Tent camping near Manhattan, Illinois offers a mix of river access points and wooded sites within a 40-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 580 feet above sea level where the DuPage, Des Plaines, and Kankakee rivers converge, creating a network of waterways popular with paddlers. During spring and fall, temperatures range from 45-75°F, making these seasons ideal for overnight trips.
What to do
Water activities: Kayak Morris provides direct river access with calm waters perfect for beginners. "I have my own kayak and the river here is so calm its awesome. My friends rented the dual kayaks ant they loved them," notes camper Art P. The site sits at a river confluence that's excellent for fishing, as one visitor reported, "Between me and my buddies we caught over 50 striper. I don't know if its the river convergence or the lake but they bite here hard!"
Hiking: Trail connections from several campgrounds provide miles of walking options. The I&M Canal Towpath can be accessed from multiple camping areas, connecting historical sites across the region. "Walk to Ottawa is very magical," shares a camper about the towpath near Buffalo Rock State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Several parks offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "Saw lots of wild life," mentions a Buffalo Rock visitor. For families with children, "Real live Buffalo are a treat for kids and animal lovers," notes Bill M. regarding the park's resident bison herd.
What campers like
River views: Waterfront camping sites allow visitors to wake up next to scenic waterways. At Kayak Morris, "Camp sites are dotted next to the shore of the river," according to Eric R., who also noted the "nice and peaceful morning" atmosphere.
Cycling access: The extensive trail network makes the area popular with bike campers. Scott N. writes about Buffalo Rock: "Great for bike camping but a little exposed... At a leisurely pace, it only took me a couple of hours to walk all the trails. They are nice well-kept trails."
Seclusion: Several sites provide quiet camping away from crowds. Amanda P. described Buffalo Rock's sites: "You have to walk a bit to get there but the sites are great. If you're looking for privacy this is it." This makes the area ideal for those seeking solitude compared to busier parks like Starved Rock.
What you should know
Site layouts: Understanding campground configurations helps with planning. For McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove, one camper explains: "First off, we didn't realize this was a walk-in campground, the details on the Will county site were vague, and the satellite photo showed a paved road. The road is a path, so the sites are ADA accessible (two of the four sites are paved as well)."
Park hours: Some parks have restricted access times that affect campers. At McKinley Woods, "the park closes early, 8PM in summer, and earlier still off season. Check the fine print on your reservation!"
Flooding concerns: Low-lying sites can become problematic after heavy rain. One McKinley Woods camper experienced this firsthand: "Nothing was mentioned about this site being a flood zone. Our night went from on and off light rain to three hours of down pour rain. With that said our site was flooded once we woke up."
Water sources: Quality and availability vary significantly between locations. One McKinley Woods review notes, "Water is available by an old fashioned pump, and is drinkable, but cloudy," while at Buffalo Rock, there's "a water source you can filter."
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront safety: River access requires preparation with children. At Mac Finn's Landing, families appreciate the "best no wake zones" that make water activities safer for younger campers.
Site spacing: Some locations offer better separation for family privacy. Amanda W. reports that at Kayak Morris, "We loved this campsite! We stayed when there were not many people there so we had plenty of space but could see it getting crowded when it's full."
Activities for kids: Several sites have family-friendly features beyond camping. At Camp Shabbona Woods, the "camp suite is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," according to Scott M., adding that "caretakers were very helpful."
Tips from RVers
Urban proximity: Some campgrounds balance nature with nearby conveniences. Jeffrey L. notes about Camp Shabbona Woods: "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok."
Access limitations: Most tent sites in the area have restricted vehicle access. "No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite," explains a Shabbona Woods reviewer, making these locations better suited for tent camping than RVs.
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall offer better camping conditions for RVs in this region, with fewer insects and more moderate temperatures than summer's humidity and heat.
