Keith P.
Scout
ScoutMississippi Palisades State Park Campground
Great find!
We really enjoy this park. It’s almost empty during the week days. We stay Monday through Thursday and always find a spot. Quiet and peaceful.
Camping near Fulton, IL
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Camping options near Fulton, Illinois center around the Mississippi River, with several established campgrounds offering varying levels of amenities and river access. Lock and Dam 13 in Fulton provides a unique camping setting, while nearby locations like Thomson Causeway and Mississippi Palisades State Park offer more developed facilities with both tent and RV sites. Morrison-Rockwood State Park, located within 15 miles of Fulton, features lake-oriented camping with tent, RV, and glamping accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area provide electric hookups, drinking water, and basic facilities for campers.
Seasonal variations significantly impact camping experiences along the Mississippi River corridor. Most campgrounds operate from spring through fall, with Thomson Causeway typically open from April through October. Winter camping options are limited, though Morrison-Rockwood State Park remains open year-round. River conditions and insect activity represent major considerations for planning. Proximity to water means mosquitoes and biting flies are common concerns during warmer months, particularly after rainfall or high river levels. According to one visitor at Thomson Causeway, "Since it is right on the river and there is also lots of marsh, the bug situation was a bit much, especially when there was no breeze."
The Mississippi River dominates the camping experience near Fulton, with multiple campgrounds offering riverfront sites and associated activities. Several visitors highlight the scenic water views and wildlife watching opportunities. Thomson Causeway receives particular praise for its concrete pads and Mississippi River access, though reviewers consistently mention insect challenges. Campers report good fishing opportunities at Lock and Dam 13 and other riverfront locations. Train noise affects several campgrounds in the region, including Riverview City Park across the river in Clinton, Iowa. Most campgrounds provide moderate to minimal privacy between sites, with mixed reviews about spacing. A reviewer of Morrison-Rockwood State Park noted, "The sites were very well spaced apart. There were many well worn paths that lead to the lake," indicating better site separation at some locations.
Best Campgrounds near Fulton (126)
1. Thomson Causeway
"This is a beautiful spot on the outskirts of a small town. The train museum is open for a few hours on weekends. Other towns are nearby with more things to do."
"This is a really pretty area fairly close to home so it is a good option."
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability2. Morrison-Rockwood State Park
"We saw an article about "Dutch Days" in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun."
"We enjoyed the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop. We liked the different loops of campsites with pit toilets every where and a nice modern bathroom/shower house also."
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
"Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."
"It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."
4. Gary McDermott RV Park
"It is right next to the river and the Clinton Riverfront Park and even fast food restaurants are within walking distance. There is also a walking path next to the river."
"This campground is a great location along the river in Clinton. There is a Thomas Dambo troll within walking distance."
from $15 - $22 / night
Check Availability5. Rock Creek County Marina and Campground
"Sites include fire rings, tables, gravel backing pads, electric with some right near water edge."
"Turn at quarry off Great River Road/Highway 67."
from $14 - $18 / night
Check Availability6. Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River
"As with all the campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail, it is along side Rt. 84, and railroad tracks."
"Bugs were not too bad when we were there (October) which was surprising as it was so close to the river and still warm. The after-hours check-in procedure was a little confusing."
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability7. Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area — Mississippi River Pools 11 22
"Usually a pretty quiet area although its next to a train track so expect a train or two to wake you up. Tucked away next to the Mississippi. There is a boat ramp and parking."
from $14 / night
8. Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins
"Enjoyed almost 2 weeks at West Lake Park, part of the Scott County, IA park system. Helpful staff, park rangers make daily patrols, nice spots, many with shade trees & decent room."
"Although theres a small "lake" here, Ive never had great luck catching much. Pool is nice and updated. Park rangers are always frequently present and patrolling."
from $17 - $36 / night
Check Availability9. Lock and Dam 13
"You have to park off a gravel road on the iowa side and its about a mile walk and a half mile off the tracks. Very beautiful and peaceful place. Great fishing, especially along the spillway."
10. Spring Lake Campground
"It's like a step back in time in the best way possible."
"The bike trail is within steps of your site. Hookups for electric and water available. Well maintained portapotties at various points throughout the grounds."
from $25 - $35 / night
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Drive Time
- 43 min from Davenport, IA
- 1 hr 13 min from Dubuque, IA
- 1 hr 19 min from Rockford, IL
- 1 hr 28 min from Iowa City, IA
Recent Camping Photos near Fulton, IL
162 Photos of 126 Fulton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Gary McDermott RV Park
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area — Mississippi River Pools 11 22
Thomson Causeway
Morrison-Rockwood State Park
Rockwood State Park Campground
Spring Lake Campground
Rock Creek County Marina and Campground
Prophetstown State Park Campground
Mississippi Palisades State Park CampgroundJ
Sunset Lakes Resort
Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins
Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River
Recent Reviews near Fulton, IL
697 Reviews of 126 Fulton Campgrounds
- JJohn L.
GuideGeneseo Campground
Small, Quiet and Clean
It’s small, quiet and clean. Booked on-line easily. Planned just for 2 days traveling cross country. Got a pull thru site, didn’t know the direction to pull in as their map didn’t show any arrows. Site is gravel, dirt and grass. Quite level and no blocks needed. Hook ups are situated properly for easy connection. Noted about 10 long term sites in use. Did not use any campground shower or toilet facilities. Follow directions given by campsite to avoid low railroad bridge. Followed their blue camping signs coming from i80 just fine. Geneseo is a nice small farm town with good supplies, gas , laundry. I would stay again if needed.
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendInterstate RV Park
EZ I-80 Stop When the Road Gets Long
Sometimes on a family road trip, you don't need a campground to entertain you ... you just need a comfortable place to pull in, hook up and give everyone a break from the highway. Interstate RV Park sits conveniently just off I-80 on the outskirts of Davenport and that's really where this approximately 100-site campground earns its keep: it's an EZ-in, EZ-out stopping point for travelers crossing Iowa or exploring the Quad Cities. The campground is more practical than picturesque, with a mixture of overnight travelers and longer-term campers, but RV families will appreciate full hookups with 30/50-amp electric service, pull-thru options, restrooms & showers, laundry, a seasonal swimming pool, pavilion, game room and small camp store. One of those simple road-trip moments I always appreciate is finally getting everyone out of the vehicle after hours of driving, watching the kids stretch their legs while we get camp organized and realizing that, for tonight anyway, we don't have anywhere else we need to be. Some campgrounds are the destination, while others simply give your family a place to catch its breath between adventures. From what we saw, I'd choose one of the campground's dedicated overnight sites away from the longer-term residents, and travelers with larger rigs or multiple slides should ask for one of the wider sites because spacing can be tight. We did note uneven gravel, potholes and less than polished conditions in some of the common facilities, so expectations should be kept to a minimum. Overall, we'd recommend Interstate RV Park for RV families needing a convenient 1-night stop because of its outstanding I-80 access, full hookups and proximity to Davenport, but for families seeking privacy, polished facilities and a campground where the kids can spend the weekend exploring, there are stronger choices around the Quad Cities area.
Joe B.ScoutChief Keokuk Campground — Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area
The pine trees are uniquely laid out
Probably the nicest campground ive stayed at
- MMikayla E.
TravelerLundeens Landing
Beautiful location
We stopped here for one night on our trip and it was a nice and small campsite. It is right on the river and very pretty.
Stuart K.LegendWilderness Campground, Scott County Park
The Most Peaceful Campground in Scott County Park
If you're the kind of camper who measures a campground by the number of trees instead of the number of amenities, Wilderness CG continues to be THE hidden campground gem within Scott County Park. Surrounded by mature hardwood forest, generous-sized campsites with decent privacy and miles of interconnected hiking trails, this campground delivers a camping experience that feels far more secluded than you'd expect to find just minutes from the Quad Cities. While my original review from just over a year ago goes into considerable detail about each aspect of the campground and the park itself, I thought I'd follow up that review with a quick summary of what continues to stand out most.
Here's a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Easily the most wooded, private and peaceful campground within Scott County Park, making it an outstanding choice for tent campers, in particular, and anyone seeking a true forest setting; (2) Spacious campsites tucked beneath a dense tree canopy (expert tip: be sure to look up at any potential 'widow makers' before setting up camp) that provides excellent shade, natural privacy and a genuine 'away from it all' atmosphere; (3) Immaculately maintained restroom and shower facilities with dependable hot water that rival many commercial campgrounds; (4) Outstanding access to some of the park's best hiking trails, allowing campers to step directly from their campsite into miles of beautiful woodland; and (5) Scott County Park itself offers an impressive collection of amenities, including: 2 fishing lakes (and 2 smaller ponds), a championship 9-hole golf course, massive family-friendly swimming pool, various scattered playgrounds, an abundance of picnic areas in and outside of excellent shelters and friendly park staff ... all just a short drive from your campsite.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The heavily wooded terrain means some sites are uneven with exposed roots, making leveling RVs and 5th wheelers more challenging than at neighboring campgrounds; (2) There is no lake or waterfront access directly within Wilderness Campground, so paddlers and anglers will need to drive to other areas of the park; (3) The abundance of trees and leaf cover can make portions of the campground appear a little less manicured, even though it is very well maintained - when we were there in the Autumn, we wished we would have brought our rake!; (4) Only one of the campground's restroom buildings includes shower facilities, so some campers may have a short walk or drive depending on their site; and (5) Larger RVs may find neighboring campgrounds such as Bald Eagle or Woodside better suited to their size and setup.
Happy Camping!
- AArielGuide
Buffalo Shores County Park
Great spot to camp with a view of the Mississippi
We just stayed a quick night on the way driving across country. We pulled up in the dark, and were awakened the next day by an amazing view of the Mississippi River. Some camping spots have water, They all have electricity, and there is one bathroom with showers. Portapotties and dumpsters are situated throughout. There is a slightly confusing registration process of a QR code on you camping spot. Overall, a great place to stop.
- nnathan S.Traveler
Chief Keokuk Campground — Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area
Great spot for an overnight stay
Drove in late at night and was able to self register and pay at the gate. Has electric hook ups, tent camping sites and a great shower building. Showers were free, clean and comfortable. Not always the case with public campgrounds
- Maria Mercedes M.Legend
Fairport State Recreation Area Campground
Boats, Barges & A Front-Row Seat to the Mississippi
There’s something wonderfully mesmerizing about camping beside the Mississippi River, where you can sit together and watch everything from great blue herons to enormous towboats slowly make their way past your campsite, and tiny Fairport State Recreation Area gives families a front-row seat to it all. Located about seven miles east of Muscatine and roughly 20 miles from Davenport, this intimate 42-site campground is decidedly more about the river than resort-style recreation, with every back-in campsite offering 20/30/50-amp electric service and many providing beautiful views across the water. Families will find modern restrooms and showers, accessible water, a dump station and small playground, while two boat ramps with docks make getting onto the Mississippi wonderfully EZ for an afternoon of boating or fishing for walleye and catfish. One of my favorite little pleasures here is simply pointing the chairs toward the river as evening arrives and watching the barges glide silently past while everyone tries to spot one more bird before darkness settles over the water. At Fairport, the Mississippi isn’t something you drive somewhere to see - it becomes part of your campsite. From what we saw, the best campsites are 37–42, where the western row puts you closest to the Mississippi and provides some of the campground’s prettiest river views. We would definitely recommend Fairport for families who love boating, fishing and life along the water because it’s small, wonderfully convenient and beautifully positioned on the Mississippi - just know that the nearby railroad provides last minute surprising loud sirens, including during the night, so light sleepers might want to pack earplugs along with the marshmallows.
Guide to Fulton
Camping sites near Fulton, Illinois sit along the floodplains of the Mississippi River at approximately 590 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with high humidity during summer months and periodic flooding that affects campground availability. Water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year, with spring typically bringing the highest river stages.
What to do
Fishing the backwaters: At Rock Creek Marina and Campground, visitors can access prime fishing spots along Mississippi backwaters. "Gorgeous surrounding, something for everyone. No strict rules. Environmental center for kids and adults alike and a cafe," reports one camper. The campground offers boat launches and rental equipment for accessing fishing areas.
Educational exploration: The Eco Tourism Center at Rock Creek provides unique environmental programming. "The camp store also offers canoe, kayak, and other boat rentals... They also have an Eco Center with turtles, snakes, and an aquarium that our family really enjoyed," notes a visitor. These educational facilities operate throughout the camping season with naturalist-led programs on weekends.
Hiking varied terrain: The trail system at Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground offers hiking opportunities across different difficulty levels. "Trail system is divided into North and South. North trails are scenic, with a casual non-technical difficulty to them. South trail system is challenging, especially because of the varied terrain it traverses," explains one reviewer. Trails range from 0.25-mile loops to more extensive 3-mile routes through wooded areas.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: Thomson Causeway receives consistent praise for its solid infrastructure. "The sites are spacious but a little tight to back in. Pit toilets in the loops and flush toilets and showers in central locations. Overall a decent place to relax," notes one camper. The concrete pads measure approximately 12'x30', accommodating most recreational vehicles.
Site privacy and spacing: Morrison-Rockwood State Park offers sites with good separation. "We just got home from our first visit @ morrison rockwood park and it was fun. We had site 57 which is in a loop which goes around a playground. It was great for the kids who could go play and the sites in this loop provide plenty of space and privacy," shares a visitor. Many sites feature natural barriers between camping areas.
Waterfront locations: Several campgrounds provide direct river or lake access. "This campground has gorgeous scenery, since it is literally ON the banks of the Mississippi River. The campground is primarily concrete sites for RVs and there is a smaller grassy area set aside for tents only," explains a Thomson Causeway camper. Waterfront sites typically cost $3-5 more per night than standard sites.
What you should know
Bug populations: Mayflies and mosquitoes present significant challenges, especially in early summer. At Fishermans Corner, campers note seasonal variations: "Bugs were not too bad when we were there (October) which was surprising as it was so close to the river and still warm." The mayfly emergence typically peaks in June and early July.
Train noise: Railroad tracks run parallel to the Mississippi River, affecting several campgrounds. At Riverview City Park, "This campground has Water and electric hook ups and a dumpsite. It is convenient and enjoyable... The one negative is noise from trains. One seems to go by every few hours."
Flooding risks: Low-lying campgrounds experience periodic closures due to high water. Spring and early summer bring the highest likelihood of flooding. "This isn't exactly a campsite. You have to park off a gravel road on the iowa side and it's about a mile walk and a half mile off the tracks," notes a visitor to Lock and Dam 13, indicating access challenges during certain river conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Playground-adjacent sites: Certain loops at Morrison-Rockwood State Park circle playground areas. "We had site 57 which is in a loop which goes around a playground. It was great for the kids who could go play and the sites in this loop provide plenty of space and privacy. We used only our camper for the amenities so i cant comment on the bathrooms or shower houses but they looked nice."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Spring Lake Campground offers excellent nature observation chances. "The quiet nature of this campground allow campers to enjoy the protected wildlife of the refuge (bird watchers- bring you cameras), access to Spring Lake fishing and the Great River Bike trail runs right through the campground for biking, skateboarding or walking."
Rental equipment access: Several locations provide boat, kayak, and bicycle rentals. "Rent the tandem bike, play a game, take out a paddle board, make a fire and relax," suggests a Spring Lake Campground visitor. Rental costs typically range from $10-25 per hour depending on equipment type.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups without water: Many campgrounds provide electrical connections but limited direct water hookups. "The sites are all level concrete and just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi. Quiet at night. The only improvement I would like to see is water hookups, but there are plenty of spigots scattered around the park," notes a Thomson Causeway visitor. RVers should arrive with full freshwater tanks.
Dump station availability: Most campgrounds feature accessible dump stations. At Bald Eagle Campground, facilities include "fire pit, tables, water, electric, hard pads, firewood, available, heated shower house, very clean, Recycling bins, overflow parking, electric vehicle charge station." Multiple stations at larger campgrounds minimize waiting time during peak departure periods.
Site leveling requirements: Terrain varies considerably across different campgrounds. "Our site was pretty flat, although it was a little tricky backing into it. They put the site number posts at the end of the pad near the road and our site had a tree on the other side, so we had to use the grass across the road to maneuver in and out," explains a Rock Creek Marina visitor. Some sites require blocks or leveling equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Fulton, IL?
Which is the most popular campground near Fulton, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fulton, IL is Thomson Causeway with a 4-star rating from 15 reviews.
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