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Best Tent Camping near Belvidere, IL

664 Reviews

Tent campsites in the vicinity of Belvidere, Illinois include several secluded options for primitive camping experiences. MacQueen Forest Preserve stands out as a tent-only destination with nine primitive sites spread at least 50 yards apart across wooded areas and meadows. Castle Rock State Park, located along the Rock River, offers a unique canoe-in tent camping experience about 100 miles west of Chicago, with sites accessible only by boat.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require self-registration with payment collected via honor system. Sites typically feature basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, but limited services beyond that. MacQueen Forest Preserve charges only $4-5 per tent, while Castle Rock's boat-in sites cost $6 per night. Many locations have vault toilets or porta-potties but lack running water. Campers should bring all necessary drinking water, as even campgrounds with pumps often label them "not for drinking." Sites require various access methods - MacQueen needs a short walk on gravel paths or across meadows, while Castle Rock requires a 2-mile paddle downriver.

The surrounding forest preserves provide excellent hiking opportunities with trails through prairie and woodland environments. Tent campers particularly appreciate the privacy at MacQueen, where sites are widely separated. Areas near Kishwaukee River offer opportunities for tubing or paddling access. The secluded nature of these campgrounds means minimal light pollution for stargazing, especially in the meadow sites. According to one visitor at MacQueen Forest Preserve, "This is one of those places that's so awesome, you really don't want to tell people about it... There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart." At Castle Rock, campers should be prepared for the paddle back upstream, which reviews indicate can take up to three hours but rewards with "disconnected from the outside world" camping experiences.

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Best Tent Sites Near Belvidere, Illinois (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Belvidere, IL

9 Photos of 9 Belvidere Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Belvidere, IL

664 Reviews of 9 Belvidere Campgrounds

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Secluded Hike-in Tent Campsites on the Kish

    This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy. This is a very primative campground with 1 set of Vault toilets. The other campsites require a walk/hike along a gravel path for completely wooded sites or cross a football sized meadow for open air sites. There are several well-water pumps "not for drinking." Each campsite has a fire pit and a picnic table. Pack out your garbage for the dumpster in the parking lot. There are only 9 sites total. VERY private and secluded. Tents only! Massive forest preserve area for excellent hiking. Some fellow campers were doing a diy tubing right to the campground. (About a 2 hr lazy river tube from Kingston or 5hrs from Genoa on the slow moving S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River which can be pretty deep in places.) Absolutely NO ALCOHOL. Cost for tent sites is only $4 per tent or tent-like structure. There are primitive cabins for rent and a large lodge if you rented the structure for an event here. By their facebook page, it looks like there have been beautiful weddings here. This is a former scout camp flanked by more forest preserves. The ranger is very nice and the entrance is locked from sunset to sunrise. I hesitated even posting this tent-camping primitive heaven, because I almost want to keep it for myself and the locals. Please practice leave no trace and follow the rules if you go so this place stays open. Dog friendly, but must be leashed all of time or a $50 fine. My dog loved the trails and river crossings! Gorgeous hidden gem about an hour into cornfield country from Chicago NW suburbs like Woodfield Mall. I had cell service at one spot in the parking lot, but it was fleeting with T-mobile. A fellow camper had the best private spot (#2) which other than the ada site was the best because it was closest to the parking lot, yet she still had a festival/yard cart to pull her gear up a gravel path. Make sure you bring yours or are outfitted with backpacking gear. Like anywhere, prevent insect deforestation and don't bring firewood, it's fine, they have plenty.

  • Stacie H.
    May. 29, 2022

    White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    Lovely natural scenery; campground leaves something to be desired

    Let's start with the good stuff:

    • The park is beautiful. Lovely trees, lots of shade, the hiking trails are nice, well marked, and they even have an accessible trail for those with disabilities!
    • There is a restaurant and gift shop on site. Gift shop sells wood if you run low or forget.
    • The bathrooms and shower house are relatively clean and well kept.

    Now for the not so great stuff:

    • Many of the campsites are sloped and some are sloped A LOT. This isn't obvious from the booking page.

    • The campground is absolutely jammed with camp sites- it's ridiculous. I've never been to a campground where the sites were so on top of one another.

    • We stayed in the Sunny Crest loop and the drinking water well was broken so we had to travel to other parts of the campground for water. When carrying a 10 gallon jug full of water back, that really sucked.

    • The sites that are marked as "hike in" aren't secluded and away from other sites at all, as one might expect. They are jammed in with all the others but there just isn't any parking nearby.

    • It had rained the day before was went and so the road to the campgrounds was blocked off (presumably because the creek was running too high), but there was NO SIGNAGE telling us how to get there another way. There was no one in the park office or in the camping registration station to ask. We finally figured out that we had to take an emergency road/auxiliary road to get to the campground, but that was after about 30 minutes of confusion.

    • The breakfast buffet at the restaurant is mid but very pricey- $50 for 2 of us.

    • The quiet hours and no alcohol policy are not enforced at all. While we were there, there was a very loud group playing beer pong into the wee hours of the morning.

    • About half of the fire rings don't have grill grates so bring your own or bring a camp stove (See pic). Also, when you book your site, there is no way to know if your fire ring will have a grill grate or note.

  • Meg
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Beautiful View (site 20), serious slope

    We LOVE site 20 as does everyone else who books this one up quick. Literally the only downside is that you have no flat spots anywhere on the site, which killed our backs sleeping in tents.

    Pros - lake view, but a safe distance down the hill so no worries about the kids at the campsite.

    On the end with tons of privacy, full row of trees and a ton of space until the next site. It’s like your own mini oasis.

    Lake is also fabulous. We decided to rent instead of hauling our own kayak and they were clean, affordable and quick process.

    Cons - lol that hill is no joke. Pit toilets I wouldn’t touch with a 10ft pole, but that’s pretty typical.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • S
    Oct. 2, 2020

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Good Tent Sites

    We visited this spot last summer as a place to stay for 1 night on our way farther north.

    We really enjoy tent camping and prefer walk-in/hike in sites so we can have some privacy away from other campers. The campsites were decently dispersed and the ground was nice and grassy so it was pretty comfortable.

    We always want more space between campsites, but I think the privacy level was fine. The tent sites are right off the parking lot where the boat ramp is so maybe on a busy weekend it would be a little loud, but overall a nice night for us!

    We left in the morning to continue our drive so we didn’t spend much time checking out the hiking trails.

    We did however go checkout the beach which wasn’t much to write home about. If I remember correctly, we had to pay a fee to enter. Always happy to support a state park. We just figured since we were already paying to camp there, it wouldn’t cost extra. I’m pretty sure we paid an admission fee and didn’t stay for long. It was across the way and requires a drive instead of a hike to get there.

  • Becca Z.
    Aug. 30, 2020

    Lowden State Park Campground

    Great camping spot!

    We were so happy with the size of the tent camping sites. They were mostly all flat, plenty of space and gave privacy from the neighbors. We were at site 28 which had both sun and shade. Right across from the pit toilets which I wouldn’t pick next time. There was no shower house or running water in the loop we were at. Across the street were the electric rv sites and a few tent sites. Only compliant is even from the middle of the campground we could hear the road noise. Otherwise great!

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2020

    Honeysuckle Hollow — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Well maintained and clean

    Very impressed with this state park! It was huge, almost 3 miles just to our site! The showers were clean. The spots were large and wooded with nice fire ring set ups. The staff was very helpful answering any questions and giving recommendations. We stayed on a primitive/wilderness site for $12 with no electric. They will allow anyone on these sites-we even saw huge RV'S and 5th wheels on primitive sites.

    There are amazing trails through park for people to hike, bike, or ride horse on.

    Spring Grove is a tiny town nearby with a little corner bar called “The Grove”. They serve amazing food with great service. Very clean! I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for some good food.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2021

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Beautiful primitive campground I almost don't want to tell anyone about

    $4 individual primitive site

    Note: if you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground. There's a little bit of road noise, but not disturbing at all in the middle of the night. There's also a river on one side of the campground, but it can only be heard if you were at one particular campsite.

    This is one of those places that's so awesome, you really don't want to tell people about it. It used to be an old boy scout camp, and now they let the public use it. There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart. That's right, at least 50 yards. You can't see the campsite next to you, and they all have a picnic table and a fire ring. You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in. It's an easy walk, on a crushed gravel road and mowed trail, and they do have one space near the parking lot that's handicap accessible. About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing! There's also a giant fire pit with benches. The perfect area for a small group camp (as long as each party paid for the campsite that's back there).

    There's vault toilets and the one I used wasn't terrible, but it is primitive. There's even a light switch inside with a functioning light! There is a ranger house at the very front, and I get the impression that there's the possibility that someone actually lives there. The campsite looked very well maintained, like it had been freshly mowed around the edges.

    Even if the rangers don't actually live here, they're here regularly and it's obvious.

    The very best part? You're in the middle of the country, with gorgeous sunsets, and the primitive camping is only $4.

    There is water, but it is not, I repeat is not, potable.

    There are trash cans and dumpsters. There's also a lodge and pavilion which can be rented out for separate cost.

    I'll definitely be back next time I'm through this area. It's all self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot.

Guide to Belvidere

Tent campsites near Belvidere, Illinois range from primitive wilderness experiences to lakefront locations with basic amenities. The region sits within the Rock River watershed at approximately 800 feet elevation, featuring a mix of prairie, forest, and river ecosystems. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons offer mild conditions with occasional rainfall that can create muddy conditions at primitive sites.

What to do

Night fishing opportunities: At MacQueen Forest Preserve, campers can access fishing spots along the Kishwaukee River. According to one camper, "There's also a river on one side of the campground, but it can only be heard if you were at one particular campsite" and another notes there are "great secluded sites" with "site #8" offering a prime "remote location over looking the river."

Archery practice: Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground provides an archery range among its 882 acres of prairieland. A visitor described it as having "plenty of hay to keep them fed" for equestrians, while also offering "several small natural springs completely shadowed by endless forests of hardwoods."

Watercraft rentals: For paddling experiences, Castle Rock State Park Campground offers canoe rentals through local outfitters. One camper explains, "We did an overnight canoe trip through White Pelican rental which I highly recommend! It was a couple hour paddle, plus we made a pit stop at the castle rock overlook, before we got to the canoe-in site."

What campers like

Secluded meadow camping: At MacQueen Forest Preserve, the open field sites offer excellent stargazing. A reviewer noted, "About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing! There's also a giant fire pit with benches."

Disconnected experience: Snug Harbor Inn Campground offers tiered camping with lake views about 45 miles from Belvidere. A camper describes it as a "Great three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views. Has a pub/restaurant with good food."

Affordable pricing: Primitive camping options near Belvidere remain budget-friendly. At Castle Rock, "Sites are $6 per nite and each site allows up to 4 adults. There are approximately 9 individual sites and a large group camp site. Sites include small grill-pits and picnic tables and trash/recycling bins are available."

What you should know

Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby train tracks. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, one camper warns: "if you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground."

Self-service payment: Many local campgrounds operate on honor systems. MacQueen uses "self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot" while Castle Rock has a "small park-information stand contains the 'permits' that you can purchase on-site and money is collected via the honor system."

Water requirements: Potable water is rarely available. A camper at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center advises bringing your own as many locations have only "water spigots with a picnic shelter" if anything at all.

Tips for camping with families

Grist mill exploration: For an educational experience, Franklin Creek features "a fully functioning grist mill that goes all the way back to early Americana where corn meal and wheat flour were made from the stream currents." According to a visitor, "On weekends, you can actually take the kids to this site, located just 70 yards west of the Equestrian Campground for a super-cool interactive exhibition."

Trail difficulty ratings: Some trails are better suited for children than others. Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center spans "640 acres of meadow, forest, and stocked pond" and historically featured "a challenging obstacle course up a steep hill, over a wood wall with stations in the woods."

Stream exploration: Kids enjoy wading in shallow waterways. Franklin Creek offers "a very nice stream here that the kids will love jumping across and/or wading in searching for crawdads or small fish."

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: The hilly terrain around tent camping areas near Belvidere can present leveling issues. Snug Harbor Inn Campground is designed with this in mind, featuring a "three tiered camping" layout where "everyone gets a view."

Close-to-home options: Local campgrounds provide convenient weekenders. As one Snug Harbor camper noted, "Wanted someplace close to home. Familiar with the Delavan area so was excited to find Snug Harbor. Set up went well, didn't blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in."

Seasonal availability: Many campsites in the region operate seasonally. Castle Rock sites may not have docks installed early in the season, as one visitor observed: "while there is supposed to be a boat dock right in front of the Castle Rock State Park Campground, I never found one...I could only speculate that as we were in shoulder season, they hadn't put the dock back in place yet."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Belvidere, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Belvidere, IL is MacQueen Forest Preserve with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Belvidere, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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