The sound of the Mississippi River accompanies campers at this Army Corps of Engineers facility positioned along the waterway in western Illinois. Bear Creek COE - Lock and Dam 21 operates year-round within the Mississippi River corridor, providing river access for boaters and anglers targeting the lock and dam structure's fishing opportunities.
The campground sits near the working lock and dam infrastructure, where barge traffic and recreational boats navigate the river system throughout the day. Campers can expect the operational sounds of commercial river traffic alongside the natural flow of the water. For those seeking more secluded camping, Canton City River Park offers a quieter riverside alternative just upstream.
Description
This recreation area is part of Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundBear Creek COE - Lock and Dam 21 is located in Illinois
Directions
From jct Hwy 96 & CR 2150: Go 3 mi W on CR 2150, then 2-1/2 mi N on CR 500E, then 2-1/2 mi W on CR 2400N, then 1 mi W over levee on gravel road.
Coordinates
40.11198377 N
91.48161518 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/1/26
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/1/26
Access
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
Drive Time
- 1 hr 57 min from Springfield, IL
- 2 hrs 3 min from Iowa City, IA
- 2 hrs 20 min from Columbia, MO
- 2 hrs 29 min from Peoria, IL
