Comlara Park Camping: Everything You Need to Know

Wake up to lake views, fall asleep to frogs—Comlara Park is that kind of place.

Set beside Evergreen Lake just north of Bloomington-Normal, this peaceful spot has it all: roomy campsites, fishing, hiking, boating, a swim beach—and it’s where Illinois’s record-breaking saugeye was caught.

Whether you’re in a tent, RV, or tucked into a lakeside primitive site, there’s no shortage of reasons people keep coming back.

What This Guide Covers:

  • Why Camp at Comlara Park?
  • Campground Overview
  • How to Reserve a Campsite
  • Camping Fees & Check-in Info
  • Amenities & Campground Facilities
  • What It Was Like to Camp Here | My Camping Experience
  • Things to Do Around Comlara
  • Gear That Made the Trip Easier
  • FAQ
  • The Quiet Highlights
  • Final Thoughts

Why Camp at Comlara Park?

Comlara isn’t flashy—it’s just everything you want in one place. You’ve got wide-open electric sites, shady non-electric spots, and walk-in tent pads tucked quietly along the lake.

Comlara Park Camping

Evergreen Lake is the heart of it all. You can fish, paddle, swim, or just sit and stare at the water. Campers show up year-round, though winter brings fewer sites and no running water.

It’s a favorite stop for RVers passing through, mountain bikers chasing dirt trails, families escaping for the weekend, and anglers hoping to hook something big.

Campground Overview

Comlara’s campground is split between comfort and quiet. Whether you want full hookups or a hike-in hideaway, you’ve got options.

Main Campground:

  • 106 electric sites (mix of 50 and 30 amp)

  • 23 non-electric sites

  • Each site comes with a picnic table and fire pit

  • Water is shared between sites—bring a splitter

  • A central shower house and restroom building serves the area

  • Two boat docks, a fishing dock, and a playground are nearby

  • Best lakeview sites: #40, #55, #56, and #29 (but don’t tell too many people)

White Oak Primitive Area:

  • 16 hike-in tent sites, about a quarter-mile from parking

  • No electricity or water, but tons of peace and privacy

  • These sites sit near the water and are tucked deep into the trees

  • You’ll need to pack in your gear—but you won’t hear anyone else’s generator

Group Camps:

  • Two group camping areas: one near the main area, one across the lake in White Oak

  • Reserved for not-for-profit groups only

  • Includes space for large tents, cooking, and gathering—perfect for scouts or retreats

Want lake access, hot showers, and still feel like you’re getting away? Comlara hits the balance.

How to Reserve a Campsite

Getting a spot at Comlara Park is pretty straightforward, but timing matters—especially in peak season.

Comlara Park Camping

  • Online Reservations: Head to camplife.com/comlara to see maps, photos, and availability.

  • Phone & In-Person Options: Call the park at (309) 434-6770 or stop by the Visitor Center (open daily 8 AM–4 PM).

  • Booking Window: Reservations for the season open the first Saturday in April. Popular lakeside sites go fast, especially on weekends.

  • Deposits: Expect to pay the first night’s site fee plus a reservation charge—$10 for online/phone, $7 in person.

  • Walk-Ins: Available during off-season or last-minute—just use the drop box near the entrance. (Cash only, so come prepared.)

Pro tip: Each reservation includes just one free move per season, so choose wisely—or at least don’t overthink it.

Camping Fees & Check-in Info

Comlara keeps things simple—and pretty affordable, especially for locals.

  • 50-amp electric sites: $28/night

  • 30-amp electric sites: $25/night

  • Non-electric sites: $22/night

  • McLean County residents: Get $2 off per night

  • Group camps: Vary based on area and size (entire fee due at booking)

You can arrive as early as 3 PM, and you’ve got until 3 PM the day you leave. Plenty of time to sip that morning coffee by the lake.

Amenities & Campground Facilities

Comlara keeps it rustic, but comfortable.

Comlara Park Camping

  • Shower house: Hot water, clean stalls, and even a coin-operated washer and dryer

  • Water: Spigots scattered around the campground (just don’t count on them after November)

  • Dump station: A short drive from camp, near the main boat launch—not ideal, but workable

  • Extras: Boat docks, a fishing pier, and firewood, ice, and bait (worms included) for sale at the Visitor Center

  • Connectivity: No Wi-Fi, and your cell phone might get more bars from the raccoons than the towers

It’s everything you need, nothing you don’t.

What It Was Like to Camp Here | My Camping Experience

We landed in Site 104, tucked in the back loop, and it felt like we had the park to ourselves. Quiet. Shaded. Just trees, breeze, and birdsong. Midweek magic.

Setup & First Impressions

It was roomy, flat, and surrounded by stillness—no RV hum, no neighbor chatter. Just us and the lake in the distance. A rare kind of peace.

Daytime Adventures

We hit the trails early before the heat settled in. The multi-use paths weave through forest and meadow, and we spotted deer more than once.

Biking was fun, though some sections clearly favor mountain bikers. We fished off the dock in the afternoon—caught bluegill and a breeze.

Evening Wind-Down

We made chicken salad wraps, cracked a cherry Coke, and watched the lake go pink with sunset. Fireflies came out right on cue. We fell asleep under the stars and woke up with the lake glowing through the mesh.

Tips Learned:

  • Bugs love vault toilets—set up farther away if you can

  • Primitive sites near White Oak are gorgeous but pack light for the walk in

  • Morning is the best time to hike—cooler, quieter, and the spider webs haven’t been knocked down yet

Comlara has a calm rhythm. It doesn’t try to impress—it just lets you be.

Things to Do Around Comlara

After a lazy breakfast by the fire, we packed water bottles, bug spray, and a cherry Coke and hit the trails. Comlara’s got over 25 miles of hiking and biking paths, and I was surprised how well-marked and varied they were.

Some were wide and grassy, others dipped into shady pine groves where it felt 10 degrees cooler. The mountain biking trails have ramps and berms built in—my kids loved watching riders fly by.

Comlara Park Camping

In the afternoon, we headed to the lake. You can rent everything from paddleboards to pontoons. We stuck to a kayak—easier to handle and way cheaper.

The breeze off Evergreen Lake made the heat more tolerable, and we ended up drifting near the fishing dock where someone reeled in a pretty solid bass. Next time, I’m bringing my own rod.

I also learned the swim beach is open in summer, with a $3 fee for adults. We didn’t swim this trip, but the spot looked perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Clean, shallow water and even a floating trampoline out in the lake.

Later that night, after the kids crashed, I walked to a clearing by the boat launch and just sat under the stars. No light pollution. No traffic noise.

Just frogs, crickets, and one owl that kept calling from the trees behind me. I didn’t come here for stargazing—but the sky kind of insisted.

One minute I was rinsing off bug spray, the next I was counting satellites.

You don’t need an itinerary at Comlara. Paddle in the morning. Hike after lunch. Cast a line at dusk. Or do none of that. Just sit. Just look.

The lake does most of the talking anyway.

Gear That Made the Trip Easier

By night two, I regretted not packing a head net. The bugs weren’t just bad—they were committed.

Citronella candles helped a little. The bug spray helped more. But honestly, if you’re sensitive to bites, come armored.

Here’s what I’d pack next time—and what saved me this time around:

  • Bug defense: spray, candles, and a head net if bugs love you

  • Water/electric: extra-long hose and cord—some hookups are awkwardly placed

  • Sleeping comfort: leveling blocks for trailers, thick tent pad for ground sleepers

  • Cooking: stove or charcoal—the fire pit’s great, but not always practical

  • Binoculars: saw a hawk, missed a deer—won’t forget those again

  • Bike: the campground’s big enough that pedaling is the easiest way to explore

Lesson learned? Pack for comfort and chaos. Because Comlara delivers both.

FAQ

Is Comlara Park open year-round?
Yes—but only sites 1–33 stay open through winter with electric hookups. No water or dump station available during this time.

Are there water hookups at every site?
Not all—shared spigots are available. Bring a splitter and long hose.

Can I bring alcohol to my site?
No. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the park.

Where can I get supplies?
Closest grocery is Kirby Foods in El Paso. For more options, head to Normal or Bloomington.

Can I swim anywhere in the lake?
No—swimming is only allowed at the designated beach.

Is the park pet-friendly?
Yes, but pets must be leashed and not left unattended.

Do I need a permit for kayaking or paddleboarding?
Yes. Register your watercraft online or at the Visitor Center.

The Quiet Highlights

You wouldn’t expect to find the world’s largest square knot in a lakeside Illinois park—but there it is. Near the marina. Big, weird, and oddly satisfying.

Behind the Visitor Center, there’s a quiet little trail that hugs the lake. It’s short, easy, and somehow always empty. Perfect for a post-coffee stroll.

Comlara Park Camping

White Oak walk-in sites? That’s where the real magic is. The sun drops behind the trees, and everything turns gold. I didn’t even care about the bugs at that point.

Need a grocery run or real coffee? Normal’s close. So is Bloomington. But honestly, I didn’t want to leave.

Final Thoughts

Comlara isn’t flashy—but that’s the point. It’s calm, full of small surprises, and easy to settle into. I spent most of my time either moving—on a trail, in a kayak, down to the dock—or doing absolutely nothing at all, just watching the light shift on the lake.

It’s one of those places that doesn’t demand much from you. Just show up. Bring some food, bug spray, and your favorite people.

Would I come back? Absolutely. Next time, I’ve got my eye on a White Oak site—quiet, wooded, no one around but the frogs.