Established Camping
Sugar River Forest Preserve
About
County
Location
Sugar River Forest Preserve is located in Illinois
Directions
From town: Go N on Boswell Rd, then W on Forest Preserve Rd to the end.
Coordinates
42.47848891000003 N
89.23552081999999 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
Second visit was as enjoyable as the first 3 yrs ago
We visited in Early June this time, and this time had a campsite on the East side under the very, very tall pine trees (sites 32-47). Less privacy between sites, but a beautiful effect.
Last time we camped in site 65, next to the path to the playground & walk-in site parking which was busy. You might want to choose a sit away from the pit toilets for the usual reasons, but also to avoid the light from the streetlights over them.
The river was low this time, so we didn't do any canoeing, but we saw many people tubing from Sugar River Adventures having fun, Walking a tube over a sandbar is nothing compared to dragging a canoe.
BIGGEST NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE there's a farm nearby that has Peacocks, and they screamed until well into the night. we thought it was bobcats attacking wild turkeys until the lady at the front gate set us straight. I hope this is only a seasonal mating thing and not a new feature.
One more note, biggest picnic tables we've seen, and our site had two.
- (14) View All
Great sites
This site is great, but seems like a local party spot. A large group was allowed to be noisy well past quiet hour, I went over to talk with them and they still were bumping music until at least midnight. No one seems to care about being quiet.
NIce Forest Location in Northern Illinois
Spent 3 days here as part of a trip to Galena. The showers are nice and cleaned regularly. Host is constantly driving around making sure firewood is available to campers and is very reasonably priced. Great location right along river, however it was very low this time of year. Will defiantly return.
Great for canoeing/ kayaking
Winnebago County does a great job of maintaining their Forest preserves and campgrounds. They charge a fee for non-residents, but it's worth it. Not spectacular, but very pleasant and relaxing. Sites are open, but well spaced. Plenty of shade. Hike-in sites are on the riverbank, about 200 yards from parking.
The Sugar river is scenic, and easy to paddle up or down, so you can do round trips without having to arrange drop-offs.
The Pecatonica river is nearby as well. A good day trip is Monroe, Wisconsin, home of the National Cheese Museum and Alp & Dell Chees works, a great place to shop for chees lovers. Van Eyck Orchard is a great stop as well.
November camp!
This was the perfect end to our camping season. The smell of pine is heavenly here! Shower house still open!
- (17) View All
Great Forest preserve campground!
We spent a weekend at Sugar River and thoroughly enjoyed our! The sites are large and well maintained, the hosts were great, and it is less than two hours from home!
Accommodating Staff!
There are a bunch of different kinds of campsites to choose from. Rustic ones right near the river are my favorite! There’s an indoor restroom complete with a shower. We’ve done some fishing and plan to kayak there soon!
Lots to do if you like the river
Not a bad place for exploring the river. Big sites. Lots of mosquitoes so come prepared!
- (14) View All