Campgrounds and RV parks near Westfield, IL

Fishing and paddling anchor most trips. Fishing at Gray Squirrel - Walnut Point State Park includes largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie; boating is limited to electric trolling motors, and swimming is not permitted. Lincoln Trail Lake allows small outboards up to 10 horsepower, and the Embarras River near Fox Ridge State Park is fishable and paddleable. Hikers get a good network of shaded trails at Fox Ridge State Park, including a route to the Eagle's Nest overlook. History stops within range include the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site south of Charleston and the Arthur/Arcola Amish community to the west. Families staying at Casey KOA can walk into town to see Casey's collection of Guinness-recognized oversized roadside attractions, including the world's largest wind chime, golf tee, knitting needles, and crochet hook.

The main Illinois state park camping season runs late spring through mid fall. At Lakeside - Lincoln Trail State Park, shower buildings close by November 1, with an earlier close possible in bad weather, and reopen May 1, weather-dependent; the same schedule applies at Gray Squirrel - Walnut Point State Park. Sites can still be used outside that window, but expect vault toilets and no showers. Spring brings redbud, wildflowers, and rising lake levels, along with some of the wettest months of the year. Summer is warm and humid with occasional thunderstorms, and weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the busiest for reservable state park sites and for Casey KOA, where the pool operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Fall is prime shoulder season: cooler nights, strong color in oak-hickory woods, and easier last-minute booking. Winter camping is possible at parks that stay technically open, but during cold weather, camp facilities are subject to closure, so call the park office before towing in.

Sites at the state parks are electric-only, not full hookup. There are no sites with full hookups; all have electric, with water spigots placed around the campground for filling tanks, and a double dump station at Lakeside - Lincoln Trail State Park. Fox Ridge State Park has a similar setup, with 43 sites, electricity at each site, a shower building, shared water, and a dump station. Rig length is a real consideration. Fox Ridge State Park sites are almost all back-in, with only one pull-through, though sites are level and there is room to maneuver mid-size motorhomes after unhooking a tow vehicle. Casey KOA is the easiest option for larger rigs and pull-throughs, with a maximum pull-through length of 70 feet. Cell service is patchy in the wooded state park loops. Expect shade, insects in high summer, and quiet nights.