Go Camping America
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Sankoty Lakes

East Peoria, Illinois

Sankoty Lakes Resort in East Peoria brings a genuinely exceptional resort experience to the Illinois River Valley — built on the crystal-clear waters of the Sankoty Aquifer, one of the deepest and cleanest natural water sources in the Midwest, where spring-fed lakes have the remarkable clarity of a mountain trout stream in the flatlands of central Illinois. Twenty minutes from Peoria and two and a half hours from Chicago, Sankoty Lakes offers resort-quality amenities and a natural setting that consistently surprises guests who didn't know this caliber of Illinois camping experience existed. Accommodations range from glamping safari tents and well-appointed RV sites to upscale lakeside cabins sleeping up to eight guests — each with fully equipped kitchens, decks, and outdoor fire pits — and the exclusive 1840 Ranch House, a private guest property suited for larger groups and special occasion gatherings. The Woolly Bugger, Sankoty's signature on-site restaurant and bar, provides full-service dining and evening atmosphere that sets this resort clearly apart from conventional campground food. A beach pavilion and bathhouse, outdoor fireplace, free bicycles for guest use, picnic spots, a 24-hour front desk, and a coffee shop deliver service quality alongside the outdoor recreation. Pets are welcome at Sankoty Lakes Resort. The Sankoty Aquifer lakes provide a water recreation environment of genuinely unusual quality — the kind of visibility that makes kayaking, canoeing, and swimming feel like engagement with a natural aquarium rather than typical Midwest lake recreation. A dedicated fly-fishing trout stream on the property adds a specialty fishing experience alongside the lakes' broader angling, birdwatching, and hiking trails that keep guests occupied from dawn into the evening hours. Peoria, 20 minutes from the resort, offers more cultural depth than its Midwest city reputation sometimes suggests. The Caterpillar Visitors Center chronicles the engineering achievements of one of the world's great manufacturing companies in an interactive exhibition that resonates well beyond industrial tourism. The Peoria Riverfront Museum combines natural history, art, and a giant-screen theater in a well-funded facility anchoring the riverfront. The Peoria Zoo and the Historic District's restaurants and live music venues fill an evening excursion with ease. Starved Rock State Park, roughly an hour east, provides the Illinois River's most dramatic canyon scenery with 18 canyons, waterfalls, and trails for a full day of hiking. Sankoty Lakes Resort operates through the Illinois camping and resort season, with summer representing peak demand for the lakes' swimming, kayaking, and fishing recreation. The Woolly Bugger restaurant and the resort's premium amenity level have created a devoted local following — Sankoty lakes guests often describe the resort as a destination in its own right rather than a base camp for elsewhere. Reserve early for summer weekends and cabins, which fill ahead of RV and glamping tent availability.

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Location

Things to know

Check-in: 4:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Rules

While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement. Reservation Rules and Restrictions: Reservations: - We are excited that you have chosen the Sankoty Lakes, Sankoty at Crow Creek, and/or The 1840 Ranch for your getaway. - In the unlikely event that you must cancel or transfer dates, we require a 15-day notice by phone prior to the arrival date. - If you cancel your reservation within 15 days of your reservation date, please understand you will be charged the full price of your original reservation charge. - If you desire to move your reservation to another date, and it is done prior to 15 days before your original arrival date, as a courtesy, we will waive the cancellation fee one time. Check-in/Check-out Policy: - Rates quoted are based on the check-in date and length of stay shown. - Should you depart early for any reason, you will still be charged the full price of your original reservation. - Any changes to the arrival date, departure date, or glamping tent/cabin type of your reservation are subject to availability at the time the change is requested and may result in a possible rate change and/or service fee. Arrival Time: - Check-in time is 4:00 PM. Your reservations will be held until 9:00 PM on your arrival date. Check-Out Time: - Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Rate Rules/Restrictions: - Rates are confirmed in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise specified in your e-mail confirmation details. - Rates confirmed are for the number of occupants listed in your e-mail confirmation, per glamping tent/cabin, per night, and do not include additional charges for add-ons, including but not limited to watercraft rentals, golf cart rentals, and guided experiences. - Add-on rates vary according to the features of the specific package or program. - Applicable taxes, service charges, and value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, will be added to the bill unless indicated as a package feature. - The taxes, service charges, and value-added tax shown on your e-mail confirmation are those currently in effect. - Taxes, service charges, etc. are subject to change without notice according to local law. Arrival Times - 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Deposits & Payments - Payment for retail items and gift certificates is collected at the time of purchase Children & Pets - Children are welcome with an accompanying adult - Children age 3 and under stay free - Pets are welcome Beach Policy - Day Passes are required for all guests not staying overnight. - No outside alcoholic beverages or glasses are permitted. - There is no lifeguard on duty. - Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. - No pets are allowed per IDPH. - The swimming area is no deeper than five feet. - Guests must stay inside the safety swim rope at all times. There is no swimming permitted outside the swimming rope. - Day passes do not include fishing, which is reserved for overnight resort guests and guided fishing trips. Explore Sankoty Lakes fishing options, packages, and pricing on our FAQ page here.

Cancellation Policy

MODERATE If the guest cancels at least 1 week before your check-in day and time, they will receive a full refund (minus Spot2Nite convenience or resort fees). If the guest cancels within the 1 week before check-in, there will be no refund.