Glamping options abound within a 40-mile radius of Elizabeth, Illinois, where the rolling terrain of northwestern Illinois creates natural barriers between campgrounds and the surrounding farmland. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer highs averaging 85°F and fall temperatures dropping to 45-65°F. Most upscale outdoor accommodations remain open from mid-April through early November, with limited winter availability.
What to do
Trout fishing access: At Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area, anglers can fish in stocked waters that support multiple species. "There is a kid's fishing pond, but we didn't see anyone catch a thing, so not sure if it's actually stocked or not," reports one visitor who still enjoyed the overall experience despite not getting any bites.
Waterfront hiking: Explore trails along the Mississippi River at Grant River Recreation Area, where concrete pads provide stable platforms for camping gear. "Beautiful River. Stop here on a whim. Loved the view of the the Mississippi River," shares one camper who appreciated the riverfront location despite occasional train noise.
Trail exploration: The White Pines Forest State Park Campground offers multiple trail combinations for hikers seeking elevation changes. A visitor notes, "The hiking trails were enjoyed often by us. We found one section that had some interesting wildflowers. We paused and turned around when we found the archery area."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Morrison-Rockwood State Park, the wooded campsites provide natural separation. "Most of the camp sites are fairly secluded from one another by distance and from surrounding foliage," explains a recent visitor who particularly appreciated the cleanliness of the facilities.
Entertainment options: The weekend activities at Timber Lake Resort include live performances and social gatherings. "They had live music, loud live music Saturday night. To be fair, the music was made clear on their webpage. We were kind of close and didn't have to go to the stage area to hear it clearly. It was good music and it was fun."
Clean facilities: The bathrooms at numerous locations receive positive feedback, with Swiss Valley Campground earning specific praise: "Campground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables."
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Several riverfront campgrounds sit near active rail lines, affecting sleep quality. At Blanding Landing, one camper reports, "Our first night here the many trains were loud and woke us up, but if you can laugh instead of being annoyed, it is fine. Groceries and ice are 13 miles away on hilly pavement roads."
Seasonal restrictions: Most luxury camping accommodations close between November and April. Water access may be limited during early spring due to flooding or maintenance. One visitor at Lake Le-Aqua-Na noted, "The lake has had algae issues for quite some time, so there was no swimming or boating."
Site selection importance: Research your specific site before booking as quality varies significantly even within the same campground. "Check your site before booking! One section of sites is like an open field? No trees and full view of others. But these surround a playground- also very nice."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Sites surrounding play areas offer convenience but less privacy. At Lena KOA, families appreciate the amenities: "This campground is absolutely wonderful. Spots are spaced apart nicely. Many activities for kids and adults. Also, a pool, showers and if you just want a weekend getaway they have cabins as well."
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas during summer months. "We had a lot of fun there playing in the water on the beach however my son who was five at the time got a really bad bacterial rash from the water. Other than that we had a really good time and the campground was very clean."
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife frequently visits campsites, requiring proper food storage. "Beware of raccoons at this campground they are BOLD!" warns one camper about Governor Dodge State Park, while another encountered friendly wildlife: "Turkeys wandering around, lots of different birds, I heard coyotes hooting and hollering in the distance, and an opossum wandered into my site while I was sitting by the fire."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites in the region sit on uneven terrain requiring blocks or levelers. One RVer at White Pines Forest State Park mentioned, "Not all 'driveways' are level which, unfortunately, we discovered in site 33. We slept with our heads lower than our feet in our camper van."
Approach angle awareness: Some glamping sites near Elizabeth have steep entry points. At Timber Lake Resort, one camper noted, "The rise angle to our space was almost too much to back in without dragging the bumper. Once in, the concrete pad was level."
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are common but water and sewer connections vary by campground. "All sites are clean. They clean out fire pits after every weekend. Some sites were not the most level. All Roads are newly paved. New/Updated Dump station."
