Camping near Big Rock, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park. One visitor mentioned, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls."
- Fishing: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing in a peaceful setting. A camper shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
- Boating: Rock Cut State Park Campground has a beautiful lake perfect for kayaking and boating. One reviewer noted, "This is one of the most amazing outdoor camping experiences Illinois has to offer!"
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. A visitor at Illinois Beach State Park said, "The bathrooms were old and wet, but the campground itself was very nice with good size sites."
- Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. At Blackwell Family Campground, one camper said, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos and blew gigantic bubbles for the kids to chase around."
- Natural Beauty: Campers love the picturesque settings. A review for Pleasant Creek Campground highlighted, "The campground is surrounded by some solid wilderness, so there is never the chance that you will wake up and feel as though you are not being embraced by nature."
What you should know:
- No Alcohol Policies: Some campgrounds, like Starved Rock Campground, do not allow alcohol. A camper mentioned, "For whatever reason you find yourself up here in northern Illinois... be sure to stop by this multi-campus nature preserve camping outpost."
- Limited Cell Service: Expect spotty cell service in many areas. A visitor at Illinois Rock Cut State Park noted, "Verizon and AT&T both had only 1 bar."
- Crowded Weekends: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly on weekends. One camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake said, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like Blackwell Family Campground. A parent shared, "The ranger did stop by around 5 or 6ish with some activities for the kids to do."
- Plan for Amenities: Make sure the campground has clean bathrooms and showers. A camper at Illinois Beach State Park mentioned, "The bathrooms and shower house are relatively clean and well kept."
- Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained with snacks and games. One visitor at Pleasant Creek Campground said, "We had a wonderful time to ourselves."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Hookup Availability: Ensure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground noted, "The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again."
- Look for Spacious Sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites for RVs, like Starved Rock Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The campground is comprised of sites #1–54, plus 4 campground host sites."
- Plan for Dump Stations: Make sure there are dump stations available. A visitor at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area said, "The store is very nice and well stocked."
Camping near Big Rock, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!
