Hennepin Canal camping offers visitors access to Illinois' historic waterway system in north-central Illinois. The canal stretches nearly 105 miles with several primitive camping areas situated at various locks along the route. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide more moderate camping conditions with temperatures between 50-75°F. Campsites typically sit on grassy areas with minimal tree cover.
What to do
Hiking near Starved Rock: Several parks within a 15-minute drive of local campgrounds offer day hiking opportunities. The trails at Starved Rock Family Campground provide access to some of the region's most distinctive geological features. "Solid camping close to the state parks... Unfortunately, our site wasn't level which made tent placement interesting," notes Alan F., who recommends checking site conditions upon arrival.
Kayaking the Illinois River: Paddlers can access the Illinois River at several points near Hennepin. Kayak Starved Rock Campground sits directly on the water with rental equipment available. "We took advantage of that for some steaks. Yum. One of the best attributes of this campground is its natural beauty. It's right on the river and most all of the campsites are either river front or river view," explains Paul R.
Fishing along the Hennepin Canal: The canal system offers multiple fishing spots near camping areas. Each lock section provides different fishing conditions, with some areas better suited for shore fishing and others requiring small watercraft. "Pretty water area near lock 22," mentions Holly J. who visited the area for day fishing.
What campers like
Secluded camping sites: Campers appreciate the privacy found at certain campgrounds in the area. Pleasant Creek Campground receives positive mentions for its layout. "Clean bathrooms. Secluded from road, quiet, in forest. Friendly staff," writes Kristin L. about her experience at this location near Oglesby.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide swimming areas to cool off during summer months. "They have a nice playground, and a small beach area. We enjoyed ourselves," notes Ryan L. about his stay at Condits Ranch, highlighting the water recreation available beyond the canal itself.
Canal trail access: The Hennepin Canal towpath provides extensive biking and walking opportunities. Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground offers immediate access to this trail system. "The Hennepin Canal Trail goes right through camp. On a previous visit I rode my bike along the crushed gravel trail. With a few connecting roads, I traveled from a Chicago suburb to the Mississippi River," explains Art S.
What you should know
Primitive facilities at canal locks: Most Hennepin Canal camping areas offer minimal amenities. "The canal offers class 'C' (primitive camping without showers or electricity) for $8.00 per family/per night, regardless of mode of camping, i.e. tent, camper, pop-up," explains Iris A. about Hennepin Canal Lock 11.
Train noise at some locations: Railroad lines run near certain campgrounds in the region. "Word of warning: there is a railroad bridge RIGHT NEXT TO the campsite (about 50 yards) and it is functional. We found this out in the middle of the night when we were jolted from sleep by headlights and loud noise!" shares Amy G. about her experience at Hennepin Canal Lock 6.
Seasonal flooding concerns: Spring rains can affect some camping areas, particularly those in lower elevations near the canal. "We had the shade and the sites had nice people and we were near a stream, but there was a ton of poison ivy in the uncut beside the tent," notes Clinton G., who suggests careful site selection during wetter months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children, certain campgrounds offer better recreational facilities. "Large and peaceful site... amazing park for children, front office has everything you could imagine. The site is large enough for a nice dog walk and a very short drive to starved rock," notes Tony K. about Starved Rock Family Campground.
Swimming options: Children often enjoy the designated swimming areas at select campgrounds. "We had an enjoyable weekend here relaxing and getting away from the city... We also of course took time out to hike at Starved Rock State Park. It's a short 10 minute drive away," shares Paul R.
Pet-friendly hiking trails: Families camping with dogs will find numerous pet-friendly trails throughout the region. "The small fishing pond, the swimming hole and the clubhouse were great to mix in to keep the youngsters entertained," explains Mike P. about his family's experience at Condits Ranch, which welcomes pets throughout their grounds.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing concerns: RVers should be aware of tight spacing at some campgrounds. "The sites are spaced very close together. You won't have any bit of privacy. With all the rain this year, many sites flooded during a storm while we camped," explains Laura R. about her experience at LaSalle/Peru KOA.
Water and electrical access: Full hookup availability varies widely between campgrounds. "Our RV GPS took us off I-39 for a nice country drive to the campground. The utilities were centered on the pad so that was nice as I was able to dump both black tanks with a 10' hose," explains MickandKarla W., noting the convenient layout.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain that may require additional leveling equipment. "Sites are fairly level which made tent placement easy. The fire pits are not the typical metal rings with grates. They were nice, but we had to adjust a little to cook," explains one camper who appreciated the solid foundation but needed to adapt cooking methods.
