Searching for the best camping near Loda, IL? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Illinois camping has to offer. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Loda. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$35 - $50 / night
"Lots of access to great fishing holes up the Kankakee and Iroqouis Rivers.
Kayak launch friendly!"
"the map that shows the Peoria area is wrong. this campground is near Bradley-Bourbonnais Illinois."
"This campground is open, there are a lot of amenities, it's very well kept, and there is good access to water."
RangerThis is our go-to campground when visiting the U of I. It is a large campground with well spaced campsites for tents and rvs. Almost every site has plenty of shade with lots of tree cover. This also means in the dog days of summer the breeze is blocked by the trees so get an electric site even with a tent and bring a fan. They have a beach and a boat launch. The loops that allow alcohol can get a bit rowdy with weekend partiers, but the alcohol restricted loops can get loud from all the families. However, with full hook-up options there is no generator noise. The showers/bathrooms are kept up well given the massive amount of people served. If you own a boat and camp, this place is ideal for central Illinois.
GuideIl start this by saying: we prefer tent camping/primitive/atleast semi isolated spots. If you’re looking for RV camping, this is probably a decent spot so read no further!
We drove in to the Middle Fork Forest Preserve looking for a place to camp same day on our way down to Giant City. We weren’t able to make a reservation less than 5 days in advance online so we tried to call. No one in the office except Th-Sunday and it was Wednesday so we couldn’t get in touch. All good. It happens and it did say that clearly on their website and on voicemail. We needed a place for the night so decided to risk driving over from I57 S. Rolled in around 5 and all the campsites were marked reserved but there were about 3 people set up to camp there. We didn’t end up camping the night 1. Because we didn’t want to be jerks about the reservations although it seemed like no one else would be arriving until at the earliest the next day and 2. All of the campsites were pretty tight together and surfaced with gravel. That’s a personal preference thing. We always look for primitive/walk-in/hike in sites to set up tents/hammocks. This spot was mostly set up for RVs.
The hiking looked pretty lovely and the grounds/facilities looked well kept! Just maybe not our preference.
TravelerEasy access from the highway. Drove in without reservations, mid-week, just before dark, for a quick overnight while on a cross country trip. The very nice hosts (father/daughter team) helped us with the process. Lots of good sites available with long, relatively level gravel pads with 30amp electric. Got water on the way in, by the dump station. Firewood bundles for $8. Lots of beautiful, tall trees. I imagine it would be nice on a summer day, with plenty of shade. Clean and basic bathroom, there were free showers but I didn’t use them. This was an excellent overnight stay for only $20.
GuideFirst backpacking trip in the Midwest and this was a surprisingly scenic place with a great backpacking sites! We did forest glen river ridge trail; started from the staff parking lot and walked about 8 miles to the east camp. We had a big group and took sites 3 and 5 because they were on a flatter ground. All sites were well shaded and there was even an OUTHOUSE!!! The rangers told us the water from the Vermilion River was safe to drink with filtration but note that you do have to walk down to the river and up to the campsites. Both sites came with a picnic table and a fire ring. Had a lovely time even with the thunderstorm.
GuideI live about 30 minutes from Kickapoo SP and anytime I feel I need to camp I head over. Great little campground in Central Illinois. Some pretty trails overlooking, beside, and sometimes through water. The RV sites are great for either rv, van, or tent camping with a lot of level ground at most sites. There are some real diamonds of a campsite hidden here that you can basically be in the woods with clear ground for a level tent. I love this simple campground and have brought a handful of friends here who also enjoyed it.
GuideOne of our favorite camping trips so far!
We stayed in the J loop, which was more family friendly and very close to the beach. There was a walking path from our site to the shore which was perfect for our young family to go back and forth on.
Sites were somewhat open but there were tons of trees and grass behind each spot so it didn’t feel so exposed. We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole.
We heard the toilets/shower house were in need of TLC so we brought a portable toilet since we have small kids who would not make it to the outhouse so we never used the campground toilet/facilities.
Definitely our vibe of being more secluded and on the water.
TravelerFirst stop on a cross county trip. We were directed to Catfish Bay for tent camping. It was lightly drizzling and on an overcast day most of the tree-covered campsites were dark. There are some nice sites right on the water (be prepared to walk your gear in from parking lot). Site #21 was private, with more open sky and a shorter walk to parking/outhouse. The outhouse was in really rough shape--looked like it hadn't been swept out or hosed down for awhile. Won't be back.
ScoutNice place no alcohol. 'Lake' has had a lot of algae over the last couple years
TravelerI have been to this place twice and I have camped in three different areas. The park has always been very clean. The Rangers are very helpful and nice. If you want to backpack the 11 mile loop you will need to get a permit from the Ranger in advance. The backcountry sites have trash cans and pit toilets for convenience. There is a nearby water source but it will need to be filtered. Other things to do...walk in the prairie, hike, climb a tower, play at the playground, picnic, etc... it’s a very nice place to visit.
Tent camping near Loda, Illinois, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying various amenities and activities. Here are some great options for your next outdoor adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Loda, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Loda, IL is Mac Finn's Landing with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Loda, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Loda, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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