Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area, near Lena, Illinois, is a solid choice for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors. This spot features spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for gathering around the campfire after a day of exploring.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including restrooms and showers, which visitors appreciate. Many have enjoyed the hiking trails that wind through the area, offering a chance to see local wildlife and beautiful wildflowers. As one camper noted, “The hiking trails were enjoyed often by us,” highlighting the natural beauty that surrounds you here.

While the lake has faced some challenges, it still offers opportunities for fishing and enjoying the scenery. The park's rolling hills and wooded areas provide a peaceful backdrop for your camping experience. Just keep in mind that some roads could use a bit of TLC, but the overall atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

Whether you're tent camping, bringing an RV, or trying out glamping, Lake Le-Aqua-Na has something for everyone. With its mix of nature and amenities, it's a great spot to unwind and connect with the outdoors.

Whether you visit for an afternoon or stay a few days, you will leave Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area with many happy memories. Located in Stephenson County just west of Route 73 on Lake Road, the park is 6 miles south of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line and 3 miles north of Lena.

Highlighted by a 40-acre lake and all the recreational opportunities there, the park also offers multi-use trails, picnic areas, and RV, tent, equestrian and youth group campgrounds.

Developed as part of a statewide plan to provide Illinois citizens with recreational opportunities close to home, the park was started with a land acquisition program in 1948 and dedicated as a 715-acre state recreation area 10 years later.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na’s name is the result of a contest sponsored by the Stephenson County Sportsman’s Club, one of the park’s many sponsors. The name is a combination of the town of Lena and the Latin word for water, aqua.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Lena. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Lena. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Lena, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Lena

The Best Camping Near Lena, Illinois

Riding into this state park on my bicycle was a challenge. There are many steep hills but at least they aren't too long. There are some trails that will take you around some of the hills through open fields if you are interested in walking around the campground. This is a nice place to camp. 

Lake Le Aqua Na State Park

First, once you are here and settled, the rolling hills and man-made lake are truly peaceful.  I have camped here for over 30 years, and seen many changes.  Unfortunately, this State Park is the hardest hit by the budget crisis.  The roads are a pot-hole obstacle course, and the bait shop/boat rental, and restaurant is closed.  There are always three campers taking advantage of the Campground Host position, but nine times out of ten, you have to wait until well in to the evening for the one, overworked, ranger to check you in.
Surprisingly, the bath house is always clean.
Do not plan on mountain biking...the trails are open to everything, and the road apples are impossible to avoid...not a pretty site as mountain bikes do not have fenders.
The absolute most annoying thing about this park is that there are "gawkers" that constantly flow from Lena, and zig-zag the entire campgrounds.  All Saturday evening, after church on Sunday, and anytime you are outside of your camper, you can expect gawkers driving by at 3mph, staring like the village idiot.  The only humor is to stand there and make like you are filming them, or taking their picture...although some seem to like even that...WIERD!!!  (None of them have car passes or trailer hitches...or, a life.)

Smile...

Lake was brown looking. A lot of rain in area caused flooding. No swimming or boating currently on lake. Roads are in need for repair. Garbage full with a smell.

Roads need repair

It's a pretty state park with clean, nice bathrooms &amp; showers on the electric loop. Tent loop only has pit toilets. We stayed on the tent loop, where the sites were very large and mostly shaded. The lake has had algae issues for quite some time, so there was no swimming or boating. There is a kid's fishing pond, but we didn't see anyone catch a thing, so not sure if it's actually stocked or not. The road through the park is hilly and in poor condition. I've heard great things about this park, but it feels as if it's fallen victim to the state's financial problems.

woodsy

Very friendly people! Campsites a little close to others and sound traveled. Trails were way nice and the scenery was beautiful-lots of deer! 

Lake-Le-Aqua-Na

Rain made trails wet.  Enjoyed our site, nice campground.  The line to clean out the tanks was long and blocks the way in and out.  The roads need repair, many potholes.  Otherwise very nice campground.  Lots of birds.

Large sites

We have only been to this campground one time because we wanted to try something new. We had a lot of fun there playing in the water on the beach however my son who was five at the time got a really bad bacterial rash from the water. Other than that we had a really good time and the campground was very clean and everyone was really nice. We were definitely go back but not to swim in the water LOL

Fun place to go

All sites are clean. They clean out fire pits after every weekend. Some sites were not the most level. All Roads are newly paved. New/Updated Dump station. Once you enter the park, there are some drastic hills to navigate. We didn't get to use the lake. It was refilling, via letting nature fill the lake back up. I'm not sure why, but the lake was drained some time back, when the park was closed for over a year for the maintenance that was done.

Very Clean State Park

This was an unexpected good find in Illinois. The campground was nice with the standard set up - picnic tables, restrooms, water available. You can follow the road or the trails and make your way to the lake. We didn't go in the lake but we saw people fishing.

  

The hiking trails were enjoyed often by us. We found one section that had some interesting wildflowers. We paused and turned around when we found the archery area. We suggest keeping an eye on hunting season if you head this way.

  

We would certainly return in the future.

Photos of Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area

Real photos from real campers