Looking for an Illinois State Park that is suitable for all seasons? Weldon Springs State Park, located just southeast of Clinton in DeWitt County, is a 550-acre park that provides RV lovers year-round recreational opportunities and some of the best camping in America. The park is also known for having one of the most comprehensive recreational programs in the Illinois state park system.
The landscape of the park features an unusual spring in the mostly flat area of central Illinois. The spring is a small reminder of a huge river valley, known as the Teays River, that was once as large as the Mississippi River. After the Ice Age groundwater was forced up by this buried geological feature. Weldon Springs then became a wetland with some of the northernmost bald cypress trees in all of Illinois.
During the milder seasons in Weldon Springs State Park fishing, boating, hiking and picnicking are all very popular activities. When the snow hits, sledding, tobogganing, ice fishing and cross-country skiing become the most popular recreational choices.
Named by Family Circle magazine as one of the "Top Twenty Campgrounds in America," the campgrounds at Weldon Springs is very quiet and family friendly. There are 75 campsites that are equipped with either 30 or 50 amp electric connections, along with five back-in sites that are non-powered and 15 primitive sites. Camping is available all year round and peak season is during the summer months.
Weldon Springs is located in central Illinois and is in a very easy to reach location. The park is near many small towns, including Clinton, Lane, Weldon and Wapella. There are also some larger cities within a short drive to the park, including Champaign, Bloomington and Decatur. The terrain in and around the park is very easy to navigate as the area is very flat and the roads are well maintained. Most of the land near the park is farmland so there will be no overhanging branches that could cause damage to your RV.
There are many ways to reach the park but they all connect up to Co Road-14. The most navigated ways are through the town of Clifton, Rout 51 North and Route 51 South. If you are coming from Clinton, take route 10 East to Weldon Springs Road. Turn right at Black's Heating & A/C, follow the signs for two miles until you reach the park. From route 51 North, turn right at the first Clinton exit. Turn right at Revere Road. Follow the signs for three miles to the park. From route 51 South turn left at the third stoplight in Clinton. Turn right at Revere Road. Follow signs for three miles until you reach the park.
There is plenty of parking available at Weldon Springs State Park.
Weldon Springs State Park has an amazing campground that was named by Family Circle magazine as one of the "Top Twenty Campgrounds in America". The campground is very large and has great vehicle access and level site pads. There are 75 campsites with 30 or 50 amp electricity connection that have vehicular access, a sanitary dump station, shower building, cooking grills, picnic tables, pit toilets, playground equipment and water hydrants located throughout the campground. Some of the sites also have views of the lake, so if you want a lake view we recommend staying at site 71 or 72.
Cell phone reception should be strong on all networks during your stay. During the spring time the park campground can flood, so make sure you call ahead to see what the park conditions are like before you begin your journey. During the winter the shower building is closed from the beginning of November until the beginning of May. Reservations are available online for the upcoming season.
Weldon Springs State Park has a 29-acre, spring-fed lake that is perfect for the fishing lovers out there. There are two miles of shoreline that are dotted with fishing platforms along the bank and a boat launching ramp that provide anglers with easy access to the lake. The fish population is quite diverse, with largemouth bass, catfish, bullhead, crappie, bluegill, and sunfish all regularly caught. Check the fishing regulations at the park office before you cast out a line.
Want to go out on the lake at Weldon Springs State Park? Boating is allowed throughout the year (well, until it freezes over) and during the summer time boats are available to rent from a concession stand. If you have your own boat or kayak there is a launch ramp available for your convenience on the bank of the lake. Only electric boat motors may be used within Weldon Springs State Park. Check with the park office before you hit the water to see if there are any regulations that you need to follow.
Picnic facilities are fantastic at Weldon Springs State Park. There are eight large picnic areas, six of which have shelters for those who have large groups. There are also small groups of tables at a number of locations throughout the park if your group is less people. Cooking grills or fire rings, water hydrants and toilet facilities are available at each of the picnic grounds. For those wanting to make sure that they lock down a larger shelter six of them are available on a reservation basis.
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Weldon Springs State Park.
Those who love to hike will be impressed with the four trails that are available for you to use at Weldon Springs State Park. The trails vary in length from around a mile to three miles and are suitable for hikers of all skill levels. At just over three miles long the Old Farm Trail is longest one in the park. It will take you from the campground to the east park boundary and then to an old farm on the north end of the park. Bicycles are also permitted unless temporarily closed due to flooding.
The Interpretive Center at Weldon Springs State has a lot of history. The building was orginally built in 1865 and was used by the residents of Logan County, Illinois for more than 80 years. The historic building was then moved to Weldon Springs where it was restored, furnished, and equipped for use as both a visitor center and a temporary classroom. The Interpretive Center is more than a museum and features a hands-on learning center with a "please touch" philosophy. Both science and local history are emphasized in the exhibits.
When the snow starts to fall in Weldon Springs State Park the park turns into a winter wonderland. There is a hill that is around one eighth of a mile that is great for sledding and tobogganing. Cross-country skiing is also possible on the Whitetail Ski Trail that quickly drops into the bottomlands of Salt Creek. For those who like to fish the lake freezes over and turns into a great ice fishing location. If you plan to use the ice make sure you test how deep it is as the ice is not actively monitored.
