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Best Campgrounds near Champaign, IL

222 Reviews

East-central Illinois campers can find several good spots around Champaign for weekend trips. Turkey Run State Park Campground draws families who like hiking on its trails and watching wildlife. W Lake RV Park works well for campers with big rigs since it has full hookups and larger sites, plus it's close enough to Champaign for quick trips into town. Kickapoo State Recreation Area has nice trails that wind through the woods and fields. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area sits about 30 minutes from Champaign and has decent fishing spots along its shoreline. Prairie Pines Campground tends to be quieter, with grassy sites and good tree cover for shade. Most campgrounds in this area have the basics - restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings. You can get to most sites on regular roads without any special vehicles. Weather matters here - summers get hot and sticky, winters can be cold with some snow, and spring and fall hit the sweet spot with nicer temperatures and fewer people. The Champaign area doesn't have mountains or oceans, but these local campgrounds give you a nice taste of Illinois outdoors without driving too far.

Map showing campgrounds near Champaign, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Champaign, Illinois (40)

    1. D & W Lake RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Champaign, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 356-3732

    "Stayed here 2 nights on our way to Northern Illinois, easy access off the interstate, sites are spacious, grounds are well maintained, staff was very courteous and friendly, nice lake with trail around"

    "It is close to the main highway, but far enough to not be noticeable.  Sites are level and in good condition.  Owner greets you on entering and then guides you to your site.  "

    2. Prairie Pines Campground

    7 Reviews
    Gifford, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 893-0438

    "Close to Champaign, IL off I 57 is this charming, open and clean grass covered park. Large sites with full hook ups, picnic table and scattered large trees near an Air Force base."

    "It's on the outskirts of town on the old Chanute AFB. They have lovely tree coverage, it's close to lots of amenities like grocery shopping, sports complex, urgent care, quick interstate access."

    3. Tin Cup RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Mahomet, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 586-3011

    "Had AC going but could hear road noise from interstate/ nearby roads."

    4. Kickapoo State Recreation Area

    29 Reviews
    Oakwood, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 442-4915

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Stayed here on Dec. 10, 2021 (yes the night of all the tornadoes throughout the Illinois/Kentucky/Tennessee area), I and everyone else at the campsite got pretty lucky, we were just outside the path of"

    "Great little campground in Central Illinois. Some pretty trails overlooking, beside, and sometimes through water."

    5. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Weldon, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 935-8722

    $10 - $30 / night

    "We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach."

    "Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach, playground, the rocky path for fishing, and a secluded swimming hole."

    6. Moraine View State Recreational Area

    27 Reviews
    Le Roy, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 724-8032

    $40 - $20 / night

    "I never did all of the trails but spent an afternoon hiking with a friend last summer."

    "It’s also never super convenient to need to pack up just to go to a dump station but as long as your fine walking to the community restrooms, you should be fine."

    7. Harry L Swartz Campground

    9 Reviews
    Penfield, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 595-5692

    "Arrived on Sunday and nearly had the place to ourselves. Campgrounds are far removed from town and very quiet, large enough to feel isolated. Host sells ice and firewood for a reasonable price."

    "The drive into the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve winds between a few ponds. We saw many families fishing around each of them. Once at the campground, check in with the camp host."

    8. Friends Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Cisco, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 795-8361

    $10 - $25 / night

    "In mid-Illinois a campground waits for you. Well tended grassy sites with an impeccable grassy picnicking area. There was plenty of room in our site but most of the campground is empty."

    "This hidden gem of a campground is very quiet and serene - surrounded by tall trees and next to a tall grass prairie conservation area - complete with historic schoolhouse, mowed trails to a nearby creek"

    9. Champaign Sportsmen's Club

    Be the first to review!
    Mahomet, IL
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 586-9951

    10. Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground

    4 Reviews
    Fisher, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 784-5872

    $10 / night

    "10$ a night next to a park on a slightly busy street. I pitched my tent amongst the many rv trailers and had a rest on my motorcycle trip south."

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Recent Camping Photos near Champaign, IL

51 Photos of 40 Champaign Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Champaign, IL

222 Reviews of 40 Champaign Campgrounds

  • T
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    A trickster with premium luxury pricing.

    We decided to not stay here. We stopped, did the online reservation (Loves now uses Camplife website). Made the reservation for a single night and it's $70+ tax and fees.  We paid less per night at luxury campgrounds with waterparks and entertainment. This is a truck stop. Needless to say, we won't be using Love's anymore for our single night stays when traveling.

  • L
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Friends Creek Campground

    Great campground

    Very nice small campground with well spaced sites. The bathrooms were very clean. The Macon County website is a bit wonky to navigate. The camp host is a jewel. Be aware that there are 50 amp sites and 30 amp sites. The 50 amp sites are more expensive. Would definitely return.

  • Cowboy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground

    Wonderful spot

    This is a great city run campground attached to a block sized city park. 30 amp and water at each site. The park has restrooms, with showers. You only need to grab a key from the police department. There is a dump station on site and large dumpster. Supermarket, restaurants and gas station with in a few blocks. An active American Legion post/bar just down main street. All for $10 a night.

  • B
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Bo Wood

    Family camping

    Extremely peaceful spot and friendly camp host. Great shower/bathroom facilities (could be little cooler in there in the summer)

  • B
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    Bad Management Ready To Ruin Your Holiday

    This park is beautiful, clean and the people were friendly. My issue is with the site supervisor and superintendent. On July 4th 2025 we were given the option of moving our entire campsite or being kicked out of the park. JULY 4TH! We booked our campsite in the last week of April, paid in full. We were the second party to book any spot in the entire campground! We chose our spot specifically for the access to the water and seclusion from the rest of the sites. Come to find out(a day after we set up camp) we booked in "horse camp" which apparently requires you to have horses. It never stated this on the website or rental confirmation we received. Nobody reached out to us in the three months we held the booking to confirm if we had horses. There was no on-site check in that could have saved us the trouble. No, instead we had to take 4 hours out of our holiday to pack all of our stuff and move into overflow camping or be forced to leave. Because of their mistake. Absolutely ruined our holiday with zero remorse or understanding. The icing on the cake was as we were leaving horse camp we noticed multiple other camp sites where people had not brought horses. They stated this happens all the time. If site management had two braincells to rub together they would fix their website instead of consistently ruining peoples trips and holidays. And then these people had the audacity to say they weren't going to charge us for the campsite they moved us to?!?! In reality, we should be receiving a full refund for the campsite we did pay for and free passes for the rest of the year. There is a second state campground on the other side of the lake I would suggest before coming to this place.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    D & W Lake RV Park

    Lovely hideway

    Very nice looking campground. When we drove in, 1st impression, it gave off a "Welcome" feel. Check-in was easy, we were pre-paid, we were taken directly to our pull-thru site. Stayed only 1 night, had planned 2 but had issues had to call and cancel 1 night. Sites level, plenty of space between campers, shade trees, loved the dog run too. Overall it was a very nice well kept campground. I'm glad we made a reservation. We enjoyed our stay.

  • Becky K.
    May. 31, 2025

    D & W Lake RV Park

    Great place to stay

    This campground is close to home and is our go to when we have a last minute opportunity to camp. Beautiful lake view from our site. Owners are very friendly and super helpful.

Guide to Champaign

Camping near Champaign, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic lakes to family-friendly parks, there’s something for everyone in this area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Turkey Run State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, “From the back of the campground, you can access Trail 7, a moderate level trail that leads unexpectedly to a small stream running past a recessed cave.”
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Comlara County Park. A visitor shared, “There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in.”
  • Swimming: Relax at the beach area in Clinton Lake State Recreation Area. One family noted, “We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at D & W Lake RV Park. A happy camper said, “Friendly & helpful staff and very clean restrooms/showers.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Coon Creek. One reviewer mentioned, “The sites at the campground are kind of hit or miss as lots are very slopy, but we had a full hookup site that was pull through.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Kickapoo State Recreation Area is known for its family-friendly vibe. A visitor remarked, “It’s a family environment, with lots of joyful kids all over, which I liked.”

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds, like Comlara County Park, have sites that are close together. One camper noted, “If that doesn’t matter to you and you enjoy 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.”
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for raccoons at Weldon Springs State Park Campground. A camper warned, “The couple a few sites down had their tent destroyed. She had all of her food and smelly things locked in her car.”
  • Uneven Terrain: Some sites at Rockville Lake County Park can be uneven. A visitor mentioned, “The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites with easy access to amenities. One family at Moraine View State Recreational Area said, “The main shower house was nice and well maintained.”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities for kids. A camper at Fox Ridge State Park Campground noted, “There was a playground for the kiddos across the street.”
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A visitor at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, “We had a fantastic time here... Our site was adjacent to numerous paths that easily led to the beach.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to check the level of your site before parking. One RV owner at Coon Creek said, “Some sites are pull through while others are only pull in.”
  • Use Full Hookups: Opt for sites with full hookups for convenience. A camper at D & W Lake RV Park shared, “Full hook ups 50/30 and pull through. Super easy to get to from the highway.”
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Keep noise levels down, especially during quiet hours. A visitor at Kickapoo State Recreation Area noted, “If it was full I think it wouldn’t be quite so nice. It’s very open.”

Camping around Champaign, Illinois, has its perks and quirks. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's plenty to enjoy in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Champaign, IL?

For camping near Champaign, Prairie Pines Campground is highly recommended for its proximity right off I-57. This well-maintained park features large grassy sites with full hookups, clean facilities, and several playgrounds. Another excellent option is Friends Creek Campground, a hidden gem offering a serene experience with sites surrounded by tall trees adjacent to a prairie conservation area. The campground provides access to mowed trails, a historic schoolhouse, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Both locations offer clean facilities and well-maintained grounds, making them ideal bases for exploring the Champaign area.

Are there any free camping options near Champaign, Illinois?

Free camping options near Champaign are limited, but Walmart — Bloomington Supercenter offers free overnight parking with ample space for all sizes of RVs and campers. Located about 50 miles from Champaign, this is a convenient option for short stays. For those willing to travel a bit further, The Home Depot — Normal sometimes permits overnight parking. Always call ahead to confirm current policies as store-by-store rules may change. These locations are suitable for self-contained vehicles only and typically limit stays to one night.

What RV parks and facilities are available in Champaign, IL?

RV enthusiasts near Champaign have several good options. Tin Cup RV Park near Mahomet offers water hookups and is big-rig friendly with reservable sites. For those prioritizing amenities, Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867 provides convenient highway access with full hookups, though it's primarily designed for overnight stays rather than extended camping. D & W Lake RV Park is another option with fishing opportunities and comfortable facilities. Most parks in the area offer electric hookups, water, dump stations, and some have full sewer connections, making them suitable for various RV sizes and camping styles.

Where can I rent a camper in Champaign for my camping trip?

While there aren't dedicated RV rental facilities specifically mentioned in Champaign reviews, several options exist for those looking to rent a camper. National platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy connect you with local RV owners offering rentals in the Champaign area. These peer-to-peer services typically provide a range of options from small trailers to large motorhomes. For those planning to camp at Kickapoo State Recreation Area or Fox Ridge State Park Campground, both of which offer excellent facilities near Champaign, renting from these platforms allows you to reserve your camper and have it delivered directly to your campsite. Always book well in advance, especially during peak camping season.

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