Is Lincoln Trail Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lincoln Trail Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Lincoln Trail Campground?

Lincoln Trail Campground is open Campground is used multi‑seasonally; shower buildings are typically closed around November 1 and reopen around May 1 (weather‑dependent). Many campers prefer late spring through October for full amenities.. 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 Lincoln Trail Campground?

Yes, Lincoln Trail Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Are dogs allowed at Lincoln Trail Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Lincoln Trail Campground?

Lincoln Trail Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lincoln Trail Campground?

Popular activities at Lincoln Trail Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lincoln Trail Campground

4.66

53 reviews

Top 3% in ILFall

Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Quick Facts

535 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is used m...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Check Availability

Get Directions

Quick Facts

535 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is used m...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Check Availability

Get Directions

Lincoln Trail Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Illinois State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Lincoln Trail Campground

39.3367, -87.7231

Nearby places

Marshall, IL — approximately 2 miles north

regional access via Interstate 70 — approximately 5 miles.

Nearby supplies

Marshall, IL (approx. 2 miles) for groceries, restaurants, and basic supplies.

Weather at Lincoln Trail Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lincoln Trail Campground

Spring brings carpets of wildflowers along the trails, while fall transforms the hardwood forest into a spectacular display of color—both seasons are ideal for hiking and camping in comfortable temperatures. Summer opens up the lake for swimming and fishing, though you'll want to pack bug spray and plan for warm, humid days. Note that shower facilities typically close from November through early May, making spring through fall the prime window for most campers.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 3% in IL

Fall produces a spectacular hardwood color display; identified as ideal season for hiking/camping.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Campground is used multi‑seasonally; shower buildings are typically closed around November 1 and reopen around May 1 (weather‑dependent). Many campers prefer late spring through October for full amenities.

About Lincoln Trail Campground

Tucked into the wooded hills and ravines surrounding Lincoln Trail Lake, this campground offers something for every camper—from full-hookup RV sites in the Class A areas to a peaceful tent-only zone right by the water. Whether you're looking for modern conveniences or a more primitive escape, you'll find yourself surrounded by mature forest and just steps from the lake.

Lincoln Trail State Park has two Class A campgrounds (Plainview and Lakeside) with RV and tent sites plus a Class C tent area at Lakeside that is more primitive.

Historical Significance

The park and campground are named for the Lincoln Trail route taken by Abraham Lincoln's family in 1831 when they moved into Illinois, marking the area's connection to early 19th‑century frontier movement.

Weather and SeasonsSpring brings carpets of wildflowers along the trails, while fall transforms the hardwood forest into a spectacular display of color—both seasons are ideal for hiking and camping in comfortable temperatures. Summer opens up the lake for swimming and fishing, though you'll want to pack bug spray and plan for warm, humid days. Note that shower facilities typically close from November through early May, making spring through fall the prime window for most campers.

Natural Features and SceneryTowering American beech and hardwood trees create a shaded canopy throughout the campground, while the terrain rolls and dips into surprisingly deep ravines that feel worlds away from the surrounding farmland. The wooded shoreline of Lincoln Trail Lake winds between the hills, and hiking trails disappear into dense forest and quiet creek corridors, offering pockets of true seclusion. It's a refreshing retreat into genuine Illinois woodland.

Geological RegionEast‑central Illinois ravine and rolling‑hill country: hardwood (American beech) forests, deep ravines, and a man‑made lake (Lincoln Trail Lake) set amid surrounding agricultural land.

Scenic ViewsWooded shoreline views over Lincoln Trail Lake and layered vistas of ravines and hardwood hills; approaches from surrounding farmland reveal a sudden transition into wooded ravine country.

Best Campsites

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Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (typical platform for Illinois state park reservations)

Best CampsitesPlainview Campground is recommended for larger RVs and those wanting larger or pull‑through sites; Lakeside Campground (including the Class C tent area) is recommended for campers prioritizing proximity to the lake and a more rustic experience.

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When to Book

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Amenities available

Two Class A campgrounds (Plainview and Lakeside) provide electric hookups, potable water, toilet facilities, showers, picnic tables, fire rings/fireblocks, playground equipment and a sanitary dump station. Lakeside also includes a Class C tent area with fewer modern conveniences. Shower buildings are closed seasonally (around Nov 1 to about May 1, weather‑dependent).

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Outdoor recreation centered on Lincoln Trail Lake and wooded ravine trails: camping (Class A and a Class C tent area), hiking, fishing, boating, picnicking, playground use and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTrails have mixed surfaces (dirt, sand, gravel) and elevation changes—sturdy footwear is recommended. Expect typical insect activity and reduced facility availability in shoulder/winter seasons (shower buildings closed Nov–May).

Emergency ServicesMarshall, IL (approx. 2 miles) for local emergency services.

Cell CoverageNone of the major camping or hiking sources explicitly report on cell coverage at Lincoln Trail State Park, and there are no carrier‑specific reception maps in the camping resources consulted. Given the park’s location in **rural Clark County, a few miles south of Marshall and just west of IL‑1**[2][3], it is reasonable to infer that **coverage is generally fair near the park entrance and main roads**, with potential dead spots in **ravines and deeper woods**. Regional patterns suggest **AT&T and Verizon** usually have better rural Midwest coverage than smaller carriers, but this is inference rather than a reported fact. Because no camper reviews directly mention reception quality, cell coverage information should be treated as uncertain.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.7

53 reviews

Top-Rated

Lincoln Trail Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Public reviews and park descriptions are largely positive: visitors praise the scenic wooded ravines, lakeside setting, well‑maintained grounds, trails and family‑friendly facilities. Reviews frequently note quiet, secluded atmosphere and good basic campground infrastructure.

Review Summaries

Based on 53 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic hardwood ravines and wooded lake shoreline, well‑maintained trails (including Airstrip and Sand Ford), clean restrooms/showers (when open), playground and family‑friendly atmosphere; Plainview...

Based on 53 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Choose Plainview for larger/RV sites and pull‑throughs; choose Lakeside (especially Class C) for proximity to the lake and a more rustic experience. Bring sturdy boots for mixed trail surfaces,...

Based on 53 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Beautiful state park, great shade trees, spacious camp sites!!”; “Great showers.”; “Perfect 3.1 mile loop hike on the Airstrip Trail.”; “Pet friendly.”

Based on 53 reviews

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