The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced that the campground at Shabonna Lake State Park in DeKalb County will close on November 1 for restroom renovations.
The closure, expected to last until May 2025, is part of the state’s effort to improve facilities across Illinois state parks. The park, known for its fishing lake, hiking trails, and boat rentals, will see the replacement of outdated vault toilets to enhance visitor experience.
According to an article published by WCSJ News, the project will begin in the park’s day-use area before shifting to the campground in November. During this time, the campground will remain closed to ensure public safety as crews work to remove and replace the existing vault toilets with upgraded facilities.
“Shabbona Lake State Park is pleased to announce that starting this fall the park will be replacing all our vault toilets… Reservations will still be available for the May 1st start of season. We apologize for the inconvenience but welcome the opportunity to improve our park with this much needed upgrade!” IDNR announced on its website.
According to its website, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area offers a combination of natural landscapes featuring grass-covered meadows, upland mesic woods, bottomland woods, and an undisturbed fen.
The recreation area also provides many facilities, including options for picnicking, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and winter sports. The Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area campground features 150 Class A campsites, each equipped with electricity, vehicle access, a sanitary dump station, and a shower building with flush toilets.
All facilities are handicapped accessible, ensuring comfort for all visitors. Reservations are accepted for select sites, and campers must arrive prepared with their camping equipment, as holding a site is not allowed. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring, with restrictions limiting one family or up to four unrelated adults with two tents per site.
For a more secluded camping experience, two cabins are available near the lake’s shore, offering views of the water in a shaded campground area. Each cabin consists of two rooms, covering approximately 200 square feet, and accommodates up to six people.