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Paddlers and anglers have direct access to the Illinois River right from their campsites at Kayak Morris, a privately run campground in Morris, Illinois where water access is the main draw. Sites sit along the shoreline, and campers can launch kayaks from their own spot without hauling gear to a separate put-in. Tugboats and barges pass through regularly, which means sightlines from the water are active and industrial rather than remote. The river also sees a confluence nearby, which creates a floating zone worth exploring.

The campground rents kayaks and tents, so arriving without gear is workable. Fishing is a legitimate reason to visit. One camper reported catching over 50 stripers in a single outing, crediting the river convergence. As Taylor L. puts it, "not much to do here except camp and kayak," which is an accurate summary of the experience. Wading is permitted; swimming is not. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and firewood is available for purchase, though gathering small sticks on-site is allowed and reportedly sufficient for a campfire.

Bathrooms are port-a-potties located at the entrance, four units for the whole campground. Sites near check-in can get noisy from car traffic and slamming doors, so requesting a site farther from the entrance is worth considering. The campground maintains one central trash area. Cell service is available. Reservations are accepted, which matters on holiday weekends when capacity fills quickly.

Gebhard Woods State Park Campground sits about a mile to the west and provides a more traditional state park setup for campers who want a different configuration. Kayak Morris suits paddlers, anglers, and campers who want riverside access without much infrastructure beyond the basics.

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Map & DirectionsKayak Morris is located in Illinois near Morris

Detail location of campground
Private Campground

Coordinates

41.35546794763707 N
88.41591162171878 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 6/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 6/26/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

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 2 users
    Last on 6/22/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 6/26/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Fires

Drive Time


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Reviews11 Camper Reviews - Kayak Morris

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5.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed May. 20, 2022

Great fishing!

Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don’t know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!

Site16&15
Month of VisitMay
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Reviewed May. 31, 2021

Wonderful area.

This was a great little campground, very laid back, we came memorial day weekend. It was quiet, relaxing, and very well maintained. 1 trash area, 4 porta Potties for use for the campground. You can rent kayaks for the day, fish, wade in the river (no swimming). You get to see tugboats and barges go up and down the Illinois river right from your campsite. A little noisy at our site but it's the location near check in and bathrooms which are loud doors and cars come driving up for the check in. We will definitely be back. Maybe try other sites for new views.

Site4 (right next to check in noise level 7/10)
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2018

Simple, River fun

Small and hidden right on the Illinois River. Received a free night of camping with a whole day of kayaking which is absolutely recommended. Not much to do here except camp and kayak but I will be going back.

Site7
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Taylor L., October 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Taylor L., October 8, 2018
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Taylor L., October 8, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2018

morning time

morning breakfast after the glampout night provided by the staff good food and quite environment

  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Eric R., September 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Eric R., September 30, 2018
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Reviewed Sep. 30, 2018

Venetian tour

had my first experience of a lit up kayak tour for fireworks

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  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Eric R., September 30, 2018
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Reviewed Sep. 1, 2018

peaceful

25 sites to choose from, they fill up fast on weekends so plan to make reservations early. the glampouts are a blast.

  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Eric R., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Eric R., September 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Eric R., September 1, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2018

calm

if you want a nice riverfront camp site this place is perfect. they also have kayak rentals available.

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Beachfront camping.

We loved this campsite! We stayed when there were not many people there so we had plenty of space but could see it getting crowded when it’s full. We brought our own kayaks and launched right from our campsite which was amazing but they rent kayaks for pretty cheap If you don’t have your own. there is a confluence across the river which is great to float on. The only bathrooms (port-a-potties) are at the entrance. They sell firewood but also let you pick up sticks in the area that are small- we didn’t need to buy firewood after gathering our own. Picnic table and firepit provided. Overall a great campground that the whole family loved.

  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Amanda W., July 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Amanda W., July 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Amanda W., July 17, 2018
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2018

Great place

I have my own kayak and the river here is so calm its awesome. My friends rented the dual kayaks ant they loved them. Great location great cover on hot days. Cant wait to go back

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Kayak Morris by Art P., April 28, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Kayak Morris Campground?

Kayak Morris Campground offers 25 riverfront campsites with enough space for multiple tents at each site. The facilities include porta-potties (4 available throughout the grounds) and a designated trash area. For those without equipment, the campground provides tent rentals and also offers special 'glampout' experiences. The campground is well-maintained with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. While swimming isn't permitted, visitors can fish and wade in the river. The property is situated directly on the Illinois River, providing scenic views and easy water access.

How does Kayak Morris Campground compare to other campgrounds in Morris, IL?

Kayak Morris stands out from other Morris area campgrounds with its direct riverfront access and specialized kayaking focus. Unlike more general-purpose campgrounds, Kayak Morris caters specifically to water enthusiasts, offering both camping and paddling experiences in one location. The campground is relatively small with 25 sites, creating a more intimate outdoor experience compared to larger facilities. What makes it unique is the ability to camp right on the water and immediately access kayaking activities. The campground also offers distinctive experiences like glampouts and guided kayak tours that aren't typically available at standard campgrounds in the region. For fishing enthusiasts, the location at a river convergence provides exceptional fishing opportunities, particularly for stripers.

Are there photos available of Kayak Morris Campground to view before booking?

Yes, photos of Kayak Morris Campground are available online to help you plan your visit. These images typically showcase the riverfront campsites, the surrounding natural environment, and kayaking opportunities on the Illinois River. To view the most current photos, check the official Kayak Morris website or their social media pages. For additional visual references, you can also search camping platforms and review sites where visitors often share their own photographs of the campground and amenities.

What kayaking opportunities are offered at Kayak Morris Campground?

Kayak Morris offers excellent kayaking opportunities on the calm waters of the Illinois River. The campground provides kayak rentals at reasonable rates for those who don't bring their own equipment, including single and dual kayaks. Campers with personal kayaks can launch directly from their campsites. Special kayaking events are available, including lit-up kayak tours for fireworks displays and full-day kayaking packages (which sometimes come with a free night of camping). The peaceful river environment is perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers, with good tree cover providing shade on hot days.