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Best Campgrounds near Coal City, IL

472 Reviews

Camping opportunities around Coal City, Illinois include a mix of established campgrounds along waterways and state recreation areas. The region includes several developed campgrounds along the Illinois River watershed, including Kayak Morris, which receives high ratings for its riverfront tent camping and kayak access. Within 30 miles, campers can find accommodations ranging from primitive tent sites at McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove to RV parks with full hookups like Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort in Joliet. State park campgrounds including Kankakee River State Park (Potowatomi and Chippewa campgrounds) offer cabin options alongside traditional camping areas.

Seasonal considerations affect water levels and ground conditions at several campgrounds. McKinley Woods and other riverfront sites can experience flooding after heavy rains, particularly in spring and fall. Most developed campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though amenities may be limited during winter months. The Illinois & Michigan Canal trail system connects several camping areas, making them accessible for cyclists touring between Chicago and Starved Rock. Campers should verify reservation requirements, as many campgrounds fill quickly on summer weekends. A visitor noted: "McKinley Woods offers me a lot of nostalgia since I grew up in the area. The main draw to this place is the tow path. I highly recommend bringing a bike to enjoy the trail."

Waterfront access represents a key feature in the Coal City area camping scene. Kayak Morris stands out for its river camping experience, with one camper reporting they "caught over 50 stripers" fishing there. Reviews consistently mention the appeal of accessing the Illinois River and its tributaries directly from campsites. Tent campers have several walk-in options including Channahon State Park, which one reviewer described as "a nice, shady place to stop along the I & M Canal Trail." For those preferring developed facilities, several campgrounds offer electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations. Privacy varies significantly between locations—some sites at McKinley Woods are described as "far apart" while others throughout the region have minimal separation between camping areas.

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Best Camping Sites Near Coal City, Illinois (74)

    1. Kayak Morris

    11 Reviews
    Morris, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 567-4653

    $29 / night

    "You get to see tugboats and barges go up and down the Illinois river right from your campsite."

    "Small and hidden right on the Illinois River. Received a free night of camping with a whole day of kayaking which is absolutely recommended."

    2. Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    17 Reviews
    Bourbonnais, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    "Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."

    "There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers."

    3. Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    30 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $12 - $55 / night

    "Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view."

    "Spent a couple nights here (site 3) for Vintage Illinois at a nearby park. Quiet, fairly level, gravel sites. Electric worn but fully functional. Lots of trees and shade."

    4. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"

    "Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."

    5. McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove

    3 Reviews
    Channahon, IL
    8 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    6. Chippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    4 Reviews
    Custer Park, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    $8 - $20 / night

    "shade canopy and an open feel Well maintained open-grass layout

     - Spacious campsites, similar to other IL State Parks we've stayed at

     - Quiet (when we visited)

     - Boat ramp is accessible via trail"

    "No water hookup .But has a swing set for the kids to play a few bike/hike trails. Quiet no street noise . They have a dump station and water too fill your camper."

    7. Tameling Campground and RV Park

    1 Review
    Braidwood, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 476-2389

    8. Hollywood Casino Hotel & RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Rockdale, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 744-9400

    "Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad. Near busy road and shipping plant."

    "Nice safe location. Flat, pretty large spots..picnic tables."

    9. Channahon State Park Campground

    1 Review
    Channahon, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 467-4271

    "It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town.  Arriving by bicycle is even better. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp."

    10. Love's RV Hookup-Morris IL 859

    1 Review
    Morris, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 705-9259

    $37 / night

    "Located just due east on the outskirts of little known Morris, Illinois just off I80, this little roadside stand isn’t the largest Love’s I’ve ever seen, but it sure does pack a punch. "

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Recent Camping Photos near Coal City, IL

159 Photos of 74 Coal City Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Coal City, IL

472 Reviews of 74 Coal City Campgrounds

  • Gina A.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Chippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Kankakee River State Park Chippewa

    $20 a day with with restrooms has NO shower area. No water hookup .But has a swing set for the kids to play a few bike/hike trails. Quiet no street noise . They have a dump station and water too fill your camper.

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Pleasant Creek Campground

    lives up to it's name, good option for Starved Rock area

    Because of it's layout, you never get a true sense of how big the whole campground is (50 acres). The largest and most open area is on top of the hill (the Highlands) but there are other areas that are shadier and more close to nature (Alcove way, Creekside, Oak Grove, the Glades). 
    Depending on the time of year, the creek may not be running, but the fishing pond is always full. Many activities in well maintained areas. It's a new campground and the general store hasn't built up much inventory yet. The firewood is dry and burns well. 

    Fire pits are basic steel circles, bring your own grill. 

    There's one central restroom with showers, clean and spacious, but it can be a walk from some areas (long hills too). 

    There are small cabins for rent and long-term sites are available.

  • Ray S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great campground with everything you would need

    This was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Nature’s Way RV Park

    Relaxing

    Clean and well maintained facility. Staff was organized and friendly. Pet friendly. We want to come back when we can stay longer.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Starved Rock Family Campground

    Nice little campsite!

    Well maintained and large campground. Sites aren’t stacked on top of each other and seem fairly level. I will say the grounds by our site seemed to have a fly/other sewer fly problem in the ground? I don’t know. Seemed to need a treatment of some sort. L7 is more in a wide open area so if you want more trees, book more in the middle of the campground. Bathrooms are well maintained and cleaned. Laundry facility easy. Bummed our trip got cut short by a RV maintenance issue.

Guide to Coal City

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

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park. With over 13 miles of trails, you can enjoy breathtaking views and waterfalls. One visitor noted, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls."
  • Fishing: Head to Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for some great fishing. The lake is known for its abundant fish species, and one camper shared, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting."
  • Boating: Rent a kayak or canoe at Comlara County Park and enjoy a day on the water. A reviewer mentioned, "There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in."

What campers like

  • Scenic beauty: Campers rave about the picturesque landscapes. One visitor at Starved Rock Campground said, "Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"
  • Friendly staff: Many campers appreciate the welcoming atmosphere. A reviewer at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area noted, "The store is very nice and well stocked."
  • Wildlife: Nature lovers enjoy spotting local wildlife. A camper at Big Rock Campground mentioned, "Saw several deer and rabbits."

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds have basic facilities. A visitor at Paul Wolff Campground pointed out, "There are vault toilets by the tent area and flush toilets a 3-minute walk into the RV area."
  • Noise levels: Be prepared for some noise from nearby roads or trains. A camper at Blackwell Family Campground said, "You can hear cars passing by throughout the night."
  • Crowded during peak season: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A reviewer at Lakeshore Camp Resort mentioned, "The park was entirely too crowded."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and organized activities. One parent at Blackwell Family Campground shared, "The ranger offers evening entertainment for the kiddos."
  • Choose spacious sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites to avoid feeling cramped. A visitor at Big Rock Campground noted, "The campground is very clean and well maintained."
  • Plan for meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check for nearby dining options. A camper at Comlara County Park mentioned, "There’s a concession store offering wood, groceries, bait & tackle, snacks, and soda."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A reviewer at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area said, "The sites are small and it’s very crowded."
  • Look for electric hookups: Ensure your campground has the necessary hookups for your RV. A camper at Pleasant Creek Campground noted, "All sites come with a fire ring, picnic table, water, and electric hook-ups."
  • Be prepared for limited services: Some campgrounds may not have full amenities. A visitor at Paul Wolff Campground mentioned, "There are no showers."

Camping near Coal City, Illinois, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or just enjoying nature, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Coal City, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Coal City, IL is Kayak Morris with a 4.9-star rating from 11 reviews.

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