Best Campgrounds near Aroma Park, IL

Campgrounds near Aroma Park, Illinois primarily cluster along the Kankakee River, providing access to water-based recreation and riverside camping experiences. Potowatomi Campground at Kankakee River State Park offers tent, RV, and cabin options with electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. About 8 miles south of Aroma Park, Kankakee South KOA provides more developed camping with full hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations. Several smaller facilities like Lake Alexander RV Park and Davis Creek Campground complement these larger options, creating a diverse camping landscape that ranges from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks.

Camping availability in the Aroma Park region follows seasonal patterns, with most facilities operating from spring through fall. Kankakee South KOA maintains a defined season from April through October, while state park campgrounds like Potowatomi typically remain open year-round. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop significantly, and water systems may be winterized. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays during summer months, particularly at popular riverside sites. Several campgrounds provide electric hookups, which prove valuable during the humid summer conditions. A camper noted, "Potowatomi campground is divided into four loops. A central shower house is on the main road midway between the loops. Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path."

The Kankakee River serves as the primary natural attraction, with multiple campgrounds offering river access for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Several visitor reviews highlight the importance of selecting campsites based on shade coverage during summer visits, with early October recommended for optimal fall color experiences. At Chippewa Campground, one visitor observed, "Large trees provided a high shade canopy and an open feel. Well maintained open-grass layout. Spacious campsites, similar to other IL State Parks." River activities represent a significant draw, with some campgrounds providing boat ramps or river access points. Mac Finn's Landing offers both tent and RV camping with boat-in access, appealing to paddlers and anglers. Campers frequently mention the paved riverside trails for hiking, biking, and jogging, providing additional recreational opportunities beyond the campsites themselves.

Best Camping Sites Near Aroma Park, Illinois (57)

    1. Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    14 Reviews
    Bourbonnais, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    "Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."

    "Easy access to water pump. Have to drive to get to the toilet/ shower station though."

    2. Kankakee South KOA

    9 Reviews
    Kankakee, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 939-4603

    "A little bit noisy from some cars and Quads racing up and down the road (not the highway, but the road near the KOA."

    "We go camping here often because it is close to home. The owners are so wonderful, their staff is super accommodating."

    3. Lake Alexander RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Lake Village, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 472-4171

    $33 - $43 / night

    "Lake Alexander RV Park is a quiet, spacious, family owned and operated campground located near Momence, Illinois, within a 1-hour drive of Chicago."

    "She even put me next to a fellow biker. Nice quiet place and you can walk down to the Kankakee river."

    4. Davis Creek Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    2 Reviews
    Bourbonnais, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    "the map that shows the Peoria area is wrong. this campground is near Bradley-Bourbonnais Illinois."

    "This campground is open, there are a lot of amenities, it's very well kept, and there is good access to water."

    5. Mac Finn's Landing

    1 Review
    Aroma Park, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (815) 260-2862

    $35 - $50 / night

    "Lots of access to great fishing holes up the Kankakee and Iroqouis Rivers.

    Kayak launch friendly!"

    6. Route 66 Joliet

    2 Reviews
    Kankakee, IL
    12 miles

    $100 - $1000 / night

    7. Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area

    5 Reviews
    Morocco, IN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 285-2704

    "No real trails but if you don't mind roughing it plenty to explore, hunting, fishing, mushrooms, electric motor only boats on the lake. We bring our kayaks."

    "There’s a local bar that was still hopping nearby. Generators are allowed, so there was a hum of one running all night but it was no bother at all.

    Otherwise, entirely peaceful and quiet."

    8. Enchanted Shores RV Park & Campground

    5 Reviews
    Manhattan, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (708) 258-6040

    $20 - $35 / night

    "Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."

    9. Chippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    1 Review
    Custer Park, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    $8 - $20 / night

    "shade canopy and an open feel

     - Well maintained open-grass layout

     - Spacious campsites, similar to other IL State Parks we've stayed at

     - Quiet (when we visited)

     - Boat ramp is accessible via trail"

    10. Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area Campground

    2 Reviews
    Morocco, IN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 285-2704

    $10 - $12 / night

    "Clean campground, clean bathrooms (no showers) and a nice lake. Sites do not have any utilities, but there is water available and a dump station."

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Recent Reviews near Aroma Park, IL

239 Reviews of 57 Aroma Park Campgrounds


  • Nadiehsda B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Oak Lake RV Resort

    We came for a weekend… Stayed nearly 2 weeks! Oak Lake RV Resort is where family memories are made.

    6 people, 1 pup & a 44.4' Keystone Sprinter... Oak Lake RV Resort handled it all with ease & gave us the BEST camping trip ever! From the moment you drive up, staff are waiting in golf carts to guide you to your site & even help with setup. We were nervous about fitting our big rig, but pull-through site #17 made it flawless. Where else does that??

    We originally booked August 22–25, extended to the 29th & then lucked into staying through Labor Day weekend. We canceled our other plans because Oak Lake had everything we wanted & more!!Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s’mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories. The kids are still raving about it!

    Rebecca deserves a huge shoutout for going above & beyond! Tom & Marianne, the owners, are amazing hosts who clearly pour their hearts into making Oak Lake special. Even the coin operated laundry was a lifesaver & convinced us we need a washer/dryer in our camper for future impromptu stays 😂.

    We’re already talking about being put on the list for a seasonal site for next year bc we know we’ll be back again & again. Oak Lake RV Resort is Newton County’s hidden gem!!! If you’re searching for fun, hospitality & true family camping memories... THIS is the place!! Hands down, every time.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

  • Kevin B.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Camp Sullivan

    Enjoyed the camping experience

    Nice and clean areas, staff was very professional and helpful while I was there

  • Nadiehsda B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Newton County Fairgrounds

    2025 Fair Week (1st time)

    We stayed at the Newton County Fairgrounds during fair week & had a great experience. The grounds were clean & well kept. It was easy to get around even with all the fair activity going on. Our campsite had water & electric only, just like all of the others. The bathrooms & showers were in good condition considering how busy the week was.

    The fair itself was a lot of fun! From the 4-H shows to the carnival rides & food vendors, there was always something going on. The kids loved it! It felt very family-friendly & welcoming.

    The only thing to note is that cell service & wifi can be a little spotty, but honestly that gave us more time to just enjoy the fair & each other. Overall, we would definitely come back & recommend it to anyone looking for a good small-town fair experience with a convenient place to stay.

    Cannot wait until next year!!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Camp Shabbona Woods

    Not the best but acceptable

    Stayed the weekend. Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok. No electric or water hook ups can’t keep your vehicle close to your campsite. The good the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park

    Quiet, well kept spot

    We stayed on site 27, sites are full hookup up, there's a nice bathhouse which has a key pad handle which made me feel safe while showering. Theres a playground as well. You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open. Close to a grocery store and not far from US 41.

  • Kaitlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Close to city, very peaceful

    Really nice campground. No water hooks up. Water on site but, not ideal. Really nice views. Very quiet. Super friendly staff and neighbors. I made a reservation for the wrong campground and meant to book this one and the staff helped me switch my reservation and make a new one. Really great!

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Martin’s Camping Ground

    It’s just alright

    No laundry… Closest laundromat 10 mins away, office gives address on check in paper

    No outside comfort….spaces are small, muddy, and un level. Highway is next to campground, but we could not hear it inside. Doesn’t make it conducive to be outside, not exactly relaxing when grilling. Sewer connection at our site was technically on neighbors…we had to use extension.

    Bathhouse…super clean and modern, but no hot water…lukewarm at best. Shower is not comfortable….nozzle is from ceiling and temperature not warm enough to stay warm while not directly under water. Hooks are useless as everything gets wet inside shower.

    Staff…super nice and maintains property…clean, mowed.

    Great for Chicago visit, just don’t plan on hanging out at campsite. Looks like a lot of permanent campers who work, so camp is very quiet at night.


Guide to Aroma Park

Camping near Aroma Park, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Enjoy the scenic trails at Indiana Dunes National Park. One camper mentioned, "The campground was thickly wooded and beautiful," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Beach Access: Head to Indiana Dunes State Park Campground for a quick trip to the beach. A visitor shared, "It’s only 20 minutes from our home, so we expect to come back many times."
  • Fishing and Boating: Check out Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park for fishing opportunities. One reviewer noted, "The area is quite special, from both an historical perspective as it was in this Illinois Valley."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at places like Michigan City Campground. One happy camper said, "Very well kept, safe supervision, quiet clean facilities."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the helpful staff at Sand Creek Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The owner was very nice and helpful at check-in."
  • Privacy and Space: Campers at Blackwell Family Campground appreciate the spacing between sites. One camper noted, "Many spots here have a good amount of spacing and privacy which is great."

What you should know

  • Bugs and Wildlife: Be prepared for bugs, especially at Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park. A camper warned, "The mosquitos here are insane!!!"
  • Crowded Areas: Some campgrounds can get crowded, like Lakeshore Camp Resort. A visitor expressed disappointment, saying, "The park was entirely too crowded."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, Big Rock Campground has no showers, which some campers found inconvenient.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places like Indiana Beach Campground that offer fun amenities. One family shared, "Loved the free drink stations and cleanliness of the park!"
  • Plan for Noise: Some campgrounds, like Camp Bullfrog Lake, can be noisy. A camper mentioned, "There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them."
  • Check for Kid-Friendly Features: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or swimming areas. A visitor at Indiana Beach Campground noted, "Splash pad was really nice."

Tips from RVers

  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park offer full hookups, which RVers appreciate. One reviewer said, "Grand Falls has more sites with full hook-ups."
  • Book in Advance: Popular spots like Indiana Dunes State Park Campground fill up quickly. A camper advised, "You do have to book well in advance during regular season."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds may have tight spots for larger RVs. A visitor at Big Rock Campground mentioned, "Tight getting into the spot for Class As but spots are spaced nicely."

Camping near Aroma Park, Illinois, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Aroma Park, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Aroma Park, IL is Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 14 reviews.