Camping options near Havana, Illinois cater to campers seeking river and forest settings along the Illinois River basin at an elevation of 460 feet above sea level. The region's terrain alternates between forested areas and sandy soil conditions that can produce prickly pear cactus, a surprising find for visitors to central Illinois. Cell reception across the region's natural areas varies from moderate to nearly nonexistent.
What to do
Hiking through pine forests: Sand Ridge State Forest offers unusual sand-based terrain with unexpected ecosystem features. "This is a sandy forest that is less visited with backcountry sites. The trail is a mix of sand and soil. It's quite an unexpected discovery in Illinois," reports a visitor to Pine Campground. The green trail touches on all ecosystems found in the forest.
Fishing in multiple lakes: Anglers can access multiple fishing spots throughout the region. At Millpoint Park, "There's a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night. In fact, you don't even need to get into a boat, by accessing one of 2 small little lakes where you can simply cast a line in from the dock or around the perimeter."
Historical exploration: Visit Lincoln's New Salem Historic Site for educational opportunities. "I love to walk through all the old buildings and learn about Lincoln's way of life. They even had horses and a bull out in the pastures! All the kids were feeding one of the horses handfuls of grass over the fence. And I love that everyone is in period clothing for events," notes a visitor to the historic village.
What campers like
Quiet, spacious camping spots: Many campgrounds in the region offer well-spaced sites. At Millpoint Park, "each site has a picnic table and fire pit. The guy that runs the place is AWESOME! So nice and willing to help with anything you need. This park is close to town, so if anything is needed you are only minutes away."
Clear night skies: Jubilee College State Park Campground offers excellent stargazing opportunities away from city light pollution. "Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies," notes one camper. Another adds, "Great campground to get out of the city. The viewing of stars is incredible."
Waterfront camping: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. According to one Millpoint Park visitor, the campground is "perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing a sublime encounter with nature on top of offering direct waterfront sites."
What you should know
Iron content in water: Water quality varies across campgrounds. At Millpoint Park, "The water here has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in, so I would encourage you to bring a decent amount of bottled water with you." Another camper confirms, "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird."
Site levelness varies: Many RV camping sites near Havana, Illinois require some adjustment. At The Double J Campground and RV Park, a camper notes that it has "large pull through sites with water hookups and a sanitary dump station."
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings insects that require preparation. At Millpoint Park, a camper advises, "If you haven't camped out here in central Illinois during the summer, you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay."
Tips for camping with families
Look for family-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities. The Double J Campground has "pool, mini golf, and more. Very convenient to get too and the check in is very fast."
Consider accessibility to town: Prairie Lake Campground at Jim Edgar Panther Creek offers convenience with amenities. One visitor describes it as a "pleasant campground with 2 loops. Clean bathrooms with showers. Choice of full hookup or just electric on outer perimeters of each loop. Small fishing lake. 2 campground host sites with wood and ice for sale."
Plan for limited shade: Some newer campgrounds lack mature trees. One camper notes about Prairie Lake Campground, "This is a nice, well kept campground but being newer has small trees with little shade. Also has been very windy on the few occasions we have stayed with an open field at entrance."
Tips from RVers
Check water access points: Campgrounds vary in hookup configurations. At Prairie Lake Campground, one RVer mentions, "Site has electricity with water centrally located in the center of the loop. We needed a 100 ft fresh water hose to fill up."
Consider camping loops carefully: Choosing the right section matters. At Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey, "The regular sites may be considered a bit cramped by some standards. All fire pits seem to have grill grates. Deluxe sites additionally have a grill and large concrete patio."
Use campground hosts as resources: Local knowledge improves camping experiences. At The Double J Campground, "Fantastic camp hosts, large pull through spots... Very convenient to get too and the check in is very fast." Another RVer mentioned, "The owners were very kind and made us feel welcome."
