Camping near Mossville, Illinois offers riverside access with varying levels of amenities and terrain. The region sits at the confluence of the Illinois River and several lakes, creating diverse water-based recreation opportunities. Winter camping is available at select locations like Jubilee College State Park, where campers can enjoy solitude with access to pit toilets during the off-season.
What to do
Fishing access: direct river access: Carl Spindler Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities along the Illinois River. "This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that is formed where Upper Lake Peoria meets the Illinois River," notes one visitor.
Walking trails: levee exploration: At Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, campers can hike along 3 miles of trails marked by levees. "Surrounding the park and further afield, which makes for a decent hiking experience, are 3 miles of hiking trails marked by levees where you'll see no shortage of waterfowl like wood ducks and Canadian geese," according to a recent review.
Winter activities: off-season exploration: Jubilee College State Park Campground offers year-round outdoor experiences. "I have camped at this park several times over the last few years. Especially like winter truck camping here. The pit toilets are always available in the winter, and I usually have the park to myself," mentions a repeat visitor who enjoys the solitude of off-season camping.
What campers like
Spacious camping sites: room to spread out: Many campgrounds in the area provide ample space between sites. At Millpoint Park, campers appreciate the generous layouts. "Our site was huge. Right by jones pond, but the fishing was not the best right by our site," reports one camper about the spaciousness of sites.
Affordable rates: budget-friendly options: Carl Spindler Campground offers economical camping options. "The best part about this lakefront getaway – apart from the incredibly cheap prices for an overnight stay – was hands down, the very friendly staff who offer up everyone a very strong dose of Midwestern hospitality," states one reviewer.
Sunset views: photography opportunities: Riverside camping locations provide spectacular sunset viewing. "We witnessed the most spectacular sunset over the river. It was well worth the night's adventures," notes a camper who stayed at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, highlighting one of the natural benefits of the riverside locations.
What you should know
Water quality issues: iron content: Several campgrounds in the area have water with high iron content. "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," warns a camper at Millpoint Park. Another notes, "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you."
Flooding concerns: seasonal risks: Waterfront sites can flood during rainy periods. "This rustic yet charming place was a welcoming respite for the weekend. The hosts are kind and friendly. They were willing to help bring picnic tables to a site if they weren't already there. They also warned us of an upcoming storm - this location can flood when the river rises," reports a visitor to Woodford State Conservation Area.
Wildlife awareness: hunting seasons: During hunting seasons, campers should be cautious when hiking. "A sign shows a hiking route that you can drive to. We planned to hike it in the morning but unexpected events changed our minds. At 5 AM diesel pickup trucks pulling boats began to pull into the parking area. It was cold and dark so we stayed inside. Eventually we heard the boats heading out along with gun shots- some were nearby," explains a camper at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: activity options: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Comlara County Park, families can enjoy "playground, community fire pit, restroom and shower facility that are in pretty good (not pristine) condition, laundry, fresh tap water, boat launch, 2 dump stations, WiFi (although very poor connection) and a beachhead."
Safety considerations: road proximity: Some campgrounds are located near busy roads, requiring extra caution with children. "Very small CG with maybe 10-15 sites. All electric hookup, Has dump station a little down the road. CG is right off the main road so you do hear a lot of traffic and I would be worried with small children moving around there," notes a visitor to Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Family-friendly atmosphere: noise levels: Many campgrounds maintain a family-oriented environment. "People overall very considerate and nice, welcoming, friendly. VERY family oriented atmosphere - there was no nonsense loud drunkards in the evenings, relatively quiet and relaxing. This was a huge bonus to us, as we had younger kids and loud idiots would have freaked them out," shares a camper at Comlara County Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: site preparation: Some sites require significant leveling for RVs. At Comlara County Park, one RVer notes, "Site 28 unlevel. Requires several lifts. Site is very large however. Does have nice shade."
Hookup specifics: power cord length: At Carl Spindler Campground, RVers should be prepared with extra-long power cords in certain areas. "While I always pack a long 100 foot electrical cord for all of my electricity needs, I've never had to use it, except here, where the electrical outlet in the primitive tent camping area is shared by all 4 sites and ours was the furthest away – so we got lucky."
Big rig access: site specifications: Several campgrounds can accommodate larger RVs with specific site requirements. "The roads are paved and easy for us to navigate in our 45' RV. Our site was paved with a picnic table and fire pit and all the hook-ups worked well," reports an RVer who stayed at Carl Spindler Campground.
