Sand Ridge State Forest is a place to clear your mind and enjoy the beauty of our outdoors! The…read moreforest will forever be my drug of choice to escape from reality, even if it's just for a short walk making conversation with myself!

Wow what a golden find in Illinois. I usually don't camp in…read morethis state because it seems like one big cornfield, but now finding this place about an hour from my home might make this an annual thing. So after our last treacherous back country camping trip in Colorado, my friends and I decided it was time for some Glamping close to home for Labor Day weekend. We found this place... A man-made forest (largest one in IL) that has beautiful pines, oaks, fungi and cacti all growing next to each other. The camp sites were clean and well maintained. Plenty of sites and hiking trails. There are fire pits for BBQ or bonfires, picnic tables, trees to hang your hammock, & stores near by for beer runs. There are no showers, but there are plenty of water spigots and bathrooms. The camp rangers were informative and friendly. They came by daily to pick up cash for the sites... which is soooo convenient. They recommend making reservations online but you could probably just show up and find a spot. We had a group of 8 and split 3 connecting sites for the long weekend. The entire weekend we probably only saw 2 other campers.

The Railsplitter at Lincoln's New Salem has amazing cheeseburgers, the staff is top notch, and the…read moreactual park is very quaint.

Good side trip if you are exploring the area. Staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable. Nice…read moreplace for photos. I visited on a weekday afternoon and felt like I had the place to myself, which was a real bonus. There are a series of night events which I want able to attend. Will be back to check them out.

Checked in on a Monday there were zero staff to help us check in. The QR code for the campground…read moremap that is almost 800 acres does not work so you will be lost immediately. There is a lot of ponds to fish but without a map you will not find your way back to the camper. Also majority of the sites look like they are fully lived in sites will not be coming back

Main gate wasn't staffed so we had to check in with instructions left in an envelope with keycard…read morefor entry. The QR code for the map didn't work so we had to call management to find our site and couldn't explore all the grounds had to offer. Sites are geared towards more seasonal living, rather than camping.

Work took me to this location for two months. Staff was friendly, camp was well kept if simple…read more Showers had hot water. Most of the other guests were working locally as well and went to bed and woke up early. Only noise that ever woke me up was birds at daybreak and morning traffic. Fair price and they went out of there way so that I didn't pay a day more than I had to. Recommended.

From the owner: In business for more than 30 years, Webbs Valley View Campground is a professional quality…read morecampground in the heart of spoon river country. We offer full service RV and tent camping. We offer dump stations, water and electric. We also have scheduled music events monthly. For more information, call us today.

Perfect for camping and stargazing in Illinois. The host was very friendly even though we arrived…read moreafter 5pm (my understanding is he's available until dusk). This is close to one of the darkest skies in Illinois. There are other options with darker skies (e.g. Weinberg-King) but the facilities here with plumbing and showers make this the best choice. Firewood, ice, and ice cream are available for purchase from the host.

Very nice state park. Great for biking and fishing. Fish were biting but pretty small.read more

Love banner marsh. Always looking for reasons to come down here. It's a peaceful little piece of…read moreMidwestern swampy paradise

Banner Marsh Fish and Wildlife area offers outdoor activities for all types of outdoorsmen. I…read moreenjoy fishing at Banner Marsh, either from the bank or from my boat. Nearly every major species of game fish in Illinois is available here, with it being a great place to catch Largemouth Bass and Panfish. There are many different lakes available to fish in, and after 15 years of coming here I still don't think I have fished them all. Not only is it a good place for fishing and duck hunting, it is a great place to see native wildlife. I constantly see turtles, foxes, and different kinds of water birds including several swans that hang out on one of the main lakes. The only thing that would make this place better would be if they allowed camping. The biggest downside to Banner Marsh is that during the summer bank fishing can be difficult due to the plant life growing in the water. I really enjoy Banner Marsh and feel that everyone interested in the outdoors should make the trip to check it out.

ITB used to be good, not anymore. Steve is full of half-truths and deception. His guide Jeff Batula…read moreis horrible. Stay away from Grizzly Creek camp if Jeff is your guide. One of the laziest guys I have ever seen. He cared more about leaving than any hunter in camp. In the past, I have hunted with them using Rick Davis. He was an amazing guide, worked hard. Spend your money with other outfitters and do your homework. Do not trust anything Steve Phelps says. Once he gets your money, he does not care about you at all. No matter how many times you hunt with him.

Let me start by saying they do have deer and my 1st time crew was successful but abused. I've been…read morehunting Illinois for 11 years so I know the deal. We hunted Grizzly Creek and let me say it was amature hour with the guides. Donnie (main guide) was a complete condescending jerk. He had no interest in you as a client, your needs and had non stop nasty comments for any one and everyone. 10 guys in camp were very uncomfortable with him and several left days early. He never asked about your day or gave you a game plan. Even when guys shot deer he had a nasty comment or three. He thinks he is very special and I am sure Mr. Phleps is unaware of guides treating people like idiots. When they do finally move you on the 3rd or 4th day (if you want) they just swap you with another guy in camp and hope you don't figure it out. You literally swap seats and the deer look up as they have for the last month of guys in stand. The other guides were shady as well. We busted one of them putting a guy in a stand as an observation sit so the guide could kill. As soon as the guy on stand reported seeing a good buck cross way out, he witnessed the guide he messaged sneaking in street clothes way out trying to cut the buck off. When he was called out, the guide admitted it and laughed (they are not supposed to even hunt). I would never let a friend or family member pay to hunt with these guys. Remember, the guides could care less and they are out hunting and using you to scout for them...no matter what they say.