Established Camping
Harry L Swartz Campground
About
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
It Was Alright
I wrote out a 4 paragraph review and somehow it was just completley erased. Will update later.
- (4) View All
Great spot for stargazing
We've stayed at this campground twice so far and enjoyed it both times. Our first visit was in April before they turned the water on (we were prepared for that). The campground was mostly empty and I don't believe the hosts were there for the season yet, but it was very quiet and peaceful. The shower house was closed until May but the pit toilets were open and still reasonably clean. The hiking trails are great (although be prepared for mud) and one even takes you right under an eagle nest. Bald eagles are visible on the river, and since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather.
Our second visit was in August for the Perseid meteor shower and a local expert came to give a talk and there was a meteor viewing party of sorts, so that was very interesting. The camp was entirely full and got pretty loud Saturday night, but otherwise wasn't bad. At one site, people had squeezed a large camper, two large tents, and five cars on it, despite the limits - I felt bad for their neighbors! We also had a lot of rain that weekend and one of the pit toilets appeared to have a problem because it smelled very strongly - the people in the sites nearest to it, 21 and 39, probably had a rough weekend.
There are several fishing ponds around the campground and a small swimming area with a beach, playground, mini library, and shower house. The shower house is older but decent and clean. The showers themselves have a lot of hooks inside to hang your things, and the accessible shower was very thoughtful with a bench and handheld shower head (not like some which have regular showers, just bigger).
Some of the sites are very private, others are closer together. 42 - 47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private. I believe sites 34 and 27 could be great buddy sites. Site 25 has a trail that leads to the back row of sites (and no one behind it.)
The alphabetical sites are a little tighter, smaller, and with less privacy.
The water faucet/pump in the middle of the back row is broken and has been removed, although it is still on the map.
AT&T cell reception is good at any of the sites.
- (17) View All
Peaceful!
This quiet oasis was wonderful for our weekend away. Enjoyed the private sites and dark skies. Completed a few trails too.
Location
Harry L Swartz Campground is located in Illinois
Coordinates
40.3827007 N
87.95080055 W