Is Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. 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 Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground?

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground is open Peak camping season and reservations offered May–September; winter use is lower and services may be limited.. 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 Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground?

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground?

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground?

Popular activities at Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground

3.45

20 reviews

Quick Facts

440 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Peak camping season ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial Hookups

Check Availability

Get Directions

Quick Facts

440 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Peak camping season ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial Hookups

Check Availability

Get Directions

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Fees apply for camping sites and electrical hookups, but specific rates were not provided in the source materials.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Illinois State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground

40.9947, -89.4325

Nearby places

Lacon (~5.5 miles north)

Peoria (~24 miles south).

Nearby supplies

Supplies and services typically obtained in Lacon (~5.5 miles) or Peoria (~24 miles).

Weather at Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground

Best Time to Camp at Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground

May through September brings the campground to life with warm days perfect for launching your kayak or casting a line in the productive backwaters. Spring and early summer offer the sweet spot of mild weather and active fishing, while autumn paints the bottomland forests in gold and crimson as migratory birds arrive by the thousands. Keep in mind that fall's cooler temperatures coincide with waterfowl hunting season, and winter sees the campground settle into quiet dormancy with limited services.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

May–September is peak season; warm days ideal for paddling and productive fishing.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Peak camping season and reservations offered May–September; winter use is lower and services may be limited.

About Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground

Tucked along the Illinois River's tranquil backwaters, Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area Campground offers anglers and paddlers a peaceful riverside retreat where wooded sites blend into bottomland forests. This no-frills getaway delivers authentic outdoor experiences with essential electrical hookups available at select RV sites, while the surrounding wetlands come alive with waterfowl and wildlife year-round.

The Marshall Unit contains tent and trailer campsites with electricity and water; Spring Beach and river islands offer more rustic/primitive options for backwater or canoe camping.

Historical Significance

The area was first purchased by the State of Illinois in 1925 and has expanded into a multi‑unit wildlife area of roughly 6,000 acres; its primary significance is ecological as a long‑standing waterfowl and hunting landscape rather than campground‑specific historic structures.

Weather and SeasonsMay through September brings the campground to life with warm days perfect for launching your kayak or casting a line in the productive backwaters. Spring and early summer offer the sweet spot of mild weather and active fishing, while autumn paints the bottomland forests in gold and crimson as migratory birds arrive by the thousands. Keep in mind that fall's cooler temperatures coincide with waterfowl hunting season, and winter sees the campground settle into quiet dormancy with limited services.

Natural Features and SceneryNearly 10 miles of Illinois River shoreline create a mosaic of sloughs, marshes, and bottomland forests that define this wildlife-rich landscape. Your campsite, nestled primarily within the Marshall Unit on the river's eastern shore, sits beneath a canopy of mature hardwoods that filter the sunlight and frame views of the meandering backwater channels. Step from your tent or RV and you're immediately immersed in a thriving ecosystem where upland bluffs meet lowland wetlands, and great blue herons wade through the shallows just yards from shore.

Geological RegionIllinois River backwaters, floodplain bottomlands and bluffs (Illinois River Valley).

Scenic ViewsRiver and backwater views from sites and nearby bluff trails; elevated viewpoints on east‑side bluffs offer broad perspectives over the Illinois River valley and seasonal waterfowl concentrations.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsIllinois State Parks reservation system (UseDirect-based)

Best CampsitesSites closest to the Illinois River are preferred for fishing and paddling access and for river views. There are a small number of RV‑friendly sites with 30‑amp electrical hookups (noted as about seven in sources) recommended for rigs needing power; the Spring Beach unit on the west side offers more rustic, secluded sites, and river islands are used for canoe camping outside of waterfowl hunting season.

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When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Vault toilets, potable water, and 30‑amp electrical hookups are available at some tent and trailer sites in the main (Marshall) campground. A 6‑acre picnic area with tables and shelters is nearby and parking is provided at the campground and trailheads.

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Fishing, boating/paddling, hiking, wildlife viewing, picnicking and seasonal waterfowl/upland hunting are common uses; canoe camping on river islands is practiced outside waterfowl season.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal waterfowl and upland hunting occur in the area—campers should check hunting schedules and expect early‑morning hunting activity. Typical river‑bottom hazards include mosquitoes and wet or muddy ground in low areas; the campground is adjacent to IL‑26 in places, so some sites are close to roadway traffic.

Cell CoverageNone of the major camping or state park sources provide explicit cell‑coverage data for the campground[1][3][4][5][9]. Given its location along IL‑26 near Lacon and within 25 miles of Peoria, it is reasonable to infer that **basic coverage from major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T‑Mobile)** is likely on higher ground and near the main entrance, but may be **spotty in low river bottomlands and backwater areas**. This is an inference based on geography and typical rural Illinois coverage patterns rather than explicit reports. Campers should not rely on strong data service in all parts of the park and should plan accordingly.

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.5

20 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Marshall State Fish And Wildlife Area. Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Mixed public reviews: many visitors praise the river views, fishing access, shaded sites and a quiet, no‑frills camping experience; other reviewers report issues with proximity to the road, occasional long‑term/unauthorized campers and inconsistent management or host presence.

Review Summaries

Based on 20 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic Illinois River access and backwaters for fishing and paddling; spacious, shaded sites; some RV sites with 30‑amp hookups; generally described as quiet and natural by multiple visitors.

Based on 20 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring insect repellent and supplies; reserve the limited electrical RV sites during peak season (May–September); check Illinois DNR hunting schedules and unit rules before visiting; confirm island...

Based on 20 reviews

Camper Quotes

One of our favorite camping areas. Small campground along Illinois River. Quiet and beautiful area. | This is basically a homeless camp. | Best views! Super serene, clean and gorgeous.

Based on 20 reviews

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