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Best Campgrounds in Illinois

2,882 Reviews

Illinois's state parks and forests harbor a range of camping accommodations from developed sites to more primitive options. Starved Rock State Park near Oglesby provides camping facilities with both tent and RV sites, while also offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort. Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park similarly accommodates various camping styles with electric hookups and amenities suitable for both tent and recreational vehicle camping. Shawnee Forest Campground in southern Illinois expands these options further with glamping and yurt accommodations alongside traditional sites.

Campground availability remains consistent throughout the year at many Illinois locations, though amenities and accessibility vary seasonally. "The sites are pretty big. The campground is not congested at all. The people are very nice. Everyone waves to everyone," noted one visitor at an Illinois campground. Full-hookup sites typically include water, electric, and sewer connections at locations such as Illinois Beach State Park, while more rustic experiences can be found at places like Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area, which offers vault toilets but no showers or electric hookups. Reservations are recommended for popular destinations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly.

Waterfront camping locations receive particularly positive feedback from visitors across Illinois. Lake Glendale in the Shawnee National Forest earned praise from one camper who described it as "a little gem of a refuge within the Shawnee NF" with "beautiful lake, beautiful biking trails." Sites with lake or river views tend to book quickly, especially during summer months. Many campgrounds maintain shower facilities and restrooms, though cleanliness and maintenance can vary. Family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds and fishing opportunities enhance the camping experience at locations like Comlara County Park near Hudson and Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs, which offers boating access and hiking trails in addition to varied camping accommodations.

Map showing campgrounds in IllinoisExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites in Illinois (514)

    1. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    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. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    "with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

    3. Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park

    67 Reviews
    Zion, IL
    Website
    +1 (847) 662-4811

    $25 / night

    "We had a phenomenal time at Illinois State Park camping facilities! Space was clean, nature was alive, and the neighbors so friendly!"

    "The group camp site is located pretty far away from the rest of the campsites, bathrooms, trails and amenities."

    4. Pharoah - Garden of the Gods Rec Area Campground

    54 Reviews
    Karbers Ridge, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 253-7114

    $10 / night

    "Two of the reviews are not the Illinois subject area but of somewhere in the western US."

    "We did a lot of hiking all around Shawnee but this is by far favorite spot in Illinois!"

    5. Shawnee Forest Campground

    36 Reviews
    Vienna, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-0619

    $40 / night

    "We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."

    "Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been."

    6. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs

    32 Reviews
    Eddyville, IL
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-2111

    $15 / night

    "However, by Saturday morning (Easter weekend) all but 5 sites had cleared out and we had the place nearly to ourselves for the rest of the stay. "

    "Loved all the hikes within walking distance, a bit of a drive in but fun to explore"

    7. Comlara County Park

    34 Reviews
    Hudson, IL
    Website
    +1 (309) 434-6770

    "Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."

    "Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."

    8. Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Shabbona, IL
    Website
    +1 (815) 824-2565

    $25 / night

    "If you find yourself out in these parts near Shabbona in north central Illinois it is because of either one of two reasons - you are incredibly lost and stumbled across this hidden natural preserve gem"

    "All within easy walking distance to the lake. Camp store and two boat rental spots allow for flexiblity on busier weekends."

    9. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."

    "What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."

    10. Kickapoo State Recreation Area

    29 Reviews
    Oakwood, IL
    Website
    +1 (217) 442-4915

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Stayed here on Dec. 10, 2021 (yes the night of all the tornadoes throughout the Illinois/Kentucky/Tennessee area), I and everyone else at the campsite got pretty lucky, we were just outside the path of"

    "Great little campground in Central Illinois. Some pretty trails overlooking, beside, and sometimes through water."

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Recent Camping Photos in Illinois

708 Photos of 514 Illinois Campgrounds

Recent Reviews in Illinois

2882 Reviews of 514 Illinois Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2025

    Draft Kings at Casino Queen RV Park

    Good location

    We only booked 1 night. Location was great but we had to make lot spaces a few times due to the uneven conditions of the lot spaces. Fortunately there was a nice gentleman who worked here and found a space that suited us better. The sites to the back are much better than the ones to the front! The view of the Arch is amazing but a little sketchy … especially at night! But it worked for the night!

  • granny T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Hilltop Campground

    Beautiful setting for a city park

    the campground is set up on a hill above a spacious city park. It has 15 or so campsites, along a wooded area with water and electric hook up, and a dump station. The bathroom has fush toilets and showers. one of the 2 showers in the women's room was broken. the other provided delightfully hot water with good pressure. you need to call the number on dyrt during business hours. if arriving at a different time, theres a # posted yo call dispatch. we did this and a very nice policeman arrived to check us in and take our $20. He offered to answer any questions we had about the area. we were just passing through but had time to play disc golf and see a beautiful sunset, and headed out early AM. there were a few other Rvs, trailers there, but only saw activity at one other site.

  • Pam R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    Grayville KOA Grayville IL

    If you don't need the shower, nice

    The sites are large and level, the campground is new and well-kept. We ate at the restaurant and were impressed until we used the shower. The water was cold and lacked pressure. One of the worst I have ever taken. I understand that people who are lucky enough to have the big rigs don't need them. I can only surmise that people with little campers like ours are not as welcome. Otherwise, this is a very nice place.

  • Gillian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Percival Springs RV Campground

    Beautiful spot

    Next door to the little public airport with fairy lights strung about. An open field greats you at your site and you can watch the helicopter or people fly with parachutes. Full hook ups. No WiFi or cable or anything fancy. There is a little playground on site as well. Pet friendly. There could be a height problem for people coming off expressway as there is a train track with a 13’10” clearance. No gas within 5 miles. Wasn’t an issue for us. Campsite accepts cash, check, and Venmo.

  • Gina A.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Chippewa Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Kankakee River State Park Chippewa

    $20 a day with with restrooms has NO shower area. No water hookup .But has a swing set for the kids to play a few bike/hike trails. Quiet no street noise . They have a dump station and water too fill your camper.

  • Dan Q.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Grayville KOA Grayville IL

    Nice place

    Newer campground. Decent WIFi. Big campsites. It has a restaurant near the office that is open to the public. I like the business concept with the restaurant, its open to the public so it has enough business to stay open and have a decent menu, and it is within walking distance for the campers that don’t want to disconnect to go to dinner (great wings BTW).

Guide to Illinois

Camping in Illinois offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, family-friendly activities, and unique experiences. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there's something for everyone in the Land of Lincoln.

What to do

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Comlara County Park, have great fishing spots. One camper mentioned, “There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in.”
  • Hiking: Trails are abundant, especially in places like Moraine View State Recreational Area. A visitor noted, “The nature trails are nicely groomed and mowed.”
  • Swimming: Campgrounds like Clinton Lake State Recreation Area offer swimming areas. One family shared, “We loved the option for fishing and swimming in a nearby watering hole.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Double J Campground and RV Park stated, “The bathrooms here were heated and sparkling clean.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds provide ample space between sites. A camper at Coon Creek said, “I was impressed with the space between the sites, the mature trees, and the overall peaceful setting.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. One visitor at Sangchris Lake State Park remarked, “Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!”

What you should know

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds can feel crowded. A review of Comlara County Park pointed out, “They are spaced a little too close to comfort for my taste.”
  • Water Quality: Be cautious about drinking water at certain sites. A camper at Millpoint Park mentioned, “Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird.”
  • Wildlife: Raccoons can be a nuisance at some campgrounds. One camper at Weldon Springs State Park reported, “She had to leave in the middle of the night because the raccoons were so bad.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. A review of Moraine View State Recreational Area noted, “Good fishing and kayaking, facilities could be a little cleaner but not bad.”
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have games and activities ready. One camper at Jubilee College State Park suggested, “Bring your own corn hole bags and badminton.”
  • Check for Nearby Attractions: Some campgrounds are close to fun spots. A visitor at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, “We couldn’t have asked for a better location for our family and our interests.”

Tips from RVers

  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. A review of Coon Creek highlighted, “Every campsite has electric 30amp or 50amp.”
  • Be Prepared for Slopes: Some sites can be uneven. A camper at Millpoint Park advised, “Make sure to bring plenty of cribbing if you’ve never stayed here before.”
  • Check for Amenities: Look for campgrounds with good facilities. A visitor at Sangchris Lake State Park noted, “There are restrooms and a shower house that are clean.”

Camping in Illinois can be a fantastic experience with the right preparation and knowledge. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Illinois campgrounds offer the best amenities for family camping?

Illinois offers several family-friendly campgrounds with excellent amenities. South Marcum Campground on Rend Lake stands out with hundreds of sites ranging from wooded areas to lakefront spots, plenty of bathrooms, and lake access for swimming and boating. Glenwood RV Resort provides a convenient location just minutes from I-80 with recreational facilities perfect for families. Other notable options include Spitler Woods State Natural Area with plenty of activities, and Pearl Lake, which offers a refreshing lakeside retreat during hot summer months. Many Illinois campgrounds feature clean facilities, picnic areas, playgrounds, and access to hiking trails that make them ideal for family adventures.

What are the best state parks for tent camping in Illinois?

Starved Rock State Park is a premier tent camping destination with its wooded, picturesque setting reminiscent of northern Wisconsin. The campground offers a quiet atmosphere while being conveniently located near the park's famous canyons and waterfalls. Eagle Creek State Park Campground is another excellent choice for tent campers, with spacious sites and well-maintained facilities. Mississippi Palisades State Park provides stunning views of the Mississippi River. Other noteworthy state parks include Illini State Park with its great river views and tree coverage perfect for hammock camping, and Rock Cut State Park, offering a variety of tent camping options with access to hiking trails and water activities.

Are there any free camping options in Illinois?

Free camping is limited in Illinois, but there are a few options. Channahon State Park Campground offers free camping and is particularly accessible for bicyclists on the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. Friends Creek Campground in mid-Illinois has some non-electric sites that may be available at no cost or minimal fees. The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois has some dispersed camping areas that are free to use, though they typically lack amenities. Always check current regulations before heading out, as policies can change. Most camping in Illinois requires at least a small fee, especially at developed campgrounds with facilities. For budget-conscious campers, state forests and wildlife management areas sometimes offer more economical options than state parks.

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