From our
Family to Yours

Your Peace of Mind
is our Goal!

Family owned & operated, Camp Lakewood
Campground will provide you with
a quiet, clean and peaceful setting.

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Welcome to Camp Lakewood Campground
in Effingham, Illinois,
located within 1 mile of I-70 and I-57!

The story of Camp Lakewood Campground began in 2014 in the small, vibrant town of Effingham, IL when Chet and Erica Kiefer purchased their first campground. The new owners started their campground journey by purchasing Camp Lakewood Campground in Effingham, IL, in 2014. They then expanded their love for the camping industry by purchasing Terre Haute Campground in Indiana in 2019. In 2022, they continued to grow by purchasing Meramec Campground in Missouri and Knoxville Campground in Tennessee. Salina Campground was their latest addition in 2025 until Archway RV Park came along at the end of 2025! All campgrounds under their parent company, Kiefer Campgrounds, are family-owned and operated.

Meet The Family!

Chet, Erica, & Kolin Kiefer
Proud owners of
KIEFER CAMPGROUNDS!

Chet, Erica & Kolin Kiefer
Chet, Erica & Kolin Kiefer

How It Began!

Chet Kiefer has been a business owner since 1991 with his first venture being a landscape company that is still successfully operating today. He first got started in the campground business when a friend of his approached to discuss a campground that was facing some financial troubles. Chet agreed to purchase the campground and began the process of improving the property. After a year of experience with the park, Chet decided to purchase Camp Lakewood Campground in Effingham, IL. Shortly after this purchase, Chet began to improve the campground in many different ways. His knowledge from the landscaping business allowed him to complete the work quickly and efficiently. Through Chet’s hard work and dedication, Camp Lakewood Campground has been successfully running full steam ahead and growing each year!

How It’s Going!

After several years of owning Camp Lakewood Campground, Chet decided to pursue more properties. The next property he purchased was Terre Haute Campground in Terre Haute, IN. With his hard work, Terre Haute Campground has become an excellent place for travelers, mini vacationers, and families to enjoy their time camping. Two years later Chet founded Meramec Campground in Sullivan, MO, and began to improve it as well. This campground is now a peaceful and beautiful place to stay. Chet was able to rest for eight months before he found a new campground to purchase. Knoxville Campground in Clinton, TN was added to the Kiefer Campground family. After that one, he acquired Salina Campground in Salina, KS. Lastly, the newest addition to the campground family is Archway RV Park, purchased just this year! The expansions did not stop there! The Kiefer family also opened and established their first restaurant called Fatso’s Famous Pizza! It is available every day at Camp Lakewood Campground!

Looking to the Future!

Chet, his wife, Erica, and son, Kolin, have enjoyed the growth and guests throughout the years and are looking forward to growth in the next several years. As of now, they plan to keep expanding and improving current campgrounds. They are very excited about their past and even more excited about the future of Kiefer Campgrounds. Recently, Kolin Kiefer has begun to take an interest in the campgrounds. He has been working on-site, shooting informative videos of the campgrounds, and helping guests with anything they may need. Kolin shares the same ideas as his parents and is always looking for ways to help the campgrounds succeed. All 6 campgrounds are under the Kiefer Campgrounds umbrella, and Fatso’s Famous Pizza is family-owned and operated. Chet and his family wish to make all their campgrounds the best in their area and to provide exceptional customer service while still building the brand of their business. The Kiefer vision is to have multiple locations where people can visit in a clean, comfortable, and relaxing environment while also providing many amenities for guests to enjoy!

We invite you to visit us at Camp Lakewood Campground in Effingham, Illinois, as well as visit all of our sister campgrounds!

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS THINK MATTERS TO US!

We’d love to know how you found the experience of staying at one of our Kiefer Campgrounds.

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Camp Lakewood Campground

Under New Ownership as of 2014

Located at 1217 W Rickelman Ave, Effingham, IL 62401

Camp Lakewood Campground is open year-round.

Within 1 mile off of I-70 & I-57

Camp Lakewood Campground Google Map