Best Tent Camping near Elizabeth, IL

Recent Tent Reviews near Elizabeth, IL

541 Reviews of 14 Elizabeth Campgrounds

• 

  Ben W.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 3, 2018

  Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

  Camping and Rock Climbing in the Midwest

  My wife and I tent camped here last weekend... the tent sites are relatively close together leaving little room to feel secluded but nice flat ground and each site has its own fire pit. restrooms and showers 1/8 mile walk away which isn’t bad! Not the best but also not the worst. We try and here whenever we rock climb in the area as it allows us to get to the climbing sites earlier.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 28, 2024

  Sherman Co Park

  Scenic County park along Wapsipinicon River

  The campground offers to camp areas: one better suited for RVs, and the other area is better suited for primitive tent, camping. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, our recites include electric. There is a campground host, shower house, shelter and playground area there too. The tent sites are prone to flooding occasionally from the gun river. There is a boat ramp with access to the river for fishing and paddling.

• 

  Lauri J.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 12, 2019

  Vel Terra

  Vel Terra on oasis outside of major tourist destination in Illinois

  Galena Illinois is a major tourist spot for Chicago folks to get away too. This camp site is 20 min from Galena 5 min from Elizabeth and 15 min from Apple Canyon. Has both RV and Tent sites. Fire pits and picnic tables are at each site. They porta John at the one end of camp is unbelievably clean! The bathrooms and showers at the other end of camp are also very very clean. Jeff the owner left a lovely note inviting me to pick my spot as I was the only tent/car camper that night even though I had reserved spot 12. He also pointed out that there were some walking trails but to be wary of a poisonous plant.
  The grounds are impeccably kept. He provides wood for you to burn. Give this place a try for a nice weekend get away from the city. There is so much to do in the area but if note Apple canyon has some really nice hiking trails they label from easy to rugged. There is also plenary of kayaking and other neat outdoor things to do. Add in there are several winery’s and great restaurants if you don’t want to cook fireside!

• 

  Becca Z.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 30, 2020

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Great camping spot!

  We were so happy with the size of the tent camping sites. They were mostly all flat, plenty of space and gave privacy from the neighbors. We were at site 28 which had both sun and shade. Right across from the pit toilets which I wouldn’t pick next time. There was no shower house or running water in the loop we were at. Across the street were the electric rv sites and a few tent sites. Only compliant is even from the middle of the campground we could hear the road noise. Otherwise great!

• 

  Nick C.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 27, 2021

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Great family camp ground

  Two main camp grounds. Main rv/ tent camp ground has clean pit toilets and well maintained sites. Primitive camp ground on the east side of the main entrence is very basic yet spaced far enough apart to have some privicy

• 

  John W.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 29, 2020

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Nice camping on the Rock River

  We tent camped in the Shady Rest Loop. The B sites (we were B-36) are a strip on one side on the loop. It’s mostly RVs and a shower facility is close by. You get shower access with the B tent sites. They have reserve and walk up. There is a fairly big road that can be noisy. There are tent sites across the road but we did not check them out. Loredo Taft sculpted the large Blackhawk statue on the river (also sculpted the alma mater at U if I). There are some wide hiking trails, very shaded. AT&T got decent cell service in camp. The camp host will sell you firewood. Wed-Sun they have a snack shop with hot dogs and ice cream type stuff. There are volleyball and basketball court, playground and lots of open space if you like to use for games. Fishing is a bit tough from the shore. If you had a boat it might be easier to put in and fish off some of the islands in the river. Water quality from the pumps seemed good. The camp ground is pretty open, so if you are looking for more secluded sites, this might not be for you. That said, aside from the road, it was pretty quiet but we camped mid week. The B sites in this loop were a bit slanted. And our site, B-36 was across the road from the streetlight, our car blocked it pretty well so not a if deal for us. A video of the loo and some pics of the sites are included. Enjoy your camping!

• 

  John W.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 4, 2020

  Apple River Canyon

  Great first camping experience

  We tent camped at site 37. This site has a nice mix of shade and sun and the back had a water faucet. There is a trail that works it’s way through the back of the sites. The sites are a bit close together and separation is sometimes sparse. Restrooms are pits and well maintained stocked with TP. No showers on site. One loop of the tent sites are able to be reserved and the other loop is first come, first served. There are short trails with some steep climbs, not wide paths so bring bug spray and tick tools! The river that cuts through is small but picturesque. Picnic areas are plentiful near the water. Caught two tiny bass and a trout. No firewood on site, but multiple homes on the drive in had $5 self serve bundles for sale. This site is a dark skies site, so if it’s not overcast or full moon there is some good stargazing. AT&T cell service is mostly nonexistent in camp, but kicks in as you head out, so plan your research ahead of time. Attached are some shots of some sites from the road

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 20, 2025

  Pine Grove Campground, Scott Co Park

  Smaller campground in primitive tent, site area

  Pine Grove campground has primitive tent sites open this time of year, the other portion, including RV spots are closed for the season. The tent sites are well shaded, gravel, parking area, tables, firings included. There is firewood at the campground, and cabins for rent at the end of the Lane. The park itself offers many trails, pride Lake for paddling and fishing. The campground itself offers, restrooms, showers, dump station, and a seasonal host.

• M

  Marissa F.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 7, 2018

  Apple River Canyon

  Favorite Northern IL getaway

  We absolutely love the quaintness of Apple River. The sites are secluded and provide privacy. Great spot for quiet tent camping. Not a big commercialized campground. Dog friendly too, at no extra charge. Very affordable camping!

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 13, 2024

  Pine Grove Campground, Scott Co Park

  Neat CG surrounded by forest

  Primitive tent sites include: tables, fire rings, parking, water and firewood nearby, shelter for rent, seasonal host, visitor parking, 2 modern cabins adjacent.

• B

  Briana B.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 18, 2021

  Rockwood State Park Campground

  Quiet little campground

  Nice long trail, friendly people, and a cute little ice cream shop that was a lifesaver after a long hike. Beautiful scenery, firewood available for $6 a bundle, water, electricity and fairly clean bathrooms with showers. We tent camped for $20 a night.

• 

  Laura B.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 3, 2018

  Riverview Ridge

  Love this place

  Great private campground. Lots of trailer sites but the gem is the tent sites down by the river. Very clean and the office was so friendly. Every Friday they do a themed dinner and play a movie.

• 

  Matthew S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 28, 2022

  Lowden State Park Campground

  Good hotel alternative

  Pro: it's only $10 to tent camp.

  Facilities are clean.

  Con: it's state Park camping. For someone who prefers a more primitive camping style, it's a bit jarring to have no privacy between sites that are packed in tight together. But for $10, it still beats a hotel.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 31, 2018

  Rock Creek County Marina and Campground

  Older campground along Mississippi River backwaters

  Primitive tent site, fire ring/grill, cheap stay. has small camp store and newer nature center, canoe/kayak rentals, shower house, wood for fee. Can be very buggy depending on season, right along backwaters, good fishing, wildlife viewing. Has a pontoon for tours.

• 

  Stephen R.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 2, 2021

  Miller Riverview City Park

  Pretty spot, but one big issue

  Miller River is a good urban campground, as it is tucked away from the city but still within 5 minutes of downtown. Its location on the river is very nice, and the tent sites are set apart from the RV area, which I appreciated. Upon check-in, the workers were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms are clean and fine. And it is inexpensive, at about$15 a night for a tent site. Now to the negatives. Unfortunately, most of what we found negative is out of the control of the campground itself; it's simply the location. Ambient noise includes auto traffic of speeding cars coming over the nearby highway bridge, and loud semi-trucks that are air-braking as they come into town. Also, multiple trains rumbled by the campground across the river, many blowing their horns repeatedly as they passed at all hours of the night. Finally, and somewhat hilariously, there is a greyhound dog racetrack within a few hundred feet of the tent sites. It's mostly unnoticeable until you hear the dogs. When we stayed there the dogs were let out early in the morning, around 7 am, into a big open fenced area. They all barked and whined and yelped together, a giant pack of hounds disturbing our sleep after a night of the aforementioned noise. Overall, this campground could be a good choice if noise does not bother you much, or if you have good earplugs. Avoid it probably if you are sensitive to noise or a light sleeper.

• 

  Brannon M.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 21, 2020

  Apple River Canyon

  Great small spot!

  Tent camped here in late April. The solo camp ground can be a little hair-raising as it’s perched about 20 feet from the edge of the canyon wall. Beautiful setting, great fishing (stocked trout in April, Smallmouth all year).

  Quick Tip: Bring sandals for wet wading in the creek. Head upstream for a 1/4 mile for really awesome views.

• J

  Juliana

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 14, 2021

  New Glarus State Park Campground

  Quiet!

  Camped here in a camper van. Very quiet (mid week in September). Very well maintained trails. Most sites are spacious, shady. I did not check out the tent sites, but the one I did see was really nice. A bit of highway noise, certainly nothing bad.

• A

  Alexis B.

  Scout

  

  May. 31, 2021

  Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

  Great views, clean campground!

  So many great views! Tons of short, fun hikes to try out. Some sites are close together in open fields, but most are spread out and nice! Our site, 42, was a great tent site near the entrance but away from heavy traffic. Spacious and only one close neighbor. Will definitely be back!

• C

  Charles E.

  Traveler

  

  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.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 5, 2021

  Swiss Valley County Park

  Great County park, preserve, campground

  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. Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails.

• 

  Iris A.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 9, 2021

  Hansen's Hideaway Ranch and Family Campground

  Camp at a working ranch!

  This is a working ranch where you’re able to board your horse while camping yourself. They have a game room, snack bar, swimming pond, playground, water and electric hook-ups, shower building with flush toilets, and firewood. Rates start around $20 for a tent site. They’re open from April 15th to October.

• 

  Chet D.

  Scout

  

  May. 26, 2020

  Bellevue State Park Campground - Dyas Unit

  Decent. Not the best tent sites.

  Stayed there recently for Memorial Day weekend. The site we had was fairly steep as far as tent sites go. The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem. It was rainy so we didn't get to enjoy the trails but we were told they were decent.

• 

  Dj Y.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 19, 2024

  Grant River Recreation Area

  Sandy and Gentleman worker=AMAZING

  I was hitchhiking thru, was dropped off by a ride that said he was buying a $14 tent site for me, come to find out he never did, I just was honest with sandy and the gentleman worker and offered the only 8$ I had, no sir, they said please stay for free and just enjoy. WONDERFUL PPL THAT CARE ABOUT OTHERS!! THANKS YALL

• W

  Wayne K.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 24, 2024

  Riverview Ridge

  Unique River and Trail Access Campground

  Two hour float trips on the North Fork Maquoketa River are available directly from the campground. There is a mix of permanent and temporary campers. The tent sites, nearest the river, are well spaced with flush toilets. Apparently there are also good trails, as many of the campers have ATV’s parked at their sites. The shower house, under the office, was spacious and clean.

• 

  Kevin M.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 18, 2016

  Twin Valley Campground — Governor Dodge State Park

  Great camping with hiking oppurtunities

  My friends and I camp here often as it is close to Madison, yet far enough away to be more secluded. The sites are are better than some of the state park sites with tent sites offering more privacy than the electric ones. There is plenty of hiking trails around the park with some great rock formations to explore. There is also swimming areas, concessions and a very helpful staff.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 29, 2022

  Camp Hauberg

  Private Camp Along Mississippi River

  This cg has both primitive tent and full service sites though much of cg has apparent permanent campers. The office offers ice, bait, firewood, propane and more. Tent site area is dispersed depending whether you prefer shade and fire ring. These are open sites along the Mississippi River. Camp has a boat ramp and boat slips so fishing, paddling, and boating are options. There is a very nice bike/walk path all ng Highway 84 traveling up/down Great River Road. There is also train tracks along same path.

• 

  Mike C.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 4, 2021

  Blue Inn Campground

  Cozy, basic CG

  37 full-hookup sites, some tent sites, all right on edge of town. Adjacent to Kitty Creek, joins Maquoketa River. Some concrete pads, most are gravel, fairly level. Pretty tight layout, average of only 30-40' between sites. New fire rings, picnic tables in good condition. Bakery and other facilities are closed due to COVID. Previous campers at our site left lots of trash on ground...always disappointing. Electrical and water were good. Sewer connections a bit high.