43 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several campgrounds dot the landscape surrounding Collison, Illinois, providing a variety of camping experiences. Kickapoo State Recreation Area serves as a central camping hub in the region, offering both electric and primitive sites for tent and RV campers. Forest Glen County Preserve and Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area expand the camping options with additional developed sites. The terrain features wooded areas interspersed with lakes and rivers, creating natural settings for outdoor recreation while remaining within a short drive of Danville and Champaign.
Road access to campgrounds in the Collison area remains straightforward, with most sites accessible via paved or well-maintained gravel roads. Primitive camping areas may require short walks from parking areas. The camping season generally extends from April through October, with some campgrounds like Kickapoo State Recreation Area remaining open year-round. "This park has very nice hiking trails and a swimming beach. The kids had a great time, and I got to kick back and relax," noted one visitor to Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with hot, humid summers and cold winters typical of the Illinois climate.
Campers consistently praise the water recreation opportunities available throughout the region. Multiple lakes at Kickapoo State Recreation Area support fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, with equipment rentals available on-site. According to reviews, many campsites offer spacious, level grounds with adequate shade, particularly along the perimeter of camping loops. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with visitors regularly spotting deer and wild turkeys. While many sites include electrical hookups suitable for RVs, the primitive camping areas provide a more secluded experience. Several reviews mention the quality of hiking trails throughout the region, particularly noting the well-marked mountain biking trails at Kickapoo. Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or the local speedway on weekend evenings, which visitors should consider when selecting specific campsites.
"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."
from $10 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This park has very nice hiking trails and a swimming beach. The kids had a great time, and I got to kick back and relax."
"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. "
"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."
"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."
"Short drive from Chicago (3 hours?) and you are in lush forest. You have to pick the right campsite or you will have no cover and big campers on either side of you."
"But close to a good size hill. Not a grass spot. No water hookup. But would recommend. Little store has lots to offer. Gas station and good near by. Fantastic walking trails within a mile or 2 also."
from $20 - $52 / night
Check Availability"Turkey Buzzard RV Park is a quiet, clean, and affordable long-term RV campground in Danville, Illinois."
from $525 / night
"We did forest glen river ridge trail; started from the staff parking lot and walked about 8 miles to the east camp. We had a big group and took sites 3 and 5 because they were on a flatter ground."
"There is a nearby water source but it will need to be filtered. Other things to do...walk in the prairie, hike, climb a tower, play at the playground, picnic, etc... it’s a very nice place to visit."
from $17 - $27 / night
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TravelerThis campground is surrounded by farm land and Off the beaten track. I was one of maybe two or three campers. Electricity at RV sights. Water at dump station. Docks to fish from and watch the birds around the lake.
TravelerLimited Cellular access. I’m the only camper in the camp tonight so I moved close to the camp host since I travel solo. Nice fishing lake.
GuideI enjoyed my stay and loved the various water activities available throughout the park. I had my kayak and had one of the lakes all to myself for an afternoon.
LegendNice halfway point for our road trip to Door County. We stayed here the week after Labor Day. Not sure if park staff had enough time to clean the grounds after the busy holiday weekend… There was a disappointing amount of litter at our site. We had remove the various cans, plastic bottles and ice pack out of our fire ring and the surrounding wooded area was full of more of the same including a full trash bag of garbage. And speaking of full… the pit toilets…There’s a $15 out of state fee above the $25 p/night charge. There’s only one shower for the park so be prepared. The amount of gnats and mosquitoes had us running for cover. The staff we encountered here, we’re cordial and friendly.
ScoutPros: easy to make reservations. Site was huge and shaded. Very pleasant office and grounds staff. Guided to site. Very nice bathrooms and showers. Cons: roads are very rough with potholes and wash outs.
ScoutTurkey Buzzard RV Park is a quiet, clean, and affordable long-term RV campground in Danville, Illinois. The park offers spacious full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and electric, along with convenient month-to-month rentals. Guests appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, easy access to shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and major highways, making it an excellent choice for travel workers, full-time RVers, retirees, and extended stays. If you're looking for a safe, well-maintained RV park in Danville, IL with affordable monthly rates and a welcoming community, Turkey Buzzard RV Park is a great place to call home.
TravelerArrived Saturday before the Fourth of July entire campground was overgrown trash in our site. I picked up at least 15 beer bottle lids from previous camper. No host to be found. Apparently she drives through but doesn’t stay here we were told there was 30 and 50 amp service. It was first come first serve. We were hoping that the next-door camper would leave on the 28th as his card on the mirror said he had to be out by the 28th but he’s still here and it’s the 30th there is no 50 amp anywhere. We looked in several empty campsites and could not find 50 amp anywhere. We were told later that there is no 50 A on this campground. Bathrooms are disgusting. They have a trough for the water to drain out. One shower is out of order the other one the door is hanging by one hinge honestly, I wouldn’t even go to the bathroom in bath houses. Definitely the worst shower house we’ve ever seen in camping all our years. Heavily wooden camp sites with many dead trees still standing the potential for this campground is high. It’s too bad the owners don’t see this. Anybody can drive in at any time we saw two different campers come in spend the night and leave the next day before the checkout building opened. They did not have placed cards on their mirrors so we feel like they were probably squatting. Since the lake, the beach and the public campground is open and not patrolled, there is a lot of Co19mings and goings.
TravelerGreat little campground, decently spaced spots and lots of thoughtful people in a great area. Would def come back if I go through Indiana again. The lady who works in the shack quickly changed my site to one that fits my rv after pulling in and seeing it was way too small. Thanks again ma’am!
ScoutNeeded a place to stay to watch our grandson in a baseball tournament in Rantoul IL. This campground was great. About 10 minutes away. Very quiet and peaceful.
Camping near Collison, Illinois provides access to a mix of prairie and woodland ecosystems across the east-central portion of the state. The Vermilion River watershed shapes many of the camping experiences in this region, with elevations ranging from 500-700 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds remain accessible from April through November, though weather can vary dramatically with summer temperatures often reaching the 90s and high humidity.
Hiking through varied terrain: Forest Glen County Preserve offers trail options for all skill levels with its 12-mile backpacking loop. "The backcountry sites have trash cans and pit toilets for convenience. There is a nearby water source but it will need to be filtered," notes Sally R. about Forest Glen County Preserve.
Paddling and water activities: Multiple canoe launch points provide river access for day trips. "The park has a lake with trail around it for walking. There is a dog area that is fenced in for doggy pleasure and exercise. I would be happy to return here when I could spend more time and maybe wet a line," writes Dave P. about D & W Lake RV Park.
Stargazing: The limited light pollution creates excellent night viewing conditions. "Since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather," explains Rachel about Harry L Swartz Campground.
Spacious campsites: Many locations offer room to spread out. "Campsites are very roomy," confirms Douglas W. about Kickapoo State Recreation Area. The distance between sites at many campgrounds allows for privacy without feeling isolated.
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and showers across multiple locations. "The shower house is older but decent and clean. The showers themselves have a lot of hooks inside to hang your things, and the accessible shower was very thoughtful with a bench and handheld shower head," reports Rachel about Harry L Swartz Campground.
Riverside camping options: Sites along waterways provide natural cooling and recreation. "We had the best view in the campground with a view of the lake," shares Donna T. about Kickapoo State Recreation Area, highlighting the premium waterfront locations that become available when reserved in advance.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking during peak season (May-September). "We weren't able to make a reservation less than 5 days in advance online so we tried to call. No one in the office except Th-Sunday and it was Wednesday," explains Sadie R. about her experience at Harry L Swartz Campground.
Weather considerations: Sudden storms can affect camping conditions, particularly in low-lying areas. "Had a lovely time even with the thunderstorm," notes Janet B. about her stay at Vermilion County Park Forest Glen Preserve, highlighting the importance of proper rain gear and site selection.
Wildlife management: Raccoons are particularly bold at several campgrounds. "Been going to this campground all my life. She's showing her age! This would be a great place for a mower! I use this campground as my initial trip out each year to shakedown the camper for the year," shares Richard R. about Kickapoo State Recreation Area.
Playgrounds and recreational areas: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated kids' spaces. "My boys enjoyed the playground and my wife enjoyed the modern showers. Shades State Park is a great place to unplug and reconnect," writes Micah N. about Shades State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Several locations offer swimming beaches during summer months. "This park has a swimming beach and playground. There are several fishing ponds around the campground and a small swimming area with a beach, playground, mini library, and shower house," explains Rachel about Harry L Swartz Campground.
Trail difficulty ratings: Pay attention to trail ratings when planning hikes with children. "If you want to backpack the 11 mile loop you will need to get a permit from the Ranger in advance," advises Sally R. about Forest Glen County Preserve, noting the permit requirements for longer trails.
Electric hookup availability: Most developed campgrounds offer 30-amp and some 50-amp service. "We paid only $20 for our one night stay. Big, beautiful and well maintained. We had electricity, free showers, topped off our water tank. It's a great deal," shares Rob G. about Kickapoo State Recreation Area.
Site leveling challenges: Many wooded sites require careful positioning. "Sites 40-48 get full sun until around 2 in the afternoon. Luckily it was cool for our visit or we would have melted. Other sites are mostly shaded and beautiful," warns Art S. about Harry L Swartz Campground.
Pull-through accessibility: Check site configurations when booking larger rigs. "Our host brought us around by the swing set to make it an easy pull-through. The utilities worked well and we got 3 bars on Verizon," notes MickandKarla W. about Prairie Pines Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Collison, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Collison, IL is Kickapoo State Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 32 reviews.
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