Best Tent Camping near Custer Park, IL
Several tent camping options surround Custer Park, Illinois, with Frederick's Grove at McKinley Woods offering tent-only sites accessible by hiking or walking in. The campground sits along the Illinois and Michigan Canal, providing riverside tent camping opportunities. Channahon State Park Campground offers year-round tent sites with walk-in access, while Davis Creek Campground at Kankakee River State Park provides walk-in tent camping opportunities along the river.
Most tent sites in this area require campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas to designated camping spots. Frederick's Grove features four tent sites, with two having concrete pads for ADA accessibility. Potable water is available at several campgrounds, though the water at Frederick's Grove was described as "drinkable, but cloudy" in visitor feedback. Vault toilets or portable restrooms serve most locations, with no shower facilities at the primitive tent sites. Picnic tables and fire rings are standard at established sites, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Many campgrounds have gates that close early, sometimes at 8 PM during summer months.
The tent camping experience varies across locations in the region. A visitor noted, "The sites are far apart, with #1 being the shadiest and most secluded but uneven." Many of the tent sites provide direct access to the I&M Canal towpath, making them excellent basecamp options for hikers and cyclists. Riverside locations offer fishing opportunities, with one camper reporting catching numerous stripers. Morning noise from motorboats can be heard at waterfront sites. The tent-only areas typically receive less traffic than nearby RV campgrounds, offering more seclusion for tent campers. Wildlife viewing opportunities include owls and various birds, with nighttime sounds typically limited to distant trains and natural noises at most primitive tent sites.