Princeton is situated in Bureau County where the terrain transitions from prairie flatlands to rolling hills near the Illinois River. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F and cold winters that often drop below freezing. Most camping areas near Princeton offer sites on level ground with varying degrees of shade, though primitive sites along the Hennepin Canal provide the flattest terrain.
What to do
Kayaking the canal system: Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground offers direct access to miles of paddling routes with minimal current. "This is a good spot for an overnight rest but there isn't much more to the amenities than the campsites," notes Art S., who visited in 2022. The canal path is especially accessible for beginners with little current to navigate.
Hiking wooded trails: Starved Rock Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring numerous canyons and bluffs. "The campground is pretty basic. For $25-35 per night, you can get a site with electrical hookup. The east loop has better tree coverage and more privacy," explains Kim L. The best hiking is found 10 minutes away by car at Starved Rock State Park.
Swimming and fishing: Condits Ranch includes a swimming beach and fishing pond on-site. "We did tent camping and the setup was perfect. Huge lot. Fire pit and electric. The small fishing pond, the swimming hole and the clubhouse were great to mix in to keep the youngsters entertained," writes Mike P. The fishing pond requires no license for guests and stocks panfish and catfish.
What campers like
Pine forest camping: Chief Keokuk Campground features a distinctive pine forest setting that stands out among Princeton-area camping options. "It's nestled in a pine forest so if you love hammock camping, this place is perfect. The sites are spread out enough that you don't feel like you are on top of other campers," explains Stacie H. The tall lodgepole pines have no lower branches, creating an open understory.
Private campsites: Several campers mention the spaciousness of sites at Hickory Grove Campground. "Sites were huge and they are all FHU," notes Roxanna L. Another camper adds, "It was just lovely. Owners were like you'd known them forever and eager to help in anyway. Sites were huge and not crammed into one another."
Less crowded alternatives: For those seeking quieter camping experiences than Starved Rock, Hennepin Canal Lock 6 offers a more secluded option. "This was a great little find in the middle of nowhere. We were traveling home after Thanksgiving and we don't like crowded campgrounds. We were in a tent and this was perfect," writes Amy G. The canal locks provide ambient background noise similar to a rushing stream.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Hickory Grove Campground requires advance reservations, especially during summer weekends. "Pretty little campground amongst horse farms and along the Hennepin Canal. Great bike path right out of campsite along the canal," notes Maureen F. Sites near the canal's edge (particularly #30A, #30B, and #34-39) are most popular.
Weather considerations: Flash flooding affects some campgrounds after heavy rains. At Pleasant Creek Campground, one camper reported: "The bulk of the campsites are down in a valley and ours was along the creek. A heavy downpour resulted in water up over our ankles all through the site!"
Bathroom facilities: Toilet availability varies significantly between campgrounds. Most primitive sites along the Hennepin Canal offer vault toilets with no showers. One camper at Hennepin Canal Lock 11 noted: "There is a vault toilet that was well taken care of right next to the site. These are 'walk in' sites since you have to park in lot, but the sites are within 20 to 50 yards of the lot."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lasalle/Peru KOA offers family-friendly amenities including a pool and playground. "Beautiful spot for our single overnight. Staff were great; friendly and helpful. Park was well kept, with lots of green around RV and tent sites. Nice pool, dog park, store, and even a stream system that wanders through the park," reports Chris S.
Beach swimming: Condits Ranch provides a swimming area that's safer for children than the canal. "It's a nice place with a beach and playground for the kids. Seems pretty large. They have a general store with necessities like milk etc, and extras like movies to borrow, and swag to purchase," notes Ryan L.
Trail difficulty: When hiking with kids at Starved Rock, bring trail mix for energy boosts on steep climbs. "People get down on Illinois. And I get it. It's a typical Midwest state and it's mostly pretty flat. But...then there's Starved Rock! We enjoyed a quick trail mix snack at the bottom of the steep inclines. Gave the kiddos the energy they needed to make it to the top," suggests Brannon M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When camping at Starved Rock, sites 96 and 97 receive positive reviews for privacy and pad size. "For a 30 ft travel trailer, our campsite has just enough room for our slide out and awning. The fire pit was well placed and had a grate for cooking," notes one reviewer.
Dump station timing: Go early to avoid lines at popular campgrounds. At Starved Rock, one camper reported: "Took about 45 min for us to dump being 5th in line at 10:30am." Most campgrounds with dump stations experience the highest traffic between 9-11 am on checkout days.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have challenging road configurations. At Pleasant Creek Campground, a reviewer cautioned: "To get up to the sites, it's a one way up and down road. Hopefully no one else is coming the opposite direction. The dump station was also up a one way in/out hill. You had to make a tight U-turn coming down from your site to get up to it."
