Illini State Park, IL – Winter Camping

Illini State Park is open all year. During the winter months, all campsites are first come, first serve with payment due at the camp office drop box. In 2020, Sites without electricity are $8 and sites with electricity are $18 per night. For the most part, the campground is empty. Its a hidden gem and each time we went we picked the best campsite in the park – the cabin.

There is a single cabin that sleeps 5-6. Inside is a nice table for meals, two bunk beds each with two beds and a larger bed in the front room. The beds have vinyl mattresses. There are several electrical outlets and floor heaters which will take a few hours to warm up the cabin. We brought a small space heater for heat support which worked well. We also have our electric blankets, but with the heaters they were not needed. Outside is a porch overlooking the Illinois River with a picnic table, BBQ and raised fire pit. 

In December, 2020, we camped several times and had a wonderful experience. We were always taking a risk by showing up after dark and hoping that the cabin was available. We got lucky every time. Surprised at finding an otherwise empty campground, we often stopped to talk with the campground manager. 

In January, 2021, I was not as well received as I was in December. I camped in mid-January and was met with a sign at the door saying that the cabin was locked. Keys were at the camp office, which was closed for the day. And that the single night rate was $43, a big jump from the $18 we had been paying. In December, we thought $18 was pretty inexpensive but no other rate was posted. Reserve America had no information since we were off-season. The registration slips only stated $8 and $18. There is not specific line item for the cabin. 

It was night and the park office was closed, as it had been all December. I tried the cabin door handle and it was unlocked, as it had been all December. So, I unpacked and stayed the night figuring I would pay the new rate of $43 in the morning, as I had in December. 

If you’ve read this far, it should not surprise you that I was woken up in the morning by an angry campground manager. He accused me of breaking into the cabin. I had not. In fact, we knew each other from the several conversations we had in a few weeks earlier. That calmed him down. He had a copy of the new paperwork for the cabin and I paid my $43. 

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A short while later, the manager returned to tell me that the park police, the game and wildlife officers, had been called and were coming for me. Confused, I asked why. I was told that the park boss was angry that I had broken into the cabin and that I had never paid the proper $43 nightly rate – which had never been posted nor had anyone called us after our multiple trips. 

I was a bit stunned but I knew that my dad and I had done everything correctly in the past and that I was clean on this trip as well. Sure enough, the police arrived and quizzed me. Did you break into the cabin – No. Did you pay your nightly fee – Yes. Now they were the ones that were a bit stunned. 

It turns out that the main park boss was just being unreasonable. He wanted $100 and he wanted me banned from the park. Neither is happening, but it’s too bad that I will not be coming back to the park. I camp to get away from angry people and the hassles of life. The park can no longer provide me with the sanctuary I crave since I’m will always be looking over my shoulder for this guy. 

Below are our camping videos from December and I’m really happy about them. I hope you will find them fun as well. 

Good morning from a warm and safe cabin at Illini State Park. We have the entire campground to ourselves. These cabins are not reservable in the winter, so be prepared to tent camp if someone beats you to this cabin. Eating at a table with some heat makes a big difference.

It’s fun to return to our summer camping sites at a different time of the year. Dad talks about the tree damage that’s occurred since last summer – use your 360° controls to get the full experience.

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A lot is going on as we make room for my brother, Neil. We were blessed by his company this trip to the cabin at Illini State Park. We switch up our jelly from ginger to strawberry-banana in our famous sunflower butter jelly sandwiches. We experienced 2 astronomical events (Winter Solstice and the Great Conjunction) the night before. We share with Neil some things to expect sleeping here such as barges going down the Illinois River.

Sit back and enjoy the snap, crackle and pop of a campfire overlooking the Illinois River.

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After a much-needed camping session at Illini State Park, Neil and I go over what we enjoyed most.

The last in our series of Winter Camping videos, we again head to Illini State Park for the cabin. Its Dec 30-31, my brother Neil joins us again and we end the year strong. It’s cold and there is snow, so we are grateful for the cabin.

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