Camping options near Keithsburg, Illinois span both sides of the Mississippi River, with access points in both Illinois and Iowa. The area experiences seasonal flooding from May through October, affecting campground availability along the river's edge. Dispersed camping is limited, with most options being established campgrounds within 30 miles offering varying levels of amenities and river access.
What to do
**Fishing access: At Ferry Landing - Mississippi River, campers can experience where the Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet. "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests. Look out for insects. Pack in/out, gather drift wood for fire, watch barges pass by," notes reviewer James M.
**Paddling opportunities: The Hennepin Canal provides excellent slow-moving water perfect for beginner paddlers. Geneseo Izaak Walton League Campground offers direct canal access. "This undiscovered little gem will make you feel as though you've just hit the primitive camping lottery jackpot as very few folks outside of Geneseo even know of this place," according to Stuart K., who adds, "You'll want to take note that you are sitting alongside the Hennepin Canal, which provides about 100 miles worth of some pretty amazing slow-moving current."
**Cycling routes: The Great River Trail connects multiple campgrounds in the region. A reviewer notes that Fishermans Corner is "one of the best campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail," and explains, "Going south will take you through Hampton, East Moline, Moline, Rock Island, and you can cross over to Davenport, circle Credit Island, and pick up other paths in Iowa."
What campers like
**Riverside views: Campers consistently rate sites with direct Mississippi River views highest. At Shady Creek, site selection matters: "Site #12 with electric hookup was in my opinion the best site. Right on the back of the mighty Mississippi," reports Donna T. Another camper adds, "Really enjoyed our stay, sites are large and staggered so you aren't staring at your neighbors and can enjoy the views."
**Level concrete pads: Many rv campgrounds near Keithsburg, Illinois feature well-maintained concrete pads. A reviewer at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River noted, "Level cement pads. Strong Verizon access," while another camper praised, "Level concrete pads. Corps of Engineers takes really good care of their recreation areas."
**Wildlife watching: The wetland areas provide excellent opportunities for nature observation. "Paddle upstream to Port Louisa NWR or Lake Odessa," suggests one camper at Ferry Landing. Another reviewer at Crossroads RV Park mentioned, "There was a beautiful wetland just down from the campground."
What you should know
**Train noise: Most campgrounds along the Mississippi experience train disturbances. "The downside is railroad tracks on one side, which came through at 3:30 am blowing his horns, and the Mississippi on the other, a couple during the night with their loud engines," warns a Shady Creek camper. Another reviewer at Crossroads RV Park stated, "It's a bit noisy due to the nearness to the interstate."
**Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. At Geneseo Campground, services run "Apr 1 to Oct 31" with many amenities closed after the season ends. A reviewer at Cedar River Campground mentioned limited access during their April visit when "the pool was closed for the evening cleaning."
**Cell coverage varies significantly: Reception depends on provider and tree cover. One camper at Shady Creek reported, "AT&T had 3 bars of LTE and Verizon 1 bar of LTE service," while another noted, "Our cell phone provider is Sprint and we had zero service."
Tips for camping with families
**Playgrounds and activities: Cedar River Campground offers multiple family-friendly amenities. One visitor reported, "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," making it suitable for longer stays with children who need entertainment.
**Kid-friendly biking: Several campgrounds connect to safe biking paths. "We spent the morning biking the Great River Bike trail as we enjoyed the perfect weather," shared a visitor to Fishermans Corner, noting the accessibility for riders of different skill levels.
**Swimming options: Seasonal pools provide relief from summer heat. "The kids loved the huge pool," reports a reviewer at Interstate RV Park, while another camper at Cedar River Campground mentioned their "beautiful" pool as a main attraction for families.
Tips from RVers
**Navigation challenges: Many RV campgrounds around Keithsburg, Illinois require careful approach planning. For Camp Nauvoo, a reviewer warns: "If you are southbound on Illinois Hwy 96, the left turn off the highway is very sharp and steep. Might be easier to continue about a mile south and use the scenic turnout to turnaround."
**Water hookup limitations: Check water access details before arrival. At Shady Creek, a camper noted, "Water is shared by 4 sites and was 30 ft away," while another mentioned, "We had a water hook up by us but did not realize that we couldn't use it. Got scolded by the Park Ranger."
**Site spacing: Campgrounds vary dramatically in site spacing. At Interstate RV Park, sites are "close together and more suited for RVs than tents," while Shady Creek offers "large sites" where "sites are staggered so you aren't staring at your neighbors."
