Best Campgrounds in Illinois

Recent Reviews in Illinois

2908 Reviews of 520 Illinois Campgrounds

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 25, 2026

  Chief Keokuk Campground — Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area

  Pine Needle Forest Camping Paradise

  Set within the sweeping woodlands and restored prairie of Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Chief Keokuk Campground offers a peaceful Midwestern getaway anchored by the calm waters of Johnson Lake. The winding park road leads you through thick stands of oak, hickory and maple before opening into several spacious loops, each offering a blend of shady electric sites and quieter primitive pockets tucked along the treeline. With miles of trails, gentle rolling hills and a large fishing lake at the heart of the park, this campground gives travelers a classic Illinois nature retreat that feels far removed from the farmland grid just outside the gates. Given that I provided so much detail in my previous review, I'm going to focus on the HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS that offers a quick summary:

  HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Beautiful wooded loops with generous shade and privacy thanks to mature hardwoods; (2) Close proximity to Johnson Lake for easy paddling, shoreline strolls and fishing where you can expect to catch largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, bullhead, muskie, northern pike and redear sunfish; (3) Miles of well-marked hiking trails, including segments overlooking prairie restorations and glacial-era terrain; (4) Spacious sites that are comfortably spread out compared to many other IL state park layouts; and (5) Quick access to historic Ryan’s Round Barn, one of the region’s most unique architectural landmarks.

  LOWLIGHTS: (1) Limited cell service in several sections of the campground; (2) Some sites are uneven and may require extra leveling effort; (3) Seasonal mosquitoes can be fierce, especially near the lake; (4) No camp store, meaning supply runs require a drive back to nearby Kewanee; and (5) Shower buildings, while functional, can feel dated during peak-season crowds.

  Happy Overnighting!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 25, 2026

  Hennepin Canal Bridge 23 campground

  Enchanting Primitive Canal Experience

  Nothing has changed at this campground since I last left a review, apart from the little slot where you would normally leave your $8 overnight fare (it had been ripped off its post) in exchange for witnessing this most wonderfully hidden primitive campground. Apart from a single in-ground fire ring, a two-sided outhouse with a single hole-adorned plastic pot turned upside down for a privy, there’s nothing else here apart from the gravel road that brought you in and the fog-emitting Hennepin canal that will give the privilege of calling this your riverside home for the night. Net-net, if you’re a primitive tent-camping bredren of mine, you will be blessed to layup here in the midst of where nowhere meets backwoods farmland and you'll especially appreciate the experience if you come bearing a kayak or canoe.

  Big Insider's Tip?  You'll want to cross I-80 to nearby Anawan for spectacular homemade ice cream, cinnamon rolls and expertly baked cookies at Paxton's Corner Coop - a legend around these parts that lives up to it's hype.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Ryan B.

  Traveler

  Mar. 21, 2026

  Jackson Falls

  Great spot if you have the right equipment!

  Our family had a great time camping here! The road leading into the campsite is mostly gravel with a few rough patches. There are a few shallow creek crossings to reach the more remote spots (water levels may vary depending on rainfall).

  4x4 isn’t necessarily required, but I’d highly recommend it—along with a high-clearance vehicle. We brought our Jeep Wrangler, and it handled everything like a champ. We didn’t even need to engage 4x4 the entire way in.

  There are a few campsites you can access without crossing the creeks, but the dispersed site we stayed at was surprisingly clean. We only found a couple small pieces of trash—otherwise, it was spotless. Previous campers left some firewood and kindling near the rock fire ring, and we made sure to do the same for the next group.

  We camped during the weekdays, and it was nice and quiet. As we were leaving on Friday, more people were starting to show up, so I’d assume weekends get pretty busy. That said, most campers didn’t go past the first creek, so the farther back you go, the fewer people you’ll run into.

  One thing to note: I have Verizon, and I was on SOS the entire time—so don’t expect reliable service out there if you have Verizon.

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• 

  Ryan B.

  Traveler

  Mar. 18, 2026

  Jackson Falls

  Decent place to stay

  There is tent camping in the area of the bath house that doesn’t require any creek crossing. Now, getting to the more remote spots can be sketchy if you have a small or very loaded vehicle. There are two small creeks to cross and are somewhat rough to get through. I made it through in my minivan, but dragged through the second creek.

  There are hiking trails that run through, but that’s about all I can say about that.

  I had no Verizon cell service unless I walked about 2/10 of a mile up a hill to an opening and only then I could make a phone call, but I couldn’t access the Internet.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 17, 2026

  Walmart - Streator Supercenter

  Out-Of-The-Way Big Blue Parking Pad

  The parking lot for this big blue discount retailer is about the size of a football field, so a decent amount of space. When we stopped by, it was mid-morning on a Saturday, which should have been quite busy, but in fact, it was fairly desolate. The lot is incredibly flat – not very difficult to achieve here in the Prairie state – with substantial space every which way you look for solid expanse to land your RV, rig or trailer. This standard-issued value retailer is somewhat new and is surrounded by a number of other commercial operations including gas stations, grocery stores and some really nice local joints should you be on the look out for either some great BBQ or fresh fried chicken right on the main street that brought you into this particular Walmart.

  While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:

  Convenience: 3

  Safety & Security: 4 

  Quality: 4 

  Peace & Quiet: 3 

  Amenities: 4 

  Overall, I scored this location a 4. 

  Happy Overnighting!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 17, 2026

  Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Campground

  Camp Where 100-Year-Old Locks Gaze Over Your Tent

  Nestled along a 104.5-mile corridor across parts of northwestern Illinois, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park offers a unique and unexpectedly charming, albeit primitive camping experience. Spread across multiple sites like Lock 6, Lock 11, Lock 21, Bridge 14, and Lock 22, this park stretches its campsites along a historic towpath beside century-old canal locks. First impressions? Think gentle grass clearings, basic picnic setups and a nostalgic vibe that combines outdoor adventure with engineering heritage all the while living up to bare-bones camping ethos.

  Facilities remain strictly primitive as this is ‘Class C’ camping, meaning no hookups, no showers, no modern frills … just a pit toilet and a fire ring at each site. Cost is only $8 per night per family. Youth groups pay a minimum daily fee starting at $20. Other perks: senior citizens and disabled campers may qualify for free stays, depending on day and status. You’ll need to stop by the Visitor Center near Sheffield to pay (no reservations and everything at each lock is considered first-come, first-served), and all the drinking water is only available at central locations at each lock, not at individual campsites, so plan accordingly. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and campfires must stay in designated pits.

  The setting is deeply outdoorsy and expansive. The canal’s towpath is a cyclist’s and hiker’s dream, with up to 155 miles to explore (miles of level surface, biking, hiking, horseback riding in some sections and even snowmobiling when it’s seasonally open). Anglers love the Hennepin Canal system as the waters are regularly stocked with bass, bluegill, walleye, catfish and even trout during special stocking events. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted with portage around non-operational locks and birding or historical sightseeing along the route is a delightful bonus.

  Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Pick campsites closest to the canal but slightly back from parking that will deliver land that is flatter, vistas that are more scenic and spaces that are quieter; (2) Swing by the Visitor Center near Sheffield first for maps and essential info as you’ll need drinking water from there in case you didn’t bring your own;(3) If traveling with a dog or horse, check designations as only certain sites (e.g. Lock 21) allow equestrian camping; (4) Fishermen should bring rods early as anglers that I encountered say the catches here are worth the effort; (5) No pumps / dump stations so pack accordingly and use nearby towns for full services; and (6) Post-camping grub: head to Sheffield afterward for local eats like Belluccio’s for deep dish pizza, Italian beef & sausage sandwiches, Café 129 with its smoked prime rib and Red’s Bar & Grill for fantastic deep fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, which is a staple in these parts.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Mar. 17, 2026

  Starved Rock State Park - Youth Campground

  Pastures, Pavilions & Plenty of Group Bonding For Yewts

  Nod to Joe Pesci there in case you think I mispellt 'Yewts.'  That said, I’m following up on my review from over a year ago with some additional context, photos and a quick summary of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS:

  HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Two wide-open meadows ringed by thick tree lines provide a classic youth-group camping feel that is great for pitching tents underneath the stars; (2) Central facilities include dueling outhouses, drinking fountain, a larger shared bathroom / shower building, pavilion and a playground, all of which makes it easy for groups to function; (3) The second meadow offers more privacy, a quieter vibe along with the sense you’ve stumbled into your own private patch of wilderness; (4) Hiking at Starved Rock delivers 13+ miles of trails winding across canyons and dells, with seasonal waterfalls in spring / early summer as the big payoff; (5) Proximity to Matthiessen State Park, where you can expand the adventure with more trails, streams and even rappelling opportunities; (6) The Illinois River is right there for kayaking, canoeing and even a paddle to Plum Island, where you can explore or cast a line for bluegill; (7) The campground store has a quirky ‘wood bundle ATM’ contraption along with ice, snacks and sundries while Jack’s on Route 71 covers the rest if the store isn’t open; (8) Utica is just down the road, offering dining like Cajun Connection for fried gator, Bear Island for BBQ or Two Girls and a Cupcake for troop-friendly desserts; (9) Access is straightforward being a 10-15 minute saunter south just off I-39 / I-80 with check-in at the ranger station is simple; (10) The sheer variety of activities from hiking and paddling to fishing and picnicking makes this an all-in-one destination for group outdoor adventures; and (11) For camp counselors or other adult supervisors who may be in need of a serious break after minding the teen troops all day, head on over to Año del Gallo ('Year of the Rooster' for you non-Spanish speaking Gringos!) where you can soldier up to the bar and imbibe some fantastic Tequila and Mezcal concoctions.  Just tell Anna the bartendress I said 'Q'vo.'

  LOWLIGHTS: (1) There are no numbered sites, so your troop will need to self-organize where to pitch tents across the meadows; (2) RVs and trailers aren’t allowed as this is tent-only, primitive camping; (3) The walk to the bathrooms can be long (especially at night - so do yourself a favor and bring a headlamp), depending on where you set up; (4) There are no trailheads from the campground itself (which is a MAJOR bummer and with which Starved Rock should try to correct this!), so you’ll need to drive back north to access Starved Rock’s network; (5) Shared facilities are functional but not fancy, so expect outhouses and communal setups, not glamping; (6) The meadows can feel exposed in summer where shade is limited, so bring your own sun cover or plan camp wisely near or underneath the perimeter treeline; and (7) Crowds can be heavy in peak season, especially with multiple groups in the campground at once.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Ryan B.

  Traveler

  Mar. 1, 2026

  Hickory Hill Campground

  My time here

  This will be my 11th season at Hickory Hill Campground. I have seen many people come and go, but at the heart of this Campground is a sense of togetherness.

• 

  Seth M.

  Traveler

  Feb. 22, 2026

  Kickapoo State Recreation Area

  Well laid out, plenty of room, cement pads are a tenter's dream

  This is one of the few campgrounds in the area open in February. We arrived after 3 pm so it was self check-in, although, for all we know there is no one there before 3 either. Check-in consists of filling out your information on an envelope and dropping it and $20 into a box. All of the buildings were locked and the water was turned off, but the electricity was still working. Only the Illini loop was open. There are no online reservations in the off-season, but finding a spot was not a problem. Only one other site was occupied.

  The cement pads are great if you are pitching a tent, no rocks to worry about and perfectly level. The pads must have been added fairly recently because the outdated pictures on the website show a gravel pad. The fire ring worked well for cooking dinner as it has an adjustable height swivel grate for cooking. There was no firewood available at the entrance where it would normally be, but finding wood around is not a problem, plenty of dry wood laying on the ground nearby.

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