Washington County State Recreation Area

Reserve Your Campsite

Enjoying the out-of-doors is easy with tent and trailer spaces readily accessible at Washington County SRA. Electricity and disposal are available for trailers. A shower building, open April 1 through October 31, is also located in the camping area.

Two campground cabins are available in the campground. There is no cooking, no pets, and no smoking in cabins. A fire grill, table, and BBQ grill are provided outside. A full-size bed, two sets of bunk beds, a table, and chairs are provided inside. The cabins have heat and ceiling fans. You must provide your own bedding. A $45.00 reservation fee is needed in advance to hold the cabin for a particular date, then $45.00 per day after that. The $5.00 reservation fee is non-refundable.

Campsite reservations can be made on the ExploreMoreIL™ website.

Hiking

For an invigorating walk, a seven-mile-long, marked trail is available at Washington County SRA. This trail circles the lake, and hikers can enjoy viewing the majestic trees, beautiful wildflowers, or the numerous birds and animals residing in the area.

Boating

For boaters, Washington County Lake’s two launching ramps are available, as well as boat docks. There is a limit of 10 horsepower for motorboats.

Fishing

Fishermen on Washington County Lake will delight at the possibilities for catching their limits of largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, and carp.

​Accessibility at Washington County:

• Parking - Accessible parking spaces are located throughout the park. They are all concrete and located at Shady Rest Campground's shower building, Lonely Oaks Campground's block bathrooms, Little Bears campground's block bathrooms. Lazy L-block bathrooms, the park office, Ponderosa shelter, concession, main boat ramp area, family shelter, Dean's Point, and all public hunting area access. All areas have sidewalks leading to the accessible areas. Park offices do have a ramp.
• Fishing - There is an accessible fishing pier and an accessible fishing dock near the concession area with an 80' concrete sidewalk leading to the fishing pier and dock. There is also an accessible fishing pier and dock located at Dean’s Point with a 25’ sidewalk. An accessible boat dock with a 30’ sidewalk leading to the dock is also available. All docks and piers consist of wooden surface boards.
• Restrooms - Shady Rest campground shower building, Lonely Oaks campground block bathrooms, Little Bears campground block bathrooms, Lazy L block bathrooms, and Family Shelter block bathrooms are all accessible bathrooms.
• Camping - Sites #2 and #51 are designated accessible campsites, and they have an asphalt surface. Both are reservable through ExploreMoreIL™ at least 3 days prior to your date of arrival. A potable water fill and dump station are also available at the campground entrance. There is one shower building with two accessible showers at Shady Rest.
• Service animals are welcome in the park, but outdoor water fountains are not available.