Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site Campground

When you camp at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site Campground, you can fill up your RV rental at one of the gas stations in Petersburg, which is just five minutes’ drive away. There are also supermarkets where you can stock up on groceries, as well as a handful of fast-food restaurants and eateries if you want to dine out. A highlight of camping at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site Campground is exploring the reconstructed village of New Salem and learning about its ties to Abraham Lincoln. After he left for Springfield in 1837, the village was largely abandoned, and it wasn’t until the 1930s that the Civilian Conservation Corps built a historic re-creation on its original foundations. It features 23 buildings where the shops and businesses that existed during Lincoln’s time have been replicated, with costumed interpreters helping to bring the history to life. Camp in an RV near Petersburg and make the 30-minute drive southeast to Springfield, which serves as the capital of Illinois. It’s home to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum where you can learn about his life and work, as well as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site where Abraham and Mary lived from 1844 until his election to the presidency in 1861. See where Lincoln delivered his famous "House Divided" speech at the domed Old State Capitol, then pay your respects at the Lincoln Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Delve into the state’s cultural and natural history at the Illinois State Museum, then stretch your legs while strolling through the rockery and cactus gardens of the Washington Park Botanical Garden. This green oasis is also home to the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, a 12-story tower with observation decks that offer sweeping views across the city. Another landmark not to miss while visiting Springfield is the Dana-Thomas House, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1904. Whether you want to discover Lincoln’s connections to Springfield or go birdwatching in the surrounding nature preserves, book an RV in Menard County and start planning your next vacation.