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Lake Shelbyville - COE/Forrest W Bo Wood
Overview
Forrest W. Bo Wood Campground is a standout destination managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the scenic shores of Lake Shelbyville. This park is widely celebrated for its spacious, shaded campsites and its seamless integration into the natural Illinois landscape. It provides a peaceful, nature-first experience that feels like a true escape from the bustle of daily life while still offering the reliable infrastructure that RVers expect from a high-quality federal recreation area.
Location & Surroundings
Situated near the northern reaches of the lake, the park is nestled within a lush, heavily wooded landscape that offers plenty of privacy between sites. The surrounding area is dominated by the 11,000-acre Lake Shelbyville, which features over 170 miles of shoreline. While the park feels beautifully secluded, it remains conveniently close to the nearby town of Sullivan, providing a perfect blend of wilderness immersion and easy access to local grocery stores and charming rural dining options.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features well-maintained sites primarily equipped with 50-amp electric hookups, accommodating everything from modest travel trailers to large motorhomes. Visitors have access to clean shower buildings, a reliable dump station, and a dedicated fish cleaning station for the day's catch. For those traveling with watercraft, the multi-lane boat ramp provides direct lake access, while families will appreciate the centrally located playground and picnic shelters designed for afternoon gatherings.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw here, with boating and world-class fishing for crappie and walleye being the most popular activities. Land-based explorers can head out to the nearby hiking trails or spend a relaxing afternoon at one of the lake’s sandy public beaches. For a unique local experience, the nearby Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan offers professional-grade stage performances, adding a touch of culture to your lakeside camping trip.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal match for families and outdoor enthusiasts who prefer a quiet, natural environment over the high-energy atmosphere of a commercial resort. Its layout and facilities make it a top choice for anglers and boaters who want to maximize their time on the water. If you value mature trees, starry nights, and a classic lakefront camping experience, this managed recreation area is a must-visit destination in the Midwest.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Jeff Staggs
Go to YouTube channel @RVCampingAndCoffee To see a campground tour, and other various videos of Bo Wood Campground and Recreation Area
Heather Pletsch
Great overall campground for Lake Shelbyville. I would camp here again but at a different site. If there is any chance of rain, do not stay in site 44. We had rain on Saturday and then again on late Sunday afternoon. Other sites in the area dried as expected. Site 44 did not. I could not walk out of my camper without having water soak up through the rug and over my shoes. It pooled water and flooded the site. The site really needs to be reworked by the grounds team and fix this drainage issue.
Stephanie Welch
I thought this campsite was very pretty. We got like the last site they had, last minute. With that in mind, I didn't think it was fair to rate the view and scenery too harshly. There wasn't much of a view and the sites were pretty close together. However, there was so many sites that had more space, trees, views, and more privacy. You just have to make sure to reserve those far in advance. Also, the beach area close by was closed? I'm not sure why. It was a bummer. However, there was a playground a short drive from our site that was nice and the fire pit was lovely. There wasn't much to do but it was dog friendly but didn't have a dog park so a leash and tie out for your furry friends is a must. I think if the beach area was open and we had a better site it would have made a huge difference.
B
Site 89. Huge site. Very wide and long. Needed leveling boards driver side but no big deal. Full hookups. Nice campground.
Joanne Schreiber
By luck of a cancellation we camped only 2 nights on the water. If this back in site fitting our 35’ 5th wheel, Montana High Country would not have been reserved we would have stayed extra nights. Quiet, beautiful hiking trails & looks to be very nice cabins to rent, secluded. We are hopeful our journeys will take us back there! Highly recommend it!
Gary Freigo
Fantastic Corp of engineers campground. Right on lake Shelbyville with a boat launch. Huge sites and very clean well kept campground. Stayed on site 82 full hook ups level site. Enjoyed our stay. They also have dog park enclosure.
Jeni C
This campground is quite nice. There are multiple sections. The guard gate area is very large for accommodating multiple vehicles for sign in along with two dump stations. Pull through spots in sections are very well sized, back in sections are varying sizes with varying views. Some have lake views/access for beaching. There are jungle gyms. There is a picnic area past the boat ramp. The areas are usually kept clean and there are many bathrooms. Boat ramp is easy to use but there is a fair amount of traffic near it so there are a lot of waves ( not a large no wake area as in a cove). Mostly flat so great for kids to ride bikes, roller skate, etc.. Camp store prior to entering. Close to Sullivan if supplies are needed. Close to North End bar and grill (located on the water with land access) which has good food, good amount of indoor/outdoor seating, ice and fuel.
Gregory A. Schoonover
Beautiful surroundings. Unobtrusive staff. Clean facilities. Reasonable rates.
Lizzy Marie (#GlitterGlassesJourney)
Nice little campground with all the amenities! Sites were well kept and so were all of the facilities. We were driving through and it was the perfect place to stop a couple nights!
Rick Hayes
Great campsite! Very well maintained. Nice neighbors.