Morrison-Rockwood State Park sits along the Rock River valley at an elevation of 650 feet, surrounded by hardwood forests and rolling prairie. The area receives around 36 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush camping conditions throughout spring and summer. Weather patterns in this part of northwestern Illinois typically feature warm summers and cold winters, with fall offering some of the most comfortable camping temperatures.
What to do
Fishing access: At Thomson Causeway, campers have direct Mississippi River access for fishing. "Mississippi River access, playgrounds for the kids, shelter house," notes Mike W., highlighting the variety of activities available near the camping area.
Hiking trails: The trail system at Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground offers varied terrain and difficulty levels. "North trails are scenic, with a casual non-technical difficulty to them. South trail system is challenging, especially because of the varied terrain it traverses," according to Mi G., who recommends exploring both trail systems.
Bicycling opportunities: The Great River Bike trail provides excellent paved riding near many campgrounds. Scott M. mentions at Fishermans Corner, "We spent the morning biking the Great River Bike trail as we enjoyed the perfect weather." Many campsites serve as perfect base camps for cycling adventures.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous spacing between sites at Prophetstown State Park Campground. Tara G. notes it has "Plenty of sites for both tents and campers, playgrounds, shower rooms that are very clean compared to others we have been to."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms across multiple campgrounds. One reviewer at Morrison-Rockwood State Park was particularly impressed, writing, "The (and I cannot emphasize this enough) CLEANEST campground bathrooms I've ever seen! I'm not squeamish and have been camping for years so my expectations for campground bathroom cleanliness is well calibrated but these bathrooms (even the vault toilets!) were amazingly clean!"
Playground accessibility: Family-friendly campgrounds with convenient playground access are popular. Ben W. appreciated the layout at Morrison-Rockwood: "We had site 57 which is in a loop which goes around a playground. It was great for the kids who could go play and the sites in this loop provide plenty of space and privacy."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring camping can be ideal but requires preparation. According to Pam O. at Morrison-Rockwood, "We camped the last weekend in April and we loved it. The pad was uneven but we got our pup leveled out. We couldn't hike as much due to some hunting still going on but we made due."
Bug activity: Due to the proximity to rivers and marshes, insects can be problematic at certain times. At Fishermans Corner, one reviewer noted, "Bugs were not too bad when we were there (October) which was surprising as it was so close to the river and still warm."
Site selection: Different loops offer varied experiences within the same campground. At Morrison-Rockwood, Stacie H. advises, "Most of the camp sites are fairly secluded from one another by distance and from surrounding foliage. The exceptions would be sites 55-64 that loop around the playground."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Crow Valley Campground offers numerous family-focused features. Megan C. enthuses, "Way more than we expected! A pool, play set, fishing, game room, great rates, and above all; a fantastic family running the place."
First-time campers: Morrison-Rockwood is ideal for camping novices with children. Amy W. recommends it for "first timers/young kids," explaining, "There's a shower house with flush toilets, warm showers, and surprisingly CLEAN! The site was medium size. Enough room to spread out."
Playground proximity: Consider whether you want to be near play areas. For Morrison-Rockwood, Brian O. notes, "We stayed in the 60's loop which is more open than most since it has the playground. There's only one shower building, which is clean and well-kept."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Many local campgrounds offer various utility connections. At Geneseo Campground, Stuart K. details, "From an amenities standpoint, there's full and partial hook-ups offering 30/50 electric amp, water & sewage hook-ups."
Pad surfaces: Concrete pads are available at some locations, creating stable setups for larger vehicles. Matt P. notes at Thomson Causeway, "The sites are all level concrete and just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi. Quiet at night. The only improvement I would like to see is water hookups."
Dump station access: RVers appreciate well-maintained waste disposal facilities. Jeff G. observed at Thomson Causeway, "Very nice new dump station with a lot of spaces. The sites are spacious but a little tight to back in."
