Map showing campground location near Nauvoo, Illinois

Nauvoo State Park Campground

Accessible year-round with reservations available, Nauvoo State Park Campground accommodates RVs up to 60 feet with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages this drive-in and walk-in facility along the Mississippi River, though campers report the internal roads are narrow and need repair work.

Most sites sit under tree cover with ample shade, though this also means dealing with mosquitoes during warmer months. The campground layout can confuse first-time visitors since drives lack clear marking, and longer rigs may find maneuvering challenging in the tighter areas. Both pull-through and back-in sites are available, with primitive camping options that operate on a first-come basis using an envelope payment system.

Water access varies by season - hookups shut down during winter months, leaving only a hydrant near the bathhouse for filling containers. The shower facility closes seasonally as well. "Lots of bugs in the pit toilet, but otherwise clean and well kept," notes Cathy C.. A dump station operates year-round, and the park maintains grills and trash collection throughout the campgrounds.

The location puts campers within walking distance of Nauvoo's historic sites and offers access to fishing along the Mississippi River. Those wanting additional accommodations can explore places to camp around Nauvoo for comparison options.

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Map & DirectionsNauvoo State Park Campground is located in Illinois near Nauvoo

Public Campground

Directions

The park is located in the city limits of Nauvoo. The park is located just off the Mississippi river and is accessible off Illinois highway 96.

Coordinates

40.54400061 N
91.38400018 W

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Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/9/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 5/31/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 5/31/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/9/26

Access

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

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
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
30 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

1 hr 31 min from Iowa City, IA
1 hr 52 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
1 hr 55 min from Davenport, IA
1 hr 57 min from Peoria, IL

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Nauvoo State Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Many visitors appreciated the shaded, wooded sites and peaceful atmosphere along the Mississippi River. However, a significant number mentioned issues with outdated facilities and narrow roads needing repair.

Stuart O.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 13, 2024

Late season option

We stayed in mid-November when a lot of places are closed. They had electricity and the dump station was operating, but the water hookups were shut off and the bath house was closed for the winter. Water was available at a hydrant across from the bath house, but lacked a garden hose thread, so you could only fill water jugs. The roads are very narrow and in need of repair. Fee was $18.

Site30

Month of VisitNovember

Cathy C.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2021

Quiet and wooded

Quiet night with only three other rigs in the A area. Lots of bugs in the pit toilet, but otherwise clean and well kept

SiteA11

Month of VisitSeptember

Jill

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 25, 2021

$10 a night for primitive camping, $20 a night for electric and water hookups.

We like primitive camping, there are only reservations for hookups, not primitive.

There are no camping sites for primitive camping, just drive to a spot you like, put your money in an envelope into a mail box.

SiteWe were the only campers in the whole campground.

Month of VisitAugust

Gretchen F.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2018

Great kid friendly, wooded camping

Lots of shade, mostly wooded spots. There are a couple of close playgrounds you can walk to. Right across the street from the historic sites, if you're up for it it's just a little further to walk to main street. Downfalls are no on site water, some of the sites are small and they didn't enforce keeping semi size trailers out, blocking other sites. The main showers and flushing toilets are not by most of the main sites and the outhouse are not lit, so at night it's really dark to see to go! All in all a great place to camp. There's even a lake to walk to.

Month of VisitJuly

Ann C.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 10, 2017

Nauvoo State Park

We stayed in Nauvoo State Park with friends. We booked online and had picked backin sites. When we arrived the park was fairly empty so we moved to pull thru. I felt you might have trouble in long rigs getting around. The drives are not clearly marked and it was a little confusing! No modern facilities close and the pit toilets were very disgusting. It does have a shower house but we decided to just use ours. The town offers a lot of history. Did a little fishing but didn't catch anything. Lots of shade and mosquitoes! So bring plenty of spray.

Site16

Month of VisitAugust

James D.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Another State Park in the midwest. Nothing amazing but nothing horrible.

The park was clean and the staff was friendly. There are grills and toilets and trash collection. There were ample camping sites. We just got a permit on walk-in. There was a trail that was under two miles called Locust that my wife enjoyed for birding. There is also a loop trail near the campsites. It is along the Mississippi River so its hard not to like a place with that type of water feature!

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available at Nauvoo State Park Campground?

Nauvoo State Park Campground offers both electric hookup sites and primitive camping areas. Facilities include pit toilets, trash collection, and fire grills at campsites. The campground has a dump station for RVs, though water hookups may be shut off during winter months. There are playgrounds within walking distance, and the sites are mostly wooded providing ample shade. Note that the bathhouse closes seasonally, and no modern facilities are available year-round. For water, there's a hydrant near the bathhouse, though RV users should be aware it may lack a garden hose thread adapter during off-season.

How can I find a map of Nauvoo State Park Campground?

Maps of Nauvoo State Park Campground can be obtained at the park entrance or from the park office upon arrival. The driving paths within the campground aren't always clearly marked, so a map is helpful for navigation. For advance planning, check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website, which typically provides downloadable maps of state parks. You can also contact the park directly by phone to request map information before your visit. Consider stopping at the visitor center when you arrive for the most current map and campground layout.

What are the best spots to photograph at Nauvoo State Park?

The wooded campsites with their abundant shade trees offer beautiful natural photography opportunities, especially during fall color changes. The Locust Trail (under two miles) is excellent for nature photography and birding. There are also scenic spots along the loop trail near the campsites that provide good photo opportunities. For landscape photography, explore the park's wooded areas and open spaces. The nearby historic sites across from the park provide additional photogenic settings if you're willing to venture a short distance from the campground. Early morning light filtering through the trees creates particularly striking images in this predominantly wooded setting.

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