This is my go-to campground. This is where I bring everyone for their first-time (or first-time in a long time) camping trips. It's about 70 miles East of Chicago and about 20 miles South of Dekalb. I live about 30 miles East of Chicago, so it's only about an hour from my house...just far enough away to feel like I'm on a vacation.
I've never had a bad camping experience here (not counting the thunderstorm and leaking tent - which had nothing to do with the campground) and I've camped here close to a dozen times in the past 4 years. The campground hosts are awesome, they enforce quiet hours but not too strict. If you're having a good time and keeping quiet, they'll leave you alone.
The lake is for fishing only, not swimming. You can bring your own boat or rent one of theirs. They have a whole bunch of boats available to rent. I've rented a pontoon boat several times and had a great time. The lake itself has access from the campground and also general access through the State Park. On the non-campground side (which is only a 5 minute drive around the lake) there is a restaurant, more boats to rent and a fishing store where you can buy anything and everything fishing.
There is a small playground on the non-campground side of the lake that kids can use. The campground itself has a playground and some swings. My only concern on the campground side is that the playground is not really designed for my kids (currently 3 and 1.5). In a few years, they'll have a great time!
The town of Shabbona has a small grocery store and a Casey's within 5 minutes of the campground so you have everything you need.
Here's some of the finer details and my opinion of some of the campground specifics:
- 150 Class A Premium campsites (90 reservable through www.reserveamerica.com & 60 first-come first-serve)
- All with electric, picnic table, fire ring and vehicle access
- Also have 2 cabins available for rent
- Also have a youth camping area - 2 groups of up to 50 campers
- Sanitary dump station available
Bathrooms
- 1 Shower Building with flushing toilets
- 5 pit toilets throughout campground
- 6 water spigots throughout campground
General Cleanliness
- On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best): 8
- Pit toilets smell and look like pit toilets (a little bleach would be nice)
- Shower building is clean and comfortable
- Campground is very clean and kept up very well
Family Friendly
- On a scale of 1-10 910 being the best): 7
- There is a playground, but not the best for toddlers
- There is a youth fishing pond (I've never seen a fish pulled from there)
- Bicycle friendly
- Trails and paths for kids to enjoy (hiking trails are also great!)
Camp Store
- Always has enough wood
- Always has what I forget to bring
- Prices are reasonable
- Hours are good
Swimming
- There is no swimming anywhere (cannot swim in the lake, no pool)
Boating
- Boat rentals are available at the Camp Store (fishing boat to large pontoon boat)
Hunting
- Archery deer hunting, waterfowl and dove hunting are available on 744 acres at Shabbona.
