RV Rental Lake Shelbyville, IL

There are four different public beaches located on Lake Shelbyville, so whether you want to avoid crowds or nestle your towel in amongst the masses, there are options. Swimming in the lake is a great way to spend the day since the water tends to be rather refreshing in the summer, but lying on the beach with a book is also encouraged.

A delightful and fun way to explore the outdoors when you have an RV rental near Lake Shelbyville is to explore one or many of the numerous hiking trails near the lake. There are over 50 miles of multi-purpose trails for you to use, all of which are located on public lands and always open to the public. One of the main trails, the General Dacey Trail, is part of a larger network of trails that spans upwards of 170 miles and can be used by bikers, hikers, and occasionally an off-road vehicle where permitted.

While camping at Lake Shelbyville, you’ll probably want to get out on the water, as it is one of the main activities that guests visit this lake for. Boating is very popular with anglers and water sports enthusiasts, but guests can also kayak, paddleboard, canoe, etc. There are over 172 miles of shoreline which means there are ample locations to fish from. Many fish call this lake home, including catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, muskie, white ball, and bluegill. Just be sure to get your fishing licenses in order before you cast a line.

Camping with an RV is easy when you are visiting Lake Shelbyville since there are over 1,500 different campsites in the Lake Shelbyville Area. These campsites are spread out between many different campgrounds, some of which are state-run campgrounds while others are privately-owned campgrounds. Of those 1,500 campsites, over one-third offer full hookups for RVs that includes electricity and water.

The majority of the campsites in this region will have access to hot showers, flushing toilets, dumping stations, grills, fire pits, picnic tables, and more. There are different ways to book these campsites when you are renting an RV and visiting the area. The first is through a reservation system, which allows bookings up to six months in advance. The other is to show up and book first-come, first-served campsites that are only available on an in-person basis.

Shelbyville, which is on the southwestern shores of Lake Shelbyville, is one of the main hubs when visiting this giant lake. This city is a quintessential Central Illinois experience and is filled with many small shops, cute streets, and picturesque neighborhoods. While visiting, head to the Shelbyville Historic District to get a glimpse of what the city looked like many decades ago, as this part of town is filled with many preserved and nationally registered buildings.

Shelbyville is also a great place to find both food and fuel when you rent a camper near Lake Shelbyville, given its proximity to the lake it is easy to enjoy a day at the beach and then go to Shelbyville for dinner. There are Chinese, Mexican, Italian, German, Southern restaurants, and more, and many national chains and fast food joints also dot the city’s food landscape. Stick near the main avenues in town for the most local options.

To learn about the history of the region head to the Cole County Historical Society and Archives, which is northeast of Shelbyville, in Mattoon. This museum is packed full of unique and authentic artifacts, exhibits, and historical archives that guests can explore at their leisure. There is historical information that traces the local towns to their roots, as well as general information on the greater region of central Illinois.