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Best Campgrounds near Marseilles, IL

546 Reviews

Marseilles, Illinois provides several camping options along the Illinois River, with state park campgrounds and private RV resorts forming the core of overnight accommodations. Illini State Park offers two distinct camping areas – Great Falls Campground and Whitetail Campground – both supporting tent, RV, and cabin camping. Additional options include Starved Rock State Park Campground approximately 15 miles west and private facilities like Glenwood RV Resort within the Marseilles city limits. The mixed-use campgrounds cater to various camping styles, with both waterfront and wooded sites available throughout the region.

Campground facilities vary significantly, with electric hookups widely available but water and sewer connections limited to certain sites and campgrounds. Most established campgrounds maintain shower facilities and restrooms, though maintenance quality fluctuates. Reservations are recommended during summer months and weekends, while many sites accept walk-in campers during off-peak periods. The camping season typically runs year-round for some facilities, while others operate from April through October. A review mentioned, "This first come, first serve campground was exactly what we needed after exploring Starved Rock. Simply drive in, select a site, and use the silent box for payment."

Riverside camping represents one of the most sought-after experiences in the area, with sites along the Illinois River offering views of passing barges and lock operations. Several visitors highlighted the peaceful atmosphere at Whitetail Campground, noting its secluded wooded sites compared to the more open Great Falls area. Campers frequently mention proximity to Starved Rock State Park as a major advantage when staying in the region. Campground amenities include picnic tables and fire rings, though some reviews indicate maintenance issues at certain facilities. According to one visitor, "White Tail camping is quiet, low-key, family friendly and good for a break from urban life." Train noise occasionally affects riverside campsites, while RV-focused camping areas like Glenwood RV Resort primarily serve seasonal residents and travelers working in the area.

Map showing campgrounds near Marseilles, IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Marseilles, Illinois (82)

    1. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Quiet campground not far off the highway! Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"

    "Beautiful Starved Rock is Illinois's favorite state park. Hiking through forests along the Illinois River to canyons and waterfalls with eagles soaring overhead."

    2. Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    30 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $12 - $55 / night

    "Although we camped in Illinois record rainfall, we still had a blast. Plenty of trees to hammock, clean bathrooms, and a great river view."

    "The nearby town of Marseilles is very quaint."

    3. Pleasant Creek Campground

    28 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 431-0936

    "Within LaSalle County or for that matter, the whole of north central Illinois, I don’t know of any other privately run, multi-campground locations like Pleasant Creek that offers a total of 6 separate,"

    "There is a nice pavilion, a game room/club house, basketball court, fishing pond, firewood for sale, and a few short trails."

    4. Whitetail Campground — Illini State Park

    9 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-2448

    $10 - $45 / night

    "or Illini) native American Indian tribe, who were one of the most prolific and important native American Indian tribes to have settled in the Mississippi River valley, of which large sections of Illinois"

    "It’s pretty close to Chicago so it works for weekend getaways. We stayed in the wooded loop. It’s rustic without electric/water hookups. The other loop looked more set up for rvs. "

    5. Kayak Morris

    11 Reviews
    Morris, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 567-4653

    $29 / night

    "You get to see tugboats and barges go up and down the Illinois river right from your campsite."

    "Small and hidden right on the Illinois River. Received a free night of camping with a whole day of kayaking which is absolutely recommended."

    6. Glenwood RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (815) 795-6000

    7. Kayak Starved Rock Campground

    8 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 567-4653

    $29 / night

    "Before we begin, let me share 3 things with you: (1) I love camping, preferably primitive camping where I get to pitch my tent, leaving the comforts of modern civilization behind in the hopes of returning"

    "One such place, an oasis of tranquility and beauty nestled in the Illinois wilderness, is the Kayak Starved Rock Campground."

    8. Lasalle/Peru KOA

    14 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4988

    "Everything in the campground is within walking distance. They have a dishwashing sink and garbage cans every 30-50 feet. Convenient. Bathrooms and showers are super clean. Recommend for sure."

    "It’s adjacent a large field so you do get some wind and the occasional sound of farm equipment…but there’s a lot of nice spots."

    9. Starved Rock Family Campground

    11 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 202-2088

    "Located here in the heart of north central Illinois, where you can very easily get lost in the golden hue of sweet corn or the dizzying amounts of drilled bean fields, there’s a special quiet that exists"

    "No water hookup but spigot nearby. No sewer hookup but dump station on-site.
    So fun to hike and explore a series of canyons along the Illinois River."

    10. Four Star Campground

    4 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    2 miles
    +1 (815) 795-5720
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Recent Camping Photos near Marseilles, IL

176 Photos of 82 Marseilles Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Marseilles, IL

546 Reviews of 82 Marseilles Campgrounds

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Pleasant Creek Campground

    lives up to it's name, good option for Starved Rock area

    Because of it's layout, you never get a true sense of how big the whole campground is (50 acres). The largest and most open area is on top of the hill (the Highlands) but there are other areas that are shadier and more close to nature (Alcove way, Creekside, Oak Grove, the Glades). 
    Depending on the time of year, the creek may not be running, but the fishing pond is always full. Many activities in well maintained areas. It's a new campground and the general store hasn't built up much inventory yet. The firewood is dry and burns well. 

    Fire pits are basic steel circles, bring your own grill. 

    There's one central restroom with showers, clean and spacious, but it can be a walk from some areas (long hills too). 

    There are small cabins for rent and long-term sites are available.

  • J
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Nice quiet place

    Water was available on my visit 10-7 thru 10-10. The place is clean and well kept, including the pit toilets. Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights.

  • Ray S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great campground with everything you would need

    This was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.

  • Kimberly L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Comlara County Park

    Beautiful, hidden gem

    Beautiful, quiet, and clean park. I stopped for a quick overnight but will definitely be back to stay when I have more time. Sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement.

  • 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.

  • Emma H.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Great for our 2 person campout!

    My fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!

    It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.

  • Jessica T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Starved Rock Family Campground

    Nice little campsite!

    Well maintained and large campground. Sites aren’t stacked on top of each other and seem fairly level. I will say the grounds by our site seemed to have a fly/other sewer fly problem in the ground? I don’t know. Seemed to need a treatment of some sort. L7 is more in a wide open area so if you want more trees, book more in the middle of the campground. Bathrooms are well maintained and cleaned. Laundry facility easy. Bummed our trip got cut short by a RV maintenance issue.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Camp Bullfrog Lake

    Great camping spot

    This is my second time staying at Bullfrog lake. The first time I was in spot 2 which had more privacy but felt more cramped. This time I was in spot 18 which felt like it had more space but had almost no shade.

    The camp hosts are really hit or miss. One guy was so nice and took a bunch to photos for me of me kayaking. The other guy seemed mad to be alive lol.

    The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around.

    Unfortunately the wood I bought from the camp store took forever to catch flames—my other two neighbors had the same issue.

    Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and well stocked.

    Overall I’d definitely stay here again.

Guide to Marseilles

Camping near Marseilles, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Starved Rock State Park is famous for its stunning canyons and trails. One visitor shared, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls, sandstone overhangs, and spectacular overlooks."
  • Fishing and Boating: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area is perfect for fishing enthusiasts. A camper noted, "We kayaked around the lake and enjoyed the natural setting," highlighting the recreational opportunities available.
  • Wildlife Watching: The Blackwell Family Campground is surrounded by nature, making it a great spot for birdwatching. One reviewer mentioned, "Driving in here makes you forget you’re in the middle of town!"

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers at Starved Rock Campground appreciate the picturesque surroundings. A visitor remarked, "Didn’t expect this kind of camping in Illinois! Nicely wooded and picturesque area."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campers have praised the welcoming atmosphere. One camper at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area said, "The store is very nice and well stocked," indicating helpful staff.
  • Quiet Campgrounds: Campers enjoy the peacefulness of places like Pleasant Creek Campground. A visitor noted, "The weekends were fuller but still pretty quiet."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Paul Wolff Campground, lack showers and have vault toilets. A camper mentioned, "There are water and vault toilets by the tent area and flush toilets a 3-minute walk into the RV area."
  • Noise Levels: Campers at Blackwell Family Campground have reported noise from nearby roads. One camper said, "The traffic noise is still very noticeable from the site."
  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can feel cramped. A reviewer at White Pines Forest State Park Campground noted, "The sites are close together, and it’s a gamble unless you go there beforehand to look."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids, like playgrounds. One parent at Chief Keokuk Campground mentioned, "The playground was nice for the kiddos."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. A camper at Comlara County Park said, "There’s lots to do at this park—fishing, boating, and hiking."
  • Pack Snacks and Meals: Having food ready can save time and keep everyone happy. One camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake noted, "The restroom and showrooms are very clean as well."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "The sites are small and a bit wet/muddy."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, which can be a lifesaver. One camper at Starved Rock Campground appreciated the "20 amp electric plug-ins."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump station is located. A camper at Comlara County Park mentioned, "There’s only one dump station, which seemed odd considering there are at least 3 campgrounds."

Camping near Marseilles, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Make sure to check out the local campgrounds and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Marseilles, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Marseilles, IL is Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 99 reviews.

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