Best Camping near Durand, IL

Join the fun near Durand. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Durand, IL. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Durand, IL (94)

    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground

    1. Rock Cut State Park Campground

    76 Reviews
    228 Photos
    258 Saves
    Machesney Park, Illinois

    Located 10 miles northeast of Rockford, Rock Cut State Park is a 3,100-acre recreation area that encompasses two natural grasslands, a natural creek area, a nature preserve and 162-acre Pierce Lake. The area was designated a state park in 1957 as a way of preserving a local polititian’s favorite fishing hole. Prior to this, the park and wider area has a long history of Native American residence, including the Mascouten, the Winnegabo, and the Chippewa. With abundant water and preserved natural areas, the park now supports a thriving habitat for local birds, fish and wildlife. And with year-round camping and outdoor activities, you can experience the many seasonal sides the park has to offer.

    The campground at Rock Cut provides 270 sites that can accommodate tent campers, as well as RV and trailer campers up to 40 feet. Back-in sites are mostly grassy and equipped with picnic tables, cooking grills and electrical hookups. The campground provides water faucets, restrooms, showers, and a dump station; the water and dump station are not available November through April. One of the park’s multiuse trails runs right through the campground, and provides access to the larger trail network. Most of the campground’s facilities are ADA accessible. Dogs are permitted in the park, but must remain leashed; alcohol is not permitted.

    For recreating in temperate seasons, more than 40 miles of hiking, cycling and equestrian trails allow you to explore the park’s woodlands and prairies. These are ideal ways to observe some of the local birds, animals, and wildflowers. For fun on the water, paddle around in a canoe or kayak, take a dip at Olsen Beach, or go fishing for some of the lake’s largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, pike and walleye. Several picnic areas throughout the park are ideal for group or family gatherings. In the snowy season, many of the park’s trails are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with gear rentals available. For more family fun in the area, check out the nearby Volcano Falls Adventure Park.

    For those who want to include an overnight stay in their visit to Rock Cut, the campgrounds provide electricity at the site, water hydrants at the beginning of each camping loop, sanitary dump stations, showers, toilets, a boat launch and playground equipment. There are 210 Class A Premium sites and 60 Class B/S Premium sites. There is also a primitive cabin (it has electricity, but does not have water or plumbing facilities).

    From November - April, only electricity is available; there is no access to water or dump station.

    Equestrian camping is restricted to a site on Hart Road, is only available on a first-come, first-served basis and the Ranger will collect the fee at your site in the evening.

    Rock Cut is an alcohol-free park and campground, and this rule is strictly enforced.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $12 - $50 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Crazy Horse Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Crazy Horse Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Crazy Horse Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Crazy Horse Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Crazy Horse Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Crazy Horse Campground

    2. Crazy Horse Campground

    15 Reviews
    35 Photos
    81 Saves
    Evansville, Wisconsin

    Crazy Horse Campground is a family campground located along the banks of the beautiful Sugar River in Brodhead, Wisconsin. You can enjoy tubing, canoeing, kayaking (we have rentals and shuttles), or fishing on the river. Our heated pool, mini-golf, jumping pillow and skate park give you several fun options, as well as weekly activities that are planned all season long for your family’s holiday recreation.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar River Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar River Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar River Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar River Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar River Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar River Forest Preserve

    3. Sugar River Forest Preserve

    8 Reviews
    51 Photos
    65 Saves
    Durand, Illinois
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Lowden State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lowden State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lowden State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lowden State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lowden State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lowden State Park Campground

    4. Lowden State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    63 Photos
    77 Saves
    Oregon, Illinois
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $10 - $20 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from White Pines Forest State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Pines Forest State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Pines Forest State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Pines Forest State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Pines Forest State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    5. White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    32 Photos
    81 Saves
    Mount Morris, Illinois

    Rock River Valley is home to 385 acres of paradisiacal forest, perfect for weekend getaways and family recreation. White Pines Forest State Park offers a serene backdrop for an ideal camping trip, smack dab in the heart of the vast rolling forest and dramatic Illinois bluffs. Featuring modern camp facilities, as well as up-to-date lodging, it’s easy to see why one might consider taking a voyage here. Not only are the amenities plentiful, the local geography is pretty stunning too. Gentle creek beds run against rich earthy banks through the park’s mossy cliffs and dangling vines. During the spring, wildflowers become plentiful, as trout lily, bloodroot, spring beauty, hepatica, and more all blossom into full bloom.

    One of the most notable features of the park is a concrete ford which spans across the creeks. This enables drivers to pull directly up to the creek bed, and drive through the various streams. There’s even an accessible path leading straight to the bank for those interested in checking out the wildlife or taking advantage of the fishing nearby.

    It goes without saying that picnicking is extremely popular here. In fact, there are over 100 campsites that feature their own picnic area, as well as various benches and clearings placed strategically throughout the park.

    Thanks to the variety of campsite options, it’s really easy to find camping here at any time of year. White Pines is unique in that it boasts Class B/S Campsites vehicle access and spacious shower/flush buildings nearby. There are also 3 electric sites, however they are non-reservable. Likewise, group campgrounds cannot be reserved so be sure to wake up early for priority camping!

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve

    6. Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve

    7 Reviews
    27 Photos
    51 Saves
    Pecatonica, Illinois

    Life preservers are required for boating in the rivers. Swimming is prohibited.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $15 - $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from New Glarus State Park Campground

    8. New Glarus State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    31 Photos
    48 Saves
    New Glarus, Wisconsin
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $15 - $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA

    9. Milton-Madison SE KOA

    16 Reviews
    25 Photos
    50 Saves
    Edgerton, Wisconsin
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Hononegah Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Hononegah Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Hononegah Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Hononegah Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Hononegah Forest Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Hononegah Forest Preserve

    10. Hononegah Forest Preserve

    6 Reviews
    17 Photos
    75 Saves
    Rockton, Illinois

    Hononegah is FPWC’s oldest preserve and one of its most popular. Purchased in 1924, the preserve is located on the north bank of the Rock River and bisected by Dry Run Creek. The preserve was once a camping area of Stephen Mack, the county’s first European settler, and Hononegah, his Native American wife. Upon entering the preserve, visitors will enjoy the drive over the Rainbow Bridge and up into the cool maple grove. The campground has campsites interspersed in a mature stand of white oaks and hickories. A launch for fishing boat access to the Rock River is available. Hononegah’s majestic woods make it a popular spot to enjoy fall color displays and woodland wildflowers in spring. There will be limited sites available with electric at Hononegah Campground for the 2021 season. No reservations available at this time. Campsites at Hononegah Campground are on a first-come first-served basis (please register with the campground host or in the absence of a host, please use the self-registration station). Cash or Check Only at Campground

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $11 - $31 / night

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Showing results 1-10 of 94 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Durand

Recent Reviews in Durand

607 Reviews of 94 Durand Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hansen's Hideaway Ranch and Family Campground
    Nov. 16, 2024

    Hansen's Hideaway Ranch and Family Campground

    Out-N-Da-Boondocks Working Ranch Camping Experience

    Ever dreamt of working / living / camping on an actual working horse ranch?  Then you've arrived at the perfect spot.  As my post from a bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update:

    Highlights: (1) Great hiking and kayaking in nearby Rock Cut State Park & George Fell Nature Preserve; (2) Supreme amount of peace & quiet; (3) Authentic feeling like you are actually on a working horse farm; (4) Sites are spacious and nicely shaded; (5) Excellent, well-maintained amenities like a game room, arcade, playground, small swimming pond, clean restroom & showers; (6) Very friendly and welcoming CG staff; and (7) Ample space to wander around and get lost in nature

    Lowlights: (1) This CG is very remote; (2) There is nothing nearby to either stock up on supplies or grab a bite to eat, so when you come here, bring everything with you that you’ll need

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground
    Nov. 15, 2024

    Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground

    Primitive Equestrian Camping in the Prairies

    Located just northwest of the little hamlet called Franklin Grove, which is just due north of Ronald Reagan’s birthplace in Dixon, Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground is ideal if you are one of those primitive campers who want to take their noble steed(s) with them for the night in order to gallup along some pretty amazing horse-friendly trails. While there’s not a lot in the way of amenities here, if you need a post to tie up your horse, a round-about where they can go for countless circle walks along with plenty of hay to keep them fed, then this location might just be ideal for you.

    What I enjoyed most about Franklin Creek State Natural Area is the 882 acres of fresh prairieland that feels fairly untouched and ready for some eager exploration. There’s several small natural springs completely shadowed by endless forests of hardwoods along with all of the natural fauna that you would expect in these parts like gray and fox squirrels, white-tailed deer, racoons, chipmunks, beavers and opossums. If you’re a bird watcher, you’ll enjoy the flycatchers, warblers, and woodpeckers, vireos as well as barn and horned-rim owls. And according to the information I found on-site, there’s more than 19 species of fish that you can find in the fresh water streams, creeks and rivers here.

    From an amenities standpoints, while you will find 4 picnic shelters (Bartlett, Sunday, Banker and Hausen-Knox, all of which can be reserved), restrooms, potable drinking water, stand-up grills and fire pits, there is very little in the way of amenities in the actual equestrian campground apart from water spigots with a picnic shelter, restrooms, running water, show area and the occasional picnic table. The equestrian trails offer more than 12 miles of horse hoofing fun and the terrain is heavily forested with just slight variable grades increasing and decreasing around fairly easy-to-maneuver turns. You’ll also discover that there is a very nice stream here that the kids will love jumping across and / or wading in searching for crawdads or small fish.

    What you’ll enjoy most about being here, apart from the peace & quiet as well as the abundance of serenity is that this place has a really nice connection with history as it features a fully functioning grist mill that goes all the way back to early Americana where corn meal and wheat flour were made from the stream currents of water passing by that would fuel the grist mill. On weekends, you can actually take the kids to this site, located just 70 yards west of the Equestrian Campground for a super-cool interactive exhibition. Other activities here that you can access include an archery range, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, hunting and even snowmobiling.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Should you get tired of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or on-board RV mini-fridge, then you are in luck as with in the nearby town of Franklin Grove, given its very small population of just slightly more than 1,000 souls shouldn’t have many restaurants (let alone stop lights), but thankfully for your sake, it does. Apart from the Casey’s gas station, which actually serves up some pretty awesome pizza believe it or not, there’s 3 proper restaurants all serving ‘down home Midwestern comfort food’ that are each pretty delectable: Lincoln Way Café, Rooney’s and Rev on 38; (2) If you are looking to explore a slice of history in these parts and the grist mill just isn’t your thing, head due west to Dixon where you can go explore the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan. There’s also nearby Chaplin Creek Historic Village featuring an old salt box farmhouse as well as a one room school, which will take you back to the late 1800s before the world knew modernization and technology; (3) Although the trail hiking at Franklin Creek State Natural Area are very good, should you be on the hunt for much more challenging trail hiking or biking, then head on over to either White Pines Forest State Park or Castle Rock State Park, both of which are only about a 20 minute drive from here and offer very large areas to explore; (4) Should you come with kayak or canoe and are looking for some good challenging currents to get some excellent oar-rowing in, you will struggle to find that here at Franklin Creek State Natural Area, so I highly recommend towing your watercraft over to the banks of the Rock River where you will be richly rewarded; and (5) When you are ready to book this particular equestrian campground, just go to the IL SP site to book it: https://camp.exploremoreil.com/location/221.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Northwoods RV Resort
    Nov. 13, 2024

    Northwoods RV Resort

    New Campground Scent Emanates From this Freshly Minted RV Outpost

    My first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.

    Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.

    Happy Camping!

  • Jonathan J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lowden State Park Campground
    Nov. 3, 2024

    Lowden State Park Campground

    Just Ok

    The rustic campground was closed for winter. The main campground was half closed off also. Everyone was funneled in to one area so there was no privacy. The statue was pretty cool though.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mendota County Park
    Oct. 28, 2024

    Mendota County Park

    Nice lakefront park but can be buggy!

    General: Small county park campground (28 sites) located on Lake Mendota 

    Site Quality: All sites were level and generous in size. Camper pads were somewhat gravel but not well-defined. Long enough to accommodate the largest RV or additional cars (friends visited us when we were there and could easily park two cars in addition to our van at the site). The power box is located at the very end of the camper pad, but extension cords are available from the camp host. Thank goodness that there were ample shade trees in most sites as it was humid and in the high 90s when we were there. 

    Bath/Shower house: Located a short walk from the campground to accommodate the day-use people as well. Reasonably clean. The bathroom had three stalls and two sinks but could have used a couple of hooks for toiletries in addition to the one small shelf. Two shower stalls, including one ADA-accessible one. There is also a vault toilet closer to the sites.

    Activities: Fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, etc. There were kayaks that looked like they could be rented but did not find information on how to do so. Basketball, Volleyball and a playground. The maintenance employee mentioned that people were catching fish with hot dogs! 

    Note that this park will be closed in spring 2025 for improvements. Note also that this park is located in a residential area, and I imagine it would be packed on weekends, but it was relatively quiet when we were there on a Monday at the end of August. Shortly after we arrived, a loud plane flew overhead, and we were worried this would be a problem, but we didn’t hear any more. The bugs (gnats and mosquitoes) were relentless, especially in the grassy areas so bring bug spray!

  • Jon L.
    Camper-submitted photo from O'Connell's RV Campground
    Oct. 23, 2024

    O'Connell's RV Campground

    BULLET HOLES IN MY AIRSTREAM!

    BULLET HOLES IN MY AIRSYTREAM. Yes, you read that correctly. I had 4 bullet holes in my Airstream and to date, O'Connell's has NEVER RETURNED ANY CALLS OR EMAILS regarding this incident. A police report was made, photos were taken, and still nothing. Thousand Trails should be aware of this, but I'm guessing they are not. What if your kids were playing outside? My neighbor had a bullet hole in her shed and he also posted about it. O'CONNELL'S IS DANGEROUS, stay away from the new "Premium" lot section. I paid extra for this?

  • Linda N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Milton-Madison SE KOA
    Oct. 16, 2024

    Milton-Madison SE KOA

    cant wait to go back

    I ended up here because I was going to a music festival in the area, and they turned me away because I have a service animal. I wasn't going to do all that work for nothing and just go home, so I decided to look up my nearest campground and it was KOA in Milton. they made me feel welcome. they understood my dilemma. it was a wonderful weekend. lots of amenities and I just absolutely can't wait to go back next year. I'm going to try to make it a couple times. so much fun, just me and my dog. And one last the thing, my fellow campers were more than hospitable and very nice and I appreciate that very much.

  • Linda N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sweet Minnihaha Campground
    Oct. 16, 2024

    Sweet Minnihaha Campground

    music fest

    I originally went to this campground a couple years ago for a music festival, but I discovered how much fun it was. the people were incredible. the staff was really awesome so I continue to make it back at least once a year

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Foot Beach State Park Campground
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    A bit deceptive

    So this place is much less dog friendly than is advertised. Dogs aren’t allowed in large swaths of the park nor on the (tiny tiny, bordered by loud highway) beach. Lake Geneva is very pretty, but the area is obviously very wealthy and obviously geared toward retirees without dogs or with tiny dogs they leave at the RV (to bark, constantly, at their next site neighbors. Until the owners get back.)

  • Abbe W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitewater Lake — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
    Oct. 10, 2024

    Whitewater Lake — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Nice Campground, Great Location for Hiking the Ice Age Trail

    The campground was clean and quiet. We were in the East Loop. The on-site host was super friendly and helpful with firewood and ice. Pit toilets, no showers. Easy access to Ice Age Trail from the campground. Nice hike to Rice Lake.

  • Deb M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sycamore RV Resort
    Sep. 18, 2024

    Sycamore RV Resort

    Beautiful, peaceful camping

    Beautiful spot, very peaceful. We’ve been here for 3 months. There are two lakes, catch and release fishing. A small beach with a snack shack. Well run and maintained. Reasonably priced

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Creekview RV Park
    Sep. 15, 2024

    Creekview RV Park

    Very close to i90

    Passing through and needed an accesible camping spot for our 19 foot travel trailer. Creekview fit the bill. Right off i90, and next to fuel and food stops. Family run campground with 40 sites that have water and electric. They are cash or check only, with no online booking. Sites are snug. Decent cell service. Other than highway noise peaceful spot. Dogs welcome!

  • Jaime P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Badgerland Campground
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Badgerland Campground

    Great little campground

    We booked a weekend here for a soccer tournament we had in Verona, so we didn’t spend a lot of time on the property. The staff was amazing! Very friendly and helpful for us new to camping people. We booked online and they were also friendly when I messed up my reservation so thanks for that too. We booked in VIP 1, which is right next to the bath house. We wanted to be close to the showers (coin op). We figured since we’re at a sporting event that might be nice. Very quiet at night. We did have a little time to go fishing at the fishing pond. We didn’t catch anything but we had fun. The fishing pond is a ways from our camping area though. It would have been a long walk so we drove. WiFi is for a fee but it was fine. The fee wasn’t expensive (less than $5). No sewer hook up but there is a dump site so no big deal. Overall good stay.

  • Kenny P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Thomas Woods Campground
    Sep. 7, 2024

    Thomas Woods Campground

    Great place for secluded camping

    Camped here on a whim. Amazing area. Super friendly hosts. The only thing I wish was a little more accessible is the website. I didn't know what kind of site I was getting, what it looked like, or if it was a hike in site or not. Turns out mine was, but it was not an issue for me on this trip. Site 30 for anyone interested.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
    Sep. 4, 2024

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Super cheap for what you get.

    I got a primitive tent site in an area all to myself, with a shower house just down the road, in a beautiful and quiet campground for $10 cash. You really can’t beat that. Campground is separate from the park so you don’t have to pay a park entrance fee to stay here.

  • Brent A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Vel Terra
    Sep. 3, 2024

    Vel Terra

    Wonderful Little Campground

    We stayed at this campground over Labor Day. The owner intentionally doesn't fill all of the sites in order to give people more space- a great luxury over a holiday like this. The sites are pretty small and only one 'sleeping structure' is allowed on each site but we found that Jeff was very willing to let us put up two tents (one for my wife & I 

    + one for the kids) because we were in the same family.

    The bathrooms and showers were very neat and well maintained. We didn't use the showers because they were paid but our friends did and had good things to say about them.

    The campground has a very nice playground (the favorite of the trip for one of my kids) and a lounge where anyone staying at the campground can rest with A/C, wifi, a phone charging area, and some board games.

    The primary drawback is that there isn't a lot of outdoor activities to do in the area. All the land is private so there's not great hiking (a little in the state park about 20 min drive away), IL law allows waterways to be privately owned so you can't kayak the river, etc. Galena is nearby if you want to go shopping and we really enjoyed going to Terrapin Apple Orchard and picking some apples (if you're there in the Fall). But all in all I would say this is a great campground to rest and relax at- probably not ideal for outdoor adventures.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Holiday Acres Camping Resort
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Holiday Acres Camping Resort

    Beware

    Review: Holiday Acres Campground Our recent stay at Holiday Acres Campground was nothing short of a nightmare. From the moment we arrived, we felt unwelcome and targeted by both the staff and the locals. It's hard to say definitively if this place was racist, but the behavior we experienced certainly felt that way. Firstly, we were harassed and intimidated by the locals. They would drive around our campsite at night, yelling racial slurs and other offensive comments. This created a disturbing and unsettling atmosphere that made our stay extremely uncomfortable. The staff were equally unpleasant. We were falsely accused of peeing in the pool without any evidence, which seemed more like an excuse to target us than a genuine concern. Additionally, one staff member consistently displayed unprofessional and rude behavior. She berated one of us and treated him condescendingly, as if he were a boy rather than an adult. She exhibited this condescending behavior with the locals as well. Requests for assistance were met with eye rolls and obvious reluctance. Her dismissive and offensive attitude was consistent throughout our stay. The final straw came when we were kicked out for calling her a name after she persistently treated us with disrespect. While name-calling isn't appropriate, her behavior towards us was intolerable and unprovoked. The facilities were also abysmal. The bathrooms constantly smelled like fart, possibly due to the high sulfur content in the water, which only added to the overall negative experience. The showers were yellow with orange bits that could be scraped off, and the lack of cleanliness was appalling. The playgrounds looked so poorly maintained that you could get a splinter just from looking at them. To make matters worse, we were falsely accused of stealing by a local camper. Despite promises to review security footage, no evidence was provided, and no apology was offered for the false accusation. The pool area was another disappointment. The pool was cold, likely because it had just been filled. While the pool area itself was nice, it lacked lounging chairs, which would have enhanced comfort and relaxation. Overall, our experience at Holiday Acres Campground was horrific. The combination of harassment from locals, the hostile attitude of the staff, the filthy facilities, and the lack of amenities made for an extremely uncomfortable and distressing stay. I would strongly advise anyone considering this campground to stay far away, especially if you are looking for a welcoming and respectful environment.

  • John M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mendota County Park
    Aug. 21, 2024

    Mendota County Park

    Quiet Spot

    Pulled into the loop, and the host greeted us immediately. Confirmed our spot and backed in. Level spot with a fire ring and metal picnic table. Our spot was back by the road but was still nice. They have very clean bathrooms with showers. Volleyball net, swings, and spots for boats. Would definitely stay again and enjoy the lake a bit more.

  • ron R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    My second stay here

    I was here for three months this time as i get to business completed.  The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how.  The grass is mowed every week.  There is patroling at all hours for security.  The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good.  The dog park is clean and secure.  The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage.  The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year.  The store has many items you may need.  The showers are cleaned and work great.  The camp water is high in Iron.  The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes.  Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.

  • Jenna R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Mound State Park Campground
    Aug. 11, 2024

    Blue Mound State Park Campground

    Great for families

    Lots of playgrounds for kids age 2-10. Pit toilets smell- I’d avoid sites around them. Hot Showers by lot 30 and at pool. Pool is not heated as stated- definitely not 80 degrees. West tower is the best for sunsets. Site 75 was nice as it was a bit back from the road and you can’t see your neighbors.

  • Renee R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Brigham Park
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Brigham Park

    Nice spot for summer camping.

    I've visited this campground twice and it's been a hit both times.

    Pros:

    - Scenic overlook is gorgeous.

    - The dense tree cover and near-constant slight breeze help to both keep this campground cool and the mosquitos at bay.

    - Well-kept vault toilets.

    - Close to a many points of interest.

    Cons:

    - Some of the sites are strangely graded and situated.  One site near ours had the fire pit at the very edge, making sitting around it virtually impossible.  14 was a pretty site but had a large tree in the middle of it.

    - Using the County website to reserve the site was clunky and time consuming.

  • Darshon J.
    Camper-submitted photo from MacQueen Forest Preserve
    Jul. 27, 2024

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Well Kept Campground

    Well maintained bathrooms, great secluded sites. Super easy no registration its first come first serve. I will be goin again with my family.

  • Sarah B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    Def do not recommend for summer 2024!

    I wanted so badly to love this campground experience, but just didn't. Site 19 was an easy walk-in that theoretically had nearby vault toilets, parking, and water.

    Each site only had space for one car to park before walking in. Not a huge deal, but annoying as there were 2 of us who drove separate and we had to problem solve. When we got to the site I was shocked to see that what was labeled as a tent site had literally NO flat space to actually set up a tent. Spacious site, but fully sloped.

    Also, what I would have loved to know, is that the vault toilets are closed because they are doing construction to build something new in that space. Construction that starts loudly each day at 7am. Honestly every site from about #35 down was affected by the noise because the construction is happening in the middle of the loop (and actually blocking some of the one-way road as well).

    The park in general was okay. Per the usual, the pet areas were lacking. No beach at all, just grass covered in goose poop and one cut out on the raised shore between tall grasses and foliage where a dog could potentially jump in. Certainly nowhere for a human to enjoy the water with their pups unfortunately.

  • Christie B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Green County Fairgrounds
    Jul. 10, 2024

    Green County Fairgrounds

    Ok but you have to work around the events going on because you have to leave when they are going on!

    Nice quiet place no neighbors usually bothering you showers and toilets could be better but overall ok

  • Rebecca C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Cut State Park Campground
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Rock Cut State Park Campground

    Not well maintained

    We have a 30 amp trailer. When we got there, the electricity wasn't working. It was 93° on a Saturday. We called the Rangers and asked them to look at our site breaker since it kept tripping. They came, told us the park was old and not updated but then ultimately told us it was our trailer. We had to rent a motel for the night because we couldn't even pull out the slide or anything. This was after spending about 6 hours pulling apart all the electrical in the trailer. Went to camping world the next day just for us to use their plugs and it was fine. We thought maybe it was our cord so we bought a new one and still nothing. We called the Rangers again who came to look at it. Told us that the park was just so old that it probably couldn't keep up and moved us to a 50 amp sight. The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again. So we ended up having to go back to camping world to get an adapter to use the 50 amp. Wasted about 30 hours of our trip over their electrical not being updated and they knew that. Tried to reach out to get the first night reimbursed since we literally couldn't even stay there or use our trailer. Was told we had to come back the next day to speak to the head ranger, came back and he wasn't there again. Was told he would call us two different times and never got a call. Will never stay here again.



Guide to Durand

Camping near Durand, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

What campers like

What you should know

  • No Alcohol Policy: Some campgrounds, like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, have strict no alcohol rules. A visitor noted, "This SP strictly enforces its ‘no alcohol’ policy, which is a massive bummer."
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busy weekends, especially at Big Foot Beach State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday."
  • Limited Cell Service: Many areas, like White Pines Forest State Park Campground, have poor cell reception. A camper shared, "We had no cell service but the hiking was beautiful and the scenery was stunning."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Ottawa Lake Campground, which has trails and a swimming pond. One review said, "They have sites with electric and sites just for tents."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or games for kids. A visitor at Rock Cut State Park Campground mentioned, "We camp here at least 5 times a year."
  • Check for Amenities: Make sure the campground has clean bathrooms and showers. A camper at Governor Dodge State Park noted, "Bathrooms and showers seemed clean enough."

Tips from RVers

  • Look for Electric Hookups: Campgrounds like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area offer electric hookups, which are great for RVs. One camper said, "The store is very nice and well stocked."
  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Blue Mound State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are very well isolated and shaded."
  • Be Prepared for Road Noise: Some campgrounds, like Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pinewoods, may have some road noise. A visitor noted, "You could hear a bit of road noise, especially motorcycles and heavy trucks."

Camping near Durand, Illinois, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

Frequently Asked Questions