IDNR Upgrading Campsite Reservation System Ahead of Summer Season (Springfield, IL) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced that campsite and shelter reservations at state parks and historic sites will transition to an upgraded online system beginning May 1, aiming to improve accessibility and ease of use for visitors.
The updated platform will continue to operate through the agency’s existing reservation website, ExploreMoreIL.com, but users can expect a more streamlined and user-friendly interface when booking campsites, shelters and permits.
To complete the transition, online reservations will be temporarily unavailable from April 27 through April 30. During that period, visitors can still secure campsites through walk-up reservations at park locations, depending on availability.
IDNR officials said all existing reservations will automatically transfer to the new system. However, users will need to create a new account and password to access their bookings, using the same email address tied to their current reservations.
Among the key improvements is a change to how picnic shelter reservations are handled. The new system will introduce a 12-month rolling booking window, replacing the previous structure that required users to wait until July 1 to reserve shelters for the following year.
The department oversees nearly 400 sites statewide, including parks, historic locations and recreational facilities, and manages a wide range of natural resources programs spanning wildlife, forestry and conservation enforcement.
The upgrade comes as Illinois heads into the busy summer travel season, when demand for campground and outdoor recreation reservations typically peaks.
IDNR Upgrading Campsite Reservation System Ahead of Summer Season
