Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL

Park Info                                                 Illinois State Fairgrounds

                                                             801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL 62702

                                                             Latitude: 39.831553

                                                             Longitude: -89.640683

                                                             217-524-9894

                                                             Illinois State Fairgrounds

                                                             Open All Year (No water November – March)

Date(s) of Stay                                       May 9 – 10, 2017

Facilities                                                 30/50 amp, water, dump station, free Wi-Fi

                                                             Restrooms with Showers

Daily RV Rates                                        $20 to $25 (Weekly & Monthly Rates Available)

Rate Discounts for                                 n/a

Big Rig Friendly?                                   Yes

Access                                                     Enter through Gate 11.

Comments

The campground area of the Illinois State Fairgrounds will serve you well if you want to be just a few short miles from the sites of Springfield, IL – including Abraham Lincoln’s home, museum, and tomb; or if you just need a no-frills stop for the night. Other than during the actual state fair (in August), it is pretty open and ready for your arrival.

While there are plenty of spots amongst the grass and trees, I opted for a 2-day stay in the parking lot for the sake of easy leveling. Needless to say, it is not all that soul-nourishing to “camp” in a parking lot, but my main goal with this campground was to be within biking distance of downtown Springfield, where both Lincoln’s home and Museum are located, as well as a Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Dana-Thomas Home. (All 3 are must-sees, as well as Lincoln’s Tomb, which is outside downtown and very near the campground.)

The not-so-wonderful: The bath houses leave a lot to be desired, but they are plentiful in stalls. And a frustration when I first arrived was that no one was in the office. I waited half an hour, at which time someone from security assisted in my site assignment. Also, most sites are water and electric only; though there is a convenient dump station across from the office area. Lastly, the sound of trains occasionally wafts in, though not too, too loudly. (I am not overly sensitive to noise, but if you are, this may be a deterrent.)

Bottom-line: This will probably not be one of your favorite overnight spots, but it does the job. Conveniently located, I would not hesitate to return for an overnight stay.