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Best Tent Camping near Machesney Park, IL

705 Reviews

Tent campers near Machesney Park, Illinois have several secluded options for overnight stays, particularly at MacQueen Forest Preserve which offers walk-in tent sites along the Kishwaukee River. This former Boy Scout camp features nine primitive tent sites spread out approximately 50 yards apart, providing privacy rarely found in northern Illinois campgrounds. Castle Rock State Park, located along the Rock River about 35 miles southwest, offers boat-in tent camping with waterfront sites accessible only by canoe or kayak.

MacQueen Forest Preserve tent sites require campers to walk in along gravel paths or mowed trails, with a wagon and dolly available to transport gear from the parking area. Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table, with vault toilets centrally located. No drinking water is available on site, so campers must bring their own supplies. The campground is self-registration with a $4-5 per night fee collected via payment box. Sites cannot be reserved and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The entrance gate locks from sunset to sunrise, providing additional security for tent campers.

Areas farther from developed facilities typically offer greater solitude for tent camping. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, tent sites in the wooded areas (particularly sites 1, 2, and 8) provide more seclusion than those situated around the open meadow. Castle Rock's boat-in sites create a true wilderness experience, as paddling is the only way to access these riverside tent locations. The natural setting attracts wildlife viewing opportunities, with owls frequently heard at night. A camper noted that "sites are pretty spread out. Only sites 1, 2, 8 are forested, the rest are around a large open field." Environmental conditions vary seasonally, with train noise occasionally heard at MacQueen Forest Preserve, while Castle Rock's tent sites feature quieter surroundings interrupted only by river sounds and wildlife.

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Best Tent Sites Near Machesney Park, Illinois (13)

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13 Photos of 13 Machesney Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Machesney Park, IL

705 Reviews of 13 Machesney Park Campgrounds

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    MacQueen Forest Preserve

    Secluded Hike-in Tent Campsites on the Kish

    This is where to go if you don't like pitching a tent in a field of RVs. 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. The other campsites require a walk/hike along a gravel path for completely wooded sites or cross a football sized meadow for open air sites. There are several well-water pumps "not for drinking." Each campsite has a fire pit and a picnic table. Pack out your garbage for the dumpster in the parking lot. There are only 9 sites total. VERY private and secluded. Tents only! Massive forest preserve area for excellent hiking. Some fellow campers were doing a diy tubing right to the campground. (About a 2 hr lazy river tube from Kingston or 5hrs from Genoa on the slow moving S. Branch of the Kishwaukee River which can be pretty deep in places.) Absolutely NO ALCOHOL. Cost for tent sites is only $4 per tent or tent-like structure. There are primitive cabins for rent and a large lodge if you rented the structure for an event here. By their facebook page, it looks like there have been beautiful weddings here. This is a former scout camp flanked by more forest preserves. The ranger is very nice and the entrance is locked from sunset to sunrise. I hesitated even posting this tent-camping primitive heaven, because I almost want to keep it for myself and the locals. Please practice leave no trace and follow the rules if you go so this place stays open. Dog friendly, but must be leashed all of time or a $50 fine. My dog loved the trails and river crossings! Gorgeous hidden gem about an hour into cornfield country from Chicago NW suburbs like Woodfield Mall. I had cell service at one spot in the parking lot, but it was fleeting with T-mobile. A fellow camper had the best private spot (#2) which other than the ada site was the best because it was closest to the parking lot, yet she still had a festival/yard cart to pull her gear up a gravel path. Make sure you bring yours or are outfitted with backpacking gear. Like anywhere, prevent insect deforestation and don't bring firewood, it's fine, they have plenty.

  • Stacie H.
    May. 29, 2022

    White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    Lovely natural scenery; campground leaves something to be desired

    Let's start with the good stuff:

    • The park is beautiful. Lovely trees, lots of shade, the hiking trails are nice, well marked, and they even have an accessible trail for those with disabilities!
    • There is a restaurant and gift shop on site. Gift shop sells wood if you run low or forget.
    • The bathrooms and shower house are relatively clean and well kept.

    Now for the not so great stuff:

    • Many of the campsites are sloped and some are sloped A LOT. This isn't obvious from the booking page.

    • The campground is absolutely jammed with camp sites- it's ridiculous. I've never been to a campground where the sites were so on top of one another.

    • We stayed in the Sunny Crest loop and the drinking water well was broken so we had to travel to other parts of the campground for water. When carrying a 10 gallon jug full of water back, that really sucked.

    • The sites that are marked as "hike in" aren't secluded and away from other sites at all, as one might expect. They are jammed in with all the others but there just isn't any parking nearby.

    • It had rained the day before was went and so the road to the campgrounds was blocked off (presumably because the creek was running too high), but there was NO SIGNAGE telling us how to get there another way. There was no one in the park office or in the camping registration station to ask. We finally figured out that we had to take an emergency road/auxiliary road to get to the campground, but that was after about 30 minutes of confusion.

    • The breakfast buffet at the restaurant is mid but very pricey- $50 for 2 of us.

    • The quiet hours and no alcohol policy are not enforced at all. While we were there, there was a very loud group playing beer pong into the wee hours of the morning.

    • About half of the fire rings don't have grill grates so bring your own or bring a camp stove (See pic). Also, when you book your site, there is no way to know if your fire ring will have a grill grate or note.

  • Meg
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Beautiful View (site 20), serious slope

    We LOVE site 20 as does everyone else who books this one up quick. Literally the only downside is that you have no flat spots anywhere on the site, which killed our backs sleeping in tents.

    Pros - lake view, but a safe distance down the hill so no worries about the kids at the campsite.

    On the end with tons of privacy, full row of trees and a ton of space until the next site. It’s like your own mini oasis.

    Lake is also fabulous. We decided to rent instead of hauling our own kayak and they were clean, affordable and quick process.

    Cons - lol that hill is no joke. Pit toilets I wouldn’t touch with a 10ft pole, but that’s pretty typical.

  • D
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Paul Wolff Campground

    No showers

    We would gladly stay here again!

    Great campsite with the best staff ever! The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs. And I even grew to like the no alcohol in the preserve rule.

    The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers. They don't advertise showers, but this is the newest and nicest campsite I have seen without showers. There is some shade, but you have to search for it.

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • S
    Oct. 2, 2020

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Good Tent Sites

    We visited this spot last summer as a place to stay for 1 night on our way farther north.

    We really enjoy tent camping and prefer walk-in/hike in sites so we can have some privacy away from other campers. The campsites were decently dispersed and the ground was nice and grassy so it was pretty comfortable.

    We always want more space between campsites, but I think the privacy level was fine. The tent sites are right off the parking lot where the boat ramp is so maybe on a busy weekend it would be a little loud, but overall a nice night for us!

    We left in the morning to continue our drive so we didn’t spend much time checking out the hiking trails.

    We did however go checkout the beach which wasn’t much to write home about. If I remember correctly, we had to pay a fee to enter. Always happy to support a state park. We just figured since we were already paying to camp there, it wouldn’t cost extra. I’m pretty sure we paid an admission fee and didn’t stay for long. It was across the way and requires a drive instead of a hike to get there.

  • Becca Z.
    Aug. 30, 2020

    Lowden State Park Campground

    Great camping spot!

    We were so happy with the size of the tent camping sites. They were mostly all flat, plenty of space and gave privacy from the neighbors. We were at site 28 which had both sun and shade. Right across from the pit toilets which I wouldn’t pick next time. There was no shower house or running water in the loop we were at. Across the street were the electric rv sites and a few tent sites. Only compliant is even from the middle of the campground we could hear the road noise. Otherwise great!

  • Josh F.
    Dec. 29, 2020

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Small, close to 2 busy roads - there are nicer options in Southern Wis.

    Throughout the summer of 2020, I camped at a number of Wisconsin state parks in the southern part of the state but hadn't gotten to camp at this one yet. While driving through the area I visited the park in December- photos won't show its summertime beauty but my walk through the park identified some ideal spots for camping. 

    The state park is open year-round, camping open May - October. The first thing I visited were the walk-in campsites. There is a loading zone parking lot with limited time parking. Access to the 14 walk-in sites is via a single trail with campsites on either side of the trail. There is a decrepit but functional pit toilet. All the walk-in sites have a picnic table and each is tucked off the trail into the woods.

    The downside to the walk-in sites is their proximity to a major highway. While walking through the campground I could easily hear the road noise. If I were looking to get away from civilization, or at least pretend to be far away from it all, that road noise would be a constant reminder that I wasn't. The further down the walk-in site trail I got, the closer I got to the highway and in fact, car headlights showed right up the trail as I was approaching the last set of campsites.

    When looking at a map and choosing a site, the walk-in campsites on the same side of the trail as the toilet are a little more private and secluded, and back up to expansive woods. The sites on the other side of the trail are nice but they are a little closer to the freeway and don't have as much forest coverage behind the campsites. The furthest walk-in site is at least a 4-minute (slightly downhill) walk from the parking lot. The centrally-located restroom is no more than 2 minutes from any of the walk-in campsites. Sites are between 40 and 1,000 feet from the walk-in loading zone.

    If walking to your campsite isn't your thing there is also a family campground with 17 drive-in (not drive through) sites located along a typical one-way paved road system. Unfortunately, this side of the state park is bordered by a different and only slightly less traveled road than the walk-in sites. Some campsites are sandwiched between the loop road and the main road, are lit by nighttime traffic headlights lights. As the campground road continues toward the group campground it veers away from the main road and offers a bit more privacy. These are the sites I'd select if I were to camp here.

    Of the group campsites, 55 and 56 are in a nicely wooded area with shade. 52 53 and 54 are in an open area with no shade. The family campground is serviced by two pit toilets centrally located to the campsites.

    Due to the very small size of this state park, lack of much to do except one hiking trail through it, and proximity to two main roads, I would not recommend the state park. There are many others in southern Wisconsin that have far more to offer. 

    Seriously, if you're looking for a Wisconsin state park in this neck of the woods, check out Yellowstone Lake or Blue Mound State Park instead. See my review of the latter for specific spots that would be awesome for tent camping.

  • Sarah W.
    Nov. 26, 2018

    New Glarus State Park Campground

    Nice weekend in the woods near Madison

    Note - this review is for the walk-up sites only This is our go-to campground when we decide we want to go camping with short notice. The park itself is neither very popular nor very interesting, so there are usually still sites available for reservation only a few days before your intended camping trip. The park itself isn't that interesting, but it is worth noting that it is located across the road from New Glarus Brewery. The brewery is an easy walk or bike ride from the walk-in campsites.

    We have camped at several of the walk-in sites. The sites are all located along the bike trail, and carts are available for transporting your gear which means you can bring more gear than you would bring backpacking. The walk-in sites have a good amount of space between each site, however the sites on the east side of the bike trail get less level the further you get from the parking lot. All sites are shaded and have fire pits and picnic tables. The sites on the west side of the trail are more level but closer to the trail, so you have less privacy from passers-by. Our personal favorite site is #19. It is the closest site to the parking lot on the east side of the trail, but you have to take a short foot-path off the main trail to get to the site and the site itself can't actually be seen from the trail or the parking lot. This makes it very quiet and private, but still not too far from your car. The campgrounds do have a lot of raccoons so it is nice to be within an easy walk of your vehicle if you would prefer to secure your food. Site 19 is also very level and spacious, with plenty of room for at least two good sized tents. You can hear some road noise in all of the walk-in sites due to the highway being near by, but it's buffered a bit by the woods so it is more of a white noise.

    The walk-ins have a vault toilet centrally located along the trail, and it has always been clean whenever we've camped there. A water spigot is also located centrally among the walk-in sites. You can take a short hike to the park's ampitheater from the walk-in sites, but they do not have programs very often.

Guide to Machesney Park

Tent campsites near Machesney Park, Illinois offer a range of overnight experiences beyond the popular MacQueen Forest Preserve. The region features a mix of prairie landscapes and wooded terrain with elevations ranging from 700 to 850 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall bring cooler nights requiring extra layers for comfortable tent camping.

What to do

River activities: Castle Rock State Park Campground offers unique boat-in campsites that create immersive water experiences. "It was a couple hour paddle, plus we made a pit stop at the castle rock overlook, before we got to the canoe in site. Site selection is first come, first serve and the registration and payment is done on the honor system," notes Kaitlin B.

Hiking trails: Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center provides extensive trail systems across its 640-acre property. "There are over 640 acres of meadow, forest, and stocked pond. I'm not sure if it's still there, but there used to be a challenging obstacle course up a steep hill, over a wood wall with stations in the woods," explains Marisa A.

Stargazing: For those seeking night sky views near Machesney Park camping areas, the open meadow sites at MacQueen Forest Preserve offer excellent opportunities. "About half of the campsites are in a meadow at the back end of the campground. It would be beautiful for stargazing! There's also a giant fire pit with benches," reports Amy G.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: The seclusion at MacQueen Forest Preserve consistently impresses visitors. "This is one of those places that's so awesome, you really don't want to tell people about it...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.

Budget-friendly options: Affordable camping costs make these locations accessible for weekend getaways. "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. At Blackhawk Memorial Park, "current campsite costs are $5/weekday night and $10/weekend night," according to xaq.

Seasonal flexibility: Some campgrounds offer year-round tent camping opportunities. "Second time coming to this great local spot. This time i stayed in site #8. By far the best spot on the gounds. Great remote location over looking the river. Great time minus the winter squall that rolled threw our first night," reports Nick C. about winter camping at MacQueen Forest Preserve.

What you should know

Self-registration systems: Most primitive campgrounds in the area operate with minimal staff oversight. "It's all self-checking, you just use the pay box in the parking lot," explains Amy G. about MacQueen Forest Preserve, while at Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground, campsites can be reserved through the Illinois State Parks reservation system.

Water availability: Potable water access varies significantly between campgrounds. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "There is water, but it is not, I repeat is not, potable," warns Amy G., requiring campers to bring all drinking water.

Site selection strategies: Getting the best tent sites requires specific knowledge. "Only sites 1,2,8 are forested the rest are around a large open field," notes Nick C. about MacQueen Forest Preserve, providing valuable insight for those seeking wooded campsites.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: New Glarus State Park Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "The toilets were clean. The playground was great. We spent the day exploring our Swiss heritage in New Glarus," says Kay K., highlighting facilities that enhance family camping experiences.

Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects sleep quality at some campgrounds. "These sites are right next to the highway and (at least during the week) are subject to continuous, round the clock highway noise...It was jarring, and we barely slept," warns Katie K. about New Glarus State Park Campground.

Equipment transport: Many tent sites require walking gear in from parking areas. At MacQueen Forest Preserve, "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," Amy G. explains, helping families prepare for gear transportation.

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility: Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake provides options for RV campers seeking hookups near tent camping areas. "Set up went well, didn't blow anything up! Yea! Staff was great, helped me back in," shares James W. about his experience.

Tiered camping layout: Some campgrounds offer innovative design features for optimal views. "Great three tiered camping spot. Full hookup, and great views. Has a pub/restaurant with good food," notes Alix M. about Snug Harbor Inn Campground on Turtle Lake, describing how the terraced design ensures most sites have water views.

Proximity to amenities: On-site facilities enhance RV camping experiences. "Nice Bar/Restaurant on site. Met 2 nice couples which helped with any questions. The view was nice overlooking Turtle lake," James W. explains about Snug Harbor Inn Campground, highlighting conveniences for RV campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Machesney Park, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Machesney Park, IL is MacQueen Forest Preserve with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Machesney Park, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Machesney Park, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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