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.
Morton, Illinois and the surrounding area provide several established campgrounds for overnight visitors. Full-service options include Millpoint Park, Carl Spindler Campground, and Kentuckiana Campground, all within a 30-mile radius. These facilities accommodate various camping styles with most offering tent sites, RV hookups, and some featuring cabins for those seeking more comfort. The campgrounds primarily concentrate along the Illinois River corridor and nearby lakes, giving campers access to water recreation opportunities.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with most facilities operating from April through October. Carl Spindler Campground offers year-round availability with 22 paved sites during winter months. "The shower houses are amazing! This campground is very well maintained and right on the Illinois river. The view of Peoria at night is beautiful," noted one visitor about Carl Spindler. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Facilities typically provide electrical hookups, water access, and shower buildings, though amenities differ between locations. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with visitors reporting good connectivity at most established campgrounds.
Campers consistently rate waterfront sites as the most desirable in the area. The Illinois River provides scenic views, particularly at Carl Spindler Campground where visitors appreciate the Peoria skyline at night. Several reviews mention the family-friendly atmosphere at Kentuckiana Campground, which features fishing ponds, playgrounds, and weekend entertainment. A camper shared, "Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler." For those seeking convenience rather than traditional camping experiences, several overnight parking options exist at retail establishments in East Peoria, including Bass Pro Shops and Costco, which visitors report having level parking and good security. Noise levels vary by location, with roadside and city-adjacent campgrounds experiencing more ambient sound than those in more rural settings.
$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."
"This waterfront campground is perfect for anglers and particularly boaters who want to have their vessels close at hand, tied up at the marina, providing quick and EZ access to a fresh body of water that"
"It was also a short walk to the Illinois River!!!"
"We stayed here last year and will likely stay there again this year when we are back in Illinois. The park has two sides, one side closer to the stage."
"When Unhitching if there is anyone waiting to drive by, you feel kind of rushed. Don’t let it make you forget wheel chocks or something important. They have a nice pond."
"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."
$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"
"The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."
"Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies. The campsite has three main loops with RV pads and electric goo ups."
$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."












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.
It’s a nice place river views, even beaches at the river a path in the woods that are also 4 wheel paths lots of fun there. The bad part is there water is bad not even reg rv filters last one day. My white shower when I left was orange I was there for 4 days. Everyone is laid back no hurry to do anything
Set on a serene 105-acre site perched above the Illinois River valley, Great Oaks Camp delivers an atmosphere of peaceful serenity blended with purposeful programming. First impressions are warm and welcoming with well-kept grounds, cabins, tent camping spots and lodges arranged thoughtfully, with a sense of intentional space that beckons people to settle in, reflect and connect.
The facility includes multiple lodging options for larger groups including Poplar Lodge that sleeps up to 60 guests across four dorm rooms, complete with a small kitchen and a fireside meeting room with TV/DVD. Hickory Lodge houses 20 people with two dorm rooms, couches and its own meeting area. Stafford Chapel offers two cabins sleeping up to 20 campers each, plus a large multipurpose room equipped for presentations. Eagle Nest and Turkey Roost cabins offer 16–20 beds in comfortable bunk setups, ideal for combined retreats. All buildings are heated and air-conditioned, with fully equipped bathrooms and showers.
Group activities are abundant and included at no additional charge. You can access archery, canoeing, paddle boats, fishing, disc golf, swimming, basketball, sand volleyball, Gaga ball, hiking, field games, high ropes, paintball, challenge initiatives and even an escape room. Meeting spaces like Pine Tree Lodge (with its commercial kitchen) ensure that meals are satisfying and communal. Free firewood is provided too.
Insider Tips? Here you go: (1) For large groups, consider reserving Poplar Lodge and Stafford Chapel together, offering both comfort and flexible meeting space; (2) If your group enjoys outdoor challenges, the high ropes course and escape room are standout features and make for great group bonding; (3) Pine Tree Lodge is ideal for meal prep or rainy-day hangouts as it’s got a commercial kitchen, card tables, and plenty of room; (4) Bring athletic gear as even casual games are covered: disc golf, volleyball, basketball and Gaga ball fields are included; (5) Rates include food, firewood and nearly all activities, which is great for budget planning and simplifying logistics; and (6) For meals outside camp or a short nature walk, consider heading into nearby Lacon where you’ll find a small host of restaurants like Wildey’s Country Diner, Mr. Mike’s Place, FroSmokes Meatery and Rita’s Kitchen & Bar all serving up delectable Midwestern staples.
Happy Camping!
We had a wonderful time around the canal with our main issues being luck. On our first day there we were stalked and approached by some people who seemed to be on drugs, however we moved up the canal to a different campground and all seemed fine afterwards until our fishing poles were stolen at the new spot.
It’s a small “campground” right on the river with bathrooms, electric, and water. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table as well. The main issue here is that it’s between two busy streets and everyone with a loud truck in this town wants to drive by the river at night. It’s also completely out in the open, so there’s no privacy, which is made worse by the bright street lights that light up this entire place. Other than noise and privacy, it’s a nice place. Price as of Nov. 2025 is $35/night.
Listed on app as free, but it actually requires a reservation and fee.
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.
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.
This is one of the larger Walmart stores that I have across in my travels and is conveniently located right off of I74 just due south of Peoria and across the Illinois River. You will immediately discover that this Walmart is easily accessible from just about any entrance point that completely surrounds this blue big box retailer. And even though this retail outlet is massive, as is its accompanying oversized parking pad, the place was very frenetic, and jam-packed with lots of traffic zipping around in multiple directions.
But hey, if lots of ping-pong match-style traffic doesn’t dissuade you from parking here, then you’ll be treated to a decent ton of amenities as you are situated within a massive retail complex that is surrounded by other big box retailers like Lowe’s and Bass Pro Shop, a number of gas stations as well as a decent assortment of smart restaurants, like Texas Roadhouse, Childer’s Eatery and Godfather’s Pizza. Of course, there’s no shortage of drive-by fast food joints nearby like McDonald’s, IHOP, Bob Evans, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, but take it from me, you’d be better off crossing the Illinois River into Peoria to check out some better haunts like Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery or Thyme Kitchen & Craft Beer.
Should you decide to park at this oversized discount retailer parking haven, I would suggest parking either on the southern or northern perimeters as while they are next to their own respective inner 2-lane roads, the traffic is slow-moving and isn’t stopped for any lights around those areas, making for less noise pollution. You’ll find that the lot is very flat and level, well-paved albeit dated as well as offering really great lighting at night along with very good rotating security that remain constantly vigilant in this overgrown shopping mecca.
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: 2
Quality: 3
Peace & Quiet: 2
Amenities: 3
Overall, I scored this location a 3
Happy Overnighting!
Morton area campgrounds range in size from small 50-site operations to larger facilities with over 300 sites. Located in central Illinois where the elevation averages 650 feet above sea level, the camping season typically extends from early April through October, with temperatures ranging from 40°F to 85°F during this period. Water recreation options include both river and lake experiences, with most campsites situated within a 30-minute drive of the town.
Hiking and nature exploration: Sand Ridge State Forest offers a unique ecosystem with several trail options. "The orange trail (5 mile loop) starts at the campground making it easy to access the trail to check out the sandy forest and prickly pear cactus... Hiking in sand is challenging and you'll get a workout!" notes Amanda C. about Pine Campground.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Kentuckiana Campground maintains fishing areas for guests. "They have two nice ponds stocked with fish. No license required. Catch and keep," reports Cindy H. The campground balances outdoor activities with modern amenities, making it suitable for both casual and serious anglers.
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal facilities, some campgrounds remain open year-round. "We spent Christmas 2020 here! We camped in spot B4. One of the park staff stopped by. He was super nice, and offered some great info for future visits. Toilets were open, and he did mention we could still use the water spigot!" shares Austin and Natasha S. about their winter experience at Pine Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The rural setting allows for excellent night sky viewing. "The viewing of stars is incredible," reports Joe M. about Jubilee College State Park Campground. This park, located northwest of Morton, offers clear skies away from city light pollution.
Waterfront sites: Many campers praise the views from riverside camping spots. "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 a sublime encounter with nature on top of offering direct waterfront sites," explains Stuart K. about Millpoint Park.
Clean, modern facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower houses receive positive mentions. "The shower houses are new and clean!" notes DJ about Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground. This campground, located about 20 minutes from Morton, maintains high cleanliness standards.
Spacious sites: Reviewers frequently mention ample camping space at certain locations. "Full hookups each site. On Illinois river. Has cabins for rent, showers," states Mike S. about Millpoint Park, highlighting the good-sized sites for comfortable camping.
Weekend entertainment: Some campgrounds schedule regular events for guests. "Nice campground! Music most Saturday nights. Bocce ball playgrounds and pavilions, activities most weekends," reports Jennifer M. about Kentuckiana Kampground, which offers structured entertainment alongside camping.
Water quality variations: Some campgrounds have mineral-rich water systems. "Water has a lot of iron so does smell/taste weird," notes Melissa C. about Millpoint Park. Similar comments appear for multiple campgrounds, suggesting campers should bring drinking water.
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty at certain campgrounds. "We did not have any cell phone service here at all and from talking to some of the other campers they did not either so that eliminates at least Sprint and Verizon cell phone signal," explains Ryan L. about Kentuckiana Kampground and Country Opry.
Reservation timing: Holiday weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. "We were late reserving a campsite for Memorial Day Weekend. But Don had a spot for us," shares Brett F. This suggests booking well in advance for prime weekends, especially at smaller campgrounds.
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to major highways. "Maybe it was the hand-written note taped to the office door that explained how the front office manager / owner was laid up with a bad back, so checking in was on the 'honor system' or the fact that we were just looking for a nice, flat and quiet place to lay up for the night that wouldn't take us too far off course, but for whatever the reason, while we weren't looking to hole up at Kamp Komfort RV Park & Campground, we ended up there and it was a sublime experience," writes Stuart K., noting that Kamp Komfort is "literally RIGHT NEXT to the major highway 74."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Great place for kids. Decent little parks. Huge slide in the holler. Spots are kind of cramped and close together, one of our favorite places though!" shares Nick W. about Kentuckiana Campground.
Swimming options: Some campgrounds offer pool access. "The perfect blend of peaceful private camping and amenities! Full hook up, pool, laundry, beautiful bathrooms," notes Jennifer S. about Kamp Komfort, highlighting the swimming option for families.
Educational nature trails: Several campgrounds feature educational walking paths. "We enjoyed the short nature trail that leaves directly from the area. The trail starts off as a boardwalk over an interesting marsh area and then transitions to a primitive trail eventually leading you to the lake shoreline. This was a great walk for our black lab who loves trails and water," shares Nancy W. about Carl Spindler Campground.
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular family-oriented events. "This campground is very well kept with very clean showers and restrooms. Golf carts are allowed here which is a plus," reports Adam F. about Carl Spindler Campground, noting an amenity popular with families.
Winter camping availability: Limited winter RV options exist near Morton. "They close most of the park in the winter time which only leaves 22 paved sites available," explains Nancy W. about Carl Spindler Campground, one of the few year-round operations.
Site leveling needs: Some campgrounds require more setup work than others. "Our site was huge. Right by jones pond, but the fishing was not the best right by our site," reports Melissa B. about Comlara County Park, noting the spacious but potentially uneven sites.
Electrical connections: Extension cords may be needed at some campgrounds. "In the overflow 'unpaved' section there is 1 station of power for 4 campers. So you definitely need a LONG power cord," advises Kaitlin D. about Carl Spindler Campground, highlighting an important equipment consideration.
Dump station accessibility: Most campgrounds offer dump stations, but not all sites have sewer hookups. "We enjoyed a nice pull-through full hookup site that required minimal leveling," states Melissa C., emphasizing the convenience of a well-designed RV site with complete utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV campgrounds are available in Morton?
Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground is a solid option for RVers near Morton, offering a quiet setting despite being somewhat close to the highway, with trees helping to block noise. The campground features a pool and friendly staff. Another option is Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, which provides a more rustic experience with water, pit privies, a sanitary dump station, fire rings with BBQ grills, and picnic tables. Though basic, it offers a beautiful natural setting for RVers seeking a more outdoorsy experience.
Are there any free camping options around Morton?
Free overnight parking is available at Walmart — Bloomington Supercenter, which has a spacious lot that easily accommodates large RVs, fifth wheels, and other rigs. Similarly, the Walmart - Peoria Supercenter offers convenient overnight parking just south of Peoria off I-74, with easy accessibility from multiple entrance points. While these aren't traditional camping experiences, they provide safe, free options for overnight stays when traveling through the Morton area. Always check with store management upon arrival to confirm current overnight parking policies.
Where are the best camping spots near Morton?
The Morton area offers several excellent camping options. Millpoint Park is a standout choice with spacious, well-distanced sites along the Illinois River, providing beautiful sunsets and waterfront views. For a unique experience, Pine Campground — Sand Ridge State Forest offers backpacking sites with an unexpected mix of sand and soil trails that feel like a hidden gem in Illinois. Both locations provide a peaceful atmosphere with plenty of natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities.
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