Tent camping near Channahon, Illinois offers various backcountry options along the historic waterways that shaped the region. The area sits at approximately 530 feet above sea level where the DuPage and Des Plaines rivers converge to form the Illinois River. Camping locations often experience flooding during spring and after heavy rainfall, particularly at lower elevations near the canal.
What to do
Kayaking on the Illinois River: At Kayak Morris, campers can launch directly from their sites. "I have my own kayak and the river here is so calm its awesome. My friends rented the dual kayaks ant they loved them," notes Art P. The riverfront sites provide easy water access for both personal and rental equipment.
Fishing the river confluence: The meeting of waterways creates excellent fishing conditions. "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!" reports Sam Murphy M. at Kayak Morris. Most effective fishing occurs early morning or evening during summer months.
Hiking woodland trails: Buffalo Rock State Park Campground connects to several scenic paths. A visitor notes, "At a leisurely pace, it only took me a couple of hours to walk all the trails. They are nice well-kept trails. Most of the surface is gravel but some parts are just dirt." The trail system includes overlooks with views of the Illinois River below.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Tent campers appreciate waterfront access at Kayak Starved Rock Campground, where "Camp sites are dotted next to the shore of the river, there's kayak rentals, and there's enough space for multiple tents on one site." The proximity to water creates both scenic views and practical paddling opportunities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early risers can spot diverse wildlife. One camper at McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove reported, "At night, you can hear owls and distant trains, but motorboats and jet-skis begin around 6:AM." The wetland areas attract various bird species during migration seasons.
Secluded walk-in sites: Many tent campers seek the privacy of hike-in locations. "Camp sites aren't actually in buffalo rock, they're across the street at I&M canal. You have to walk a bit to get there but the sites are great. If you're looking for privacy this is it," explains Amanda P. about Buffalo Rock State Park Campground. These sites typically require walking 0.25-0.5 miles from parking areas.
What you should know
Weather vulnerability: Low-lying sites experience flooding issues. A camper at McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove reported, "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up. We had three inches up the the fire pit."
Limited facilities: Most tent camping areas offer basic amenities only. At Buffalo Rock State Park Campground, "There aren't toilets tho or running water," notes a reviewer. Campers should pack sufficient water supplies for their stay or bring filtration systems for canal water.
Park closing times: Many parks in the area have strict closing hours. McKinley Woods closes at 8 PM in summer and earlier during other seasons, requiring careful planning for arrivals. Visitors arriving after closing times may find gates locked and no camping access.
Tips for camping with families
Spacious sites for multiple tents: Mac Finn's Landing provides room for family camping setups. A reviewer mentions it has "Lots of access to great fishing holes up the Kankakee and Iroqouis Rivers" making it suitable for family fishing trips with space for multiple tents.
Wildlife education opportunities: Buffalo Rock State Park Campground features live bison that children can observe safely. "Real live Buffalo are a treat for kids and animal lovers," writes Bill M. This creates natural learning experiences about prairie wildlife and conservation.
Water safety considerations: River currents can be unpredictable for young swimmers. At Kayak Morris, families should supervise water activities closely as one visitor noted, "there is a confluence across the river which is great to float on" but requires careful monitoring of changing conditions.
Tips from RVers
Alternative camping options: While tent camping dominates the Channahon area, some locations accommodate small campers. Davis Creek Campground — Kankakee River State Park offers accessible sites for smaller RVs. Andrea F. reports, "This campground is open, there are a lot of amenities, it's very well kept, and there is good access to water."
Access limitations: Most camping areas near Channahon have restricted vehicle access, requiring walk-in camping. Buffalo Rock sites are "only accessible by walking or biking" according to Scott N., making them unsuitable for traditional RV camping but workable for those with portable camping equipment.
