Best Tent Camping near Morrison, IL
Tent camping opportunities near Morrison, Illinois include several primitive sites along waterways and in surrounding state parks. Castle Rock State Park Campground offers uniquely accessible tent sites reachable only by canoe or kayak along the Rock River, while Hennepin Canal Lock campsites provide first-come, first-served tent camping spots in designated areas along the historic canal system.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities with minimal development. At Castle Rock State Park, paddlers must navigate approximately two miles downriver to reach the tent camping area, where sites include fire rings, picnic tables and a porta potty but no potable water. Hennepin Canal Lock campgrounds charge $8 per night with payment collected via an honor system or occasional ranger visits. The canal's primitive tent sites typically provide fire pits but lack drinking water sources. Campers should bring all necessary supplies, as most locations offer no electricity, showers, or running water, particularly at the canal locations where Class C primitive camping is the norm.
Areas farther from major roads offer deeper seclusion and significantly less traffic noise. Castle Rock's canoe-in tent sites remain relatively uncrowded even during peak season due to their unique access requirements. The tent camping experience along the Hennepin Canal varies by lock location, with some sites situated between parking areas and fishing spots, affecting privacy. In forest areas like Franklin Creek State Natural Area, tent campers have access to hiking trails through hardwood forests and prairie landscapes. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, some tent campsites at Castle Rock State Park remain so secluded that campers reported having "the entire campground to myself, with the exception of my husband, friend, and dog friend" due to the paddle-in requirement that keeps visitation low.