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Best Campgrounds near Apple River, IL

509 Reviews

Join the fun near Apple River. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Apple River is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Apple River, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

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Best Camping Sites Near Apple River, Illinois (97)

    1. Apple River Canyon

    11 Reviews
    Apple River, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 745-3302

    $8 / night

    "We absolutely love the quaintness of Apple River. The sites are secluded and provide privacy. Great spot for quiet tent camping. Not a big commercialized campground."

    "Really peaceful and quiet night here at Apple River Canyon. Not too many people around, but the sites were large and private anyway. Fairly clean pit toilets and level site for our tent."

    2. Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Blanchardville, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 523-4427

    "It has a large lake with three boat launches, a main one with a motor ramp, a canoe launch near the marshy end, and a fishing pier."

    "The hiking trails and the lake were very nice. Showers and bathrooms were extremely clean and well maintained. Our campsite, #92, was a little bit of like/dislike experience."

    3. Canyon Ridge Campground — Apple River Canyon State Park

    6 Reviews
    Apple River, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 745-3302

    $8 / night

    "Visited Apple River Canyon State Park for a quick weeks getaway with the kids. We were able to walk up and get a camp site without reserving one."

    "I found it eventually but I'm glad I wasn't towing a camper because there was a lot of turning around. Some of the sites are able to be reserved."

    4. Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Lena, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 369-4282

    $10 - $30 / night

    "This was an unexpected good find in Illinois. The campground was nice with the standard set up - picnic tables, restrooms, water available."

    "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."

    5. Vel Terra

    4 Reviews
    Elizabeth, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 858-3866

    $25 - $40 / night

    "Galena Illinois is a major tourist spot for Chicago folks to get away too. This camp site is 20 min from Galena 5 min from Elizabeth and 15 min from Apple Canyon. Has both RV and Tent sites."

    "All the land is private so there's not great hiking (a little in the state park about 20 min drive away), IL law allows waterways to be privately owned so you can't kayak the river, etc."

    6. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 273-2731

    "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."

    "It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."

    7. Palace Campground

    8 Reviews
    Galena, IL
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 777-2466

    "This campground is tucked into a little area next to a Walmart, Culvers, and Mini golf course. It sits between east Dubuque and Galena. When we stayed they had a dirt bike rally."

    "Campground was right next to Walmart, which was convenient, and a short walk down to the high school to get the shuttle into Galena itself."

    8. Blackhawk Memorial Park

    4 Reviews
    Blanchardville, WI
    16 miles
    Website

    "Pit toilets/shelter/playground near the entrance.

    Two boat launches.

    Variable availability for firewood; the Cenex on the west end of Argyle reliably sells it if there isn't any at the park."

    9. Lena KOA

    3 Reviews
    Lena, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 369-2612

    "It is about 40 minutes away, but is nice to be away from the traffic. The KOA store is well stocked and has some pretty cool souvenirs!"

    10. Winslow Community Park

    1 Review
    Orangeville, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 367-2110

    "There is the noise from the highway, but it is better than most Yogi Bears that I have been to."

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Recent Camping Photos near Apple River, IL

192 Photos of 97 Apple River Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Apple River, IL

509 Reviews of 97 Apple River Campgrounds

  • Sam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Loud, crowded.

    I don't think we'll be back. The best part about the whole experience was the crazy road that leads to the overlooks. The campground is stacked close together, there's no signs for directing you towards sites, no place to put garbage, only a couple vault toilets. Never did see the shower house, but we just left the next day anyways. Loud people singing, playing music and snapping limbs till almost 4am, trains run all night. Not really my kinda place.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Blanding Landing

    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!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Great campground

    Beautiful park. The campground has less than 30 sites, most of which have power. The walk in sites are very private but still less than 75 yards from your car. You are in thick forest and will hear lots of animal sounds at night.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Serene Campground with Great Amenities

    Everything about our stay was enjoyable. Campsites were spaced out well and amenities were great. Don’t forget to check out the hiking trails!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Wisconsin Riverside Resort

    THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL!!

    This campground was fabulous! Great pool, restaurant, live music, and Pickle Ball! Well kept facility. It has a security gate, which I really appreciated.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Spring on our site

    There was a spring on our site! We hiked in a bit to a wooded quiet site. The toilets were clean. The playground was great. We spent the day exploring our Swiss heritage in New Glarus.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tower Hill State Park Campground

    Lightning bugs galore

    We were here during a thunderstorm so didn’t have the best experience. Our hill top site had water flowing through and our screen tent had a branch fall on it. But the sites are adequate for tents and the picnic shelter is lovely. The mosquitoes are ferocious, as expected for July in Wisconsin. We enjoyed chasing lightning bugs. The toilets are as expected for an older park.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Great Proximity

    It is a smaller state park camping wise. There is hiking and mountain bike trails available. With direct access to the Sugar River Trail and the town of New Glarus, it is a great location as an overnight stop or home base to explore.

Guide to Apple River

Camping near Apple River, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the trails at Apple River Canyon. One camper mentioned, "The stars on a clear night is what keeps me coming back every year." The trails are well-maintained and provide a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Grant River Recreation Area, you can fish and enjoy views of the Mississippi River. A visitor noted, "Nice campground. Cement pads and blacktop roads. Clean shower houses."
  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Many campgrounds, like Crazy Horse Campground, offer water activities. One review highlighted, "Crazy horse is a very clean and well-maintained campground with a lot of things to do like river tubing, kayaking, and canoeing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review from Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area stated, "All sites are clean. They clean out fire pits after every weekend."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds provide ample space between sites. A visitor at Rustic Barn Campground RV Park mentioned, "The sites are all clean and most all are level."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Grant River Recreation Area said, "Wonderful PPL THAT CARE ABOUT OTHERS!! THANKS YALL."

What you should know:

  • Bug Season: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Apple River Canyon warned, "The bugs are no joke though. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying friends were definitely swarming."
  • Train Noise: Some campgrounds, like Grant River Recreation Area, are near train tracks. A visitor noted, "The campground was neat and tidy... A railroad mainline ran along the campground."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or restaurants nearby. A review for Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground mentioned, "There is no store on site, they do sell wood but it is cash only."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One camper at Crazy Horse Campground said, "They gave a lot of amenities for the kids like mini golf, jump pad, playgrounds, and a pool."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially during quiet hours. A camper at Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park shared, "The vibe here wasn’t for us. Various sites had music playing loud enough for us to hear."
  • Bring Bug Spray: With the potential for bugs, it's smart to pack bug spray. A visitor at Apple River Canyon advised, "The bugs are no joke though."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Apple River, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Apple River, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Apple River, IL is Apple River Canyon with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.

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