Located behind the Spillway Motel and across from Lake Shelbyville Dam, this campground provides direct access to the Kaskaskia River below the spillway. The site features 16 full hookup sites alongside about 20 primitive camping spots at $10 per night, plus a boat ramp and bait shop on the grounds. Some permanent residents occupy cabins and trailers year-round.
River fishing draws most visitors here, with anglers targeting the waters immediately downstream from the dam. October campers report relatively empty conditions despite the proximity to town. For additional options, campers can explore places to camp around Shelbyville Lake Park or check out nearby Kaskaskia River Camp for a different riverside experience.
Description
Overview
Spillway is a day use area on the shore of the Kaskaskia River just below the Lake Shelbyville dam.
Situated in the heart of central Illinois, the river, lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, picnicking and simply relaxing by the water.
Natural Features:
This facility is mostly open with some wooded areas. Oak and hickory are the dominant tree species.
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.
Recreation:
Spillway is a fun place to relax along the river. It has plenty of open space and a playground for children.
Lake Shelbyville and the Kaskaskia River also offer a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill. For those without boats, there are also several ponds with farmed fish available around the lake.
Hunting areas located within a short drive offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.
Facilities:
This facility has a reservable picnic shelter that can accommodate 50 people. Six picnic tables, a playground, volleyball courts, fish cleaning station, flush toilets and spigots for drinking water are provided.
Nearby Attractions:
Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSpillway (IL) is located in Illinois
Directions
Spillway is located at Lake Shelbyville dam, just east of the City of Shelbyville, Illinois. From Shelbyville, take State Route 16 east. Turn left (north) just after the dam into the day use area.
Coordinates
39.40694419 N
88.77972282 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage- Verizon5GExcellent Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 2/16/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- Verizon5GExcellent Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 2/16/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 39 min from Decatur, IL
- 1 hr 7 min from Champaign, IL
- 1 hr 8 min from Springfield, IL
- 1 hr 30 min from Bloomington, IL
