Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Tree cover at the primitive sites runs dense enough that campers reported staying dry through rainstorms, which says something about the canopy overhead. Deer Run sits within Sangchris Lake State Park outside Rochester, Illinois, with five primitive sites tucked toward the back of the campground at $6 per night and electric/water hookup sites available for $8. Raccoons are active and bold here. Showers are located at Hickory Point - Sangchris Lake State Park, a short drive away, and accessible to Deer Run campers. Well water spigots are on-site, though city water is only at Hickory Point. Reservations are available, and stays can be booked for up to 14 nights at a time, making it a reasonable base for camping near Sangchris Lake State Park. Store food securely given the raccoon activity.

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Map & DirectionsDeer Run Campground is located in Illinois near Rochester

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

39.65366027 N
89.46981075 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 6/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 6/21/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Deer Run Campground

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4.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2026

Small, quiet, state park camping

Couple camping here, spent multiple nights in a row in primitive camping here. As mentioned, only well water available on the campgrounds here, however you still have access to amenities available at hickory point just a short drive away. Shower house and city water available that way. Playground for kiddos on site. Lots of people bring pets, including equestrian for those campsite. Those do include the post to tie up on at each site. The hosts (bob and dawn were really checking in on us that stay, including being able to help when we accidentally killed our car battery. They also made thorough and consistent rounds which we appreciated. Also had Lynn, one of the idnr guys here, come back at the end of his shift to make sure we had learned about the storms coming in. He even checked in again the next chance he got to make sure we were okay still. We did end up leaving early, to which there is not refunds (I think this is state parks in general) however at $6 a night for primitive, we took that loss especially during an extreme heat warning (for multiple days). If you want a quieter campsite, I would recommend this one over hickory point as hickory point seems to be more RVers instead of the more primitive style of camping tends to be.

SiteI believe primitive #5, the closest parking distance to campsite
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2026

Great campground, private and quiet primitive sites!

We've stayed at Hickory Point before, but this was our first time at Deer Run. It has not disappointed! The primitive sites (there are 5 with no electric or water hookups) are off set in the back of the campground, providing privacy and quiet, which is what we were going for this time. The primitive sites without electric or water are $6 a night, and you can for pay up to 14 nights at a time. There are electric and water hook up sites for $8 a night, they just aren't as private but still lovely! The showers are at the Hickory Point campground (just a minute or two drive) and available for use with the Deer Run camp sites as well. There are well water spigots at Dee Run and Hickory Point, but the city water spigot is at Hickory Point only. It rained quite a bit our first two nights here, but there are so many trees covering the primitive sites you couldn't really feel it until it was thunder storming. We stayed nice and dry inside the tent. There are a LOT of sassy raccoons who will still your food - and the containers that never had food in them in fact- as well waking up to crows cawing every morning- may not be everyone's thing, but I sure enjoy that aspect. The hosts are fantastic and make rounds every 2-3 hours each day, anything we've needed they e been able to help with or point us in the direction to go next. Great campground to stay at, whether for a night or a week, no complaints here thus far!

SiteD-5
Month of VisitJune
  • This is a 180(ish) view of the primitive sites (there are 5).
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  • Review photo of Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park by India J., June 28, 2026
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2018

Not too shabby.

Sites were decent. Lack of flushing toilets and bathhouse is why I knocked it down a few. Outhouse was passable but a bathhouse would go a long way to upgrading the facility. Playground was great for kiddos. Hosts were nice and fairly helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park has water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is excellent coverage for AT&T, some coverage for T-Mobile, and good coverage for Verizon.