Map showing campground location near Shelbyville, Illinois

Camper submitted image from Lithia Springs

Lithia Springs

With 105 sites managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lithia Springs operates seasonally from mid-April through October with rates ranging from $18-36 per night. Reservations fill quickly during spring and summer months, particularly for the lakeside sites that campers prize most. The campground accommodates RVs up to 100 feet with full hookups available on roughly half the sites, while the remaining sites offer electric and water connections.

Sites feature a mix of concrete pads and gravel surfaces with fire rings, picnic tables, and lantern posts. Shelly S. notes this is "definitely a fishing oriented campground" with direct lake access and a nearby boat ramp. The marina provides boat rentals, fishing supplies, and fuel within walking distance of most sites. Some sites sit directly on Lake Shelbyville's shoreline, though these premium spots see heavy foot traffic from other visitors accessing the water.

Clean shower houses and restrooms serve the campground loops, with laundry facilities also available. A small swimming beach operates during summer months alongside volleyball courts and a playground. The town of Shelbyville sits just 10 minutes away for additional supplies, while a small store operates outside the front gate. Several other Corps campgrounds including Opossum Creek and Coon Creek provide alternatives within the Lake Shelbyville area.

Book well ahead for weekend stays between May and September when demand peaks.

Description

Overview

Lithia Springs Campground sits on the eastern shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois. This facility has a variety of amenities and offers outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, swimming, picnicking and simply relaxing.Visit the Lake Shelbyville, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for News Releases, Event Information, & Emergency Updates. https://www.facebook.com/LakeShelbyvilleUSACEVisit it our USACE Lake Shelbyville Website for more information on Lake Shelbyville. https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lake-Shelbyville/

Recreation

Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. Lithia Springs provides a boat ramp, and for those without a boat, several ponds with farmed fish are available around the lake. Hunting areas within a short drive offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.

Facilities

Lithia Springs has more than 100 campsites, all of which have electric hookups. Some campsites are on the lake shore within a short walk of the water. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, a playground, swimming beach, fish cleaning station, dump station and boat ramp. A full-service marina is located adjacent to the recreation area.

Natural Features

The campground lies in an oak and hickory forest. Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer. Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink, raccoons, & opossums.

Nearby Attractions

Wolf Creek State Park, General Dacey Trail, Forrest Park, Community Cove, and Lithia Marina all provide great opportunities to explore Lake Shelbyville.The nearby Hunter & Fishermen Parking Lots, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge, Wolf Creek State Park, and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding, and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.

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Location

Public Campground

Lithia Springs is located in Illinois

Directions

From Shelbyville, Illinois, go three miles east of Shelbyville on State Route 16 to County Road 2200E. Turn left and go two miles to County Road 1500N. Turn left again and drive 1.4 miles to the campground.

Address

1989 State Hwy 16
Shelbyville, IL 62565-9378

Coordinates

39.4344444 N
88.76 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 5 users
Last on 4/30/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 10 users
Last on 4/30/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
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Last on 4/30/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

45 min from Decatur, IL
1 hr 5 min from Champaign, IL
1 hr 13 min from Springfield, IL
1 hr 36 min from Bloomington, IL

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Visitors repeatedly highlighted the well-maintained facilities, especially clean restrooms and spacious sites with good privacy. Many mentioned the family-friendly lake access and amenities, though some noted occasional train noise.

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed May. 6, 2025

Fishy, fishy, fishy

Definitely a fishing oriented campground ! The sites have both cement pads and gravel depending on the site. Some of the sites are huge, most are nice size and more or less well maintained. Luck of the draw on being level and having shade. At the end of the circles there are some sites right on the lake and the boat ramp is nearby.

Nice latrines and showerhouses.

The Engineers were even nice enough to build in a gravel path to the lake on one circle.

Walmart is within 16 minutes. There’s a small store right outside the front gate.

Site43

Month of VisitMay

(14) View All

b K.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2022

Great campground & marina!

Lithia Springs is a great campground with a wonderful marina located on beautiful Lake Shelbyville! We stayed at Site #12 overlooking the lake. The site was large and level although it can be tricky to back into. Also, the site is adjacent to a water observation/access area which invites a lot of foot traffic. This can be frustrating especially if you have pets.

Site12

Month of VisitMay

JCDuck712 D.

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 4, 2021

Best camp ground in Shelbyville

We love this campground. Great sites, lots of space and privacy. Reservation only! Beach in the summer and trails for all seasons. We frequent this camp ground.

Site32

Month of VisitOctober

Kathie M.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2021

Great campground

Really nice campground on the shore of Lake Shelbyville. Electric, showers, laundry, playground, nice beach, volleyball and some phenomenal sites right on shore. Well kept, sites with asphalt drive, fire pit and lantern hook.

Site91

Month of VisitSeptember

(7) View All

Debra M.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Best Campground in Lake Shelbeyville

This campground is well spaced and offers both privacy and full hook ups. In addition there is a marina in walking distance and it is a short drive to the Dam Project Office and Visitor Center.

Month of VisitJune

Emily P.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2020

Very nice showers and location

Quiet campground, although you can hear a train off in the distance and anyone on the water. 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. Shelbyville is just 10minutes making it easy to pick up more firewood and other essentials if needed. Overall very nice stay. 4/5 stars only because the sites aren’t set back very far from the drive.

Erick S.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2019

A gem on Lake Shelbyville

Great campsite to suit all types of campers! Clean bathrooms/Showers and a nice swimming area to enjoy!

Brandon E.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 2, 2019

A wonderful campground on Lake Shelbyville!

An awesome campground on Lake Shelbyville with full amenities! A great place for family fun and camping.

Nathan E.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 22, 2018

Great camping!

Campground well maintained and bathrooms/showers are kept clean. Easy access to lake, my family has been coming here every year for 20 plus years. If camping on weekends May to September will need to book it n advanced.

Michael M.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 16, 2017

Great place for outdoors activities

The Lithia Springs recreation area near Shelbyville, IL. On Lake Shelbyville has so many things to offer. This is one of my favorite places on the lake for boating, swimming and group camping. There are 105 campsites and they fill up with reservations in the spring and summer months, I would recommend reserving a site on line at: https://www.recreation.gov .

The campground is run by the Corps of engineers, it is well cared for with clean shower houses and restrooms. There is a boat ramp, picnic areas, a small swimming beach and very nice lakeside campsites. Half the campsites have electric hookups and water near the sites, the other half now have full hookups and 50 amp service. It is recommended to fill your tanks as you enter so you won’t need to get water during your stay for the sites on the point, those do not have full hookups. I tent camp when I stay here now, but have camped here with a motorhome and filled up when I entered and dumped when I left for a long weekend.

All sites have picnic tables, fire rings with grates and most also have a lantern stand. Most sites have a decent amount of room between them and there are some buddy sites where you share a large table cooking area and park facing each other. There are flat areas for tents and you can have two tents as well as an RV on each site.

The marina here is great with boat gas, fishing equipment, bait, snacks and other items you might need in a pinch. They also rent fishing boats and pontoon boats so you can go on a boating excursion while camping here for a price.

There are also cabins and motel rooms with a kitchen near the park entrance if you have a desire for that kind of lodging. See the links below for that.

http://gregorysresortmotel.com/

http://www.lithiaresort.com/

Site66

Month of VisitOctober

(12) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lithia Springs Campground and Recreation Area?

Lithia Springs Campground offers 105 campsites with full hookups, providing both privacy and spacious layouts. The campground features clean bathrooms and shower facilities, with private shower stalls that are well-maintained. Additional amenities include laundry facilities, a playground for children, and a swimming beach. Each campsite comes with an asphalt drive, fire pit, and lantern hook. The campground provides both cement pads and gravel sites depending on location, with varying levels of shade. A marina is conveniently located within walking distance for boating needs.

Where is Lithia Springs Campground located on Lake Shelbyville?

Lithia Springs Campground is situated on the shores of Lake Shelbyville near Shelbyville, Illinois. The campground offers waterfront sites with lake views, particularly along the end of the camping circles where some premium sites directly overlook the water. It's positioned just a short 10-minute drive from the town of Shelbyville, making it convenient for supply runs. The Dam Project Office and Visitor Center are also nearby. The marina is within walking distance from the campground, providing easy access to the lake.

Are there maps available of Lithia Springs Campground?

Maps of Lithia Springs Campground are available to help navigate the 105 campsites and facilities. These maps show the campground layout, including the locations of the shower houses, beach area, playground, and marina access points. For detailed campsite information, maps indicate which sites have the best lake views, particularly those at the ends of the camping circles that offer waterfront positions. To obtain a map, check with the campground office upon arrival or contact the Lake Shelbyville management office in advance. Maps are particularly helpful for identifying the most level sites and those with adequate shade.

How do I make reservations at Lithia Springs Campground?

Lithia Springs Campground operates on a reservation-only system. Reservations are essential, particularly during the peak season from May through September when the campground fills up quickly. It's recommended to book well in advance for weekend stays during spring and summer months to secure your preferred site. For the most current reservation information and to book your stay, contact the campground directly or use the official reservation system. Some waterfront sites like Site #12 are particularly popular, so early booking is advised for premium locations.

What recreational activities can I enjoy at Lithia Springs Campground?

Lithia Springs Campground offers numerous recreational activities centered around Lake Shelbyville. Boating is extremely popular, with the marina conveniently located within walking distance. Fishing is a primary attraction, with many campers visiting specifically for this purpose. The campground features a nice swimming beach for cooling off during warm months. For land-based activities, there are hiking trails suitable for all seasons, volleyball courts for group fun, and playgrounds for children. Many sites overlook the water, creating perfect spots for wildlife observation and lakeside relaxation.

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