Campsite options near Pekin, Illinois include several primitive and walk-in sites that contrast with the more developed facilities along the river. The region features sandy terrain in some areas, with Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area offering a secluded tent camping experience in an open field bordered by forest. Water levels in fishing areas can fluctuate seasonally, affecting both fishing conditions and mosquito activity during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trail exploration: Sand Ridge State Forest offers unique terrain with sandy paths and unexpected vegetation. A camper noted, "You can even spot some cacti out there, which is a site when you're in the Midwest." The forest has "many miles of hiking so you can hike as much of as little as you like" with options for backpacking to remote campsites.
Lake fishing: Comlara County Park provides multiple fishing access points around Evergreen Lake. "There is a spot that a person could get a kayak or canoe into the water but I opted to use the dock. The dock was just a short walk away. It's very cool that the folks at Comlara put that dock there for the tent campers to use," wrote one visitor who stayed at a rustic tent site.
Wildlife observation: Jubilee College State Park offers prairie conservation areas and wooded sections with diverse wildlife. One camper mentioned, "The viewing of stars is incredible," making it ideal for night sky watching. Another reviewer shared a more unusual wildlife encounter: "at about midnight there were at least 3 bobcats snarling and growling near our tents and then they circled our tents, sniffing them."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded options away from crowded RV areas. At Millpoint Park, "all sites are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks" with "excellent shade that is provided everywhere." The campground's layout ensures campers don't feel cramped, with "spacious sites and well-distanced" accommodations.
Affordable prices: Basic tent camping areas provide budget-friendly options. A visitor to Pine Campground remarked, "It's about 3 hours from Chicago, so I like to hit it up for a quick get-away to avoid paying Wisconsin prices." The primitive camping setup offers good value while still providing essential amenities.
Water access: Many campsites offer direct water access for boating and fishing. A reviewer at Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area described it as "a quiet place in an open field surrounded by forest" with good fishing opportunities on a "long and shallow" lake, including fishing from boats and road pullouts.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have mineral-rich water that requires filtering or bottled alternatives. At Millpoint Park, "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you."
Insects can be intense: Central Illinois summer camping requires proper preparation for biting insects. A camper advised, "If you haven't camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay."
Limited cell service: Several campsites have poor or non-existent mobile connectivity. At Kentuckiana Campground, a visitor noted, "There is no cell/LTE reception out here (Sprint or Verizon). We drove to Casey's for a pizza and got a small cell signal there. If you like to watch movies, I recommend bringing a DVD player since you likely won't be able to stream Netflix etc."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Kentuckiana Campground offers extensive children's recreation areas. A visitor described, "Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler," making it particularly suitable for families with young children who need entertainment options.
Quieter camping sections: For families seeking peace, Jubilee College State Park Campground provides a tranquil setting. A camper mentioned, "This campground is our 'go-to' when we need a last minute getaway from city life. Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies."
Tent camping accessibility: Some parks offer tent sites that don't require extensive hiking. At Comlara County Park, "The rustic tent sites are located on the opposite side of the lake from the RV's in an area called White Oak. These sites are the way to go for privacy. It was roughly a quarter-mile hike to site 14, where I stayed."
Tips from RVers
Overnight convenience: For RVers passing through, Walmart - Peoria Supercenter provides a convenient stopover point. A reviewer advised, "If lots of ping-pong match-style traffic doesn't dissuade you from parking here, then you'll be treated to a decent ton of amenities as you are situated within a massive retail complex that is surrounded by other big box retailers."
Seasonal availability: Winter camping options exist but with limited facilities. A visitor to Pine Campground shared, "We spent Christmas 2020 here! We camped in spot B4. One of the park staff stopped by. He was super nice, and offered some great info for future visits. Toilets were open, and he did mention we could still use the water spigot!"
Site selection considerations: Carl Spindler Campground offers varied RV options with different levels of hookups. "Site sizes are, for the most part, very generous and can accommodate a large RV and extra vehicle/s. Some are very close to each other (beach and overflow) and there is no physical separation between them. Each site has one (or two) picnic tables and a fire ring."
