Illinois Beach State Park Campground

nice campgrounds with electric and lots of wells close by, bathrooms were pretty dirty so didn't use the showers. but it's super close to the lake so you can walk back and forth to your site. only thing was there was so much cottonwoods covering everything and a million ant hills all over the site.

We enjoyed our weekend camping/hiking at Illinois Beach State Park!

Biggest highlights were that the campground is right off the beach and there is nice hiking trails that are walkable from the campground. Few things to mention… bathrooms were clean, but VERY old/creepy and had no soap. We camped mid-September and barely saw any bugs/mosquitoes. There is a very nice campground/beach store where you can buy firewood, ice, etc. but it’s pricey.

We found the best sites were 259, 258, 257, 256 and 253. These sites are all a little more private and wooded. The rest of the campground was a little more open and not very private.

Definitely worth a trip!

We stop here annually for a beach camping weekend. The water and dump station is large enough for two RVs at a time. Campsites are decent with some exceptional sites in the pines. There are reservable sites and first come sites. All sites have direct access to the beach park or lake access directly through the campground. Campground access is not the sandy beach, but rather your own slice of lake Michigan. This is a state park so alcohol is prohibited. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but there are usually 3-4. There is a walkable trail lakeside that has seen better days. Along the way are the remnants of long gone days where concessions and showers were beach side. There are showers and flushable toilets available in the campground that seem to be taken care of but we don't frequent them. This is a decent place to spend the weekend with access to Lake Michigan, it has its charm.

I’ve been coming to this place for 24 years. I love it. The nature, birds, can hear owls at night if you paying attention. Beautiful night skyline. Listening and watching fire camps, having fun with your friends, family. Walk to beach is so close ❤️ Nice people everywhere, in campground and also in office. I am from Chicago and always enjoy the under hour drive in here.