Best Campgrounds near Minonk, IL

Camping areas near Minonk, Illinois include several established campgrounds with diverse lodging options within a 30-mile radius. The largest concentration of campgrounds lies southeast of Minonk, with notable options including Comlara County Park on Evergreen Lake and Hickory Hill Campground in Secor. These facilities support a range of camping styles from tent sites to full RV hookups, with some locations also offering cabins or yurts. Most campgrounds in the region maintain electrical hookups, potable water, and designated fire rings, while several feature shower facilities and sanitary dump stations for longer stays.

Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the area, with several facilities operating only from April through October. Winter camping options are limited but include year-round sites at Comlara County Park and Starved Rock State Park. The majority of campgrounds require reservations, particularly for weekend visits during summer months when occupancy reaches capacity. Most sites provide electrical hookups and water access, though primitive camping opportunities can be found at select locations. A camper noted, "The sites are good, mostly gravel and grass sites. Electric only. This is a great park for weekend family camping."

The campground experience in the Minonk region varies considerably by location and proximity to water features. Lakeside sites at Comlara County Park receive consistently positive reviews, with campers highlighting the spacious sites and recreational opportunities. One visitor described the experience as "a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect backdrop to the campground." Family-friendly amenities predominate at most established campgrounds, with facilities like Hickory Hill offering swimming pools, mini-golf, and other activities. RV-focused campgrounds typically provide full hookups and pull-through sites, while more rustic options exist for tent campers seeking a less developed experience. Several campgrounds feature both open field camping areas and more secluded wooded sites, providing options for different camping preferences.

Best Camping Sites Near Minonk, Illinois (68)

    1. Starved Rock Campground — Starved Rock State Park

    99 Reviews
    North Utica, IL
    28 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. Comlara County Park

    34 Reviews
    Hudson, IL
    18 miles
    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."

    3. Pleasant Creek Campground

    28 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    24 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. Hickory Hill Campground

    4 Reviews
    Secor, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 744-2407

    $26 - $40 / night

    "Nestled in the verdant rolling hills of central Illinois, you’ll discover Hickory Hills Campground located just a short drive west of I39 and completely off the grid, due to the slight incline of this"

    "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."

    5. Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hudson, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 376-4411

    $40 - $45 / night

    "Nice staff, quiet enough for being somewhat close to the highway. The trees seemed to block the noise well. They have a pool that was closed because of a virus or something."

    "bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update: Highlights: (1) Closely located"

    6. Millpoint Park

    16 Reviews
    Peoria Heights, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 231-6497

    $18 - $100 / night

    "Perched on Upper Peoria Lake where the Illinois River conjoins, this family-friendly and pet-inviting lush camping outpost is completely surrounded by Spring Bay Fen Nature Reserve, absolutely guaranteeing"

    "If you’re looking to stay close to Peoria and enjoy beautiful sunsets and the water this place has it. Big trees, deep shade and it’s right on the Peoria Lake on the Illinois River."

    7. Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area

    6 Reviews
    Chillicothe, IL
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 246-8351

    8. Great Falls Campground — Illini State Park

    30 Reviews
    Marseilles, IL
    33 miles
    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."

    "Spent a couple nights here (site 3) for Vintage Illinois at a nearby park. Quiet, fairly level, gravel sites. Electric worn but fully functional. Lots of trees and shade."

    9. Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    10 Reviews
    Normal, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 445-6881

    $35 - $40 / night

    "highway next to a commercial big rig gas station, but if you are doing some heavy duty highway traveling with your RV or 5th wheel and simply need a place to hold up for the night, then this place really"

    "bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update: Highlights: (1) Closely located"

    10. Timberline Campground

    5 Reviews
    Eureka, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 326-7226
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 68 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Minonk, IL

434 Reviews of 68 Minonk 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • T
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Love's RV Stop-Normal IL 867

    A trickster with premium luxury pricing.

    We decided to not stay here. We stopped, did the online reservation (Loves now uses Camplife website). Made the reservation for a single night and it's $70+ tax and fees.  We paid less per night at luxury campgrounds with waterparks and entertainment. This is a truck stop. Needless to say, we won't be using Love's anymore for our single night stays when traveling.

  • Jeff and Linda L.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Unique Park

    No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces. Pit toilets along the canal. Well kept. Small gravel bike trail along most of the canal. Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8 We saw a class A, so they do fit.

  • Cowboy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Gibson City South Park Municipal Campground

    Wonderful spot

    This is a great city run campground attached to a block sized city park. 30 amp and water at each site. The park has restrooms, with showers. You only need to grab a key from the police department. There is a dump station on site and large dumpster. Supermarket, restaurants and gas station with in a few blocks. An active American Legion post/bar just down main street. All for $10 a night.


Guide to Minonk

Camping near Minonk, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Starved Rock State Park is famous for its beautiful trails and canyons. One visitor said, "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: At Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing for bluegill, walleye, and perch. A camper shared, "We rented a pontoon boat and had a great time fishing and exploring the lake."
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campgrounds, like Chief Keokuk Campground, are surrounded by nature. One camper noted, "The sites are spread out enough that you don't feel like you are on top of other campers."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the picturesque settings. One review for Starved Rock Campground mentioned, "Nicely wooded and picturesque area, similar to northern Wisconsin!"
  • Friendly Hosts: Many visitors have praised the welcoming atmosphere. A camper at Illinois Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area said, "The store is very nice and well stocked."
  • Quiet Environment: Campgrounds like Moraine View State Recreational Area are known for their peacefulness. One visitor remarked, "The campground was quiet and still at night."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have outdated facilities. A review for Starved Rock Campground noted, "Limited, dated and poorly maintained facilities."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for raccoons and other wildlife. A camper at Weldon Springs State Park mentioned, "The raccoons were so bad... the couple a few sites down had their tent destroyed."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly, especially during weekends. One camper advised, "During the summer months especially, this place fills up, so I would definitely recommend calling ahead."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A family at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area enjoyed, "The sites were spacious but wasn’t much privacy, which didn’t bother us because it allowed for our kids to play with the other kids easily."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. One camper at Pleasant Creek Campground mentioned, "We spent $60 on firewood for two nights burning from 5-9 pm."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on younger kids near water. A visitor at Chief Keokuk Campground noted, "Had the tent section nearest the lake to ourselves... it being not crowded was perfect!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites may not be as spacious as advertised. A review for Weldon Springs State Park mentioned, "A 40-foot site might only be 20 feet."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Illinois Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area appreciated, "All sites come with a fire ring, picnic table, water and electric hook-ups."
  • Explore Nearby Parks: Take advantage of the proximity to other parks. One RV traveler suggested, "You’ll be located just 5 miles from two of the best state parks that Illinois has to offer: Starved Rock SP and Matthiessen SP."

Camping near Minonk, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful landscapes and a variety of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Minonk, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, Minonk, IL offers a wide range of camping options, with 68 campgrounds and RV parks near Minonk, IL and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Minonk, IL?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Minonk, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Minonk, IL.