$8 / night

Camper submitted image from Apple River Canyon - 1

Camper submitted image from Apple River Canyon - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Apple River Canyon - 3

People

Camper submitted image from Apple River Canyon - 4

Water

Camper submitted image from Apple River Canyon - 5

Activities

Established Camping

Apple River Canyon

11 Reviews

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About

State Park

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Location

Apple River Canyon is located in Illinois

Coordinates

42.46231620999999 N
90.05381301208803 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups

/ night

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Contact

General Info

Sarah B.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2022

Peaceful forest, MANY bugs

Really peaceful and quiet night here at Apple River Canyon. Not too many people around, but the sites were large and private anyway. Fairly clean pit toilets and level site for our tent. The bugs are no joke though. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying friends were definitely swarming. We hiked down into the canyon along the river, and the bugs and spider webs we had to pass through were next level. Did see some deer, a big raccoon, and an eagle; and met a local photographer who showed me pictures he had taken of local fox kits and other cool wildlife. Also drove into Galena to wander around and stopped by Freeport on the way home. Tmobile cell service was spotty at best.

Site36

Month of VisitJuly

mitch

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 19, 2021

4 Day stay

Went up on a Friday stayed until Monday. Surprised at how quiet it was as the place was packed. The stars on a clear night is what keeps me coming back every year. (Surprised my camera picked up the stars that well)

Site35

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

Kylie H.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 7, 2021

Quaint and Quiet

I’ve always loved this small quiet campground, even as a teenager. Though I notice that it has gained a lot of popularity in recent years! Campsites are well spread out to give you some privacy, but it still has that “campground feel” so expect neighbors. Though there is a dump station, I would not recommend this park for large campers. Our pop up did fine and we saw a few other tear drop campers, but the roads are pretty narrow for anything more than that.

Site9

Month of VisitMay

Amanda C.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 13, 2020

Busy but quiet

I stayed here for two nights in September in a tent. Almost all the sites were taken when I arrived around 2pm on a Friday. They do take reservations. The campground was nice with pit toilets and water available. It wasn’t loud even with a lot of people.

Michael S.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2020

Nice camping site

Standard Illinois camping ground with grass. It’s is not the most picturesque spot, but it is a nice spot.

No cell service for T-Mobile so download songs on Spotify accordingly. It is a bit noisy as you can hear other groups clearly. There was some car traffic on the loop until 10 pm or so.

Agree with previous review that star gazing is nice on a clear night, especially if you from the city.

2 star rating is for the overall site, the overall trip was good though. No real complaints just

(5) View All

Liz M.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 5, 2020

Beautiful little slice of peace

A great getaway from the city.

Not very private and spotty phone reception but the river is lovely and it makes for a great weekend getaway.

John W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 4, 2020

Great first camping experience

We tent camped at site 37. This site has a nice mix of shade and sun and the back had a water faucet. There is a trail that works it’s way through the back of the sites. The sites are a bit close together and separation is sometimes sparse. Restrooms are pits and well maintained stocked with TP. No showers on site. One loop of the tent sites are able to be reserved and the other loop is first come, first served. There are short trails with some steep climbs, not wide paths so bring bug spray and tick tools! The river that cuts through is small but picturesque. Picnic areas are plentiful near the water. Caught two tiny bass and a trout. No firewood on site, but multiple homes on the drive in had $5 self serve bundles for sale. This site is a dark skies site, so if it’s not overcast or full moon there is some good stargazing. AT&T cell service is mostly nonexistent in camp, but kicks in as you head out, so plan your research ahead of time. Attached are some shots of some sites from the road

(5) View All

Brannon M.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2020

Great small spot!

Tent camped here in late April. The solo camp ground can be a little hair-raising as it’s perched about 20 feet from the edge of the canyon wall. Beautiful setting, great fishing (stocked trout in April, Smallmouth all year).

Quick Tip: Bring sandals for wet wading in the creek. Head upstream for a 1/4 mile for really awesome views.

(13) View All

Maggie U.

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 25, 2019

Secluded campsites & perfect fishing

Wonderful campground! Plenty of campsites all fairly private. Very close to fishing! Lots of fun hiking trails. I love that there is minimal cell signal to keep everyone off their phones

SiteSite 38

Month of VisitMay

Marissa F.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 7, 2018

Favorite Northern IL getaway

We absolutely love the quaintness of Apple River. The sites are secluded and provide privacy. Great spot for quiet tent camping. Not a big commercialized campground. Dog friendly too, at no extra charge. Very affordable camping!

Month of VisitJune

Cristina S.

Guide

Reviewed May. 26, 2018

Quiet campground, lots to explore

stayed 2 nights Monday, Tuesday. Only one other camper was there. Hiking is ok, several trails, not challenging, not easy after 2 days of rain. Fishing supposed to be excellent. Nice and quiet, easy 2.5 hour getaway from Chicago

Site#32

Month of VisitJune