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Tent Camping near Danville, IL

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    Western Indiana offers several tent camping options within an hour's drive of Danville, Illinois. Lake Waveland Park in Waveland, Indiana stands out as a popular destination for tent campers, with both primitive and modern sites available. The park operates seasonally from May 15 to October 15 and accommodates walk-in tent camping. Covered Bridge State Forest Retreat, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Danville, provides additional tent camping opportunities with walk-in access. Attica Family Campground, situated about 45 miles northwest of Danville, rounds out the regional tent camping options.

    Primitive tent sites at Lake Waveland Park don't require reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers should arrive early, especially on weekends, as sites fill quickly. The primitive camping area is located past the shower house where the road bends left and downhill. Sites are not clearly marked but are identifiable by picnic tables and sometimes fire rings. The grounds are well-maintained with regularly mowed grass. Facilities include showers, restrooms, and drinking water, though some infrastructure may need updating. Most tent sites include picnic tables, and many have fire rings.

    The tent camping experience at Lake Waveland Park offers considerable space and privacy. According to reviews, "Camp sites seem more spread out here compared to most state parks," making it ideal for tent campers seeking more room. The primitive sites are described as "very secluded and quiet" by frequent visitors. The park's location provides convenient access to nearby natural attractions, including Sugar Creek, Turkey Run State Park, and Shades State Park. Bird watching opportunities abound, with one camper noting, "This is a lovely space with lots of birds to observe." The lake offers fishing opportunities for tent campers looking to supplement their outdoor activities. While the park lacks hiking trails, the spacious grounds and peaceful atmosphere make it a solid backcountry tent camping alternative near Danville.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Danville (3)

      1. Lake Waveland Park

      3.6(10)33mi from DanvilleTents

      "Nice clean park in west-central Indiana that has a lake and a large number of camping sites along with restrooms and showers."

      "There are dozens of sites here, drive past the shower house where road bends to the left and down hill."

      from $25 - $40 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Attica Family Campground

      Be the first to review20mi from DanvilleTents

      3. Covered Bridge State Forest Retreat

      Be the first to review27mi from DanvilleTents, Cabins

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    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Danville, IL

    1 Photos of 3 Danville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers


    Tent Camping Reviews near Danville, IL

    367 Reviews of 3 Danville Campgrounds

    • Kevin M.
      Oct. 12, 2026

      Off The Trail Campground

      Great place for Jeeping

      Spent the weekend at a campground that’s a little different from the places we typically stay, and it was a fun change of pace!

      Off the Trail Campground in Attica, Indiana, is located on the same property as Badlands Off Road Park, home to a Jeep Badge of Honor trail. The park offers trails for Jeeps, dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides, with a huge variety of terrain to explore. From a rock quarry and river trails to tight, technical wooded trails and sand dunes, there’s something for just about every off-road enthusiast.

      For our stay, we booked a buddy site, which provides a large shared grassy area with a fire pit and multiple picnic tables. Each site has full hookups with 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer. The campground also has a nice office store and a very clean bathhouse with showers.

      One thing to keep in mind is that this campground is part of an active off-road park. There’s quite a bit of traffic, and you’ll hear loud vehicles throughout the day and into the evening. If you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful camping getaway, this might not be the best fit.

      However, if you’re a Jeep or 4x4 enthusiast, you’ll probably love it! It’s a lot of fun watching all the different rigs come and go, and the access to so much off-road terrain makes this campground a unique place to stay.

      Overall, it was a different kind of camping experience for us, but one that’s definitely worth considering if you enjoy off-roading!

    • Jake C.The Dyrt Admin User
      Oct. 12, 2026

      Kickapoo State Recreation Area

      We stayed in the Sauk Primitive sites, which was definitely the quietest part of the park. The Miami & Illini loops had a lot more going on with families and big RVs. In October, the park overall was about 60% full, but we got our site as a walk-in. NOTE: No reservations less than 3-days in advance, after that it becomes Fist-come First-serve on available sites. So book Monday if you want to secure a site.

    • GThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Walnut Point State Park Campground

      Small forested campground on fishing lake

      This 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.

    • GThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 20, 2026

      Walnut Point State Park Campground

      I used my Starlink mini

      Limited 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.

    • Charlie Y.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 19, 2026

      Prophetstown State Park Campground

      Cross country travelers

      Last minute late evening online reservation.....Arrived about 900pm...There was still someone at the gate house to check us in.....very nice park staff....clean, safe,secure...elec/water hookup...dump station in park....nice level site although somewhat challenging to back into in the dark. Only downside is the Indiana entrance fee of I think $18(good for a year) on top of site rental....We're from out of state heading back to East coast so it's doubtful we'll be able to use our entrance fee during the next year....nice large sites, hardly any campers near our site. I would camp here again if ever in the area.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 13, 2026

      Kickapoo State Recreation Area

      Water Activities

      I 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.

    • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 12, 2026

      Shades State Park Campground

      Nice, but….

      Nice 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.

    • Beth M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 14, 2026

      Tin Cup RV Park

      Nice overnight

      Pros: 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.

    • Dan L.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 3, 2026

      Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area

      Site 293, Raccoon Lake (Cecil M. Harden Lake), IN

      50A service, no water or sewer at the site. Fill your fresh tank on the way in. There’s a dump station on the property, so emptying on the way out is easy.

      Site is mostly level with partial shade. The approach is the one thing to watch: 293 isn’t angled off the road, so it’s a tighter back-in than most. We’re towing a 33’ Airstream Classic and made it first try with no issues, so bigger rigs can absolutely get in here. Just take it slow. Once parked, there’s plenty of room, and the spacing between sites is better than most state park campgrounds we’ve stayed in. Bathhouse is only a few sites down.

      Cell signal ran about 2 bars. We’re on Starlink so it didn’t matter, but plan accordingly if you work from the road.

      Park staff are the highlight. Stephanie checked us in and could not have been more accommodating. Friendly, quick, genuinely helpful.

    Guide to Danville

    Tent camping near Danville, Illinois provides access to several state parks and public recreation areas within a 60-mile radius. Western Indiana campgrounds are particularly accessible, with most open from mid-spring through mid-fall. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with occasional thunderstorms common from June through September.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: Lake Waveland Park offers a popular fishing lake where campers can catch several species. "If fishing is your way of relaxing, you should have a good time here," notes Randy A. about the park's fishing options.

    Beach access: Lake Waveland Park maintains a swimming beach during summer months for campers seeking water recreation beyond fishing. According to nicole B., "They do have a beach. A few cabins for rent. Fireworks in July and Halloween for the whole family in October."

    Birdwatching: The expansive grounds at Lake Waveland Park provide habitat for numerous bird species, making it ideal for wildlife observation. One camper notes, "This is a lovely space with lots of birds to observe" while exploring the primitive camping areas.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: The generous spacing between campsites at Lake Waveland Park receives consistent positive feedback. "Lake Waveland's grounds crew does a very good job keeping the property in order... and that's no small task, there is a TON of green space on this property!" shares Randy A.

    Peaceful atmosphere: The quiet environment ranks highly among tent campers visiting the area. "Small but peaceful campground. Well worth the time spent here," writes Douglas W. about his Lake Waveland experience.

    Well-maintained grounds: Regular maintenance keeps the camping areas in good condition throughout the season. Katie R. confirms this with her simple assessment: "Really well maintained grounds."

    What you should know

    Arrival timing: Primitive tent sites at Lake Waveland operate on first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. "The site fills up pretty fast so come early. No need to pay because it is first come first serve," advises kevin T..

    Site identification: Primitive sites at Lake Waveland aren't clearly marked with site numbers. "The sites aren't marked, but are indicated by picnic table and fire ring, though fire rings are not always present."

    Infrastructure condition: Some facilities may show signs of age. "Not fancy, some updating of infrastructure is due. I would keep this on list as decent stop," notes William David S. about the current state of amenities.

    Tips for camping with families

    Seasonal events: Attica Family Campground and other area campgrounds host special events during peak season. Lake Waveland Park offers "Fireworks in July and Halloween for the whole family in October."

    Site selection: For families requiring more amenities, consider the modern sites. "As for the modern the best part is sites include water and electric. They need more spots for those long campers. Lots of pop up size sites."

    Shade considerations: Many electric sites offer good tree cover, important during hot summer days. "The majority of electric sites are well shaded and there are endless opportunities to pitch a tent."

    Tips from RVers

    Size restrictions: Larger RVs may find limited options at Covered Bridge State Forest Retreat and similar campgrounds. Nicole B. points out that at Lake Waveland there are "lots of pop up size sites. Trees need cut or maintained."

    Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups are available at modern sites, but not all campgrounds offer full service connections. "They do have a bunch of primitive! As for the modern the best part is sites include water and electric."

    Site spacing: RV sites tend to have more space between them compared to typical state parks. "Camp sites seem more spread out here compared to most state parks."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Danville, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Danville, IL is Lake Waveland Park with a 3.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Danville, IL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Danville, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.