Best Campgrounds near Kingston, IL

Northern Illinois forest preserves and state parks surround the small community of Kingston, creating a diverse camping landscape within an hour's drive. MacQueen Forest Preserve, located directly in Kingston, offers secluded hike-in tent sites along the Kishwaukee River with primitive facilities and affordable $4 per night rates. Rock Cut State Park near Loves Park provides more developed options with its multiple campground loops including Staghorn Campground, which features electric hookups, paved sites, and access to Pierce Lake for fishing and boating. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, approximately 20 miles southwest, attracts anglers with its reputation as the "Muskie Capitol of Illinois."

Reservation requirements vary significantly across the region's campgrounds. Many Illinois state parks, including Rock Cut, require advance bookings through the ExploreMoreIL reservation system, especially during summer weekends. As one camper noted about MacQueen Forest Preserve, "This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs... There are only 9 sites total, VERY private and secluded." Weather considerations affect facility availability, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Winter camping is limited, though some parks like Rock Cut maintain partial operations with reduced amenities. Several campgrounds enforce strict alcohol prohibitions, including MacQueen Forest Preserve and many state parks.

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Kingston area. The Kishwaukee River provides opportunities for tubing and paddling, with MacQueen Forest Preserve campers reporting "a 2-hour lazy river tube from Kingston" to their campsites. Shade availability varies considerably between campgrounds, with some visitors noting inadequate tree cover at certain locations during hot summer months. Privacy levels differ dramatically between developed and primitive sites, with RV-focused campgrounds like Chicago Northwest KOA receiving mixed reviews for their closely spaced sites. One reviewer described the KOA as having "spaces tiny, open and cramped" while praising its convenient location. Wildlife viewing opportunities include white-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons, and various bird species throughout the region's forested areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Kingston, Illinois (81)

    1. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    "with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

    2. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4206

    "You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!"

    "We stayed here for a weekend and there were plenty of activities for the kids...the staff was friendly and the bathrooms were clean...our camp site was near the bathrooms, pool, and store so we were nice"

    3. Sycamore RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Sycamore, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 895-5590

    "Postage stamp space on gravel but we had things to do outside the resort. Nice walking path around the two ponds. The ponds are very low due to drought this summer."

    "Stayed here for a week, nice clean campground, quiet and beautiful lake for fishing, close to town, but yet just far enough out."

    4. MacQueen Forest Preserve

    6 Reviews
    Kirkland, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 522-6254

    "There is one wheelchair accessible tent site on a blacktop path in the forest canopy. This is a very primative campground with 1 set of Vault toilets."

    "You have to walk up to the sites. There's a wagon and a dolly to take your things. There isn't much in terms of hiking trails."

    5. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 338-6223

    $20 - $35 / night

    "While the highway riding was occasionally a bit harrowing, it was absolutely worth it for the beautiful views and camping here."

    "Most of the sites were right on the road and you’d need to position your car right for privacy. The tent sites are clumped pretty tight together with a couple exceptions."

    6. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 923-4533

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Propane, full hookups, fairly sized fenced in dog run area, a lake with a beach front.  Play ground for the kids and a strict 5MPH speed limit. "

    "We couldn’t reach the WiFi from our site but it was good closer to the lake. They also have free TV but we didn’t hook up to that."

    7. Thousand Trails Pine Country

    4 Reviews
    Belvidere, IL
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "It is close to home and we start and finish the camping season here."

    "We did not end up signing up as we prefer to visit many more locations than they had listed."

    8. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 824-2565

    $25 / night

    "If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem"

    "All within easy walking distance to the lake. Camp store and two boat rental spots allow for flexiblity on busier weekends."

    9. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."

    "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."

    10. Blackhawk Valley Campground

    9 Reviews
    Rockford, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 671-1125

    "Although a 15 minute drive from the main highway, this campground makes it worth it. Beautiful green common areas and a creek with small Sandy area below."

    "Active tent campers next to us and a lot (a lot) of seasonal permanent RV’s all very nicely appointed."

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Recent Reviews near Kingston, IL

603 Reviews of 81 Kingston Campgrounds


  • Heather E.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    First time at a campground in Illinois

    Nice Short walks in the woods. You can link trails together to go farther. Some signs for cross country ski trails.  Most of the sites are not flat and one in front of the other so be prepared for that. If you go after harvest be prepared to hear a grain dryer or other from the farm nearby all day and night. There’s a train you might hear a couple times in the night. Pretty quiet otherwise for other campers. Shower house had nice hot water. Restaurant was nice for dinner. The gift shop is cute. Looks like they have a dinner and show around the holidays at the restaurant. They could use extra signs to say where camping is right when you pull in otherwise you’ll end up at the restaurant or some better signs in the campground. Overall we will be back to select sites select times of year.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    King's Campground

    Where Fireflies & Faith Meet Fresh Air & Farmland

    As a mom camping with my husband and kids, I loved how this Christ-centered campground felt both safe and family-friendly, with roomy sites that offer shade, fire pits, picnic tables and clean bathhouses close enough for those urgent kid trips. The layout makes it easy to relax while still keeping an eye on little ones and the amenities, whether tent pads or RV hookups, make setting up simple. What really stood out was the nearby fun and educational activity for kids, like a nature trail, nearby working farm, local park or our visit to Blackhawk Statue near Lorado Taft that gave the kids both excitement and a learning moment. At the end of the day, this is the kind of place where parents can unwind by the fire while the kids fall asleep happily worn out from their adventures.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Nature’s Way RV Park

    Relaxing

    Clean and well maintained facility. Staff was organized and friendly. Pet friendly. We want to come back when we can stay longer.

  • Operation_Fun ..
    Sep. 18, 2025

    White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    Decent getaway from the city

    Cedar Ridge campground: stayed during the week because weekends were all booked. Had the place basically to myself.

    The sites: not very private, and most are one behind the other, so you’ll be going through a campground to get to the main road if you choose one in the back. 

    Atmosphere: There are trains that pass nearby (not constantly), and I could hear some campers from the Sunny Crest campground. Neither were obnoxious, and overall, it was relatively quiet. 

    Wildlife: 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. 

    Other notable items: Grab wood on the way there from a neighboring home/farmstand. There wasn't anywhere to purchase wood inside the property. 
    There are showers here. I'm not sure if they're open year-round, but the campground is. 
    The hiking trails are fun.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Not communicable, fraud administration

    I reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Ron D.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Pearl Lake

    Low Class Trailer Trashy Park

    Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Sunset Campground — Richard Bong State Recreation Area

    Private sites, lots of wildlife ... and mosquitoes

    It's a wetland, mosquitoes are happening, but the trade off is just about worth it. If you enjoy bird watching or rabbit spotting, this is a great place to go. 

    We're from the south, so we are used to mosquitoes, but I have seldom been around so many all at once. Thankfully we had a pop-up screened gazebo that made sitting outside our tent much more enjoyable. I will say this though, even with there being more mosquitoes constantly attacking, I did not have the reactions to them like I do the mosquitoes back in Alabama and Mississippi. I wasn't itching much at all.

    But back to the fun part. It was pretty hot a couple days while we were there and to take a break from the heat, we enjoyed the ac in the car and drove around the recreation area and the campgrounds. I have seldom seen as many rabbits as we saw. There were relatively few campers during the week and just about every other campsite had at least a bunny or two. 

    What drew me to this campground was how private the individual sites were. Each campsite is cut back into the trees so that most are at least semi-private. This was a nice feature given that many other campgrounds you are stacked in like cord wood.

    Our first night there, we left the rain fly off of the tent and just enjoyed the stars and the satellites streaking across the sky.

    Overall, it was a rather enjoyable week. The shower/bathrooms were nice and clean, though I will admit the shower got too hot even for my wife. It is an easy drive from the recreation area to Kenosha or other points of interest and Lake Michigan is worth a visit if you aren't from the area.


Guide to Kingston

Camping near Kingston, Illinois offers access to both forest preserve sites and state parks within a 30-minute drive radius. Located in DeKalb County with an elevation around 879 feet, the area experiences hot summers with temperatures averaging 85°F in July and cold winters dropping to 12°F in January. The region sits at the intersection of prairie and woodland ecosystems, creating diverse habitats for wildlife viewing opportunities.

What to do

Fishing for trophy catches: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, known for muskie fishing, offers multiple options for anglers. "The lake has produced a lot of trophy fish, if that's your thing. Otherwise it's quiet and peaceful. We like to go just to chill and read out out in the woods," notes Scott C. about Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area.

Hiking through varied terrain: Miles of interconnected trails wind through the campgrounds in the area. At Paul Wolff Campground, "On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them," shares Art S.

Water recreation beyond fishing: Many sites offer multiple water activities. "Great boating. Beautiful nature. Not something you would expect near Rockford," explains Melissa B. about Rock Cut State Park, which features Pierce Lake for boating, kayaking and swimming opportunities.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest preserves provide excellent chances to spot native animals. "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to belive that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated are just outside elgin, il," reports Tricia E. at Paul Wolff Campground.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At MacQueen Forest Preserve, campsites are designed for solitude. "There are eight primitive campsites here, and they're spread out at least 50 yards apart. That's right, at least 50 yards. You can't see the campsite next to you, and they all have a picnic table and a fire ring," says Amy G. about MacQueen Forest Preserve.

Easy river access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. "A campground close into the city but in the middle of corn and soy bean fields right done in the river," notes Jennifer H. about Blackhawk Valley Campground, which sits on the banks of the Kishwaukee River.

Clean facilities despite rustic settings: Even primitive sites maintain good standards. "The bathrooms were well kept," reports Marcus D. about MacQueen Forest Preserve, while a visitor to Thomas Woods notes, "Shower buildings were clean enough, but very old with bad shower heads."

Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates. MacQueen Forest Preserve charges only $4 per night for primitive sites. Amy G. comments, "The very best part? You're in the middle of the country, with gorgeous sunsets, and the primitive camping is only $4."

What you should know

Reservation requirements vary widely: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others are first-come, first-served. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "It's all self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot," explains Amy G.

Seasonal limitations affect facilities: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter access. "We stayed here overnight on our way to Michigan, with our site in the White Oak loop. Most sites here were secluded and level," reports Deb M. about Rock Cut State Park.

Noise considerations: Train tracks run near some campgrounds. "If you cannot sleep to the sound of trains at night, this is not the campground for you. I don't mind them at all, and rather enjoy the sound, but there were probably three of them that went by in the middle of the night rather close to the campground," warns Amy G. about MacQueen Forest Preserve.

Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have water limitations. Kevin C. notes about Rock Cut State Park, "The only negative is no drinkable water." Similarly, MacQueen Forest Preserve has water available, "but it is not, I repeat is not, potable."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "Plenty for the little kids to do, and the text message communication was great with regards to weather updates or any goings on around the campground," shares Dan B. about Chicago Northwest KOA.

Swimming options for hot days: Several locations have swimming areas. "Great fishing and nice beach for swimming," Ryan B. comments about Blackhawk Valley Campground, which offers a small beach area for children to wade in the water.

Family-friendly trails: Look for campgrounds with manageable hiking options. "As a Troop we would rent one of the cabins for late season campouts. Clean facilities but the nice part is the scenic hiking for being close to town. Gentle hills and beautiful color," shares Mike D. about Paul Wolff Campground.

Weekend programming: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. "There are a lot of activity for kids on the weekends. People are nice to you. Plus they have a quiet time at night. So people and kids can go to bed without a bunch of noise," Marty S. mentions about Chicago Northwest KOA.

Tips from RVers

Full hookups availability: Electric, water and sewer connections vary by campground. "We had site 45, a back in site with no sewer but with water and electric," notes Jennifer H. about Blackhawk Valley Campground.

Site levelness challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Very nice campground. It's on the smaller side and the RV sites are a little close together but they have it set up where your RVs doors open on opposite sides so it gives a little privacy," Michelle J. explains about Thomas Woods Campground.

Electrical limitations: Older campgrounds may have power issues. "Very close to home and not to expensive. They have sites with electric and sites just for tents," says Kevin C. about Rock Cut State Park, though another camper experienced electrical problems at the same park.

Proximity to services: Some campgrounds offer easy access to supplies. "We did not end up going into town so we did visit the well-stocked camp store," a visitor to Shabbona Lake mentions, while others note the convenience of nearby towns for resupplying during longer stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Kingston, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kingston, IL is Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground with a 4-star rating from 81 reviews.