Is Sullivan Marina And Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Sullivan Marina And Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

What is the best time to visit Sullivan Marina And Campground?

Sullivan Marina And Campground is open Open from April 17 to October 25 with peak season rates.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Sullivan Marina And Campground?

Sullivan Marina And Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Sullivan Marina And Campground have?

Sullivan Marina And Campground has 100 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Sullivan Marina And Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Sullivan Marina And Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Sullivan Marina And Campground?

Popular activities at Sullivan Marina And Campground include Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Sullivan Marina And Campground

4.65

97 reviews

1989 State Hwy 16, Shelbyville, IL, USA

Family FriendlySummer Destination

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Illinois#1 Summer Camping Illinois#1 RV Camping Illinois#1 +6 more

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

640 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

100 campsites

Season

Open from April 17 t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Lake Shelbyville Recreation Area Management Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

640 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

100 campsites

Season

Open from April 17 t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Lake Shelbyville Recreation Area Management Official Website

Get Directions

Sullivan Marina And Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

217-774-3951null

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

1989 State Hwy 16, Shelbyville, IL, USA

Sullivan Marina And Campground

1989 State Hwy 16, Shelbyville, IL, USA

Nearby places

Shelbyville (3 miles, ~5 min), Sullivan (~10 miles, ~15 min).

Weather at Sullivan Marina And Campground

Best Time to Camp at Sullivan Marina And Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable conditions for boating, swimming, and lakeside relaxation — expect daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-90s°F and nighttime temps in the 60s. The marina and boat ramps are fully active, making it easy to launch for long days on Lake Shelbyville and take advantage of fishing, water-skiing, and sunset cruises. Weekends and holiday periods are busiest (reserve sites early and expect peak-season rates), but the warm weather and full marina services make summer Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Peak season: marina full, active boating, and August fireworks make summer the highlight.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open from April 17 to October 25 with peak season rates.

About Sullivan Marina And Campground

Sullivan Marina And Campground sits on the shores of Lake Shelbyville in central Illinois, operated by Lake Shelbyville Recreation Area Management. This large lakefront campground caters to boaters and water enthusiasts with direct marina access, an on-site restaurant, and both tent and RV sites. Reviewers praise the clean facilities and the annual August fireworks show, though sites are close together.

The Sullivan Marina and Campground caters to long-term campers and offers tent and RV accommodations. The campground also includes rentable rooms.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable conditions for boating, swimming, and lakeside relaxation — expect daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-90s°F and nighttime temps in the 60s. The marina and boat ramps are fully active, making it easy to launch for long days on Lake Shelbyville and take advantage of fishing, water-skiing, and sunset cruises. Weekends and holiday periods are busiest (reserve sites early and expect peak-season rates), but the warm weather and full marina services make summer Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation640 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a transition zone where oak and hickory forest meets remnants of tallgrass prairie. Mature hardwoods provide shade across much of the property, while scattered prairie flowers add color during the growing season. The forest supports deer, songbirds, and other wildlife. At 640 feet elevation, the terrain is relatively flat, typical of central Illinois lake country. Lake Shelbyville forms the eastern boundary, with views of open water from waterfront sites.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground includes rooms for rent and offers a pool. There is also an on-site restaurant, the North End Pub & Grill, which offers indoor and outdoor seating.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Up to 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One RV and three tents, or four tents per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be modified via Recreation.gov or the mobile app.

PrivacyUser reviews indicate that sites are close together, which may limit privacy.

Total Campsites100 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites with access to the lake or shade from oak and hickory trees.

Best CampsitesWaterfront sites are the most popular for their lake views and proximity to the marina. Book these early, especially for summer weekends and the annual August fireworks show.

Amenities available

The Sullivan Marina and Campground is part of Lake Shelbyville and is characterized as a frequently visited location with a strong average user sentiment rating of 4.71 for general activities and 4.2 for campgrounds. The campground features long-term sites that may be close together, as per user feedback.

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Sullivan Marina and Campground offers direct access to Lake Shelbyville for various water-based activities. Activities include swimming, fishing, and boating. The campground is also known for its annual August fireworks show hosted by the owner.

Boating

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.7

97 reviews

Top-Rated

Sullivan Marina And Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users generally have positive experiences at Sullivan Marina and Campground, noting its clean facilities, good food at the on-site restaurant, and an annual fireworks show.

Review Summaries

Based on 97 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities maintained by the owner, the on-site North End Pub & Grill with good food, and the annual fireworks show in August as a customer appreciation event.

Based on 97 reviews

Common Concerns

Sites may be too close together, limiting privacy. Service at the restaurant can be inconsistent, and the menu options have reportedly decreased while prices increased.

Based on 97 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Guests recommend visiting during the annual August fireworks show. They also suggest trying the Sunday breakfast at the North End Pub & Grill.

Based on 97 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is particularly popular due to the annual fireworks show in August and the increased accessibility of the marina.

Based on 97 reviews

Camper Quotes

"John keeps this place very clean. We have a blast out here." "The food is good. Staff is a 50/50 shot. Sometimes we get great service, sometimes we don't." "3 nice things about this place: It has...

Based on 97 reviews

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Go if

You want direct lake access for boating and don't mind compact site spacing.

Skip if

You need privacy between sites or prefer a quieter, non-marina setting.

Nearby Campgrounds

Forrest W. Bo Wood sits on Lake Shelbyville's shoreline, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with full-hookup RV sites and tent camping across a large footprint. The campground features a boat ramp, dog park, and direct lake access for fishing and boating. Reviewers praise the spacious pull-throughs and helpful staff, though shower house cleanliness and weekend crowds draw occasional complaints.