Also, the speed limit is 7.5mph because they cater to "members" and their golf carts. That in itself isn't such a big deal, but when we were going 10mph because we were going down a hill, we were warned by the lifeguard that if the owners catch you speeding (aka doing a 'dangerous' 10mph), they will make you go back and drive your route again going the 7.5mph limit. We wondered if they had a speed radar...how else do they really know if you are going the required 7.5mph? Are they guessing? And yet, "members" driving golf carts while drinking alcohol is apparently acceptable.
I gave it 2 stars only because it is clean. I will never weekend camp here again. The staff was rude, the camp sites for weekend campers were gravel with no shade, and they have charges for everything! $5 deposit to get a key to bathrooms and showers. They have a 7.5 speed limit that they enforce! Hope your vehicle idles that slow. The train tracks are very close and very busy. Train noise is pretty constant. They have rules for everything. This place is nothing more than an elite camping club that does not want weekend camper business. Dont waste your weekend here. Plenty of other sites that are just as nice and really want your business.
The scuba diving is worth a trip out when the visibility is good.
The beach is the only thing the campground has going for it, but there again, not family friendly as there were "members" drinking beer in the lake, even though the rules posted on site state no drinks in the water. Also, the lifeguard informed us that the beach closes to "non members" at 5:30, in spite of the hours of sunlight left.
If I had read the Facebook comments that Chilli Recreational Area posted to some other campers, I wouldn't have come here in the first place. They are clearly not interested in making "non members" feel welcome, as they engage in conflict with campers on their fb page. If you really want a feel for how this place is run, check out their interactions on fb.
It is also not family- friendly in that twice "members" drove by in their golf carts yelling cuss words. And the golf cart traffic is like camping on a highway of golf carts, continuous at all hours of the day and night. It is almost as bad as the railroad traffic from the nearby rail road.
We were, however, right down the hill from the bathroom and showers; unfortunately, these facilities are locked and the key is only available after you pay a five dollar deposit...as a "non member," paying the weekend fee for the campground is not enough to give you access to their facilities.
Of all the places we have camped, this is the only one to which we refuse to come back. The bad experience started when they put us separate from the rest of the campground...literally segregated from the "members" by a rope chain... camping in a gravel parking lot for the weekend - no trees, no grass... just rocks. A huge metal shed, long metal fence, the dump station, and dumpster across the road constituted the view. The weekend spots are not good for a family with kids and pets wanting to escape for the weekend.
Cleanest RV park I've ever been to! People are friendly and swimming & fishing are Great!
Go to Evening Star or some other nearby place instead....some place where the "members" aren't considered the only asset to the campground.
If I could give it less than 1 star I would. I made a comment on check-in about the locked gate and they said we have too much property. Then my sister and her husband came to see us when we got there went into office was told had to pay $5 a person, my sister didn't understand and she made a statement about it and the lady became "unglued". Bottom line we got a letter on car windshield saying we weren't welcome back which is great we weren't planning on going back. So I agree if you're weekend camper don't go there as the owner told me "we don't need your money"
Chillicothe Recreational Area is a US Point Of Interest based in Chillicothe, Illinois. Chillicothe Recreational Area is located at 20205 IL-29, Chillicothe, IL 61523, USA.
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