Best Tent Camping near Durand, IL
Several tent campgrounds are accessible near Durand, Illinois, with options ranging from primitive forest sites to more developed state park facilities. MacQueen Forest Preserve offers secluded tent camping with sites spread at least 50 yards apart across meadows and wooded areas. New Glarus State Park Campground, located approximately 45 minutes northwest in Wisconsin, provides both drive-in and walk-in tent sites set within a wooded environment.
Tent sites at MacQueen Forest Preserve require a short walk on gravel paths or across a meadow to reach camping locations. Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table, with vault toilets available but no potable water. Campers must bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. The preserve charges only $4 per night for individual primitive sites, making it an affordable option for tent campers seeking basic accommodations. Sites are first-come, first-served with self-registration at the parking area.
The walk-in tent sites at New Glarus State Park offer more privacy than the drive-in options, with varying distances from the parking area. A visitor commented that "sites are pretty spread out" at MacQueen Forest Preserve, with some situated in forested areas and others around a large open field ideal for stargazing. Tent campers should be prepared for occasional train noise at MacQueen, particularly at night, while New Glarus sites experience some highway noise. Both locations feature well-maintained trails for hiking, with MacQueen providing access to the Kishwaukee River and New Glarus connecting to local bike paths. Tent campers appreciate the seclusion of these areas compared to more developed campgrounds, with one camper noting MacQueen as a "beautiful primitive campground" worth visiting.