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Best Campgrounds near Kirkland, IL

574 Reviews

Campgrounds near Kirkland, Illinois range from state parks with full amenities to more rustic forest preserves within an hour's drive. Rock Cut State Park, located about 30 miles north of Kirkland, features both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, showers, and drinking water. The region includes several cabin options at locations like Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area and Pine Country RV and Camping Resort. MacQueen Forest Preserve offers a more primitive camping experience with tent sites and basic cabins accessible via hiking trails, while providing a quieter alternative to the larger developed campgrounds.

Camping availability throughout the area follows seasonal patterns, with most campgrounds operating from April through October, though several like Rock Cut State Park and Shabbona Lake remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when facilities reach capacity, particularly on weekends. Many campgrounds in the region require advance booking through Illinois' ExploreMoreIL reservation system. The terrain is predominantly flat with some wooded areas providing shade, while open prairie sections can become quite hot during summer months. A recent visitor to MacQueen Forest Preserve noted, "I stayed one night and really enjoyed myself. There wasn't anyone there. It's very basic, just a fire pit and a picnic table at each spot. Self service check-in. You have to walk up to the sites."

Northern Illinois camping experiences vary significantly between the more developed state parks and smaller forest preserves. Campers report that the fishing opportunities at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area are a major draw, with one visitor describing it as "an absolute natural treasure trove, whether in the midst of a humid and hot Illinois summer or in the bitter cold of a snow white winter." Several campgrounds in the area feature lakefront access, with Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park offering swimming, boating and fishing opportunities. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds and hiking trails are common at the larger campgrounds, while the smaller preserves provide more solitude. Winter camping options are limited but available at select locations, with some parks offering cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails when conditions permit.

Best Camping Sites Near Kirkland, Illinois (85)

    1. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    79 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    20 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. MacQueen Forest Preserve

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

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Sycamore RV Resort

    9 Reviews
    Sycamore, IL
    11 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. Blackhawk Valley Campground

    9 Reviews
    Rockford, IL
    12 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."

    5. Chicago Northwest KOA

    16 Reviews
    Union, IL
    17 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"

    6. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    23 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."

    7. Thomas Woods Campground

    17 Reviews
    Marengo, IL
    19 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."

    8. Thousand Trails Pine Country

    4 Reviews
    Belvidere, IL
    11 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."

    9. Holiday Acres Camping Resort

    5 Reviews
    Belvidere, IL
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 547-7846

    $49 - $99 / night

    "Lots of people leaving bad reviews for silly little things. let me say first off this place is HUGE. plenty of room for the kids and the dogs and just a short walk from the kish. good fishing and friendly"

    10. Lehmans Lakeside RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Union, IL
    15 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."

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Recent Reviews near Kirkland, IL

574 Reviews of 85 Kirkland Campgrounds

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 30, 2026

    White Pines Forest State Park - Fox Canyon Youth Campground

    Adventure Camping on Pine Creek Trail

    Tucked along Pine Creek within the beautiful White Pines Forest State Park, Fox Canyon Youth Campground offers group-oriented camping amidst towering white pine groves and woodland trails. This Class B/S campground accepts families and youth groups predominantly with tent sites in mind with just a few electric hookups available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are easily made through ExploreMoreIL™, and the campground features limited amenities like a shared restroom (without showers) and potable water stations. Located a short drive from the main loop, Fox Canyon brings the creek and the forest straight to your tent door.

    Camping here feels peaceful and rustic, with sprawling forest scenes, quiet pine-shaded groves and the occasional creek-side birdsong. The youth camping area naturally encourages camaraderie, group activities and nature exploration and while not necessarily ‘big, wide-open, wild wilderness,’ but rather a beautiful, forested retreat with functional infrastructure intact. Nearby, you’re only minutes from classic park features like the CCC-built lodge, picnic areas, trails and those iconic creek fords that make arrivals feel like outdoor-grade mini adventurers.

    Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) For a solid group setup, position yourselves beside Pine Creek as it is both scenic and ideal for activity hubs; (2) Bring all your water containers full or you’ll need to fetch from communal hydrants, which I would suggest bringing a filter; (3) Be sure to walk the nearby accessible trail or the Pine Creek ford as it’s easy, beautiful and a talk-starter for younger campers; (4) Keep an eye on weather and creek levels as during heavy rains, the fords close and the campground may become cut off; (5) Post-camp meal? Visit the park’s rustic lodge restaurant for its Friday Night Fish Fry or Saturday Night Prime Rib specials otherwise order up the signature meatloaf or chicken fried steak during the week otherwise, you’ll need to drive a bit further afar for decent grub, where I recommend a stop in nearby Polo at either Dad’s Bar & Brill (aka Pinecricker Café) or the Dogwood Inn.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Rock Cut State Park - Hickory Hills Campground

    Where Tent Camping Touches the Shore

    Hickory Hills Campground is Rock Cut State Park’s more primitive, tent-only camping destination, distinct from the electric Class A and B camping areas. Located along the eastern edge near Pierce Lake, this campground offers non-electric Class B sites and are numbered from 1 to 60 and set along a wooded lake frontage small peninsula right on Lake Pierce with this CG spot making for a quieter, more rustic experience with the closest access to the lake of any of the 6 other campgrounds that exist here at Rock Cut SP.

    Sites are modest and simpler than premium loops: you won’t find hookups here, but you will have nearby access to water hydrants and restrooms located just outside the loop. Central facilities cover essentials like showers, toilets and a dump station in the broader park; however, between November and April, water and dump services are unavailable, so plan accordingly.

    Hickory Hills shines for its proximity to nature and lakeside access where you can cast a line, paddle around or hike the dozens of miles of forest trails. Still, be prepared for less privacy between sites as there’s virtually no ground shrubbery with many of the sites being sloped or closely spaced, so expect limited shade (in fact, you may want to bring your own shelter), and a more basic setup than other loops here.

    Insider Tips? Let’s count to 5: (1) Make your reservation as EARLY as possible through ExploreMoreIL™ since Hickory Hills offers fewer, more highly desired tent-only sites that are either lakefront or lakeview; (2) Pack your shade as several sites are sloped or open wherein early setup and a sunshade or awning can help maintain comfort and / or privacy; (3) Move shiftable gear near the loop entrance as the facilities are outside the loop, so a wheeled cart or stroller comes in very handy; (4) For easier meal prep or last-minute snacks, stop at the central camp store between White Oak and Plum Grove campgrounds with this central store stocking basics like ice, firewood and snacks; and (5) Bring your kayak, canoe and / or fishing rod as Hickory Hills Campground puts you within easy reach of Pierce Lake’s quiet shore, which is great for paddle sessions or launching simple lake adventures.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Primitive Camp Right by the Fox River Under Ancient Oaks

    Situated about five miles west of Yorkville in Kendall County, Silver Springs State Fish& Wildlife Area spans over 1,350 acres including the beautiful Silver Springs, two manmade lakes and several miles of Fox River shoreline. Camping here is highly primitive and organized around youth and group backpack sites that offer a peaceful, history-rich wilderness setting. It’s not your typical family campground, but more of a lean-into-nature, group-only campout.

    The camping experience here is stripped-down with no vehicle access to campsites, no RV hookups and no showers, just ground-based tents in shaded woods along the river. You’ll need to carry in all your gear and water, as this is basic trail-side camping. What you get is serenity, solitude and a tapestry of oak forests, prairie restoration zones and natural spring magic that makes this place feel timeless.

    What really sets this park apart is its raw connection to landscape and wildlife. The spring itself bubbles a clear, cold pool that doesn’t freeze in winter, offering a shimmering focal point amid oaks and prairie grasses. Beyond that, the park offers canoeing, kayaking and fishing on Loon & Beaver Lakes as well as the Fox River, plus a robust network of trails stretching 4 miles for hikers and 7 miles for horseback riders. In winter, you can even ice-skate or cross-country ski weather permitting (read: wait for the snow to fall and the water to freeze over).

    Insider Tips? Here’s a handful: (1) If you hadn’t picked up on it already, bring everything you need as this is primitive camping to the max with no potable water or facilities at campsites; (2) The spring is a must-see and I would encourage you to visit during sunset when the light turns the waters silvery; (3) You definitely want to plan some trail time hiking near those lake and river paths that are perfect for wildlife viewing and quiet reflection; (4) While you certainly could do solo camping here, this place ideal for organized youth groups or scout trips; (5) While you won’t be able to drive up to your site, there is a decent parking lot that will at least allow you to get pretty close to where you will eventually be camping, so while it will take a handful of trips, depending upon how many people you come with, at least you’ll be able to hike in ¼ mile to the first spot or a ½ mile further in where there are larger group sites; and (6) For groceries or hot meals after camping, head into Yorkville for the nearest comforts with excellent digs like Smokey’s for some authentic BBQ, Crusade Burger Bar for its namesake handhelds and craft beer as well as The Vault, which is a former bank offering up Midwestern comfort food.

    Happy Camping!

  • 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.

Guide to Kirkland

Camping spots near Kirkland, Illinois feature varying levels of accessibility during the spring thaw, when some gravel access roads become difficult to navigate. The Kishwaukee River watershed provides fishing opportunities at multiple campgrounds within a 30-minute radius of Kirkland, with bass and catfish being common catches. Northern Illinois' flat terrain means most camping areas have minimal elevation change, making them suitable for novice hikers.

What to do

Fishing at local lakes: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area offers fishing for trophy catches. "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 in the woods," notes Scott C.

River wading: At Blackhawk Valley Campground, visitors can access the Kishwaukee River directly. "A campground close into the city but in the middle of corn and soy bean fields right done in the river. We had site 45, a back in site with no sewer but with water and electric," shares Jennifer H.

Walk-in primitive camping: For more solitude, MacQueen Forest Preserve provides rustic sites requiring short hikes. "You do have to walk into all of them, but they do have one wagon and a dolly you can use to tote things in. It's an easy walk, on a crushed gravel road and mowed trail," explains Amy G.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: MacQueen Forest Preserve offers unusually spacious site separation. "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," writes Amy G.

Self-service convenience: Several local campgrounds utilize simple check-in systems. "Self service check-in. You just use the pay box in the parking lot," mentions Amy G. about MacQueen Forest Preserve, where sites cost just $4-5 per night.

Wooded retreat sites: Thomas Woods Campground provides a forested camping experience. "I stayed in one of the tent camping sites with a little walk up (parking for a car available about 50 feet away). Nobody else was camping within sight of me, which was nice," shares Emily H.

What you should know

Seasonal facility limitations: Facilities vary widely by season. "We live less than five minutes from Rock Cut and wanted to test out our pop up camper. It's off season so the showers were not open yet but there were open toilets," notes Felicia at Rock Cut State Park.

Infrastructure challenges: Some campgrounds struggle with aging electrical systems. "The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again. So we ended up having to go back to camping world to get an adapter to use the 50 amp," warns Rebecca C.

Train noise proximity: Sycamore RV Resort and other area campgrounds have ambient noise considerations. "Note: 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," advises Amy G.

Tips for camping with families

Affordable alternatives: Budget-conscious families should consider forest preserves rather than RV parks. "The very best part? You're in the middle of the country, with gorgeous sunsets, and the primitive camping is only $4," shares Amy G. about MacQueen Forest Preserve.

Non-alcohol policies: Several government-run campgrounds prohibit alcohol. MacQueen Forest Preserve, Thomas Woods, and Rock Cut State Park all enforce "absolutely NO ALCOHOL" policies with potential fines.

Kid-friendly water features: Chicago Northwest KOA provides dedicated children's activities. "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," notes Dan B.

Tips from RVers

Parking assistance: Some campgrounds provide exceptional setup help. "When we arrive, the host will bring you to your site and just listen to his directions and he will get you into your site perfectly. I asked if I could bring him on my future trips. I've never parked so easily," shares Marc W. about Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort.

Site location strategy: At campgrounds with various loops, research specific areas before booking. "Beware of the Plum Grove loops - most sites there looked small and close together, and many were not very level. Shower buildings were clean enough, but very old with bad shower heads," advises Deb M. about Rock Cut State Park.

Water quality issues: Several campgrounds in the region have mineral-heavy water. "The camp water is high in Iron," notes Ron R., making bottled water advisable for drinking and cooking at most locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Kirkland, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kirkland, IL is Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground with a 4-star rating from 79 reviews.

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