Best Camping near Brimfield, IL

Are you in need of a campground near Brimfield, IL? Brimfield is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Brimfield, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Brimfield, IL (55)

Showing results 1-10 of 55 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Brimfield

Recent Reviews In Brimfield

242 Reviews of 55 Brimfield Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Jubilee College State Park Campground
    October 4, 2024

    Jubilee College State Park Campground

    Hard Tea near me

    Beer Universe Store offers Beer delivery store in Albany, at the Upstate NY beer near me Albany. So, if you are looking for craft beer near me or white claw near me, we are the right choice. We have a presence in all major locations in New York State. Irish beer near Albany We also have a local Beer store in Coxsackie, at the location. We are also present in Wynantskill. Our Beer store near Amsterdam NewYork.

    https://beeruniversestore.com/shop/?ch-query=hard%20tea

  • Camper-submitted photo from Jubilee College State Park Campground
    October 4, 2024

    Jubilee College State Park Campground

    Hard Tea near me

    Beer Universe Store offers Beer delivery store in Albany, at the Upstate NY beer near me Albany. So, if you are looking for craft beer near me or white claw near me, we are the right choice. We have a presence in all major locations in New York State. Irish beer near Albany We also have a local Beer store in Coxsackie, at the location. We are also present in Wynantskill. Our Beer store near Amsterdam NewYork.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hennepin canal
    September 9, 2024

    Hennepin canal

    Easy place to camp

    5 site in all. 4 sites can be accessed by rv or trailer. 5th one has barriers up and only tents. Each site has fire rings and tables to use. 3 sites back up along the canal. Public park restrooms near by.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Jubilee College State Park Campground
    August 31, 2024

    Jubilee College State Park Campground

    Peaceful and low key

    Excellent campground for those who want to relax and have quiet time. Nature trails are nicely groomed and mowed. Not a lot of amenities for families with young kids but bring your own corn hole bags and badminton. Nice for adults who want some peace and quiet.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Allison Lake Storey
    August 2, 2024

    Allison Lake Storey

    Second time was not the same

    We stayed here at the beginning of May last year. We thought it was a pretty good camp ground, but didn’t realize how different it would be the second time around a little later in the season. It was noisy and packed, tenters taking up more room than they should’ve, and no one to tell them not to. We had a camper set up close to us and taken over three sites. It was even uneven terrain than we remembered where we were set up, more dirt than grass. The bathrooms smelled heavily like urine and were not clean. When we left to dump the dump we had to switch to the other dump station because the hose threading was so bad. Even the other one wasn’t great, but we had to make it work. We will not be back, unless we try at the beginning of the season when it’s less busy and things aren’t as dirty. Even then, I don’t know if we want to battle the uneven sites.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Evening Star Camping Resort
    July 26, 2024

    Evening Star Camping Resort

    Campers Are Like Family

    Love to swim in the pool, play in the bags tournaments, enjoy the fundraiser in July for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, mini golf, basketball and theme weekends. My favorite is the chili cook off and Halloween weekends are a blast!!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Cabin Fever Campground
    July 15, 2024

    Cabin Fever Campground

    Place is nice, manager isn't.

    The place is nice and very quiet on weekdays.  My only complaint is Rick who runs the place.  I have not had good experiences with him.  He really seems unhappy in his job.  I heard him tell a good friend of mine while I was standing just feet away  "... I hate managing the place".

  • Camper-submitted photo from Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey
    July 12, 2024

    Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey

    Great Campground fixing it up

    They are spending a lot on this campground. New restrooms, traveled all pads, trimmed trees, new playground equipment. It is a hidden gem. If you are on I 74 great place to stay. We will be back. A lot of events scheduled. Cabins being put in.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hennepin Canal Bridge 23 campground
    July 1, 2024

    Hennepin Canal Bridge 23 campground

    Serene Primitive Camping Outpost

    For those searching out ‘bare bones’ extreme primitive camping conditions with which to imbibe the best of what tent camping au naturale looks like, smack dab in the middle of absolutely nowhere, then welcome to Hennepin Canal Bridge 23 Campground. This particular outpost follows a chain of similar sparsely outfitted campgrounds that more resemble simple grass pastures to set up your encampment versus a proper designated campground with all of the accoutrement. Located just off of Route 80, you’ll be searching for the Annawan exit, where heading northbound, you’ll take a right upon exiting and immediately thereafter, turn left, crossing the median, which will send you down a path that greets the Hennepin Canal, where you’ll turn left and follow the gravel road only about 50 yards before coming upon Hennepin Canal Bridge 23 Campground.

    For mi primitive tent pitchin' bredren, you have just discovered a small slice of heaven. There’s nothing here but the following: (1) Nobody; (2) A slow-moving current of Hennepin Canal that is sublime for a kayak or canoe to dip her beak in; (3) Enough space for 4 to maybe 5 tents to set up for the night; and (4) A proper his / her restroom, which even I was shocked to see – and curiously enough, it was well-maintained, but that said, it’s still just a glorified hole in the ground with a plastic toilet on top. Beyond this, you only have yourself, a pristine bit of nature to explore and the never-ending swooshing of nearby Interstate 80 traffic, which you very quickly get over.

    Do note that this (and the other camping locations up and down the Hennepin Canal) are offered up on a first-come, first-served basis with no proper reservation system in place. There’s a canal security officer who MAY stop by to collect a fee or not – when we were there, no such officer arrived, so while we were prepared to pay the $8 nightly fee, we ended up not having to pay and there’s no ‘on-your-honor’ drop box to leave an envelope with the nightly fee, which we would have gladly paid, so we used that $8 to pay it forward on our next camping adventure. Because this place is so 'off the beaten path,’ we didn’t encounter a single soul during our entire stay, apart from a farmer who dropped by near dusk to offer us up a half dozen eggs for our breakfast the following morning, which was supremely awesome.

    After setting up our tent for the evening and prepping our kayaks for a dawn launch, my mates and I headed into nearby Annawan, where we had a really nice dinner over at the Purple Onion where the fried catfish was simply outstanding and the rhubarb pie was an unexpected gift. Following this, we headed over to Paxton’s Corner Coop for some killer cupcakes and ice cream. I can’t believe we found this 'out-of-the-world' place so close to our very primitive camping experience!

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) The nearby town of Annawan really is a local blessing as it offers up just a few restaurants and a single grocery store with which to augment your otherwise primitive experience, so if you run out of anything or need something in particular on short notice, even though you’re primitive camping, within 5 minutes, you can access just about anything you need; (2) If you are looking for some unique hiking options, there’s two that are very close by, including Mineral Marsh Nature Reserve and further afield, McCune Sand Prairie; (3) Should you be carrying watercraft with you, of course, there’s the Hennepin Canal in which you are camping in front of, but if you are looking for a bigger or alternative water escape, then head due south of this location by about 20 minutes to discover Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area that has the amazing Johnson Lake to explore as well as fish in; (4) If you are looking for a really nice, albeit different dining experience, then Johnson Sauk Trail State RA also offers up Red Earth Café, where the dining room has a sweeping view of the lake; and (5) Whether you are searching for a local icon or not, if you do make your way to Johnson Sauk Trail State RE, check out Ryan’s Historic Red Barn, which you can access and take stunning photos of.

    Happy Camping!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Millpoint Park
    June 28, 2024

    Millpoint Park

    Peaceful, Clean, Beautiful River Views

    Peaceful campground, well maintained, beautiful views of the Upper Peoria Lake/Illinois River. We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling. Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Spring Lake Park - Macomb
    June 17, 2024

    Spring Lake Park - Macomb

    Just lovely so spacious and clean. Gorgeous view of lake from cabins.

    Friendly staff. Kayak and Pontoon to rent. Trails go all over the entire park! Clean showering facilities. Our furnished cabin faced the lake it was an incredible view.  We had fun fishing and sitting by the campfire in the evenings. Overall definitely worth the 5 stars!!!! Thanks Ryan and all of the staff out there! We will revisit soon.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Kentuckiana Campground
    May 16, 2024

    Kentuckiana Campground

    Great family atmosphere

    Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler. Spots are kind of cramped and close together, one of our favorite places though!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground
    May 10, 2024

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Bare Bones Primitive Camping Haven

    Located literally just a few stone’s throw due west of the tiny town of Wyanet, which is just a few miles west of better-known Princeton, you will access this little spec of undisturbed primitive camping bliss first via the major Highway 80, running east-west, and then, eventually via Route 6, which is more like a well-paved country backroad than anything else. While you will be hard pressed to find Hennepin Canal Lock 21 on your GPS, trust me, if you simply head west out of Wyanet, you will eventually find this jewel in the middle of nature.

    If you didn’t already know, the Hennepin Canal, and its series of locks & dams will eventually connect you with two of the most amazing rivers in the entirety of the US: the mighty Mississippi as well as the murky depths of the Illinois River – both of which are great for kayaking BTW. Should you choose to follow the canal in its entirety, you will be ushered through the minuscule townships of Mineral, Sheffield, Wyanet, Tiskilwa and Bureau – all of which are fairly emblematic of small Midwestern blue-collared towns that still to this day possess an equal amount of charm and hospitality, which the area is very well known for.

    Given that you can’t actually make a reservation here (or at any of the campgrounds along the Hennepin Canal for that matter) as this spot and the 5 others that make up the Hennepin Canal Lock camping options are only offered on a first-come, first-served basis, one thing is for certain: if you planned to truly ‘get away from it all’ you really can ‘have your cake and eat here too’ at Hennepin Canal Lock 21. While there is no actual check-in or check-out time, occasionally there is a park ranger that will come by to check on the location and collect those $8 nightly fares, although we never came across a ranger during our entire canal-navigating weeklong journey. You should also note that all of the campgrounds up and down the canal are class C camping, meaning that these primitive camping sites do not have showers or electricity, so either bring your own or, better yet, learn to live without these conveniences for a few days and actually embrace the opportunity to connect with nature.

    As you arrive, ultimately via Route 6 & Route 34, you will need to hang a left (coming westbound from Wyanet), where after just a short jig heading due south, you will find the first of 5 camping areas on either side of the main road you are driving down. On the right, in addition to the camping area, you will discover the first of 3 restrooms and just slightly beyond that, the boat launch. If instead of turning right to follow this first encampment, you head left, following the Hennepin Canal, you will see a small camping area on your immediate left, followed by a water spigot, after which you will come across another much larger camping area that has the second restroom facility. Opposite of these 2 camping areas on the other side of the road, there are 2 small camping areas that run right along the canal. If you go back to to the main road, from which you just came, and continued south across the little land bridge and hang another left, you will go around a small pond that will eventually present the third and final restroom facility as you go up a slight incline, where on your immediate right will be the sixth and final camping area that has been reserved for equestrian campers, of which there’s about 4-5 individual sites complete with a wooden hitching post to tie your horses down.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Of all the camping options up and down the Hennepin Canal, while Canal Lock 21 is likely the largest and has more campsite offerings, it is still very basic and primitive, apart from the restroom, boat launch, picnic tables and fire rings that you will find. If that bothers you or you are simply looking for a spot with more space to explore, then likely the Hennepin Canal camping options aren’t for you, and instead, you may want to look just a bit further afield to another amazing place called Johnson-Sauk SP; (2) Should you grow weary of fixing ‘franks & beans’ again for dinner over your roaring fire, while there isn’t much out in these parts, if you are looking for some local fare, over in nearby Wyanet, you’ll find an abundance of just 3 options: Casey’s for well-made, fresh pizza; Harley-K’s Filipino Restaurant, which might actually just shock you!; or Ecky’s Tap, which is fairly darn amazing actually, but only serves up booze. For anything else, head on into Princeton, where there’s tons of options; (3) There is no potable drinking water anywhere at any of these locks up and down the Hennepin Canal apart from at the Visitors Center, so ensure you bring your own water or a filtration system; (4) Should you have your own kayak or canoe, the Hennepin Canal is very nice to explore, although at times difficult to navigate, especially when you come to each of the sets of locks and dams. If that is bothersome and you simply want to get some oaring in without having to take your watercraft in and out of the water every 30 minutes or so, then head on over to Goose Lake just southwest of Hennepin, which is a fantastic lake to explore and has some decent fishing as well; and (5) If you are on the look-out for simply amazingly fresh meats to ‘slap on the Barby’ then head on over to Wyanet Meat Locker, which has fresh venison, pheasant and of course, all of the typical Midwestern carnivore fare like brats, Ribeyes, burgers and pork chops, which all would be DELISH on that flip-open BBQ grill you have back at Canal Lock 21.

    Happy Camping!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    May 6, 2024

    Comlara County Park

    Lakefront Camping Bliss Albeit Sans Privacy

    Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site. One moment you’ll be driving down the well-paved country road with golden tassles of corn popping up on either side of you and the very next, you’ll turn into a wooded sanctuary that is punctuated by the marvelous Evergreen Lake, which was built in 1970 and is some 925 acres in size with an average depth of nearly 20 feet and 50 feet at its deepest.

    It is this fresh body of water that really makes Comlara County Park stand-out from just about anything else in the surrounding area. It has not one but two outstanding boat launches as well as a separate launch for canoes and kayaks. There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in – which you will predominantly find largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, saugeye, muskellunge and crappie – as well as a small individual isle called Deer Island, although when we explored the small land mass, no deer were to be found. There’s boat rentals and a bait shop that is available on the weekends only as well as a proper beach head with swimming available 7 days a week during the summertime (Memorial Day – Labor Day).

    As far as the campground(s) are concerned – if you look closely, there's actually not 1, not 2, not even 3, but actually 4 to choose from – but if you add up all of the 144 campsites (apart from the primitive camping options) collectively, they are spaced a little too close to comfort for my taste, which when you add on top of that there isn’t much brush or anything separating you from your neighbors camping alongside of you. This is likely my biggest complaint: privacy. If that doesn’t matter to you and you enjoying being in a large wide open space chock full with other tents, RVs and 5th wheelers, then Comlara County Park is a great choice for you.

    I would first begin by pointing out that the entire Comlara Park is very well organized, kept impeccably clean and very easy to navigate with relatively good roads and decent signage. It feels as though whether you are looking for a trail to hike, a spot to launch your kayak, biking trails to navigate or finding a fishing hole to cast a line, everything seems as though it is in very close reach and just a short walk away. All of the 144 campsites are made available on a first-come, first served basis, with 94 including 30 / 50 amp electric while 23 are non-electric sites, with the 11 remaining devoid of any hook-ups.

    For my tent-pitching primitive bredren, there’s 16 walk-in sites in the main recreation area (I guess that is situated amongst or in-between the other 3 campgrounds that exist here), but there is a completely separate whole other area (oh, and located completely in a different county altogether), which is technically a completely different campground in a completely separate physical location with these 16 primitive campsites.

    With amenities in mind, aside from the greatest asset being Evergreen Lake itself and beyond the associated amenities that have already been highlighted (e.g. boat launch, beach, canoe / boat rental, bait shop) there’s 3 kid’s playground, at least 5 large shelters by my count, at least 3 his / her bathroom and shower facilities as well as scattered in-ground fire rings, water spigots (basically planted every 3rd or 4th site) stand-up BBQ grills as well as the prerequisite picnic tables, all of which were in very condition during our stay. There’s only one dump station, which seemed odd considering that there’s at least 3 campgrounds if not 4 here and 144 sites collecting garbage at a single time. There is firewood, ice and fishing worms available at the visitors center and campground station in the main area.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If like me you are a primitive tent camper and on the look out for some pretty amazing, not-so-EZ places on earth to really feel like you are out enjoying pristine, undisturbed nature, then you’ll want to have a very close look at the primitive camping areas west of Evergreen Lake over near White Oak. There’s 16 or so simply excellent lakefront sites over here along with your own boat dock; (2) Should you be ‘herd camping’ with a much larger group, there’s actually a simply fantastic hidden group camping oasis over here in White Oaks as well that you can get away from it all; (3) In the event that you grow weary of cooking up franks & beans again for dinner, you’ll have a decent drive to either El Paso, where there’s a Monical’s Pizza, Dairy Queen, Casey’s, El Paso Mexican or, upgrade yourself to The Local Tap, which is a craft kitchen and alehouse serving up some excellent fare. Of course, you could head into Bloomington, of which you will find everything, but that’s a bit of a hike unless, like me, you would make that drive to either have some of the best deep dish pizza Chicago has to offer, Giordano’s, or one of the greatest sausage and Italian beef joints in the world, Portillo’s.

    Happy Camping!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hennepin Canal Lock 11
    April 17, 2024

    Hennepin Canal Lock 11

    Wide open

    The camp sites here are right between the parking lot and the fishing spots so all the fishermen and hikers go right through your site. No privacy at all. As a single female traveler, i didn't feel safe enough to stay here. A homeless man popped out of the woods on my hike near lock 22 so that was a bit unnerving. Pretty water area near lock 22

  • Camper-submitted photo from Anderson Lake SFWA
    April 6, 2024

    Anderson Lake SFWA

    Simple yet beautiful & peaceful.

    We have been here 3 Xs over the pas years as a stop over while traveling. They only have vault toilets, but clean. This time no water due to water break.issue. just a nice place on a beautiful lake. Nice for bird watching.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Chief Keokuk Campground — Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area
    April 1, 2024

    Chief Keokuk Campground — Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area

    Exquisite Camping Amongst Pencil Tree Forest

    At some point, when walking through this thickly packed, seemingly endless supply of super-thin pencil trees that comprise this hidden gem of a forest, one realizes a pretty amazing fact: when mankind is purposeful about not just preserving, but proliferating the pristine nature that exists all around us, we can be incredibly successful in that endeavor. But only if we put our minds to it. That’s precisely the thought I had when seeing this Pencil Tree Forest for the first time. Obviously, this forest didn’t happen out of pure luck and it certainly wasn’t through preservation of what had existed before that we first stepped foot on this particular patch of land that led to this most immaculate place. No, it was actually the Corp of Engineers that purposefully planted the trees that now adorn this amazing swath of heaven no earth.

    As for the campground itself, while there isn’t much brush here to provide any decent privacy, the overabundance of hardwoods, giant oaks and pines in this area creates an overwhelming sense of solace and peacefulness, despite being able to see most of your neighbors. The spots themselves are all Class A Camping, offering just electric (so, no sewer or water hook-ups for the RV-toting crowd), with 71 pads being offered and 25 Class C Camping tent sites. There is a single shower structure here and a few different bathrooms, some more permanent than a few others, that seem to either be temporary or are being worked on. There’s plenty of picnic tables and in-ground fire rings w/ fold-over BBQ grills. Beyond this, be prepared to bring what you need with you.

    If you are looking to get on the water and either get some rowing in or attract some fish to your line, then nearby Lake Johnson has you covered. In fact, it’s so close, you can easily walk to it, but if you have your own kayak or canoe, you might want to tow it down to the boat launch with your SUV or truck if you have the means. And if you don’t have any watercraft, no biggie, the good folks here at the Marina will rent you one of theirs. Note that only electric trolling motors are allowed to be on the lake here.

    Whether you want to stay near your campsite or go further afield, there’s no shortage of great picnic areas, whether it’s a simple picnic table set up lakeside, perhaps with its own grill or cooking stove, or under the shade of a covered pavilion, there’s lots of options here to create the absolute perfect outdoor feasting occasion.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) You’ve got to check out Ryan’s Round Barn, which you would have seen upon entering Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, and is a local landmark of sorts, which was built around the turn of the century by Protestant religious sects who designed these in a particular way so as they ‘didn’t leave any corners where the devil could hide.’; (2) If you’ve got hiking on your mind, there’s some really good, albeit basic hiking to be had here with some very great sightseeing – in all there’s about 12 miles of good hiking to explore the area here from Johnson-Sauk that will have you walking through seasoned pine and old oak forests; (3) Should you want to go fishing and find yourself in need of anything, whether its rental boats, snacks and sodas, fishing bait or souvenirs, the Marina here at Johnson-Sauk has you covered; (4) There’s also a decent restaurant here at the Marina, called Red Earth Café, but when we were there last, it was closed and we heard rumors that is was not going to reopen, which was a bummer, therefore, if you want to eat out, you’re going to have to trek it back in to nearby Annawan, just due north on 78, where there’s just a few restaurants to choose from, including Mick’s Bar & Grill, which basically has hot dogs and burgers or Purple Onion, which has typical Midwestern comfort food like country fried steak, fried walleye and pork chops; and (5) The hit of Annawan, IMHO, is Paxton’s Corner Coop, which will immediately make you feel like you have stepped foot on some film location in Hollywood, with all of its other-worldly oddities, but press on and enter the establishment to find some of the most delectable desserts I have ever come across: caramel rolls, amazing natural ice cream, delectable cupcakes and, my personal favorite, the oatmeal crème sandwiches! 

    Happy Camping!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hennepin Canal Lock 11
    January 1, 2024

    Hennepin Canal Lock 11

    Primitive Camping Bliss

    Whether it is the fact that you can’t actually make a reservation here as this spot and the 5 others that make up the Hennepin Canal Lock camping options are only offered on a first-come, first-served basis or the rustic elements you will find when camping at any one of these spots, one thing is for certain: if you planned to truly ‘get away from it all’ you really can have your sandwich and eat here at Hennepin Canal Lock 11. While there is no actual check-in or check-out time, which honestly, is a huge bonus, occasionally there is a park ranger that will come by to check on the location and collect those $8 nightly fares, although we never came across a ranger during our weeklong journey down the canal. You should also note that all of the campgrounds up and down the canal are class C, meaning that these primitive camping sites do not have showers or electricity, so either bring your own alternatives or, better, learn to live without these conveniences for a few days and actually embrace the opportunity to connect with nature. 

    Located north of the tiny town of Tiskilwa, which is just south-west of better known Princeton, you will access this little spec of undisturbed primitive camping bliss via either Highway 34 (east-west) or 180 (north-south), but whichever you take, be prepared to take numerous country backroads, some of which are gravel, to make your way to this outpost. I simply plugged in Tiskilwa to my GPS and when I arrived at the small town via 180, I was able to just head north of the town on Country Road 1800 East before reaching the Canal Lock 11, which will be easy enough to see, given the massive locks that await you. 

    As you arrive, you will need to hang a right on Country Road 1150 N, where just a short drive you will come to Canal Lock 11 camping area and you will know if you went too far if you actually drive over Bridge #6. On the left hand side of the road and before the bridge, you will find the campground area sitting in full view of the canal, where there will be a singular restroom facility to the east of the property adjacent to the parking area. You can camp anywhere just in front of the parking lot, which while unmarked, offers up what I would consider enough for 5-6 individual camping sites. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Of all the camping options up and down the Hennepin Canal SP, this likely is one of the most basic and thus primitive, apart from the restroom that you will find. If that bothers you or you are simply looking for a spot with more space to explore and ground to cover, then I would recommend either Canal Lock 21 or 22, which are much more expansive; (2) Should you grow weary of fixing ‘franks & beans’ again for dinner over your roaring fire, while there isn’t much out in these parts, there is Indian Valley Inn, which is a decent little town bar and restaurant or Piccolo’s Pizzeria that serves up some nice fresh pie; (3) There is no potable drinking water anywhere at any of these locks up and down the Hennepin Canal apart from at the Visitors Center, so ensure you bring your own water or a filtration system; and (4) Should you have your own kayak or canoe, the Hennepin Canal is very nice to explore, although at times difficult to navigate, especially when you come to each of the sets of locks and dams. If that is bothersome and you simply want to get some oaring in without having to take your watercraft in and out of the water every 30 minutes or so, then head on over to Goose Lake just southwest of Hennepin, which is a fantastic lake to explore and has some decent fishing as well. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    October 16, 2023

    Comlara County Park

    Site 18

    Beautiful lake view site. Steep drop to water so not good for those w/little kids. Great trees for hammock-overlooking lake! Pad level. Water very close. Outhouse close walk. Kayak launch close walk. Boat dock close. Shower house short walk

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Hill Campground
    October 16, 2023

    Hickory Hill Campground

    Off-The-Grid Midwest Camping Outpost

    Nestled in the verdant rolling hills of central Illinois, you’ll discover Hickory Hills Campground located just a short drive west of I39 and completely off the grid, due to the slight incline of this heavily forested campground outpost. This place is a massive RV enclave with various different neighborhoods and haunts to choose from – and while there are a very fair number of folks who make Hickory Hills their year-round outdoor destination, there’s a decent amount of temporary spots to select from. But if you’re a tent camper, you will be hard-pressed at this location to find a suitable spot to set up for the night as Hickory Hills is definitely designed for the RV and 5th Wheeler crowd in mind. 

    The amount of amenities at Hickory Hills is a pretty long list that includes an in-ground pool opened between Memorial Day and Labor Day (any other time here in Illinois, you would be ice fishing!), basketball court, mini golf, shuffleboard, pool table, ping pong and various soda and snack vending machines and games in the recreation center, catch & release lake for fishing and a fully-stocked general store, which also serves as the main office where you will check-in upon arrival, offering up firewood, snacks, water, ice and other sundries. There’s also a coin laundry and bottle propane station in addition to the standard RV hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage). 

    What I love most about Hickory Hills Campground is the very strong Midwestern hospitality and warm welcome you’ll receive from just about everyone you encounter here – from the very great folks that run the place to the guests and residents that roll out the red carpet and ensure that everyone feels connected to the very tight-knit community that has formed here. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) This campground is pretty isolated, clear out in the boondocks just northwest of the major college town of Bloomington (Illinois State University), where you can easily access everything, but if you do make your way out here to Hickory Hills, you better bring everything you need because while it’s a short drive into the nearest town here, which is El Paso, to be honest, there's not a lot there either, so likely you'll have to go further afield to get just about anything else; (2) When you grow weary of staring down the insides of your onboard mini-fridge and want to try some of the local cuisine, I would HIGHLY recommend The Local Tap Craft Kitchen & Ale House, which has glorified bar food (wings, pizza, burgers), slightly above average wine list (hey, while the Sauvignon Blanc is just Cupcake, it’s pretty amazing that they have Sauv Blanc at all!) and a pretty amazing selection of local craft brews from 5 distinct nearby breweries; (3) If you are on the hunt for some real outdoor tent camping, great hiking or care to dip your kayak into some really nice fresh water, then head on over to nearby Comlara Park, featuring Evergreen Lake, which has some really nice areas to explore, in particular Deer Island, which you can anchor on or near and explore this little picturesque outcrop; and (4) Should you need anything, I would encourage you to explore nearby El Paso, which has some nice surprises awaiting you, such as Ruth’s Garden Tea Room or coffee at Java Café, CVS Pharmacy for all your sundries, El Paso Mexican (for just OK Mexican) and Woody’s Family Restaurant for some good ‘ol down home Midwestern comfort food and some decent (not amazing) pizza at Monical’s. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Kamp Komfort
    October 12, 2023

    Kamp Komfort

    Roadside RV Hideaway

    Maybe it was the hand-written note taped to the office door that explained how the front office manager / owner was laid up with a bad back, so checking in was on the ‘honor system’ or the fact that we were just looking for a nice, flat and quiet place to lay up for the night that wouldn’t take us too far off course, but for whatever the reason, while we weren’t looking to hole up at Kamp Komfort RV Park & Campground, we ended up there and it was a sublime experience. 

    To be blunt, Kamp Komfort is literally RIGHT NEXT to the major highway 74 running through these parts connecting Peoria to Bloomington (just 8 miles away) in central Illinois and while I know these parts incredibly well, discovering this campground along with the nearby town of Carlock, was completely a pleasant surprise. So if there is no avoiding the non-stop swooshing of traffic from the nearby interstate (and there isn’t, unless you count high-grade ear plugs into the mix), then just accept that you are in a sweet spot that offers up a very well-manicured green pasture where the numerous (by my count, nearly 50) diagonal gravel-laden RV parking spots that come with all of the expected RV hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), in addition to the other amenities that exist here, including an in-ground pool (open between Memorial and Labor Day). What you will enjoy most, apart from the ‘down-to-earth’ feeling to this place, is the very well-meaning and down-right hospitable folks you will encounter, from the people that run the place to the neighbors you will meet, there is an unmistakably strong Midwestern sense of hospitality that can be found here. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) There’s not much in these parts, although at only 8 miles away, if you wanted anything and don’t mind going for a short drive to nearby Bloomington, then that shouldn’t be a problem, but if you are looking for something close and nearby, and are eyeing the township of Carlock, then you’ll only find a BP gas station, the Carlock Family Restaurant that features some good ‘ol country cookin’ and that’s about it – this really is a single stop sign (no stop sign) town to revel in!; (3) If you are on the hunt for some real outdoor tent camping or really great hiking or care to dip your kayak into some really nice fresh water, then head on over to nearby Comlara Park, featuring Evergreen Lake, which has some really nice areas to explore, in particular Deer Island, which you can anchor on or near and explore this little picturesque outcrop; and (4) Should you want to ponder a great evening out and are ‘jones’ing for some really amazing restaurants to imbibe the best of what Illinois has to offer, then you’ll have to head back to Normal–Bloomington for one of the following: Portillo’s, for an outstanding Italian beef & sausage sandwich (don’t ask, just order!), Giordano’s, for some of the best deep-dish Chicago pizza you will ever encounter ... or, and here it is ... the most iconic and local Italian (by Midwestern standards. mind you) joint you will encounter in these parts, called Avantis, which features, of course, pasta, but the handmade subs are what make this place legend. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    October 12, 2023

    Comlara County Park

    Site 107 non-electric

    Very large non electric site near water. Quieter area of campground. Site level. Water close by. Pit toilets close.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    September 30, 2023

    Comlara County Park

    Site 31

    Site 31 is for those who want more privacy. It has woods on 2 sides with a trail thru woods to outhouse. Nice shade, site is level and on cul-de-sac so way less traffic. Water spigot very close. Very short walk to lake/dock and shower house. Park kept clean and very friendly staff.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Comlara County Park
    August 27, 2023

    Comlara County Park

    County Campground w/nice lake

    Campground with nice no wake lake. Sites are fairly large although many of them with wide open area and thus little privacy. Site 31 nice site backed by woods. Could use a second dump station-only has one. Camp staff very friendly.



Guide to Brimfield

Camping near Brimfield, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic views to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Starved Rock Campground. One visitor shared, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls and spectacular overlooks."
  • Fishing: Head to Comlara County Park for some fishing. A reviewer noted, "There are tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in."
  • Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Chief Keokuk Campground. One camper mentioned, "Had fun kayaking on the lake, caught a catfish!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Lasalle/Peru KOA. A visitor remarked, "Bathrooms and showers are super clean. Recommend for sure."
  • Scenic Views: Many enjoy the beautiful surroundings at Millpoint Park. One review stated, "Peaceful campground, well maintained, beautiful views of the Upper Peoria Lake/Illinois River."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River appreciate the welcoming atmosphere. A guest noted, "The hosts were absolutely the best! They walk through the camp each night checking sites."

What you should know:

  • Limited Privacy: Some campgrounds, like Comlara County Park, have sites that are close together. One camper mentioned, "If you enjoy being in a large wide open space chock full with other tents, this is a great choice for you."
  • No Water Hookups: At Chief Keokuk Campground, there are no water hookups for RVs. A visitor noted, "Be prepared to bring what you need with you."
  • Seasonal Availability: Some campgrounds, like Pleasant Creek Campground, are only open from April 15 to October. Make sure to check the season before planning your trip.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Lasalle/Peru KOA. One parent shared, "The kids loved this place. No there's no pool, but it was very quiet and peaceful."
  • Safety First: Choose sites away from water if you have little ones. A reviewer at Comlara County Park mentioned, "Site 18 has a steep drop to water so not good for those w/little kids."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A camper at Pleasant Creek Campground suggested, "If you grow weary of cooking up franks & beans again for dinner, you’ll have a decent drive to nearby restaurants."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure to verify the type of hookups available at your chosen campground. A visitor at Millpoint Park noted, "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird."
  • Space for Big Rigs: Look for campgrounds that are big rig friendly, like Starved Rock Campground. One RV owner mentioned, "Big rig friendly with 50 amp hookups."
  • Quiet Spots: Seek out quieter areas within campgrounds. A reviewer at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River said, "If you get a site on the southwest side of the camp closer to the river you will definitely not be bothered by traffic noise."

Camping near Brimfield, Illinois, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great destination for families and outdoor lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions