Camping options near Cherry Valley, Illinois feature a mix of state parks and private campgrounds across rolling terrain at approximately 700-900 feet elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers that average 84°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Many campgrounds in this area sit within restored prairie landscapes, offering glimpses into the region's original ecosystem.
What to do
Hiking through diverse ecosystems: At White Pines Forest State Park Campground, well-marked trails accommodate various skill levels. "The hiking trails are nice, well marked, and they even have an accessible trail for those with disabilities!" reports a camper who appreciated the park's inclusive design.
Kayaking the Fox River: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides access to multiple connected waterways. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," notes one visitor. Free kayak use is available at Kings Camp where "paddle boats and kayaks available to use for free" according to a recent camper.
Fishing opportunities: Turner Lake South Campground offers shore fishing and small boat access to less crowded waters. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," shares a visitor from summer 2024.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Many glamping sites close to Cherry Valley, Illinois feature recently updated amenities. At Milton-Madison SE KOA, "The pool area is well maintained with a waterfall feature" and "Bathrooms are fantastic and recently upgraded," according to visitors who appreciated the maintenance standards.
Family-friendly activities: Crazy Horse Campground offers numerous structured recreation options. "When you pull in to set up camp you'll be facing the water which is nice you're not staring at neighbors campers," notes one reviewer who enjoyed the layout. Another visitor mentioned, "They provide at no charge kayaks and a shuttle to a drop-off point which you can kayak back down to the campground."
Wildlife viewing: Thomas Woods Campground provides quiet settings for nature observation. One camper shared, "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." The natural habitat supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the seasons.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Thomas Woods Campground offers more secluded sites than many area campgrounds. "I stayed in one of the tent camping sites with a little walk up. Nobody else was camping within sight of me, which was nice, though 2 other sites were visible from mine," reports one visitor who valued the solitude.
Weekend crowding: Many campgrounds fill quickly Friday through Sunday. "We stayed during the week because weekends were all booked. Had the place basically to myself," noted a Turner Lake camper. Similarly, at Chain O'Lakes, "The state park is off the main part of the water system, so even a little fishing boat can be fun without the large speedboat wakes here."
Alcohol restrictions: Several state park campgrounds enforce no-alcohol policies. Kings Camp visitor noted, "The only downside is they don't allow alcohol. This can also be a benefit as there wasn't anyone up partying all night and the park was very quiet." At Chain O'Lakes, "ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites strategically: At Honeysuckle Hollow, "We chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end as the ones closest to the main loop aren't very deep." This specific guidance helps families set up in optimal locations.
Bug preparation essential: Honeysuckle Hollow Camping Area requires special tick prevention. A parent advised, "Plan for toddlers and babies to have a contained covered screen house and have them wear hats or a wagon shade on walks so nothing lands in their hair." Another camper suggested bringing extra bug spray because "the flies are huge."
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons are particularly active at Chain O'Lakes campgrounds. One camper reported, "The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down."
Tips for RVers
Site accessibility varies: At Fox Den Campground, "Pads are pretty level, and each site has some semblance of privacy from other campers." A different camper noted, "Electric is easily accessible, and water/sanitary is easy to get in and out of." This makes glamping near Cherry Valley, Illinois more comfortable for RV users.
Electric hookup positioning: Some campgrounds have challenging electric post locations. One camper explained, "These sites share an electric box. Some spaces the box is further than 30 feet from the pad... We originally booked 96 but could not extend our slide because of large trees on either side of the pad and then the electric was about 50 feet away."
Water access planning: Most campgrounds offer limited water hookups. "We had 50 amp, but no water/sewer, although there was a water spigot next to our site that we could use to fill up jugs of water," noted a visitor to Chain O'Lakes. "The dump station was near the entrance to the camping loop and had potable water. It was also very busy and we had to wait when filling up and again when dumping."
