations. There are electric sites located near the shower facilities, another loop of electric sites further down the road, and additional camping areas beyond those. For an official campground map showing all campsites, check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website or contact the park office directly. Having a map is particularly useful for navigating between the different camping loops and locating amenities.

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