Things to Do
RV & Site Information
For RV enthusiasts planning a visit, FORREST W. BO WOOD accommodates recreational vehicles up to 150 feet in length. This US Army Corps of Engineers is available for advance reservation, making it a reliable choice for planned trips.
Guests at FORREST W. BO WOOD can enjoy essential amenities including Water Hookup, Proximity to Water: Lakefront, and Water Hookups. The site is maintained by US Army Corps of Engineers, ensuring consistent upkeep and facilities management.
Popular activities at this location include Birding, Boating, Camping, and Day use area. The campground's proximity to SHELBYVILLE offers convenient access to additional outdoor recreation opportunities in the Illinois region.
Located in SHELBYVILLE, Illinois, FORREST W. BO WOOD provides bookable camping options for visitors exploring America's public lands. Contact the site directly for real-time availability and current conditions.
About this place
Overview Forrest W. ''Bo'' Wood Recreation Area has a large campground on the northern shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois. The lake and surrounding land offer outdoor activities for people of all ages, including fishing, swimming, picnicking and simply relaxing.Visit the Lake Shelbyville, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Facebook page for News Releases, Event Information, & Emergency Updates. https://www.facebook.com/LakeShelbyvilleUSACEVisit it our USACE Lake Shelbyville Website for more information on Lake Shelbyville. https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lake-Shelbyville/Recreation Lake Shelbyville offers a multitude of fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass and bluegill.
The campground has a boat ramp for easy access to the water, and for those without a boat, several ponds with farmed fish are available around the lake.
Hunting areas located within a short drive offer numerous game species, including quail, rabbit, pheasant, deer, dove, turkey, waterfowl and woodcock.Facilities Bo Wood is a large facility with more than 140 campsites that all provide electric hookups. For those without RVs, there are several tent-only sites. The campground has flush toilets, showers, a playground, dog park, fish cleaning station, dump station and a high-water boat ramp.Natural Features This facility lies on the shoreline with a steep descent down to the water. Oak and hickory forests offer plenty of shade. Foliage turns a variety of red, orange, purple and yellow each fall, while prairie flowers dot the landscape in spring and summer. Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink, raccoons, & opossums. Nearby Attractions Wolf Creek State Park, Woods Lake Waterfowl Refuge and Okaw Bluff Wetlands Complex are popular locations for wildlife watching, birding and hunting near Lake Shelbyville.
Getting There
From Sullivan, Illinois, take State Route 32 south for two miles to the Forrest W. ''Bo'' Wood sign, then turn right and drive a half-mile to the campground.