Best Tent Camping near Aroma Park, IL

Tent campsites near Aroma Park, Illinois offer a mix of state park facilities and smaller campgrounds along riverways. Davis Creek Campground at Kankakee River State Park provides walk-in tent sites with toilets and drinking water in a natural setting, while Mac Finn's Landing offers primitive tent camping with boat-in access along the Kankakee River. Most tent sites in the region require minimal hiking from parking areas, making them accessible for campers carrying standard gear.

Tent pads across the Aroma Park region typically consist of natural ground surfaces with minimal improvements. Campgrounds like McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove provide picnic tables and fire rings at their walk-in tent sites, though some locations have site-specific restrictions on fires. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with some offering vault toilets while others have no restroom facilities. Water access is inconsistent, with Davis Creek providing drinking water while more remote tent camping areas require bringing all water supplies. Most tent-specific areas in Will County forest preserves operate seasonally from April through October.

Sites along waterways offer unique experiences for tent campers seeking fishing opportunities. The tent-only sites at Kayak Morris provide direct river access, with multiple campers reporting excellent fishing conditions. Areas near the confluence of rivers create particularly productive fishing spots, as one camper noted, "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if it's the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" Walk-in tent sites at Frederick's Grove and Channahon State Park connect directly to the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail, making them convenient stopping points for bicycle tourists and hikers seeking multi-day adventures. Early reservations are recommended for weekend camping, as most tent sites fill quickly during peak summer months.

Best Tent Sites Near Aroma Park, Illinois (8)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Aroma Park, IL

233 Reviews of 8 Aroma Park Campgrounds


  • H. K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Nice but very little shade

    We stayed in the primitive tent area near the back of the park. It is walk in.

    There was a pole for a lantern, a picnic table, a fire ring and tent pad. There is one clean flush toilet and shower per each gender (the shower stall was spacious with plenty of hooks and benches). There were also vault toilets not too far away. The water spigot was pretty far away though. There were plenty of garbage cans.

    There were a few small trees but very little shade. On hot days I think a pop up shade shelter would be necessary to make it bearable.

    Overall it was pretty quiet.

    The last night we were there a large group of people with their tents showed up. There were not enough tent pads or picnic tables for all of them. I don't know if it was the park that booked so many people or if it was the group that overbooked.

  • J
    Sep. 18, 2019

    Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    Woods near the river

    Went tent camping here and reserved our spot in advance. We bought fire wood from a locals front lawn at the entrance to the state park. Put 5$ in the bin and take a bundle. Its 30 mins away from Starved Rock and Matthiesson State Park. Good hiking. The river spots are all booked by large RVs and the tent spots have grills over the fire pits and picnic tables. lots of tree cover which came in handy when it rained in the morning. Otherwise great weather and not buggy. Dogs allowed.

  • S
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Harry L Swartz Campground

    Pretty spot/small gravel campsites

    Il start this by saying: we prefer tent camping/primitive/atleast semi isolated spots. If you’re looking for RV camping, this is probably a decent spot so read no further!

    We drove in to the Middle Fork Forest Preserve looking for a place to camp same day on our way down to Giant City. We weren’t able to make a reservation less than 5 days in advance online so we tried to call. No one in the office except Th-Sunday and it was Wednesday so we couldn’t get in touch. All good. It happens and it did say that clearly on their website and on voicemail. We needed a place for the night so decided to risk driving over from I57 S. Rolled in around 5 and all the campsites were marked reserved but there were about 3 people set up to camp there. We didn’t end up camping the night 1. Because we didn’t want to be jerks about the reservations although it seemed like no one else would be arriving until at the earliest the next day and 2. All of the campsites were pretty tight together and surfaced with gravel. That’s a personal preference thing. We always look for primitive/walk-in/hike in sites to set up tents/hammocks. This spot was mostly set up for RVs.

    The hiking looked pretty lovely and the grounds/facilities looked well kept! Just maybe not our preference.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • Gina A.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Chippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Kankakee River State Park Chippewa

    $20 a day with with restrooms has NO shower area. No water hookup .But has a swing set for the kids to play a few bike/hike trails. Quiet no street noise . They have a dump station and water too fill your camper.

  • Scott M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2020

    Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    Great location to avoid crowds

    I was able to get here right before the state closed the parks. It was empty but the dog and I we doing some hiking at Starved Rock so I figured why not. Sites were nice...nothing special. We got an electric site so I was able to use my teardrop which made it nice. Picnic table...fire ring...vault toilet...I don’t need much more than that. It does have some nice hiking along the river and wasn’t busy which is a huge bonus compared to other locations that are near. I would highly recommend this campground for those looking to avoid the crowds.

  • A
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Clean and cute

    This is a good place for people starting to camp. Good size lakeside sites and large, clean cabins on the inner road. Clean bathroom house. Firewood came with the site, which is awesome, and they rent gear, from tents to sleeping bags. Well stocked store and decent trails nearby. But keep your stuff locked and secured. We did and that's why the guy trying to open our car didn't make of with any of our stuff. Sigh... Cook County...

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Channahon State Park Campground

    Perfect for cyclists along the canal trail

    This campground is right in town. It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town. 

    Arriving by bicycle is even better. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp. You can stop for a rest or stay the night. It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride.

    This campground is surrounded by trees. When we showed up, a classic car gathering was going on. They even set a campfire to use throughout the morning. There are vault toilets and a picnic area too. It should also be noted that you need to walk in to the campsites (parking is really close by).

    The maintenance buildings are right next to campsites. Today they were mowing so workers were moving in camp but also out along the trail and park.

    This is a nice, shady place to stop along the I & M Canal Trail.

  • Jill T.
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Enchanted Shores RV Park & Campground

    Never Again!

    We booked here sight unseen due to temporary employment in the area.

    What a terrible mistake.

    The best thing was, that there is "full hook up" here???

    This place is old and run-down to say the least, there's not a flat spot on any of the roads. The sites are dirt with something green in between. The stinkest water we've ever smelled, horrible!!! Our sewer connection was nearly buried. There is a laundry area, I don't know what it's like, I'd never wash our close in that nasty water, we found a Laundromat. The lots are verious sizes of tiny. Most sites you're back to back to your neighbor. Your door faces your other neighbor's door, it's like you shared a site. We asked for a picnic table and got one, but when we left for a week, when we returned it was gone! Despite the high rent, there's no internet or cable TV, basically no emenities. We were told there was planned activities, but we weren't there long enough to find out. There's a area for long-term, yearly sites. Several of the trailers in that area were old with beat up decks, some surrounded by junk.

    We installed interior security cameras to keep an eye on our rig. Then stayed in a hotel until we changed our job location.

    We can't image a worse location. I should be condemned.

    We feel bad for those who are on the road and fall into this trap for a place to stay on the way, or close to Chicago.


Guide to Aroma Park

Tent camping near Aroma Park, Illinois, offers a variety of scenic locations for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With well-maintained facilities and access to recreational activities, these campgrounds provide a perfect getaway.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $30

Tent campers should check out local attractions

  • The Channahon State Park Campground is conveniently located near the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail, perfect for cycling and hiking enthusiasts.
  • McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove features beautiful trails and access to the Des Plaines River, ideal for kayaking and fishing.
  • Campers at Kayak Morris can enjoy the scenic Illinois River, where they can kayak and watch tugboats and barges pass by.

Amenities and features for a comfortable stay

  • Hammel Woods offers reservable sites with drive-in access, making it easy for families and groups to set up camp.
  • At Camp Shabbona Woods, visitors can enjoy amenities like showers and picnic tables, ensuring a comfortable camping experience.
  • Kayak Morris provides essential facilities like toilets and trash disposal, making it a convenient choice for those looking to enjoy river activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Aroma Park, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Aroma Park, IL is Davis Creek Campground — Kankakee River State Park with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Aroma Park, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Aroma Park, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.