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.
