Tent camping options near Mapleton, Illinois include sites along the Illinois River and surrounding lakes. The area sits within a flat river valley with elevations ranging from 450-600 feet and has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Several campgrounds offer both RV and primitive sites with varying levels of privacy and access to fishing waters.
What to do
Fishing without licenses: Kentuckiana Campground has two fishing ponds where "no license is required for catch-and-keep fishing," making it ideal for spontaneous fishing trips. The campground maintains stocked ponds separate from the main waterways.
Hiking natural trails: Explore the boardwalk path at Carl Spindler Campground where "the short nature trail leaves directly from the area. The trail starts off as a boardwalk over an interesting marsh area and then transitions to a primitive trail eventually leading you to the lake shoreline."
Kayaking access: Millpoint Park offers "a fantastic boat launch that will have you fishing, kayaking and experiencing this body of fresh water shortly after you anchor into your spot for the night." The direct water access makes getting equipment to the water simple without long portages.
Yurt camping near Mapleton: While permanent yurt structures aren't common in the area, American Legion Freedom Farm Campground does allow yurt setups on their grounds, making it one of the few locations for yurt camping around Mapleton, Illinois for those bringing their own temporary yurts.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: At Millpoint Park, "sites are incredibly spacious, unlike a lot of other RV parks," with campers noting the generous spacing prevents the crowded feeling found at some other campgrounds.
Peaceful river views: Waterfront camping with skyline views makes Carl Spindler Campground special. A camper noted, "You'll be sipping Mai Tais leaning back in your camp chair listening to some Amy Winehouse watching the sun set in the west over the Illinois River as the twinkling stars come out to shine their brightest."
Clean facilities: Comlara County Park maintains "nice bathrooms and hookups" according to recent visitors. Another camper mentioned that "sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement."
Year-round accessibility: Several campgrounds in the area remain open through winter months, with Carl Spindler Campground offering 22 paved sites during the off-season. A visitor noted, "We came in for Thanksgiving. We had a great spot!!! The campground was clean and quiet!!"
What you should know
Iron content in water: The water at Millpoint Park "has a lot of iron in it, so don't attempt to drink it, but according to the locals, it's fine to shower in," so campers should bring sufficient bottled water for drinking and cooking.
Varying levels of privacy: Sites at Kentuckiana Campground can be "tight. Most are pull-though but there isn't a lot of room between campers so don't expect much privacy." Consider site location if seclusion is important.
Insects and pests: Summer camping requires preparation as "you will want to bring good DEET spray to keep the ticks away as well as hard-core smoke or scent-fused candles that are peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender-scented to keep the gnats at bay."
Temporary facility closures: During certain periods, amenities may be limited. One camper reported, "Because of COVID, the opry house wasn't open, the camper store took appointments only, and playground was closed—but that playground looked fantastic!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Kentuckiana Campground offers "a nice big areas with playgrounds for kids" and features a "giant slide in the holler." A family noted, "Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler."
Fishing for kids: Condits Ranch provides easy fishing access for children with their small pond. A visitor shared, "The small fishing pond, the swimming hole and the clubhouse were great to mix in to keep the youngsters entertained."
Entertainment during rain: Weather can be unpredictable, so prepare alternatives. One camper mentioned, "We got a decent Sprint 5G signal (good enough to stream Netflix)," which helped during a rainy weekend.
Open field camping: Comlara County Park has "large open fields with camping spots" that create "a community feel, some people have wonderful setups and especially at night, the more luxurious configurations attract the kiddos to checkout."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: At Comlara County Park, check out "site 123 or 124, along the lake - on reservations those are the square sites, not long rectangles. You'll be near the lake, probably could walk in and out of the lake if you wanted."
Electric hookup preparation: For RVs at Millpoint Park, bring extra equipment as "in the overflow 'unpaved' section there is 1 station of power for 4 campers. So you definitely need a LONG power cord."
Long-term stays: Riverside Park Campground accommodates longer stays with full hookups. One camper noted it's "close to a large industrial strip for shopping and restaurants if you don't want to cook! Also close to the Illinois State Fairgrounds."
Winter camping: Carl Spindler Campground remains open year-round with limited sites. "They close most of the park in the winter time which only leaves 22 paved sites available." These sites maintain full hookups even in cold months.
