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Ramsey Lake
Overview
Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area offers a tranquil retreat for RV travelers looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of South Central Illinois. Spanning nearly 2,000 total acres, this destination is centered around the 197-acre Ramsey Lake, which provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The park is characterized by its lush forests, rolling terrain, and diverse wildlife, offering a serene environment far removed from the noise of the interstate for those seeking a genuine escape into nature.
Location & Surroundings
Located just northwest of the town of Ramsey in Fayette County, the park is nestled within a landscape defined by rolling hills and thick timber. The surrounding area is primarily rural and agricultural, ensuring that the night skies remain dark and the atmosphere stays remarkably quiet. Visitors will appreciate the scenic shorelines and prairie openings that define the local geography, making it a picturesque spot for seasonal foliage viewing in the autumn and birdwatching throughout the spring and summer months.
Amenities & Park Features
The park accommodates RVers with well-maintained camping areas, primarily within the White Oak and Hickory Grove sections. Most sites offer 30-amp or 50-amp electrical hookups to keep your rig comfortable throughout your stay. Essential park facilities for RV travelers include:
- Modern shower buildings and flush toilets available during the primary camping season.
- Accessible sanitary dump stations located for easy use by large rigs.
- A public boat ramp and multiple docks for convenient water access.
- Picnic shelters and playgrounds designed for family gatherings and outdoor meals.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor activities are the primary draw here, with the lake serving as a central hub for fishing and electric-motor boating. Anglers often find success catching largemorial bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. For those who prefer land-based adventures, the Blackberry Trail offers several miles of hiking through dense hardwoods and along the lake's edge. History buffs should consider a short drive to the Vandalia State House State Historic Site, which is the oldest surviving capitol building in the state of Illinois.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for RVers who prioritize peace, quiet, and natural surroundings over the bells and whistles of a commercial resort. It is a fantastic choice for families looking for a traditional camping experience and for nature photographers or birders wanting to explore the Illinois wilderness. If you are a traveler who enjoys waking up to the sounds of songbirds and spending evenings by a quiet lakeside campfire, this state recreation area provides the perfect setting for your next trip.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Gary Davis
We walk at Ramsey Lake State Park 3-5 times a week and camp there a few times a year. We always enjoy the views and how clean the campground is kept. Its great for a nights stay on the way through our area or a weeks stay.
AC
Really lovely place to stay and enjoy or explore.
Erica Sutton
Love this lake. I have been coming here for 33 years. Great place for family time. Fushing, hiking trails, riding bikes.
Terry
Love this park. Only thing I do not care for are the ticks lol. Everyone ya run into here are friendly. Did however run into some crazy and loud mushroom hunters. Oh wait that was us. Nevermind. Great park to relax and enjoy family
dNa
Beautiful park with really nice campsites. A bit compact with closer quarters than some places so maybe not the ideal place to camp for those who want to get away from it all. You reserve your site for $20 on line however a $6 fee is added for this and that - not a deal-breaker though. All-around nice experience with a view of the lake down a hill out the back window. Looking forward to going back in the Fall as there are electric boxes at the sites where we were parked.
Colin McLaughlin
Great campground. Bath houses are very nice for a state park. The park is usually pretty full, but the sites are fairly large. It's one of our favorite campgrounds.
Leslie Lewis
I absolutely love the horse camp campground lots of spaced trees and shade the trails were totally awesome. Disappointed though that the campsites do not have electric or water. There was only one waterfaucet out of I believe maybe 20 camp sites and there was a sign on it that says do not drink the water so we were not able to give our horses any water and they were extremely thirsty and hot. I would love to camp there sometimes. I really enjoyed the trails. There are wide, plenty of space and then you could ride around fields if you want to.
Samantha S
We took a shot on booking 3 spots, as no one had ever been to Ramsey Lake before. There were limited pictures, and not much information on their showers, etc. We were pleasantly surprised at how lovely the campground was! It is clean, spacious, with mature, very tall trees, and the lake is gorgeous! It's on the small side, but it's still a great lake to fish and just enjoy being by the water. We will be back!
Kevin Gerstenecker
Really nice State Park & campground. The campground is full of mature Oak trees with ample shade. Grounds are well kept, and shower houses are clean and well maintained. With the abundance of trees, a few sites are challenging to get into if you have a really big rig, or your backing skills aren't sharp. The inner loop has several water sources, but the outer loop isn't far away from water, of you need to fill. The outer loop has Lakeview sites. The lake is small, but perfectly suited for paddling. We camped in site 50. For the most part, the sites are level, with minimal adjustment needed. Campground roads are paved and in perfect condition. Electric was stable and there is a dump station on the way out. There is a scenic drive loop around the park, and several hiking trails. Weather was warm and humid, so no hiking this trip. There are a couple of playgrounds for the kids, with climbers and swings. There are lots of squirrels, so be careful what you leave laying around. Quite a few Red Headed Woodpeckers to watch throughout the day. Ask in all, a very nice campground, lake and park.
Jess
So beautiful especially in the fall. Watch out for the yellow jackets, but everything else was great. The lake is amazingly calm perfect for kayaks. A little disappointed that the fire ring was so tall you couldn't enjoy watching the fire, but it was safer for those who have little ones.