Red Hills State Park Improvements and Campground Upgrades, Lawrence County, Illinois
CLIENT: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB)
Visitors to Red Hills State Park in Illinois are now experiencing improved campground amenities, upgraded utilities and modernized infrastructure thanks to a multi-year improvement project completed between 2019 and 2025.
Known for its quiet natural setting, camping areas and recreational opportunities, the park had several aging facilities that no longer met the needs of today’s visitors. Working closely with IDNR and CDB, Clark Dietz helped deliver upgrades throughout the park that improved both day-to-day operations and the overall visitor experience.
New lift station
One of the project’s largest components focused on modernizing the park’s wastewater infrastructure. Two outdated wastewater treatment plants were consolidated into one upgraded facility, simplifying operations and long-term maintenance for park staff. The project also included installation of a new lift station to carry wastewater from the site of the demolished treatment plant to the upgraded facility.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, the project introduced several upgrades designed to improve comfort and accessibility for campers across the park’s RV, tent and equestrian campground areas.
The RV dump station was redesigned to better accommodate today’s larger RVs, while five campsites were converted into full-service RV sites with water and sewer connections. At the tent campground, a new privy toilet and extended waterline improved access to drinking and washing water, and a new handicap-accessible campsite expanded accessibility for visitors.
Similar improvements were made within the equestrian campground, where upgraded restroom facilities, a new accessible campsite and improved water access near the horse corral created a more convenient experience for riders and campers. Water service was also extended across the highway to a day-use area that previously lacked access.
RV Dump Station After
Because work occurred across multiple locations throughout the park, coordination was an important part of the project’s success. Rather than focusing on a single structure or site, the team managed a series of mid-sized improvements that needed to come together efficiently while minimizing impacts to park operations and visitors.
In addition to the technical improvements, the project team noted the unique experience of working within the park’s peaceful setting. The remote environment offered a different pace from traditional roadway or urban infrastructure projects and made the transformation especially rewarding to see completed.
Today, the improvements provide Red Hills State Park with updated infrastructure and expanded amenities that better support campers, equestrian visitors and day-use guests for years to come.
Read the full project story here.
