$20 / night

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Twisted Oak Campground — Argyle Lake State Park

4 Reviews

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Twisted Oak Campground, near Colchester, Illinois, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without straying too far from home. This campground offers a mix of electric and non-electric sites, making it suitable for both tent campers and RV enthusiasts.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including showers and vault toilets, which visitors appreciate after a day of hiking or fishing. Many campers have enjoyed the spacious sites, although some noted that the proximity of certain sites can lead to a bit of noise. As one camper mentioned, “In our loop of rustic campsites, it filled up on the first night,” but they still found it enjoyable with plenty of room to spread out.

Outdoor activities abound here, with easy access to hiking trails and a lovely man-made lake that’s popular for boating and fishing. The scenic five-mile hike around the lake is a favorite among visitors, especially in cooler weather when it’s shaded and pleasant. Plus, there’s a small restaurant nearby for those who want to grab a bite after a day of exploring.

While some campers have had mixed experiences, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. Whether you’re looking to relax by the fire or hit the trails, Twisted Oak Campground has the essentials for a memorable camping trip.

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Location

Twisted Oak Campground — Argyle Lake State Park is located in Illinois

Coordinates

40.454212 N
90.798691 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Lower Augusta Skunk River Access

55 min away

Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey

1 hr 7 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

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

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

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

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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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