Best Campgrounds near Mount Morris, IL

Campgrounds near Mount Morris, Illinois provide numerous options within a short drive, ranging from fully developed facilities to more rustic experiences. White Pines Forest State Park Campground, located in nearby Polo, serves as a year-round destination offering tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups, and cabin accommodations. Just a few miles away, Lowden State Park Campground in Oregon, Illinois features similar amenities with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access points. Several campgrounds in the area support mixed camping styles, with most established sites providing fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, while maintaining proximity to natural attractions like the Rock River.

The camping season throughout northern Illinois generally extends from April through October, though several parks remain open year-round with limited winter services. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months and holiday weekends when facilities frequently reach capacity. Many campgrounds in the region have accessible sites with electrical hookups ranging from 30-amp to 50-amp service, while water and sewer connections vary by location. Cellular coverage remains consistent throughout most established campgrounds, though service may be spotty in more remote areas. Restroom and shower facilities typically close during colder months, with only primitive facilities available in winter. As one camper noted, "The park and one loop of the campground remains open year-round, however the water and facilities with plumbing shut down at the end of October."

Campers report high satisfaction with the natural settings and recreational opportunities available near Mount Morris. Rock Cut State Park, though slightly farther at about 35 miles northeast, receives consistent praise for its spacious sites and proximity to hiking trails. Several visitors mentioned the excellent fishing opportunities throughout the region, particularly at Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, which one reviewer called "one of the best, most pristine camping experiences that exists in this sweet corn riddled and drilled bean harvested farmland." The region's campgrounds generally feature a mix of open and wooded sites, with those along waterways being most popular. Sites with shade prove especially valuable during hot summer months, while RV campers appreciate the relatively flat terrain that characterizes most camping areas in northern Illinois.

Best Camping Sites Near Mount Morris, Illinois (87)

    1. White Pines Forest State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Mount Morris, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 946-3717

    "Easy drive up style. Picnic tables and fire pits on site. Bathrooms and dumpster close by. River that is walk and drive through!"

    "Much quieter and more peaceful than the more crowded counterparts and perfect for camping with small children because the bathrooms are always close by and it’s actually quiet at night when they need to"

    2. Lowden State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Oregon, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 732-6828

    $10 - $20 / night

    "I found spot 70 that was away from most of the others. We heard no main road noise but did hear people passing us by. Even though someone camped right across from me, we really didn't see each other."

    "Lots of good trees around for hammocking, especially at B38. Short walk to the shower and stall building."

    3. Castle Rock State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Oregon, IL
    7 miles
    Website

    $6 / night

    "Someone came fairly early in the morning to check and make sure everyone paid and that we actually canoed in and didn’t park off a road somewhere and walk in."

    "Located about 100 miles West of Chicago, Castle Rock State Park features one of the ONLY campgrounds that I've visited this close to the city in which I was completely alone."

    4. Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    81 Reviews
    Machesney Park, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 885-3311

    $12 - $50 / night

    "Normal Illinois state park. Not a lot of services but good size sites and peaceful. Lake with canoe rentals and fishing. Nice walking trails."

    ", with Highway 173 to the west and Harlem Road to the east."

    5. Lake LaDonna Family Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mount Morris, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 732-6804

    "This is a very nice and clean campground with themed weekends and even a lake...the only reason I gave this campground 4 stars and not 5 is because they put the weekend campers near the train tracks the"

    "The bathrooms are clean, there is a lake with inflatables And a deeper side for experienced swimmers to swim from a high pedestal on a rope."

    6. Hansen's Hideaway Ranch and Family Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mount Morris, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 732-6489

    "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) Great hiking and kayaking in nearby"

    7. Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve

    7 Reviews
    Pecatonica, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 877-6100

    $15 - $25 / night

    "This is a nice campground that winds around through some light woods. Campsites have electric hookups. There are certainly lots of picnic tables. We saw more than one per site."

    "Off the beaten path campground. Quiet. Nice place for solitude. Good hiking trails, pit toilets; no shower facilities."

    8. Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center

    1 Review
    Oregon, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 732-2220

    "It is a quick 5 minute drive to downtown Americana Oregon, Il and heads and tails more private and tranquil than White Pines State Park."

    9. Blackhawk Valley Campground

    9 Reviews
    Rockford, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 671-1125

    "Although a 15 minute drive from the main highway, this campground makes it worth it. Beautiful green common areas and a creek with small Sandy area below."

    "Active tent campers next to us and a lot (a lot) of seasonal permanent RV’s all very nicely appointed."

    10. Lake Louise RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Stillman Valley, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 234-8483
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Recent Reviews near Mount Morris, IL

495 Reviews of 87 Mount Morris Campgrounds


  • Sam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Loud, crowded.

    I don't think we'll be back. The best part about the whole experience was the crazy road that leads to the overlooks. The campground is stacked close together, there's no signs for directing you towards sites, no place to put garbage, only a couple vault toilets. Never did see the shower house, but we just left the next day anyways. Loud people singing, playing music and snapping limbs till almost 4am, trains run all night. Not really my kinda place.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Serene Campground with Great Amenities

    Everything about our stay was enjoyable. Campsites were spaced out well and amenities were great. Don’t forget to check out the hiking trails!

  • Tim L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Chicago Northwest KOA

    Chill Vibes, quick get away from the city

    Far enough from the city lights, close enough to civilization. Cozy, small park with friendly staff and plenty of amenities. You can walk from one side to other no problem. Plenty of large and small RV's and Trailers with tent camping. Our home away from home, so relaxing!

  • Ron D.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Pearl Lake

    Low Class Trailer Trashy Park

    Horrible customer service from the start. We registered online with a 35" 5th wheel for 2 nights. On checking in, we wouldn't fit in the site so the girl at the desk put us in a different site saying she couldn't escort us to our site. This was our first time being there and her excuse was they were short staffed. The street signage was very small and hard to read. Site numbers were said to be on every pedestal but they were not visible from any drive. After only a few minutes of driving around, we were astonished by all the trash and junky trailers on site. Note that if your camper is more than 10 years old, they want to first see a picture of it so as to keep their place classy. Not the case here once you have paid and are here. We call back to the office for assistance finding our site and the girl said she would have to lock the office and was hesitant about doing so but she would come out to hep us find our place. We simply asked for a refund saying we were very disappointed with the situation so far. When she told us they don't give refunds, we asked for a manager to call us back. At this point we left to find another place which we did and were at in about 30 minutes. The manager called us back offering us drinks at the bar, a premium site, tickets for kids in the bounce house, and free water craft but I and the wife were only there for 2 nights. We were not going back to that dump. She said she would have to speak with the owners about a refund but never called us back. Five days later I called several times to speak with the manager again but no call back. She did however text us saying they will not issue a refund saying the girl in the office could not leave the desk because her coworker was using the restroom. Then why did she say she couldn't leave because they were short handed? Long story short, think long and hard before you visit this trashy place. Showers were dark and dingy and smelled. The beach looked more like gravel and not pleasing. Just walking around, I couldn't get away from the awful smell of people smoking and vaping and a strong smell of pot smokers everywhere. Not at all the place we would take our grand kids ever.

  • 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.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Hickory Grove Campground

    Midwest Pasture Camping @ Its Finest

    Located just due north of Sheffield, right off I80 (2 miles to be exact), and due west of Princeton by about 20 minutes, Hickory Grove Campground, on the one hand, is so far off the grid that you will really feel as though you are truly ‘getting away from it all,’ yet on other hand, this place is just a couple stone’s throw from one of the busiest highways that runs through the great state of Illinois, making it incredibly accessible. What I love most about Hickory Grove Campground is that it is run by good folks (husband and wife duo, Dave & Joan) that have been in this particular area of north central Illinois for a very long time. On your way to Hickory Grove, you won’t help but notice that there is a supreme amount of gorgeous farmland that you will bear witness to, complete with golden rows of sweet corn or fields of drilled beans. Any way you look at it, enroute to Hickory Grove, you will feel right at home here in the heartland of the Midwest, where we take great pride in our hospitality.

    As for this pet-friendly campground itself, upon entry, you will discover that there is a main house, immediately followed by the main office, which is where you will check in. Once doing so, you’ll be able to access your slot, depending upon which one you have selected (and there is nearly 100 to choose from), whether that be an RV or 5th Wheeler slab, deluxe cabin rental or primitive camping site. There are 15 pull-through sites (all with 50 amp electric) with all RV and Trailer sites offering full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) most with shaded lots. Other amenities include a doggie park, ice for sale, scattered picnic tables, designated trash dumpsters, BBQ grills, boat launch, pedal cart rental, restroom and shower facilities, ramp and dock on the Hennepin Canal horseshoe pit and 3 miles of hiking trails.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re a biker like me, you better come bringing the cycles as from this vantage point, you’ll be able to access the 80 mile long bike trail that you’ll find is easy to access from Hickory Grove Campground; (2) As a fellow kayak enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the nearby access at Hennepin Canal; (3) After a good day of hiking, biking and kayaking, likely you’ll want to ‘whet that whistle’ and if so, nearby Psycho Silo Saloon has you covered in spades (April until October that is) with a full stocked bar of spirits, live music and some nice iced tall boys, but be sure to bring cash because this watering hole doesn’t know how to make credit cards work yet; (4) For those looking for a nice, easy and economical seasonal rental, Hickory Grove is quite affordable offering up sites for as little as $1,400 / season; (5) Specific sites that I recommend include: (a) those on the river’s edge of the Hennepin Canal: #30A, #30B, #34 – 39, #80R; (b) those on the western edge of the property: #12A – B, #13, #16 –19, #30A – B, #34 – 39; as well as (c) those sites that fall against the eastern treeline: #80, #82, #86A – C, #97 – 99; (6) When I head out camping, I like to bring 2-3 choice cuts of rare, sometimes exotic meats and whatever you might be into, should you want some fresh cut meats, check out nearby Wyanet Meat Locker, which will have the standards (NY Strip, Ribeye, hamburger patties) as well as some nice cuts from the top-shelf, including: buffalo, lamb chops and duck; and (7) For a slice of pure Midwestern joy, check out Myrtle’s Pie, which have some amazing selections including banana cream, salted caramel, lemon meringue, carrot cake cheesecake and my favorite, the coconut cream – but everyday Myrtle runs out of pies by early-to-mid-afternoon, so call ahead to order your pie or just get in there as soon as she opens for some freshly baked cinnamon roles and brewed coffee.

    Happy Camping!

  • Christopher R.
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Great Park - Shower House So So

    The park is great. Scenery is great. The swimming beach was in poor condition and the shower house near Plum Grove needs a lot of work. All in all we would come back. We don’t have kids so swimming is not an issue for us.

  • Julia B.
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Rock Cut State Park - Staghorn Campground

    Decent quick trip

    We stayed at site 52 which is along the boat launch parking lot. You cant tell from the pictures online but theres a walking path between all the sites in that area. There was literally a 10ft opening into the neighbors site so we could clearly see eachother. I thought it was going to be more private. Site was clean though and easy access to the lake. Easy getting kayaks in and out of the lake. The noise from the highway was loud. Even at night it was loud. Pit toilets could use a cleaning. For a quick stay it wasnt bad but i would probably go somewhere else for longer stays. We drove through the tent only sites and they were terrible looking. Very uneven and zero privacy between sites. Its basically an open field. The boat landing area at least had trees between sites.

  • Addie S.
    Jun. 12, 2025

    Sugar River Forest Preserve

    Our favorite spot

    We camp here several times a year. The sites are well kept and pretty spacious. It’s rarely crowded and I never feel like I’m on top of other people. The shower house is pretty basic but clean. The primitive sites are where it’s at! First come first serve and they fill up quick.


Guide to Mount Morris

Camping near Mount Morris, Illinois, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic trails to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Starved Rock Campground. One visitor shared, "I spent hours hiking the more than 13 miles of trails, which offer access to beautiful waterfalls and spectacular overlooks."
  • Fishing: Head to Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for some great fishing. A camper noted, "The lake was beautiful and we hiked a few of the trails that go near/around it."
  • Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Chief Keokuk Campground and enjoy the serene waters. One reviewer mentioned, "Had fun kayaking on the lake, caught a catfish!"

What campers like:

  • Scenic Beauty: Campers rave about the picturesque settings. One visitor at Rock Cut State Park Campground said, "It’s only 8 miles from our home. Many trails and not too expensive."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful environment. A review for Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground noted, "I got a primitive tent site in an area all to myself, with a shower house just down the road."
  • Family-Friendly: Campgrounds like Pleasant Creek Campground are great for families. One camper shared, "We had a wonderful time to ourselves."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds have basic facilities. A visitor at Illinois Rock Cut State Park mentioned, "The electricity wasn't working... the park was old and not updated."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise from nearby trains or highways. A camper at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River said, "Train tracks are right next to the sites. It would wake us up in the middle of the night."
  • Booking Tips: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Paul Wolff Campground advised, "If you want to meet new folks, stay here."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that are flat and spacious. A family at White Pines Forest State Park Campground found, "Sites 20-26 are fabulous! Those ones are relatively flat and deep."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep kids entertained. One camper at Starved Rock Campground mentioned, "The park's unique geological formations and abundant recreational activities make it an ideal spot for nature lovers."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can help keep the little ones happy. A visitor at Illinois Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area noted, "The store is very nice and well stocked."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Rock Cut State Park Campground mentioned, "The 30 amp plug there would work for about 2 mins and then would keep tripping again."
  • Explore Nearby Towns: Don’t miss out on local dining options. A reviewer at Pleasant Creek Campground suggested, "If you do want to get out to try some of the local fare, you’re either going to have to hightail it to nearby Tonica."
  • Plan for Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A visitor at Chief Keokuk Campground noted, "The campground is well maintained... just don’t count on sleep unless you are in the habit of sleeping through trains."

Camping near Mount Morris, Illinois, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're hiking, fishing, or just relaxing with family. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Mount Morris, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Morris, IL is White Pines Forest State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 22 reviews.