Woodford State Conservation Area

Within the Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, this Illinois Department of Natural Resources campground sits on a single loop accessible by a bumpy entrance road that state funding may eventually improve. Campers can choose sites away from others along the stretched layout, though the area can flood when the nearby river rises during storms.

Vault toilets serve the campground, with some still closed due to restrictions. A boat ramp provides water access, and a fish cleaning station handles the day's catch. Local anglers frequent the area throughout the day, launching boats or fishing from shore along the levees that circle the campground. Large gnat-like insects appear seasonally but don't bite. For additional camping choices, explore sites around Chillicothe. The hosts recommend letting them know about any noise concerns from other campers.

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Location

Public Campground

Woodford State Conservation Area is located in Illinois

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

40.881335327502896 N
89.45690072717804 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 3/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 3/13/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2021

Pros & Cons..

Cons: A little rough, but is kept up as best as they can. Funding for the area is lacking. It floods out when it storms. Alot of gnats. Entry road needs repairs. Pros: boat ramp, incredible view for sunset photography. Lots of space for tents or RV's. Good fishing. Plenty of parking. Friendly caretakers. Has a fish cleaning station to gut & clean your catch. Toilets available.

Sitetent spot near the water.
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Nice spot with fishing and levees to walk

This rustic yet charming place was a welcoming respite for the weekend. The hosts are kind and friendly. They were willing to help bring picnic tables to a site if they weren't already there. They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises. They also said to let them know if others were too loud. We found nothing out of the ordinary to worry about.

We choose a site away from the others - but it is just one stretched loop. There are vault toilets - some are still closed due to covid restrictions but the hosts are working on improving things. In fact they are waiting for more money from the state to finish improving the entrance road. It was bumpy but not too bad. There were bunches of large gnat-like insects but they didn't bite like mosquitos. 

There are a series of levees that circle around the campground. Locals came in all day long to fish. Some launched their boats but most stayed on shore. We walked along the levees to explore the area. The brush was maybe knee high but it was a peaceful hike.

Just down the road is a campground that is close to the road. We stayed there first thinking we were at this place. Back at home I looked things up on the computer and saw we were off. We would definitely come back here again.

  • Review photo of Woodford State Conservation Area by Art S., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Woodford State Conservation Area by Art S., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Woodford State Conservation Area by Art S., June 1, 2021
  • (9) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Woodford State Conservation Area?

Camping at Woodford State Conservation Area can cost between $8.00 and $12.00 depending on the site.

Are fires allowed at Woodford State Conservation Area?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Woodford State Conservation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Woodford State Conservation Area have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Woodford State Conservation Area does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Woodford State Conservation Area?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, good coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.