Princeton, Illinois sits near several established campgrounds offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Starved Rock State Park Campground, approximately 15 miles southwest of Princeton, features electric hookups, showers, and tent and RV sites with amenities like picnic tables and drinking water. Hennepin Canal parkway presents multiple primitive camping areas along its waterway, including Lock 6, Lock 11, Lock 21, and Lock 22 campgrounds. Private options include Condits Ranch in Putnam and Hickory Grove Campground in Sheffield, both providing full-hookup RV sites and cabin accommodations with more extensive amenities.
Most primitive camping along the Hennepin Canal operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Campsites cost approximately $8 per night, collected by rangers who occasionally patrol the area. While developed campgrounds like Starved Rock require reservations, especially during peak summer months, primitive canal sites rarely fill to capacity. The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal changes, with campgrounds generally open from spring through fall, though some remain accessible year-round. As noted in one review, "Camping at the Canal is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no set check-in or check-out times. The Canal's site security officer makes rounds to each campsite to collect camping fees, in-person."
Visitors frequently mention the Hennepin Canal as an appealing feature for paddling and fishing. Several campgrounds provide direct water access for boats and kayaks, with multiple primitive sites positioned along the canal's edge. Hennepin Canal Lock 21 receives positive feedback for its spacious layout and equestrian facilities. Hickory Grove Campground earns praise for its large sites, with one camper noting, "Sites were huge and they are all FHU." Privacy varies significantly between locations - developed campgrounds like Condits Ranch offer family-friendly amenities including swimming areas and a general store, while canal-side primitive sites provide minimal facilities but greater solitude. Public bathrooms at primitive sites typically consist of vault toilets, while larger campgrounds feature shower houses and more extensive facilities.
$25 - $35 / night
"Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"
"Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."
$8 / night
"Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights."
"Located literally just a few stone’s throw due west of the tiny town of Wyanet, which is just a few miles west of better-known Princeton, you will access this little spec of undisturbed primitive camping"
"This campground is located just north of Kewanee, Illinois. It has a lake with seasonal canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals and a cafe."
"Had the tent section nearest the to the lake to ourselves (site 100). This was great since we had a reactive dog, so it being not crowded was perfect!"
"camping options are only offered on a first-come, first-served basis or the rustic elements you will find when camping at any one of these spots, one thing is for certain: if you planned to truly ‘get away from"
$8 - $20 / night
"But we looked around with a flashlight and it seemed good! So we built a fire and stayed the night."
"We had a wonderful time around the canal with our main issues being luck."
$50 / night
"Condit’s Ranch is family friendly and away from it all. Sue and the staff could not be nicer. We did tent camping and the setup was perfect. Huge lot. Fire pit and electric. "
"Located just due north of Sheffield, right off I80 (2 miles to be exact), and due west of Princeton by about 20 minutes, Hickory Grove Campground, on the one hand, is so far off the grid that you will"
"Great bike path right out of campsite along the canal. Nice to get some exercise on a long road trip."
"Within LaSalle County or for that matter, the whole of north central Illinois, I don’t know of any other privately run, multi-campground locations like Pleasant Creek that offers a total of 6 separate,"
"There is a nice pavilion, a game room/club house, basketball court, fishing pond, firewood for sale, and a few short trails."
"Everything in the campground is within walking distance. They have a dishwashing sink and garbage cans every 30-50 feet. Convenient. Bathrooms and showers are super clean. Recommend for sure."
"It’s adjacent a large field so you do get some wind and the occasional sound of farm equipment…but there’s a lot of nice spots."
ScoutIt’s a nice place river views, even beaches at the river a path in the woods that are also 4 wheel paths lots of fun there. The bad part is there water is bad not even reg rv filters last one day. My white shower when I left was orange I was there for 4 days. Everyone is laid back no hurry to do anything
LegendTucked along Pine Creek within the beautiful White Pines Forest State Park, Fox Canyon Youth Campground offers group-oriented camping amidst towering white pine groves and woodland trails. This Class B/S campground accepts families and youth groups predominantly with tent sites in mind with just a few electric hookups available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are easily made through ExploreMoreIL™, and the campground features limited amenities like a shared restroom (without showers) and potable water stations. Located a short drive from the main loop, Fox Canyon brings the creek and the forest straight to your tent door.
Camping here feels peaceful and rustic, with sprawling forest scenes, quiet pine-shaded groves and the occasional creek-side birdsong. The youth camping area naturally encourages camaraderie, group activities and nature exploration and while not necessarily ‘big, wide-open, wild wilderness,’ but rather a beautiful, forested retreat with functional infrastructure intact. Nearby, you’re only minutes from classic park features like the CCC-built lodge, picnic areas, trails and those iconic creek fords that make arrivals feel like outdoor-grade mini adventurers.
Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) For a solid group setup, position yourselves beside Pine Creek as it is both scenic and ideal for activity hubs; (2) Bring all your water containers full or you’ll need to fetch from communal hydrants, which I would suggest bringing a filter; (3) Be sure to walk the nearby accessible trail or the Pine Creek ford as it’s easy, beautiful and a talk-starter for younger campers; (4) Keep an eye on weather and creek levels as during heavy rains, the fords close and the campground may become cut off; (5) Post-camp meal? Visit the park’s rustic lodge restaurant for its Friday Night Fish Fry or Saturday Night Prime Rib specials otherwise order up the signature meatloaf or chicken fried steak during the week otherwise, you’ll need to drive a bit further afar for decent grub, where I recommend a stop in nearby Polo at either Dad’s Bar & Brill (aka Pinecricker Café) or the Dogwood Inn.
Happy Camping!
LegendSet on a serene 105-acre site perched above the Illinois River valley, Great Oaks Camp delivers an atmosphere of peaceful serenity blended with purposeful programming. First impressions are warm and welcoming with well-kept grounds, cabins, tent camping spots and lodges arranged thoughtfully, with a sense of intentional space that beckons people to settle in, reflect and connect.
The facility includes multiple lodging options for larger groups including Poplar Lodge that sleeps up to 60 guests across four dorm rooms, complete with a small kitchen and a fireside meeting room with TV/DVD. Hickory Lodge houses 20 people with two dorm rooms, couches and its own meeting area. Stafford Chapel offers two cabins sleeping up to 20 campers each, plus a large multipurpose room equipped for presentations. Eagle Nest and Turkey Roost cabins offer 16–20 beds in comfortable bunk setups, ideal for combined retreats. All buildings are heated and air-conditioned, with fully equipped bathrooms and showers.
Group activities are abundant and included at no additional charge. You can access archery, canoeing, paddle boats, fishing, disc golf, swimming, basketball, sand volleyball, Gaga ball, hiking, field games, high ropes, paintball, challenge initiatives and even an escape room. Meeting spaces like Pine Tree Lodge (with its commercial kitchen) ensure that meals are satisfying and communal. Free firewood is provided too.
Insider Tips? Here you go: (1) For large groups, consider reserving Poplar Lodge and Stafford Chapel together, offering both comfort and flexible meeting space; (2) If your group enjoys outdoor challenges, the high ropes course and escape room are standout features and make for great group bonding; (3) Pine Tree Lodge is ideal for meal prep or rainy-day hangouts as it’s got a commercial kitchen, card tables, and plenty of room; (4) Bring athletic gear as even casual games are covered: disc golf, volleyball, basketball and Gaga ball fields are included; (5) Rates include food, firewood and nearly all activities, which is great for budget planning and simplifying logistics; and (6) For meals outside camp or a short nature walk, consider heading into nearby Lacon where you’ll find a small host of restaurants like Wildey’s Country Diner, Mr. Mike’s Place, FroSmokes Meatery and Rita’s Kitchen & Bar all serving up delectable Midwestern staples.
Happy Camping!
GuideMay 15-20, 2025
Easy check in, empty on Thursday, site 47 Is full sun and level.
Not much shade in the western sites, plenty of grass, pads are gravel, mostly even. ADA sites are concrete. Site 49 and 51 have some shade. The eastern sites are wooded, narrow and secluded cept for a few near the shower house.
Electric was 20&30amp, newer metal fire pit with adjustable ring. Large wooden table. Pit toilets are ADA compatible, shower house has 2 showers, 2 stalls and urinal. Push button with good pressure and heat.
Cellular, T-Mobile 5G 2 bars outside, 3 bars LTE inside camper.
The Hosts were great, and very helpful. The campground overall is old and could use an upgrade. The toilets, showers, and playground, although the youth area has a newer area for the kids.
The park could use more water fill stations and there are two spots for dumping but only one septic hole. Trash dumpsters are located away from the camping area which makes for a nice walk in the evening.
TravelerWe had a wonderful time around the canal with our main issues being luck. On our first day there we were stalked and approached by some people who seemed to be on drugs, however we moved up the canal to a different campground and all seemed fine afterwards until our fishing poles were stolen at the new spot.
RangerGood for an overnight. Long term residents. Stayed in 42’ 5th wheel
LegendBecause of it's layout, you never get a true sense of how big the whole campground is (50 acres). The largest and most open area is on top of the hill (the Highlands) but there are other areas that are shadier and more close to nature (Alcove way, Creekside, Oak Grove, the Glades).
Depending on the time of year, the creek may not be running, but the fishing pond is always full. Many activities in well maintained areas. It's a new campground and the general store hasn't built up much inventory yet. The firewood is dry and burns well.
Fire pits are basic steel circles, bring your own grill.
There's one central restroom with showers, clean and spacious, but it can be a walk from some areas (long hills too).
There are small cabins for rent and long-term sites are available.
GuideWater was available on my visit 10-7 thru 10-10. The place is clean and well kept, including the pit toilets. Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights.
ScoutNice Short walks in the woods. You can link trails together to go farther. Some signs for cross country ski trails. Most of the sites are not flat and one in front of the other so be prepared for that. If you go after harvest be prepared to hear a grain dryer or other from the farm nearby all day and night. There’s a train you might hear a couple times in the night. Pretty quiet otherwise for other campers. Shower house had nice hot water. Restaurant was nice for dinner. The gift shop is cute. Looks like they have a dinner and show around the holidays at the restaurant. They could use extra signs to say where camping is right when you pull in otherwise you’ll end up at the restaurant or some better signs in the campground. Overall we will be back to select sites select times of year.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Princeton, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Princeton, IL is Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 100 reviews.
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