Moraine View State Park

Introduction of Moraine View State Park

Moraine View State Recreation Area should be the first place on your list if you are a nature lover looking for an ideal destination for your next RV vacation in Illinois. Moraine View State Recreation Area, located in McLean County, was established in 1959 and includes 1,679 acres of gently rolling hills, lush thicket, and the sparkling water of Dawson Lake. Moraine View is located in the middle of Bloomington Moraine, a large sprawling feature carved by glaciers in the early years. Scattered groves of red and white oak, maple, hickory, black walnut, and elm cover the landscape.Picnicking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, and boating are among the many enjoyable outdoor activities available at the park. Hikers can explore miles of trails that wind along the lake’s edges and grassy areas after parking their camper. Moraine View is home to deer, grouse, and rabbit for those who enjoy wildlife. The 158-acre Dawson Lake is the most popular summer recreation area, with its waters offering a variety of aquatic adventures. The park hosts educational activities, guided walks, and evening programmes for the entire family. Winter activities at the park include snowmobiling, ice fishing, and skating.The Gander Bay Campground at Moraine View State Recreation Area is the ideal place to stay while visiting. There are 102 RV-friendly sites with electrical hookups scattered throughout the campground’s multiple loops. Other alternative camping sites are located within the group camping area and the equestrian camping area, in addition to the RV campground, which is open all year. Moraine View State Recreation Area is open from mid-April to the end of October.

Moraine View State Park Camping

The main campground within Moraine View State Recreation Area is Gander Bay Campground, which is known for having large flat sites that are ideal for RVs and trailers under 35 feet long. There are 137 campgrounds to choose from, all of which have electrical hookups. The majority of the sites at Gander Bay Campground are back-in only, but there may be some pull-through sites in the centre loops. Aside from the electrical hookups, the campground offers a variety of other amenities such as water collection points, showers, toilets, and a central sanitary station.The campground is also pet-friendly, so you can bring along your well-behaved dog. Please keep in mind that cell phone reception may be poor, so this is the place to park if you want to unplug. Breakfast and lunch are served daily at the campground’s restaurant, which has a seating capacity of 60 people. Gander Bay Campground has 102 available campsites for reservations, which we recommend if you want to visit during the warmer months. If you visit during the winter, the sites are all first-come, first-served, and most of the campground amenities will be closed for the season.

Winter does not always bring snow and blustery weather. Some winter weekends beg for camping, and the Gander Bay Campground, a year-round facility, allows you to pitch your tent whenever you want. During the peak season, the campground accepts reservations; however, during the off-season, campers can find a site on a first-come, first-served basis. Many facilities are winterized during the offseason, so prepare your on-board systems for self-contained camping.

Moraine View State Park Activities

Fishing

Fishing is a great activity for any time of year you visit the park. Dawson Lake is stocked with channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, bullhead, walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch, so you could catch a variety of fish. You can fish from your boat, the lake’s shoreline, or even the handicap-accessible pier. To legally cast a line, you will need a fishing licence, and we recommend that you bring your own fishing gear in case there are no fishing rentals available onsite.

Hiking

If you want to get out, stretch your legs, and breathe in some fresh air, you should visit Moraine View State Recreation Area. If you’re looking for a quick hike, try the half-mile Tanglewood Self-Guiding Nature Trail. For those looking for something a little more challenging, the Tall Timber Trail is 1.5 miles long and crosses over moderate terrain, making for a more rigorous walk. There is also a wheelchair-accessible trail, so no one in your group will be left out.

Boating

It’s a great time to go boating on Dawson Lake during the peak season, so go ahead and do it. Boating is a popular pastime, and for good reason! You can take a sailboat or a motorised boat out on the lake, but if you do, make sure it has no more than 10 horsepower, as this is the maximum allowed on the water. If you did not bring your own boat, you could rent one at the concession stand, ensuring that no one misses out on the boating fun.

Swimming

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the best way to beat the heat is to take a cool and refreshing dip in the lake. A sandy beach area within the Black Locust Picnic Area is ideal for relaxing or swimming. The swimming area is marked by buoys, but there are no lifeguards, so swim to your abilities. Pets and alcohol are also not permitted at any time on the beach, so if you want to swim, leave your dog with another family member back at the RV.

Moraine View State Park Location

Moraine View Recreation Area is located in LeRoy, Illinois, in East Central Illinois. The Bloomington Moraine, for which the park is named, stretches from Elgin to the Illinois River in Peoria and east to Saybrook. The recreation area is right in the center, just off I-74 a few minutes east of Bloomington and Normal. The road into the park is well maintained, and if your RV is 35 feet or less, you should have no trouble navigating it.
There are numerous stores nearby where you can get any supplies you may require. Le Roy (about seven miles away), Farmer City (about 17 miles away), and Gibson City are among them (around 25 miles away). Bloomington, which is only 19 miles to the northwest, is the closest major city to the park.
Moraine View Recreation Area is open during the winter, but the weather can be severe enough to cause major disruptions. If there has been significant snowfall in and around the park, access to the campground may be difficult; therefore, we recommend calling ahead to the park office for updates on whether the park will be open or not.
You should have no trouble navigating the park in your car, a smaller RV or trailer, or any other vehicle once inside. There will be plenty of parking available for you. Parking lots can be found throughout the park, including near trailheads and picnic areas.

Parking

Parking is available

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available