Little Coon Creek - Gillham Lake

The air carries a soft hush beneath the dense canopy of oaks and pines, their branches weaving shadows across the gravel drive as you roll onto Frachiseur Road. The scent of damp earth and pine needles settles in, punctuated by distant calls of songbirds weaving through the stillness. Little Coon Creek at Gillham Lake greets visitors not with fanfare but with a quiet invitation to slow down, where the only interruptions are the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional splash from the lake’s edge. It’s a place that beckons campers back, season after season, drawn by the comforting embrace of shade and solitude.

Morning light filters through the treetops onto the short trails branching from the campground, threading through the woods with glimpses of the lake shimmering a few hundred yards away. Anglers often cast lines along Gillham Lake’s shores, where bass and crappie swim beneath lily pads and fallen logs. A stroll down Frachiseur Road leads to peaceful spots perfect for birdwatching or a quiet picnic. Wildlife such as deer and raccoons are common visitors after dusk, adding to the serene rhythm of days spent here. For a change of pace, a twenty-minute drive east along Highway 70 brings you to the small town of Grannis, where local diners offer hearty fare and friendly faces.

Campers settle into shaded sites, each framed by thick underbrush that muffles sound and offers privacy. The bathrooms stand clean and functional, their modesty appreciated after a day’s adventure. Sites are spacious enough for tents and smaller rigs, with gravel pads that drain well even after rain. Electricity hookups are available, though cell service can waver beneath the forest canopy, encouraging genuine unplugging. Morning showers rival home pressure, adding a touch of comfort amidst the rustic setting. The quiet is almost tangible here, broken only by the occasional hum of insects or the distant splash of a fish breaking the lake’s surface.

Longtime visitors understand that Little Coon Creek isn’t about flashy amenities or crowds. Instead, it offers a retreat where the clutter of daily life falls away, replaced by the rhythm of creek water and birdcalls. The lake’s gentle lap against the shore and the swaying of tree limbs create a soundtrack that many return to year after year, finding a rare kind of calm in these green shadows. Despite the current closure by the US Army Corps of Engineers, those who have experienced