Looking for a serene spot to camp in the heart of Illinois? Look no further than Moraine View State Park! This beautiful park offers various outdoor activities that satisfy campers of all ages.
We have camped in the modern campground at Moraine View many times, including an annual camping rally. It is a nice campground in Central Illinois just north of Interstate 74, east of Bloomington-Normal, that is open year-round.
Camping at Moraine View State Park
Moraine View State Park offers many camping options:
- Gander Bay Modern Campground – 137 electric sites & shower house
- Catfish Bay Camp Area – 22 primitive tent sites
- Tall Timber Backpack Trail – 2 primitive hike-in sites
- Timber Ridge Group Area – 3 group campsites
- Timberline Ridge Horse Camp – 30 electric sites with hitching racks
Gander Bay Campground at MVSP
The campground at Moraine View is spacious and well-maintained, with electric sites available for tents, RVs, and trailers. The campsites are mostly spaced with many shaded by tall trees at the rear of the site, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Sites have a gravel parking pad, a 30 amp electric hookup (a few have 50A), a fire ring, and a picnic table. Some campsites are not level, so plan accordingly.
Potable water is available at the dump station near the front of the park and at spigots throughout the campground. The water is discolored, so we recommend you port in your own.
Most sites are reservable online, but 35 are first come, first serve. Each loop is numbered along the row, so sites across from each other are in different loops. Here is a rundown of each loop:
- A – A4-A8 are the flatter sites
- B – mostly slanted sites
- C – first come, first serve section near shower house and playground, many slanted
- D – first come, first serve section near shower house and playground, many slanted
- E – E8-E13 are across from the lake, unlevel
- F – inside of a small loop near the lake, close to the lake, mostly sunny, F6-F8 are close together
- P – sites around the perimeter of the park, P17-P23 are next to the lake, the rest are mostly level
The campground has firewood and ice for sale from the host. A large shower house and playground are in the middle of the campground.
Moraine View State Recreation Area Activities
One of the highlights of Moraine View is Dawson Lake, which offers a variety of water activities, including fishing, swimming, and boating (10 HP or less). The lake is stocked with fish, including bass, catfish, and bluegill, making it a popular angler spot. Kayak and paddleboat rentals are available. The swimming beach ($3 entry fee) is a great to cool off on a hot summer day.
Several hiking trails throughout the park, ranging from easy to more challenging, will take you through the woods and along the lake. Some are closed during hunting season. We enjoy riding our bikes around the lake and across the dam on the camp road.
A restaurant offers a variety of food, some supplies, and boat rentals.
The park also has playgrounds and picnic areas spread throughout. Moraine View SRA Map
Although the park is nice to visit anytime, Autumn is a great time to see the fall colors and sunsets reflected in the lake.
Nearby Camping –