Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

This park does NOT have water and sewer hook ups. You will have to fill your water tank, before parking. The facilities on site are terrible. The showers on site TRICKLED, not even enough to wash your hair. The sinks constantly run, they don’t shut off. When we called to reserve the guy told us we had to do a pull up basis. But there were slots reserved for other people. Very confusing. Not staying here again.

We stayed here while visiting relatives in Marseilles, and this park was the closest. Things here were fine for our purposes. I don’t see this as a great destination. During our stay, the place needed mowing and the men’s shower and bathroom didn’t have water, but the women’s side had ALL the water running-the sinks where you push to turn on and they go off on their own didn’t go off. Both showers were running. The next morning, the women’s sinks were better, and I was able to reach in to turn off the shower. We did take a morning walk along the river and we enjoyed MANY different birdsongs.

Basic river view site, electric hookup, water spout about 300ft away, bathrooms/showers nice little walk, across from the dump station. Some good fishing spots and boat dock down the road.

Definitely a very relaxed and clean campground that isn’t busy and has really cheap rates for off-season camping. $18 a night for walk-in and we got a 50amp spot right in front of the Illinois river.

This was a walk up quick overnight for me. Plenty of sites available and self registering was easy(cash or check only). Tent loop was surprisingly dark at night for how close to town you are. There is a train somewhere in the area that I heard few times. Interior of the loop had more level sites with less privacy where as external were a various degree of slope but more private. The shower was hot and clean. For the price it's a solid experience, though plan on a car & tent wash after lots of tree sap.

Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view.

Nice level electric only site. Had to run into town to get ice and wood. The nearby town of Marseilles is very quaint.

I had a blast of a time. I loved the shower house and also there was a lot for my kids to do

Nice enough place but we were deceived because all the websites say water and sewer hookups and there are none at any of the sites. They have a dump station and water near it that you can fill your tank with. Bathrooms were dirty and only one ladies toilet worked. We planned on staying 3 nights but we left after one.

Stopped into Illini State Park on a Saturday night and was pleased to see plenty of spots open to roll into. Primitive tent sites were plentiful in the woods, and some RV sites along the water were open as well. It wasn’t the best park in the world, but for $10, it was a fine place to stop.

This first come, first serve campground was exactly what we needed after exploring starved rock. Simply drive in, select a site, and use the silent box for payment.

Electric campsites are along the river and primitive sites are well spaced in a wooded area. Campground was mostly quiet but there is barge traffic we heard twice through the night.

Campground was overall clean, didnt use the bath houses because they were locked, we had a great fire pit but some of them are a little tired. Nice playground for the kiddos. Would definately come back.

I have stopped here several times on our trips along I80. You can camp right on the river and watch the boats entering the lock.

This park can accept all size rigs but the largest are limited to just a few sites. There is a train on the other side of the river but it doesn't run at night.

This gets 5 stars if I am camping alongside the river. Normally, I look for seclusion, but in this case, I enjoy watching the river flow by. The river barges navigate the river day and night, so you do get engine noises and spotlights at night as they keep track of their location along the shore. Across the river you have city lights reflecting in the water.

We stopped for a night on our way through.  Had a nice quiet spot right on the river.  With the locks closed this year, the traffic on the river was way down.  It would have been fun to watch the boats but oh well.  Easy in and out right off the interstate.  Not busy at all mid week.

Alittle bit on the pricey side to pitch a tent but did the trick. Has showers and flushable toilets. Easy off the highway and located near a tiny center of town with a few bars and stores.

The lot we reserved was very small and weedy. There was standing water and mud everywhere and the bugs were TERRIBLE. We ended up leaving before we even tried to set up because we would’ve had to put our tents up on the gravel driveway. Would not recommend!

I was able to get here right before the state closed the parks. It was empty but the dog and I we doing some hiking at Starved Rock so I figured why not. Sites were nice...nothing special. We got an electric site so I was able to use my teardrop which made it nice. Picnic table...fire ring...vault toilet...I don’t need much more than that. It does have some nice hiking along the river and wasn’t busy which is a huge bonus compared to other locations that are near. I would highly recommend this campground for those looking to avoid the crowds.

Spent a couple nights here (site 3) for Vintage Illinois at a nearby park. Quiet, fairly level, gravel sites. Electric worn but fully functional. Lots of trees and shade. From map it looked like site 3 was isolated at end of loop - weeellll, it IS at the end of a loop - right across from camp host and adjacent to maintenance area for lock & dam - not very picturesque. Didn’t use bathhouse so can’t comment on that. Drink vending machines by bathhouse. Local guy across from entrance to park sells firewood. Site had fire ring and picnic table. One thing to note - trees drop some kinda “nuts” and when you drive over them they pop and it sounds just like you are dragging low hanging branches. I started to backing and swore I was hitting branches (even though I’d looked and knew it was clear) and DW said we were clear....

Went tent camping here and reserved our spot in advance. We bought fire wood from a locals front lawn at the entrance to the state park. Put 5$ in the bin and take a bundle. Its 30 mins away from Starved Rock and Matthiesson State Park. Good hiking. The river spots are all booked by large RVs and the tent spots have grills over the fire pits and picnic tables. lots of tree cover which came in handy when it rained in the morning. Otherwise great weather and not buggy. Dogs allowed.

We tried to stay in site 14 that had 30 amp service. Our TT is 30amp. Our A/C unit kept tripping the breaker on the campground pole. Our breaker inside never tripped. They had someone come out and claimed their electric was fine and our A/C was broken. Went home bc it was 95 out and our A/C ran fine off a 20amp household outlet with no issues. Reported this so it could be fixed and the office still argued that their service was fine.

Nice peaceful campground with decent camp sites, friendly people and fun small towns close with cool bars right on the Illini river. I have a bench I sit on by the river and I drank old style and think about my grandpa.

Located right on the river. There are many tent sites available and at a great price. The bathrooms located near the electrical sites have showers and running water. The bathrooms that are in the tent site only area are more like port-o-potty style. So in the heat of summer there are a lot of flies and you should have something to wash your hands ie no running water. I’d stay there again and the hosts were very sweet.

The campsites are small but secluded. The park is right along the river so it’s great for launching your boat or kayaking. No hiking. Sites are almost always available and decent prices, but not a whole lot to do.

This lesser known state park right on the banks of the river is a nice alternative to Starved rock state park.

The main campground has modern toilets and showers and a beautiful view of the river and the lock and dam.

I you want a spot by the river make sure you reserve

I visited this park on an impromptu trip with a friend, abd while the views of the Illinois River (including a tug boat going by just feet from the bank in the early AM hours!) we're spectacular, the camping was not great. The sites don't offer great scenery, and you can hear the constant electrical hum of the nearby lock and dam. It is not a peaceful spot for camping at all.

The pavilions, however, were very nice, and I strongly recommend it for picnics or family events.

Pretty decent park and camping area. Would stay here again!

This place has a boat dock and lots of good fishing! Lots of wildlife too. We met a super cute raccoon. Really nice big place to tent. We had a great time will come back.

This place is pretty much the overflow camping lot if starving rock is full it is a wonderful place, and most of the sites are nicely shaded by large trees. This place had little traffic going through the camp grounds, so it was perfect to let the kids run wild.