The city of Decatur in Illinois is named after Stephan Decatur, a naval soldier in the War of 1812, and it’s known for being one of the places where young Abraham Lincoln lived. When Lincoln was 21, he gave his first political speech in Decatur. He also worked as a lawyer for the 8th Judicial Court in Decatur and later received endorsements as a presidential candidate at the city’s Illinois Republican State Convention. Today, a statue of President Lincoln sits downtown in the very place where his first political speech was given.
While in Decatur, be sure to check out the local museums dedicated to other historic figures originating in the city. One such location is The Staley Museum, a museum full of exhibits and artifacts pertaining to Decatur’s origins and the Staley company and family who helped establish the city. Another great museum to check out is the Hieronymus Mueller Museum, a place dedicated to telling the story of a successful German immigrant and entrepreneur.
Other popular attractions of Decatur include the Scovill Zoo, a small zoo with free admission on Thursdays from June through October. This zoo is located right on Lake Decatur and is beside the Children’s Museum of Illinois, a top-rated museum for families to visit with hands-on exhibits. Nearby is also the Scovill Sculpture Park, a walkway between the zoo and museum with a rotating collection of contemporary sculptures in a decorated garden. Across the lake sits the Anna Bethel Fisher Rock Garden, a larger scenic garden that you can explore within the city’s Nelson Park.
Decatur Forsyth Classic - The longest stop on the LPGA Symetra tour for international golfers is held annually in Decatur with public viewing options.
Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO) Annual Free Concert - Around the end of summer, the MDSO puts on a concert on the shore of Lake Decatur for the public to attend for free.
Sand Creek Trail Run - This annual Decatur event is a community run on the trails of the Sand Creek Conservation Area in mid-September.
Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri is known for its 630-foot-tall white arch overlooking the Mississippi River. However, most people don't know that this arch is a part of a national park that also features underground museums dedicated to the history of westward expansion in the United States. Also located at this park is 91 acres of land that's filled with historic buildings open for public touring.
Near Gary, Indiana is Indiana Dunes National Park, which was upgraded to a national park from its previous status as a national lakeshore in 2019. Located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, this park is the perfect getaway for beachgoers, but it also has miles of hiking trails through prairie land beside the beach and sand dunes too.
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is home to the world's largest discovered cavern system, Mammoth Cave. This massive cave system can be explored on a variety of guided tours, many of which are wheelchair accessible. This park is also home to grassy and wooded surface areas filled with trails for those who aren't interested in heading underground.
Just a short drive from Decatur is Weldon Springs State Park, a 550-acre park home to a large lake popular with local anglers. The campground at Weldon Springs has also been voted as one of the best campgrounds in the U.S., making it a perfect place to stop for a night or two.
Illinois's Wolf Creek State Park is known for its 250 miles of shoreline around Lake Shelbyville and smaller creeks within the park. This state park also boasts amazing forest terrain and an equestrian center for new and experienced horse riders to check out.
Nestled in Charleston, Illinois is Fox Ridge State Park, a park full of colorful wildflowers in the warmer months. A great place for bird-watching and wildlife viewing, this park is also great for hiking and biking through the woods, and it has a campground on-site with 40 campsites, making it a popular destination for RV travelers.
Lincoln Home National Historic Site is a famous landmark in Springfield, just a short drive from Decatur. This site hosts the home where President Lincoln and his family lived for 17 years prior to his presidency. The historic site itself also encompasses two other historic homes and a visitor's center.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is across the border in Indiana and is home to multiple historic buildings and sites related to the battles between Americans and British troops in 1779. As a result of these battles during a frigid winter, the British surrendered and gave up the land of this park and much of its surrounding area to Americans.
In Missouri, not too far from Decatur, Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site sits in honor of the abolitionist and Union Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant. At this site, you can find historic homes that this general and his family lived in, plus a former slave-run farm.
When you want to find an RV campground near Decatur, you have plenty of great options. One such option is Arrowhead Acres Campground in Clinton, a 42-acre family-owned campground with two fishing ponds. You may also like Sullivan Marina & Campground in Sullivan, located right on Lake Shelbyville. This campground features a floating restaurant on the lake and outdoor activities like horseshoes. Another option for RV camping is at the Springfield KOA, a top-rated campground with full hookups, cable, Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Decatur, IL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Decatur?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Decatur from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Decatur?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
