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Established Camping

Blanding Landing

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Blanding Landing, near Hanover, Illinois, is a cozy campground that offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for a relaxing getaway. With sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, it’s an ideal spot for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories around the fire.

The campground features clean facilities, including hot showers and flush toilets, which visitors appreciate after a day spent outdoors. Many campers have enjoyed the shady sites surrounded by tall trees, making it a comfortable place to unwind. One reviewer noted, “Quiet, relaxing small campground with super clean hot showers and flush toilets in shower house.”

If you’re into fishing or boating, you’ll find a boat ramp and dock right on site, making it easy to get out on the water. While some campers mentioned the occasional train noise, it seems to add a bit of character to the experience rather than detract from it. As one camper put it, “We slept through them but are also used to living by a train station.”

Blanding Landing is also conveniently located near Galena and Dubuque, so if you’re looking to explore a bit, you’ve got options. Whether you’re stopping by for a night or planning a longer stay, this campground has a friendly vibe and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.

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Location

Blanding Landing is located in Illinois

Detail location of campground

Directions

13 miles south of Galena, IL off HWY 20, turn west on Blackjack and follow directional signs. DO NOT TAKE DIGGIN HILL RD.

Address

BLANDING LANDING RECREATION AREA 5720 SOUTH RIVER ROAD
Hanover, IL 61041

Coordinates

42.2858333 N
90.4033333 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Central Park

Central Park

52 min away

Lena KOA

Lena KOA

1 hr 11 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2025

Safe, peaceful and friendly! Will definitely be back!

I stayed at site 36 over the Labor Day weekend, and it was incredible. I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big. The other campers were friendly, and the one site neighbor we had (a young couple about my age with a pup too!) even came to visit and meet my dogs and gave them organic dog treats.🥹 The icing on the cake was the woman who monitored the sites, Anne. She was so kind and welcoming, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I can’t wait to come back and visit again. Highly recommend!

Site36
Month of VisitAugust
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Reviewed Sep. 7, 2021

Blanding Landing, USACE (Corps of Engineers) Campground

Quiet, relaxing small campground with super clean hot showers and flush toilets in shower house. Boat ramp, dock fishing, tall trees all over. Shady sites, water pump faucets, dump station. Our first night here the many trains were loud and woke us up, but if you can laugh instead of being annoyed, it is fine. Groceries and ice are 13 miles away on hilly pavement roads.

Site30
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2019

Nice campground, near river, also near noisy train

Overall nice campground. Hosts are friendly and I saw rangers driving through multiple times. Each site includes picnic table and fire pit. Most have electric. 

The toilets in the back part by the electric campsites are pit toilets. Flush toilets, sink, and showers up by the check in area. There’s a playground for kids. 

Sites by the river don’t have much shade. Sites by the tracks are the most “wooded” but also right near the trains. Trains are noisy—we slept through them but are also used to living by a train station. Your mileage may vary on that one. 

We (tent campers) had site 24. It’s the last site in that part of the driveway and I recommend it because you have a lot of open space to one side plus not far from water or bathrooms. The most wooded sites are at the end farthest away from the entrance but tent campers should know there are a lot of RVs down there usually. 

We used this as a stop over on a longer road trip. If you like boating or fishing this is probably a good fit. Galena and Dubuque are not far. Overall not a lot of hiking or activities in the immediate area though. Good option for an overnight.

As a note, we have ATT and had decent cell service here.

SiteSite 24
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Blanding Landing by Mary S., August 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Blanding Landing by Mary S., August 12, 2019
Reviewed May. 18, 2018

Army COE campground.

Not the worst but not one of the best COE campgrounds. No nice gravel or concrete pads anywhere. Many sites are not real level. Biggest issue is train tracks with trains running by very often. Maybe an hour or 90 minutes with none then there would be three in a very short period. Kind of like living next to an airport.

Site22
  • Review photo of Blanding Landing by Tony D., May 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Blanding Landing by Tony D., May 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Blanding Landing by Tony D., May 18, 2018
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Blanding Landing Campground?

Blanding Landing Campground offers several amenities for campers including electric hookups at most sites, picnic tables and fire pits at each site. The campground features both flush toilets and showers in the main shower house near the check-in area, with additional pit toilets located in the back section by the electric campsites. For water access, there are water pump faucets throughout the grounds and a dump station for RVs. Recreation options include a boat ramp and dock for fishing. The campground is set among tall trees providing ample shade at most sites.

How do previous visitors rate Blanding Landing Campground?

Blanding Landing Campground generally receives positive ratings from visitors. Many campers appreciate the quiet, relaxing atmosphere and the super clean facilities, particularly noting the hot showers and flush toilets in the shower house. The campground hosts are described as friendly, and rangers make regular patrols through the area. While most visitors enjoy their stay, some note that the frequent train noise can be disruptive, with trains passing by at various intervals throughout the day and night. The camping sites themselves receive mixed reviews regarding levelness.

Are there photos of Blanding Landing to view before visiting?

Yes, photos of Blanding Landing are available online. You can find images showcasing the campground's tall trees and shady sites, the water access areas including the boat ramp and fishing dock, and the various campsite layouts. Photos of the facilities such as the shower house and toilet areas are also typically available. To view these images before your visit, check the official Army Corps of Engineers website, camping reservation platforms, or The Dyrt for user-submitted photos that show real camping experiences at this location.

How far is Blanding Landing from Galena, IL?

Blanding Landing is approximately 20-25 miles from Galena, IL. The drive typically takes about 30-35 minutes, depending on your route and traffic conditions. The campground is situated along the Mississippi River, while Galena is located inland to the east. This relatively short distance makes Blanding Landing a convenient camping option for those planning day trips to explore Galena's historic downtown, shops, and restaurants while enjoying riverside camping accommodations.