Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

Reserve Your Campsite

Campground Information and Map

There are 17 Class AA campsites, 277 Class A campsites, 9 Class B/S campsites, and 5 Class C campsites at Clinton Lake, with most adaptable to either tents, trailers, or motor homes. The campground is open year-round with the exception of the full week prior to the first firearm deer season. No entry is allowed in the Mascoutin area during that time for a special firearm deer hunt. Showers and potable water are available from mid-April to November (weather depending). Each site is equipped with a grill and picnic table. Camping loops H, I, J, and K are alcohol-free. Camp Quest Group Camp, located off Route 54 at Birkbeck, is an area for adults or youth groups and has room for 75. It provides a secluded wooded setting and has a large shelter with electricity, three RV pads with electrical hookups, toilets, tables, grills, and water. No shower facilities are present at the group camp area. Portions of the Class AA, A, and B/S and the group camp are handicapped accessible.

Reservations can be made at ExploreMoreIL™.​

Trails

Mascoutin Campground has a one-mile multi-use limestone trail between the campground and the beach. Bicycles are permitted on the five miles of hiking trails located north of the beach including Houseboat Cove Trail, Pond in Woods Trail and North Loop Trail. These trails are not paved and consist of either mowed grass or natural earth surfaces. They are easy-to-moderate in difficulty and follow the shoreline through the woods. Other hiking trails within the Mascoutin Campground area include the 2-mile Lakeshore Trail. Bicycles are not permitted on the Lakeshore Trail because of the numerous stairways and wooden bridges.

The 9.3-mile North Fork Hiking Trail, off Route 54 north of the power plant entrance, is primitive and rated as difficult. The trail is not surfaced and runs through steep wooded banks and provides unparalleled views of the lake and opportunities to view wildlife. There are no exits once you enter the trail, so be prepared for 4.2 miles up and 5.1 miles back. The trail features a 40-acre restored prairie along the North Fork, but beautiful wildflowers can be seen along both trails.

Swimming & Water Skiing

A beautiful, 1,000-foot white sand beach awaits swimmers and sunbathers looking to catch some rays or frolic in the warm waters of the lake. The beach is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days per week, weather permitting. There is a changing facility with showers and restrooms. No lifeguards are present; remain in the buoyed areas and swim with caution. No pets, glass, sharp objects, or alcohol are allowed on the beach.

Waterskiing on Clinton Lake is a blast and permitted from the Route 54 bridge to the Route 48 bridge. Beach fees are $2 per day per person. Swimming is allowed in other areas of the lake, but not within 100 yards of bridges, boat ramps or boat docks.

Boating

Clinton Lake is no wake for all boats from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise with the exception of waterfowl hunters. There are no horsepower limitations in the lake’s main basin. Sailboating is popular. When the wind gets up, the lake can be very rough. Small watercraft are urged to stick to the north fork arm of Salt Creek on rough days. Six public boat ramps and one canoe launch are available. All DNR ramps are now equipped with wheelchair-accessible boat docks. Weldon Boat Ramp and Clinton Lake are closed between Rt. 48 and Friends Creek Rd. annually from October 10 to March 31 (waterfowl refuge area). Mascoutin Boat Ramp is closed the Monday through Saturday prior to the first statewide firearm season for a special hunt for disabled hunters.

Fishing

The 4,900-acre lake and outstanding fishing are what draw people to the park. Special accessible piers are present at the Mascoutin Access Area, the Spillway Access Area, and the Valley Mill Bank Fishing Area. If you’re dropping your line here, chances are you’re fishing for crappie. Hook them with white, yellow, or chartreuse jigs and minnows, which seem to work the best.

Clinton Lake is one of the best lakes in the state for catfish. Most of them are taken from the banks or in the upper arms of the lake. Hybrid and pure striped bass fishing is popular here, with numerous fish more than 10 pounds taken every year.

For good eating, it is hard to beat a walleye, and Clinton Lake has plenty of them. Banks adjacent to bridges are excellent places to catch walleye, and boaters can hit the Old Creek channels or submerged flats. For some great spring action, the spillway area yields large numbers of both walleye and stripers, as well as crappie and catfish. Clinton Lake also provides good action for largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, and bluegill. Special size and creel limits are in effect for most species.

​Accessibility at Clinton Lake:

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Parking - The park has asphalt parking lots with attached concrete sidewalks. There is a wheelchair ramp to the park office.

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Restrooms - There are accessible restrooms in the campground shower houses, and there are vault toilets throughout the park.

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Camping - The campgrounds have 26 accessible campsites. There are wheelchair-accessible picnic tables, but there are no accessible grills. Campers will need to drive to the shower house.

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Fishing - The park has two wooden fishing piers, one located at Mascoutin and the other at Valley Mill day area.

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Trails - There is a 1/4-mile wheelchair-accessible trail.

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Service animals are welcome, but the park does not have water fountains.