Tent campsites near Marseilles, Illinois offer primitive outdoor experiences alongside the Illinois River's convergence with smaller tributaries. Camping elevation ranges between 450-550 feet above sea level, with sites experiencing typical Midwest seasonal weather patterns including summer humidity and occasional overnight thunderstorms. Most campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption and require campers to pack out their trash completely.
What to do
Kayaking with rentals: Kayak Morris provides kayak rentals directly at their riverside campsites. "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!" reports camper Sam Murphy M., highlighting the fishing opportunities available while paddling.
Venetian night tours: During summer weekends, specialized evening kayak tours offer unique river experiences. "Had my first experience of a lit up kayak tour for fireworks," shared Eric R. about his experience at Kayak Morris, where guided nighttime paddle tours coincide with local firework displays.
Hiking to waterfalls: The trails near Starved Rock State Park - Youth Campground connect to over 13 miles of paths through nearly 20 canyons. "All of this in arguably the absolute best state park in the whole of Illinois. Plus, as a bonus, Matthiessen SP is just a stone's throw away, offering up even more additional trails to hike, streams to kayak and face cliffs to rappel," notes Stuart K.
What campers like
River camping access: Sites at Kayak Starved Rock Campground provide direct water views. "Our campsite was wonderful and was on a point on the river that has a 180 degree view of the river. There is a picnic table and fire pit at the site and although the site was narrow the site was pretty deep so we could've put up multiple tents easily," explains Paul R.
Clean portable facilities: Despite rustic settings, some campgrounds maintain surprisingly clean facilities. "The Porta potties were shockingly clean! The potties also have motion sensor lights in them for at night visits. They also have wipes, spray underarm deodorant, hand sanitizer and automatic air freshener," notes a visitor to Kayak Starved Rock Campground.
Proximity to state parks: Most tent camping areas provide quick access to multiple state parks. "This little gem is across the river from Starved Rock State Park. So, you can appreciate the bluff overlooks of the river without dealing with the crowds. Real live Buffalo are a treat for kids and animal lovers," shares Bill M. about his stay at Buffalo Rock State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Low-lying sites can experience sudden water accumulation after heavy rains. "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. We had three inches up the the fire pit," warns Rita S. about her experience at McKinley Woods: Frederick's Grove.
Road noise issues: Some campgrounds experience significant traffic sounds throughout the night. "This CG sits on the bend on 178 and while not putting anyone in danger of being hit by passing traffic, there is non-stop traffic here," notes Stuart K. about Clark's Run Campground.
Early park closures: Check operating hours carefully as some areas have restricted evening access. "Secondly, the park closes early, 8PM in summer, and earlier still off season. Check the fine print on your reservation! Water is available by an old fashioned pump, and is drinkable, but cloudy," advises Brian O. about camping at McKinley Woods.
Tips for camping with families
Buffalo viewing opportunities: Children enjoy seeing live buffalo at Buffalo Rock State Park. "Real live Buffalo are a treat for kids and animal lovers. A number of trails around effigy mounds make for a nice walk," shares Bill M., noting the unique wildlife viewing opportunity not found at other area campgrounds.
Accessible concrete pads: Some campsites offer ADA-compliant features for those with mobility needs. "In McKinley Woods proper there is a large camping area and two of the sites have concrete pads for ADA accessibility," explains Scott N., making these sites suitable for families with accessibility requirements.
Playgrounds and amenities: Hickory Hill Campground offers numerous family-friendly facilities. "This seems to be more of a full time camping location. Lots of buildings and I was offered a lot for sale. Golf carts seem to be the most common mode of travel as there are plentiful. Lots of kids and activities for them. Nice pool," reports Bill P., highlighting the structured recreational options available.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most riverside camping areas near Marseilles cater primarily to tent campers with few amenities for larger vehicles. "If you're a tent camper, you will be hard-pressed at this location to find a suitable spot to set up for the night as Hickory Hills is definitely designed for the RV and 5th Wheeler crowd in mind," explains Stuart K. about Hickory Hill Campground.
Pull-through availability: For those needing easy access sites, some campgrounds offer convenient options. "We called in the afternoon and got a full hook up, pull through spot. Lots of nice amenities for families," shares camper deb B. about her experience at Hickory Hill.
Tight spacing concerns: RV sites at some locations provide minimal separation between campers. "The sites are kind of tight. Gravel sites but mostly level," notes Bill P., something to consider for those preferring more privacy while camping near Marseilles.
